Jerusalem​—“A Cause for Exultation”

“Here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart. But exult, you people, and be joyful forever in what I am creating. For here I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joyfulness and her people a cause for exultation. And I will be joyful in Jerusalem and exult in my people.”​—Isaiah 65:17-19.

1. (a) Why should God’s people find the words of Isaiah 65:17-19 thrilling? (b) Yet what questions are raised about Jerusalem?

THRILLING are these words of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah as expressed through his prophet! They speak of an abounding joy. Do you not want to share in that joy? Surely you do! But you may ask, What is the Jerusalem referred to here? Does it have any connection with the modern city​—so much a center of violent religious and political controversies? Will “Jerusalem” ever fulfill a role in harmony with the meaning of its name​—“Possession [or, Foundation] of Twofold Peace”? In what way are the “new heavens and a new earth” related to the Jerusalem of this prophecy? We shall see.

Ancient Jerusalem

2. What was the early history of Jerusalem’s location?

² The location of Jerusalem has a long history of being favored by Jehovah. No doubt it was here, more than 3,900 years ago, that the king-priest Melchizedek blessed Abraham. Further, he blessed Jehovah as “the Most High God, Producer of heaven and earth.” (Genesis 14:18, 19) However, in course of time that mountainous city, Salem, became a stronghold of the demon-worshiping Jebusites.

3. What mention is made of Jerusalem during and after Joshua’s time?

³ More than 400 years pass, and in Joshua chapter 10 we find the first mention of “Jerusalem” in the Bible. Here we read that King Adonizedek of Jerusalem called on four neighboring kings to join him in the war against Israel. But Jehovah fought for Israel. Even the sun and the moon stood still, so that the Canaanites could be routed completely. The five kings were slain. However, it is not said that Joshua took Jerusalem. In fact, the record states: “As for the Jebusites who were dwelling in Jerusalem, the sons of Judah [who inherited that territory] were not able to drive them away.”​—Joshua 10:1-27; 15:63; Judges 1:21.

The Jerusalem of Kings David and Solomon

4. How was Jerusalem blessed in the days of David and Solomon?

⁴ Some 400 years later, David became king over all Israel. In the year 1070 B.C.E. “David proceeded to capture the stronghold of Zion, that is to say, the city of David,” in Jerusalem. There on Mount Zion he came to reign as Jehovah’s anointed king. His son Solomon also sat “upon Jehovah’s throne as king.” During his peaceful reign, Solomon built a glorious temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. This temple became the center for worship of Jehovah and for instruction in His word and Law.​—1 Chronicles 11:5; 29:23; 2 Chronicles 7:12-16.

5. How does the book of Psalms describe Jerusalem and its “grand King”?

⁵ Many of the psalms extol the beauty of Zion and of Jerusalem. The sons of Korah sang of it as “the city of our God, in his holy mountain.” Yes, “pretty for loftiness, the exultation of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the remote sides of the north, the town of the grand King [Jehovah God].” David himself described it in these words: “Our feet proved to be standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is one that is built like a city that has been joined together in oneness, to which the tribes have gone up, the tribes of Jah, as a reminder to Israel to give thanks to the name of Jehovah.” This “grand King” is said to be “residing in Jerusalem” and to be the loving Protector of its people. “Jerusalem​—as mountains are all around it, so Jehovah is all around his people from now on and to time indefinite.”​—Psalm 48:1, 2; 122:2-4; 135:21; 125:1, 2.

Ruination and Restoration

6. (a) What did Jerusalem come to symbolize? (b) What judgment was executed on Jerusalem, and why?

⁶ Appropriately, Jerusalem and Mount Zion came to symbolize the nation of Israel and its people. But in the space of less than 500 years that people became apostate, and wicked kings “filled Jerusalem with innocent blood.” (2 Kings 24:4) They refused to heed the warning of God’s prophets, so that finally the Sovereign Lord Jehovah pronounced judgment on Zedekiah, the last king to reign in Jerusalem, saying: “Lift off the crown. . . . A ruin, a ruin, a ruin I shall make it. As for this also, it will certainly become no one’s until he comes who has the legal right, and I must give it to him.” (Ezekiel 21:26, 27) Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in 607 B.C.E. and carried the survivors captive to Babylon.

