16. Israel’s Pilgrimage to Zion

Israel’s ancient pilgrimage to Jerusalem—in which God’s people brought offerings to the temple and renewed their covenants with him—foreshadows the new exodus and wandering in the wilderness of God’s end-time elect. When the rest of the world suffers calamities in God’s Day of Judgment, those who love God rejoice to take part in this great gathering to Zion. From Israel’s lineages who assimilated into the Gentiles emerge certain kings and queens who fulfill God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that kings would come out of their loins. These righteous persons bring God’s elect as offerings to his newly built temple in Zion.

Isaiah 30:29

For you there shall be singing, as on the night when a festival commences, and rejoicing of heart, as when men march with flutes [and drums and lyres] on their way to the mountain of Jehovah, to the Rock of Israel.

Isaiah 35:8–10

There shall be highways and roads which shall be called the Way of Holiness, for they shall be for such [as are holy]. . . . The redeemed shall walk them, the ransomed of Jehovah shall return; they shall come singing to Zion, their heads crowned with everlasting joy.

Isaiah 66:20

They shall bring back all your brethren from throughout the nations to Jerusalem my holy mountain, says Jehovah, as offerings to Jehovah — on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and dromedaries — just as the Israelites brought offerings in pure vessels to the house of Jehovah.

Isaiah 49:22–23

I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles, raise my ensign to the peoples; and they will bring your sons in their bosoms and carry your daughters on their shoulders. Kings shall be your foster fathers, queens your nursing mothers.

Isaiah 60:3–4, 7

Nations will come to your light, their kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look about you! They have all assembled to come to you: your sons shall arrive from afar; your daughters shall return to your side. . . . All Kedar’s flocks will gather to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they shall be accepted as offerings on my altar, and thus I will make glorious my house of glory.