What is the meaning of Isaiah 66:21? And I will select God Himself does the choosing, underscoring divine initiative rather than human ambition. • Exodus 28:1 shows the pattern: “Bring near to you your brother Aaron…so that he may minister as priest”. • John 15:16 echoes the same principle: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” • Isaiah 66:18-19 just beforehand promises that the LORD “will gather all nations and tongues.” The same sovereign hand that gathers also appoints service. Because the LORD alone has authority to designate priests, His promise guarantees a literal, future fulfillment. some of them The phrase looks back to the nations just gathered. The surprise is that Gentiles—once “far off” (Ephesians 2:13)—are now included in holy service. • Malachi 1:11 anticipates “My name will be great among the nations… and in every place incense will be offered to My name.” • Romans 15:16 pictures Paul “ministering as a priest of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an acceptable offering.” These links show that the LORD’s redemptive plan has always aimed at bringing people from every ethnicity into close, consecrated fellowship with Him. as priests and Levites The promise is radical: roles once limited to Aaron’s line and the tribe of Levi will be shared by redeemed people from the nations. • Exodus 19:6, addressed to Israel, foretold a “kingdom of priests”; Isaiah widens the circle without abolishing Israel’s calling. • 1 Peter 2:9 assures believers, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,” previewing worldwide priestly service. • Revelation 1:6 declares that Jesus “has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father,” confirming the literal extension of priesthood in the coming kingdom (Revelation 20:6). In the millennial reign Christ will administer worship centered in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-3; Zechariah 14:16-17). Gentile priests and Levites will serve alongside restored Israelite priests (Ezekiel 44:15-31), fulfilling this verse without contradicting earlier ordinances—because the Lawgiver Himself authorizes the expansion (Hebrews 7:12). says the LORD The closing affirmation stamps the promise with divine authority and certainty. • Numbers 23:19 reminds us, “God is not a man, that He should lie,” ensuring full confidence in the literal outworking of Isaiah 66:21. • Isaiah 40:8 adds, “The word of our God stands forever,” anchoring hope that this priestly future is irreversible. summary Isaiah 66:21 reveals the LORD’s future decision to choose individuals from the nations He gathers, appointing them to priestly and Levitical service in His coming kingdom. The initiative is God’s, the candidates are redeemed people from every ethnicity, the roles are genuine priestly ministries once exclusive to Israel, and the guarantee rests on the unbreakable word of the LORD. The verse underscores God’s faithfulness to Israel while highlighting His expansive grace to the nations, pointing ahead to a worldwide, unified, literal worship under Messiah’s reign. |
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