7. (a) What restoration took place, and why was this astonishing? (b) How did Jerusalem then differ, but what did the restoration make possible?

⁷ However, Jehovah’s prophets had foretold a glorious restoration of Jerusalem, and Jeremiah had even stated that this would take place at the end of 70 years. (Isaiah 44:24–45:7; Jeremiah 25:11, 12; 29:10) Astonishingly, and in fulfillment of Jehovah’s prophecy by Isaiah, Babylon was overthrown, and conquering King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree that enabled God-fearing Jews to return and restore Jehovah’s worship in Jerusalem right on time​—in 537 B.C.E. As Isaiah had foretold, “the glory of Jehovah, the splendor of our God” shone forth once more in Judah and Jerusalem. This time no king ruled in Jerusalem. But Jehovah again favored that city because his name had been placed there and because of the faithfulness of a remnant of his people. Moreover, this typified grander things to come. The city was rebuilt, making possible the prophesied appearance there of Messiah.​—Isaiah 35:2; 62:1-7.

Jerusalem’s House Abandoned

8. (a) Why did Jerusalem fail to welcome Messiah? (b) What prophecy by Jesus was fulfilled toward Jerusalem, and how?

⁸ More than 500 years after that restoration, Messiah did indeed present himself to the Jews in Jerusalem. This happened also at Jehovah’s appointed time, in 33 C.E., fulfilling Daniel’s prophecy of Da chapter 9 verses 24-27. But did Jerusalem welcome Messiah? No, for her hopes had become political. Jerusalem had apostatized from the teachings of Jehovah’s Word, and the rulers of the Jews committed the unforgivable crime of murdering the Son of God himself! Just three days before he was cruelly nailed to a torture stake, Messiah, Jesus, said to that people: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent forth to her,​—how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks together under her wings! But you people did not want it. Look! Your house is abandoned to you.” (Matthew 23:37, 38) Earthly Jerusalem was judged and cast off by Jehovah in that year 33 C.E. In 70 C.E. the Roman armies wiped out Jerusalem and most of its people, destroying also the temple, together with genealogical and other records pertaining to the Jewish system of things.

9. Has earthly Jerusalem lived up to the meaning of its name?

⁹ Has the earthly, rebuilt Jerusalem enjoyed any blessing from God since that time? Its turbulent history of the past 1,900 years provides the answer. And today Jerusalem continues to be a religiously divided city. No “possession of twofold peace,” no glory of Jehovah, is to be found there. The earthly Jerusalem no longer enjoys a place in his divine purpose.

Apostasy Foreshadowed

10. (a) What does apostate Jerusalem well picture? (b) How may Matthew 7:20 be applied to this modern “Jerusalem”?

¹⁰ The Jerusalem that twice apostatized, and that Jehovah punished by bringing against it, first, the Babylonian invaders, and, later, the Roman legions, well pictures another apostate system​—the organized religion of Christendom. Just as the hypocritical rulers of Jerusalem gave lip worship to Jehovah’s Law, so the clergy of Christendom claim to speak for the God of the Bible. But, says Jesus Christ, “by their fruits you will recognize those men.” (Matthew 7:20) And what kind of “fruits” has modern-day Christendom produced? Have these provided any “Foundation of Twofold Peace”? No. Rather, there has been the fruitage of two dreadful world wars, both of which broke out in the realm of Christendom and were fought with the blessing of the religious clergy on both sides. Truly, the prophetic words addressed by Jehovah to apostate Jerusalem apply even more pointedly to the leaders of religious Christendom: “In your skirts there have been found the blood marks of the souls of the innocent poor ones. . . . They are upon all these.”​—Jeremiah 2:34.

11. How has Christendom fulfilled Jesus’ words at Matthew 24:11, 12 and Mark 7:6-8?

¹¹ It is in Christendom today that we find a bumper crop of immorality, divorce, broken families, drug abuse and crime of every kind. Christendom’s religion has proved powerless to stay the growth of lawlessness. (Matthew 24:11, 12) How well Jesus’ words apply to its religious clergy! He declared: “Isaiah aptly prophesied about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far removed from me. It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach as doctrines commands of men.’ Letting go the commandment of God, you hold fast the tradition of men.” Thus Christendom, the modern-day apostate “Jerusalem,” together with all other “antichrists,” faces “tribulation” from God when the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed from heaven to bring vengeance upon disobedient ones.​—Mark 7:6-8; 1 John 2:18, 19; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9.

