Just as God empowered Moses to deliver Israel from bondage in Egypt, so he empowers his servant to deliver his people out of bondage in end-time “Babylon” or the world at large. Similarly, just as God’s servant—whom Isaiah calls his mighty “arm”—led Israel’s ancient exodus out of Egypt as “the angel of his presence,” so on this occasion he leads God’s elect from the four parts of the earth in the flesh. Exiting Babylon on the eve of its destruction, they journey to Zion.
Isaiah 48:20–21Go forth out of Babylon, flee from Chaldea!
Make this announcement with resounding voice;
broadcast it to the end of the earth.
Say, Jehovah has redeemed his servant Jacob.
They thirsted not when he led them through arid places:
he caused water to flow for them from the rock;
he cleaved the rock and water gushed out.
Isaiah 43:16–17Thus says Jehovah—who provides a way in the Sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
who dispatches chariots and horses,
armies of men in full strength.
Isaiah 43:2, 5–7When you cross the waters,
I will be with you;
[when you traverse] the rivers,
you shall not be overwhelmed.
Though you walk through the fire,
you shall not be burned;
its flame shall not consume you. . . .Do not fear, for I am with you.
I will bring your offspring from the east
and gather you from the west;
I will say to the north, Give up!
to the south, Withhold not!
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth.
Isaiah 51:9–11Awake, arise; clothe yourself with power,
O arm of Jehovah!
Bestir yourself, as in ancient times,
as in generations of old.
Was it not you who carved up Rahab,
you who slew the dragon?
Was it not you who dried up the Sea,
the waters of the mighty deep,
and made of ocean depths a way
by which the redeemed might pass?Let the ransomed of Jehovah return!
Let them come singing to Zion,
their heads crowned with everlasting joy;
let them obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing flee away.