How does Isaiah 66:21 illustrate God's inclusion of all nations in His plan? Setting the Scene • Isaiah 66 closes the book with a sweeping vision of the end‐time gathering of “all nations and tongues” (Isaiah 66:18). • Verse 21 lands the surprise: “And I will also select some of them as priests and Levites,” says the LORD (Isaiah 66:21). • Until this moment, priestly service was limited to Aaron’s line, and Levitical duties to the tribe of Levi (Numbers 3:5-10; 18:1-7). Opening these roles to the nations signals something brand-new in God’s plan. The Radical Promise • “Some of them” refers back to the Gentiles just gathered in verse 20. • God does not merely welcome outsiders to observe; He appoints them to serve in the most sacred capacities. • The text is literal—God declares He Himself will “select” (or “take”) Gentile believers for priestly offices. • This is inclusion at the deepest level: access to God’s presence, participation in worship leadership, and stewardship of holy things. Priestly Privilege Extended • Priests and Levites carried three main privileges: – Handling the sacrifices and offerings (Leviticus 1-7). – Teaching God’s law (Deuteronomy 33:10). – Blessing the people in God’s name (Numbers 6:22-27). • Isaiah 66:21 promises these privileges to believers from every nation, revealing that ethnic Israel’s priesthood was a preview of a global priesthood. Echoes Across Scripture • Exodus 19:5-6 foreshadowed this: “you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.” Israel was the model; the nations would join later. • Malachi 1:11 anticipates worldwide worship: “My name will be great among the nations.” • Romans 15:16—Paul describes his own ministry “so that the Gentiles might become an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” • 1 Peter 2:9—“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood … that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him.” • Revelation 5:9-10—Jesus “purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God.” • Revelation 7:9 shows the fulfilled vision: a multiethnic multitude before the throne. Fulfillment in Christ • Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:11-14) removed the need for animal offerings, but not the need for priests—believers now serve as spiritual priests, offering “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). • The literal promise of Isaiah 66:21 comes to life in the church age and will culminate in the millennial and eternal states when believers of every nation serve God directly. Implications for Us Today • No ethnic or cultural barrier can block anyone who comes through Christ (Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 2:11-13). • Every believer, regardless of background, has priestly responsibilities: – Offering praise and thanksgiving (Hebrews 13:15). – Interceding for others (1 Timothy 2:1). – Teaching and modeling God’s Word (Colossians 3:16). – Living as “ambassadors for Christ” to the nations (2 Corinthians 5:20). • Isaiah 66:21 assures us that God’s plan has always been global, welcoming, and purpose-filled—calling people from every corner of the earth not merely to be saved, but to serve. |
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