Restoring the Kingdom

12. What period of ‘trampling’ was foretold in Luke 21:24?

¹² However, did not Jesus indicate a restoration of earthly Jerusalem when he said: “Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled”? (Luke 21:24) True, Jerusalem had been trampled down by the Babylonians in 607 B.C.E., and despite the glory of a restoration, no king of David’s line had ever again reigned in that city. And, in the first century, Jerusalem was being trampled on by the Romans, who were detestable to the politically minded Jews. To this present day, there has been no restoration of a theocratic kingdom in earthly Jerusalem. Nor will that ever occur.

13. (a) What does Luke 21:7-11, 24-26 prophesy for the ending of the “times of the nations”? (b) What did events from 1914 onward confirm?

¹³ Ah, but “the appointed times of the nations” have been fulfilled! The very context of Jesus’ prophecy at Luke 21 indicates how this must be. Do we not see all around us today the very things that Jesus there foretold​—‘nation rising against nation’ in hot and cold wars, ‘earthquakes, pestilences, food shortages, fearful sights, anguish of nations, not knowing the way out, and men becoming faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth’? Yes, the ending of the “times of the nations” is tied in with these world-shaking events that have exploded on earth from the year 1914 onward! (Luke 21:7-11, 24-26) It was no mere coincidence that Jehovah’s people had been pointing forward to 1914 throughout the 35 years preceding that date. They understood that the “seven times” of Daniel’s prophecy, Da chapter 4, would run out in 1914, this marking the end of the Gentile nations’ rule over the earth without interruption by God.

14. Why could Luke 21:24 not refer to the earthly Jerusalem?

¹⁴ So in 1914 the nations were due to cease ‘trampling on Jerusalem.’ Which “Jerusalem” is this? It could not be the earthly Jerusalem that was captured by the British general Allenby in 1917 and that remained under mandate to British rule until 1948, when the republic​—not the kingdom—​of Israel was born. To which “Jerusalem,” then, did Jesus refer?

15. Why would we expect the ‘seed of David’ to have been enthroned in “Jerusalem” in 1914 C.E.?

¹⁵ We recall that Jehovah established a theocratic kingdom at Jerusalem with David as king. It was to David that Jehovah there made the promise: “Once I have sworn in my holiness, to David I will not tell lies. His seed itself will prove to be even to time indefinite, and his throne as the sun in front of me. As the moon it will be firmly established for time indefinite, and as a faithful witness in the skies.” (Psalm 89:35-37) With the ending of “the appointed times of the [Gentile] nations” in 1914 C.E., the ‘seed of David’ with legal right was due to resume ruling in “Jerusalem,” or Zion. But not in the earthly Jerusalem!

16. (a) Where, then, has Messiah been ruling since 1914? (b) What is the evidence that Christ has begun to reign?

¹⁶ Instead, he rules now in the Jerusalem, or Zion, of which Jehovah says, at Psalm 2:6: “I, even I, have installed my king upon Zion, my holy mountain.” This is the city David refers to at Psalm 110:1, 2, when he speaks prophetically of the Lord Jesus Christ: “The utterance of Jehovah to my Lord is: ‘Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.’ The rod of your strength Jehovah will send out of Zion, saying: ‘Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.’” Yes, the Messianic King, Jesus Christ, is enthroned now in a heavenly Mount Zion, or Jerusalem, to rule in the midst of his enemies. Already he has hurled the archenemy, Satan the Devil, down to the vicinity of this earth. Knowing that his time is short, Satan has brought the nations into “tumult,” as the psalm writer so aptly expresses it.​—Psalm 2:1; Revelation 12:7-12.

17. Why should we expect an early end to the “tumult” of the nations?

¹⁷ However, will the Sovereign Lord Jehovah permit those nations to raise “tumult” indefinitely in flagrant opposition to his Kingdom by his Son? Remember, it was charged against first-century Christians that they ‘filled Jerusalem with their teaching’; and after that vigorous campaign of public house-to-house preaching had sounded the warning, earthly Jerusalem met up with Jehovah’s execution of judgment. (Acts 5:28, 41, 42; 4:16) Similarly today, Jehovah’s Witnesses have proclaimed His day of vengeance throughout the realm of Christendom.

18. Why do we confidently await the triumph of Jehovah’s “eternal purpose”?

¹⁸ Will Jehovah now fail to cap this greatest global proclamation of all history with his coup de grace at Har–Magedon? Will Jehovah fail “to bring to ruin those ruining the earth”? Never could that be so! Those whose hopes are anchored in God’s promises look confidently to the triumph of his “eternal purpose.” (Revelation 11:18; Ephesians 3:10-12) Through the Kingdom by Messiah, who now rules out of the heavenly “Jerusalem,” our “grand King,” Jehovah, will cause his Sovereign Name to be vindicated. Then, by restoring mankind to eternal life in perfection on a Paradise earth, Jehovah will demonstrate that he “is our God to time indefinite, even forever,” and that he “did not create [the earth] simply for nothing.”​—Psalm 48:14; Isaiah 45:18, 22-24; 46:9-11; 55:11; Jeremiah 25:31.

“Be Joyful Forever”

1. (a) What is the “city” of Hebrews 11:10? (b) Till when must the “great crowd” await the “fulfillment of the promise”?

TRULY, we can be most joyful that the Messianic King, Christ Jesus, now reigns in a heavenly “Jerusalem.” This is the city “belonging to heaven” mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11, and for which Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ‘reached out.’ They “publicly declared that they were strangers and temporary residents in the land” of Canaan, for they were earnestly seeking “the city having real foundations, the builder and maker of which city is God.” But as with the “great crowd,” who today have hope of everlasting life on earth, the “fulfillment of the promise” to those men of old must wait until anointed Christians have received their inheritance in the heavenly Kingdom.​—Hebrews 11:8-16, 39, 40; Revelation 7:9.

“Heavenly Jerusalem”

2. (a) How does Hebrews 12:1, 2 point to the hope of the Messianic Kingdom? (Psalm 110:1, 2) (b) How was the coming of the Kingdom foreshadowed at Mount Sinai?

² Hebrews chapter 12 goes on to encourage anointed Christians to profit by the example of those faithful witnesses of ancient times, and also to “look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus,” who, after enduring, “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” until “the appointed times of the nations” should end. (Hebrews 12:1, 2) Then, emphasizing the Kingdom hope of these Christians, Paul describes the awesome demonstrations of Jehovah’s glory at Mount Sinai at the time of the inauguration of the Law covenant with fleshly Israel. It was then that Jehovah told Israel: “If you will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, . . . you yourselves will become to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”​—Exodus 19:5, 6.

3. How have spiritual Israelites “approached” something more awesome?

³ However, spiritual Israelites​—anointed Christians today—​are in “a new covenant.” (Hebrews 8:8-11) And now they have “approached” something far more awesome. What is that? Paul answers at Hebrews 12:22: “You have approached a Mount Zion and a city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem.” That approach had started with the Kingdom heirs of Paul’s day, as these were “built up a spiritual house” on the foundation, Christ Jesus, now laid in Zion. (1 Peter 2:4-9) Other anointed Christians would continue this approach to the heavenly Jerusalem until all 144,000 are gathered to the Lamb, to stand with him upon that heavenly Mount Zion.​—Revelation 14:1-5.

4. In connection with the Messianic Kingdom, what other features have anointed Christians “approached”?

⁴ Here in Hebrews 12:22-24, Paul describes also other features to which Christians have “approached,” and which have a relation to the Messianic Kingdom and its purpose. He speaks of the presence of “myriads of angels,” which both Daniel 7:9-14 and Matthew 25:31 indicate are on hand when the One “like a son of man” receives the Kingdom. Paul refers also to “the congregation of the firstborn” who inherit the Kingdom. He magnifies God as “the Judge of all,” who declares these ‘firstborn sons’ righteous or just, that they may be taken into the new covenant that Jesus mediated by means of his own precious blood. (Hebrews 9:13-15; Romans 5:1, 9) And Paul mentions also ‘the spiritual lives of these righteous ones,’ the Kingdom heirs, who now walk in “a newness of life.”​—Romans 6:4; 8:16.

5. (a) How does Hebrews 12:28, 29 bear out that the “heavenly Jerusalem” is the Messianic Kingdom? (b) How does Hebrews 13:14, 15 point to this “city” as being yet future?

⁵ That the “heavenly Jerusalem” of Hebrews 12:22 refers to the Messianic Kingdom to which anointed Christians “have approached” is further borne out by the following Heb 12 verses, 28 and 29, where Paul encourages these, saying: “Wherefore, seeing that we are to receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us continue to have undeserved kindness, through which we may acceptably render God sacred service with godly fear and awe. For our God is also a consuming fire.” Such admonition to zeal in ‘approaching’ the heavenly Jerusalem, or Messianic Kingdom, continues on to the end of Paul’s letter, as we read in the last chapter, namely, Hebrews 13:14: “We do not have here a city that continues, but we are earnestly seeking the one to come.” Now that Kingdom has come​—in the epoch-marking year 1914! How earnest the remaining anointed ones on earth should be in ‘seeking first the kingdom’ and in always offering to Jehovah “a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name”!​—Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 13:15.

The “New Jerusalem”

6. (a) What is the “New Jerusalem,” as described in Revelation? (b) Why should the “great crowd” be deeply interested in this “Jerusalem”?

⁶ What, then, of “the new Jerusalem,” first mentioned at Revelation 3:12? Here the glorified Jesus says of ‘the one who conquers’: “I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, . . . and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem which descends out of heaven from my God.” Later, at Revelation 21:1, 2 and 10, John locates these conquerors in “a new heaven” and describes their composite group as “the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband,” Christ the bridegroom. This New Jerusalem is God’s agency through which he causes “water of life” to flow to obedient humans, as these are healed and brought to perfection of life here on earth. Thus God, the Author of this grand arrangement, will in a very literal way “wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” How the “great crowd,” the companions of the remnant of the “bride” class, rejoice in that prospect!​—Revelation 22:1, 2; 21:4.

7. How does the “New Jerusalem” differ from the “heavenly Jerusalem”?

⁷ However, there is a slight difference between the “New Jerusalem” described in Revelation and the “heavenly Jerusalem” of the book of Hebrews in that the “New Jerusalem” is made up of the 144,000 who are betrothed to the bridegroom, whereas the “heavenly Jerusalem” comprises 144,001, this “one” being the bridegroom King. Thus the Bible books of Hebrews and Revelation show a close identity between the “heavenly Jerusalem” and the “New Jerusalem.”

“Jerusalem Above”

8, 9. (a) Who or what is “the Jerusalem above”? (b) In quoting from Isaiah 54, how does Paul describe her wifely function?

⁸ At Galatians 4:26 we read of still another “Jerusalem.” It is “the Jerusalem above.” And who is she? The apostle Paul says of her: “The Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.”​—Compare Isaiah 54:13.

⁹ This “Jerusalem above” is Jehovah’s womanlike organization in the heavens. It is made up of the hosts of loyal angels, including now the glorified archangel, Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:7) These serve in the role of “wife” to their Sovereign Lord. Concerning this “woman” Paul goes on to say: “It is written [that is, at Isaiah 54:1]: ‘Be glad, you barren woman who does not give birth; break out and cry aloud, you woman who does not have childbirth pains; for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than those of her who has the husband.’”​—Galatians 4:27.

10. How did “Jerusalem above” come to “cry aloud” with joy?

¹⁰ In fulfillment of this prophecy, Jehovah’s “wife,” his grand heavenly organization of spirit creatures, must have cried out with joy to see Christ Jesus brought forth as the primary “seed” at his baptism in 29 C.E. That joy must have overflowed when the integrity-keeping Jesus was raised from the dead in 33 C.E. and exalted to God’s right hand in the heavens. Then, what joy to see the “seed” become many as disciples of Jesus Christ were brought in also, to become her spiritual children! All of this was in fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that He would ‘multiply his seed’ for the blessing of all nations of the earth.​—Genesis 22:15-18; Galatians 3:29.

11. In modern times, how has “Jerusalem above” been made glad?

¹¹ In 1914 C.E., the heavens rejoiced also to see God’s “woman” bring forth “a son, a male,” Christ’s Kingdom. And when Christ the King (also called Michael, meaning “Who Is Like God?”) answered Satan’s challenge by hurling the Devil and his angels out of the heavenly realm, no doubt the angelic host responded with great joy to the “loud voice” that declared: “On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them!” They rejoiced, too, from 1919 onward, to see the remaining “sons” on earth of “the Jerusalem above” separated completely from Babylonish religion. (Revelation 12:1-12; 18:4, 5) And now, as these redeemed ones make their final approach to the “heavenly Jerusalem,” the Messianic Kingdom, what joy there must be among the throngs of loyal angels of “the Jerusalem above”!​—Isaiah 62:11; Revelation 19:7.

“New Heavens and a New Earth”

12. (a) Which “Jerusalem” is referred to at Isaiah 65:17, 18? (b) How is “New Jerusalem” related to the “new heavens,” and what service does it perform?

¹² “Jerusalem above,” God’s wifely organization, exults in all that her Sovereign Lord, Jehovah, is accomplishing. However, let us now examine Isaiah 65:17-19. Here the prophecy refers to Jehovah’s creating something new. Therefore, this “Jerusalem” must be the “New Jerusalem” that is now brought forth as “the daughter of Zion,” betrothed to the Bridegroom-King, Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 62:11) Jehovah says of this “bride”: “Here I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joyfulness and her people a cause for exultation.” Great is the joy of this heavenly “bride” in being brought to her full membership of 144,000, and in seeing also God’s creating of “a new earth”​—a united theocratic society among mankind.​—Revelation 21:1-5.

13, 14. (a) Why does the invitation to “exult” now go forth? (b) What glorious picture is given at Revelation 21:9-27? (c) What reason do we have for regarding “New Jerusalem” as “a cause for joyfulness”?

¹³ It is to all of God’s people that the invitation goes forth: “Exult, you people, and be joyful forever in what I am creating.” There is every reason to exult! For, shortly, Jehovah will vindicate his illustrious name by destroying all opposers. (Psalm 83:17, 18) Then, the “new heavens” will be in complete control! And what a glorious picture Revelation 21:9-27 gives of “the holy city Jerusalem [“bride” of the Lamb, Jesus] coming down out of heaven from God and having the glory of God”! Ablaze, figuratively, with every kind of precious gem, and lighted by the glory of God himself, this New Jerusalem serves wonderfully in its role of dispensing to the “nations” of mankind the “water of life,” which flows out “from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”​—Revelation 22:1, 2, 17.

¹⁴ Logically, therefore, it is with regard to “the bride, the Lamb’s wife,” brought with Christ, her bridegroom, into the governmental “new heavens,” that Jehovah says: “For here I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joyfulness and her people a cause for exultation.” (Isaiah 65:18) But how does the “new earth” enter into this joy?

“A New Earth” Rejoices

15. How have the foundations of “a new earth” been laid?

¹⁵ It is not only in the heavens but also right here upon this earth that Jehovah has brought forth “a cause for exultation.” For he has laid the foundations of “a new earth,” a godly society among humans that will expand until, in due course, it fills the entire globe, to Jehovah’s praise. (Isaiah 11:9) It was in the year 1919 that Jehovah caused his wifely “Jerusalem above” to bring forth a “land”​—a most prosperous estate—​into which he ushered the remaining ones of his spiritual Israel on earth. (Isaiah 66:8, 10, 22) This “land” has proved to be a spiritual paradise, and it is here that Jehovah’s people have been assembled as the nucleus of the “new earth.” There has been no need to wait until after the final tribulation to enter that spiritual paradise. It is already here!

16. What glorious fulfillment has there been to Isaiah 62:1, 6, 7?

¹⁶ Now that Jehovah’s people have been brought into this fruitful “land,” the grand prophecy of Isaiah chapter 62, relating to Zion, “the Jerusalem above,” has been fulfilled. “Her righteousness goes forth just like the brightness,” and is reflected to all nations of mankind by her people, whom Isaiah describes in these words: “Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have commissioned watchmen. All day long and all night long, constantly, let them not keep still. You who are making mention of Jehovah, let there be no silence on your part . . . until he fixes solidly, yes, until he sets Jerusalem as a praise in the earth.” Truly, Jehovah’s heavenly organization has become such “a praise in the earth” as his Witnesses preach throughout the globe. And the greater part of this praising is done now by the companions of the anointed “watchmen”​—that “great crowd . . . out of all nations,” who stand before the throne of God, “rendering him sacred service day and night.”​—Isaiah 62:1, 6, 7; Revelation 7:9, 14, 15.

17. (a) How has service “day and night” become a feature for Jehovah’s Witnesses? (b) What outstanding reason for joyfulness was there during 1982? (c) At what season does this joy overflow, and why is this appropriate?

¹⁷ This “day and night” service of the “watchmen” and of their companions of the “great crowd” moves forward apace! Such whole-souled service has always been the concern of faithful traveling overseers and their wives, missionaries, regular and special pioneers and Bethel workers. In recent times thousands of zealous Witnesses, young and old, have made sacrifices in order to share in auxiliary pioneer service for a month or more, spending an average of at least two hours in house-to-house and other field work each day. During 1982 this worldwide activity reached an all-time peak, with a grand total of 305,778 pioneers joyfully reporting service​—ably supported by 2,000,000 and more other loyal Kingdom witnesses. Truly, Jehovah has been “creating Jerusalem a cause for joyfulness and her people a cause for exultation”​—an exultation also that overflows each year at the season of celebrating the Memorial commanded by the Lord Jesus.​—1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

“No More . . . the Sound of Weeping”

18. Despite hardships, what promise has been fulfilled toward the “great crowd,” and how?

¹⁸ Though there will be hardships and persecutions as long as Satan is permitted to bring woe to this earth, the “great crowd” of devoted worshipers no longer feel any “scorching heat” of God’s disfavor. Having made, and been granted, the request “for a good conscience,” these dedicated, baptized publishers of the Kingdom good news serve joyfully, as the Lamb, Christ Jesus, guides them to “fountains of waters of life.” Already the promise is fulfilled toward them in the spiritual paradise: “And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.”​—1 Peter 3:21; Revelation 7:16, 17.

19. (a) Why is no “plaintive cry” to be heard in “Jerusalem”? (b) What does Isaiah 65:21-25 indicate in line with the meaning of the name “Jerusalem”?

¹⁹ Closely paralleling this last scripture is Jehovah’s own statement at Isaiah 65:19: “I will be joyful in Jerusalem and exult in my people; and no more will there be heard in her the sound of weeping or the sound of a plaintive cry.” The remaining ones on earth yet to be resurrected into the “New Jerusalem” have experienced this joy, and now Jehovah showers like blessings on the “great crowd” of the “other sheep.” (John 10:16) How wonderfully the words following at Isaiah 65:21-25 describe the paradisaic condition of God’s “people” who have been gathered as the nucleus of the “new earth”! Surely, here is a “Foundation of Twofold Peace,”​—peace now among Jehovah’s worshipers and extending on into the physical Paradise, when God’s will takes place in all the earth.​—Revelation 21:3-5; Matthew 6:10.

20. Appropriately, what questions may we ask of ourselves?

²⁰ Do you want to praise Jehovah eternally in the Paradise earth for the marvelous things that he accomplishes through “the Jerusalem above,” his devoted womanly organization? Do you want to see the “heavenly Jerusalem” with Christ its King, the Greater David, triumph over all unrighteousness? Do you want to see the bridal “New Jerusalem” extending its influence down from God and his Christ in heaven, so as to wipe away all tears of mankind?

21. How may we show appreciation for all that faithful Jerusalem symbolizes?

²¹ If that is your desire, then loyally continue your “sacred service” in support of all that was pictured by faithful Jerusalem of old, that city of “the grand King,” the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. (Revelation 7:15) Thus you may join in the joyful temple melody of Psalm 87:3, as you sing exultantly: “Glorious things are being spoken about you, O city of the true God.”