Repenting of sins and covenanting to keep God’s law and word that are the terms of the Sinai Covenant, many in the Jacob/Israel category ascend to the Zion/Jerusalem level. These are spiritually reborn to a saved state. The Sinai Covenant is God’s conditional covenant with his people to be their God and to bless them in all things when they keep his law and word.
Because Israel’s God himself atones for the transgressions of people who repent, those in the Zion/Jerusalem category receive a remission of their sins as a free blessing. Now qualifying for God’s mercy, their quest henceforth is to retain a remission of sins or state of spiritual purity and to continue repenting of residual iniquities or generational dysfunctions.
Receiving a new name—Zion/Jerusalem—this category of people additionally receives a new calling. They are to preach the “good news”—God’s salvation—to those who haven’t as yet been spiritually reborn so they too may ascend. By so doing, they themselves may ascend further. A process of sanctification leads to their being confirmed in righteousness.
Isaiah 63:7I will recount in praise of Jehovah Jehovah’s loving favors, according to all that Jehovah has done for us, according to the great kindness he has mercifully and most graciously rendered the house of Israel.
Isaiah 40:9Scale the mountain heights, O Zion, herald of good tidings. Raise your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, messenger of good news. Make yourself heard, be not afraid; proclaim to the cities of Judah: Behold your God!
Isaiah 62:1–2For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent; for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain still till her righteousness shines like a light, her salvation like a flaming torch. The nations shall behold your righteousness and all their rulers your glory; you shall be called by a new name conferred by the mouth of Jehovah.
God aids his covenant people on their path to spiritual perfection by orchestrating tests or trials and empowering them by his grace to surmount difficulties. Having passed their first test of loyalty and arriving at a good place, their faith is bolstered to ascend further. To that end, God endows them with his Holy Spirit from which they receive comfort and inspiration.
Isaiah 33:6Your faithfulness in time [of trial] shall prove to be a strength, your wisdom and knowledge your salvation; your fear of Jehovah shall be your riches.
Isaiah 26:3–4Those whose minds are steadfast, [O Jehovah,] you preserve in perfect peace, for in you they are secure. Ever trust in Jehovah, for Jehovah, Yah, is an everlasting Rock.
Isaiah 30:19–21O people of Zion, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, you shall have no cause to weep. He will graciously respond at the cry of your voice; he will answer you as soon as he hears it. Though my Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall your Teacher remain hidden no longer, but your eyes shall see the Master. Your ears shall hear words from behind you saying, This is the way; walk in it! should you turn left or right.
Because God’s “creation” of all people beyond the Jacob/Israel category denotes their re-creation, Isaiah’s creation-themed terminology essentially defines spiritual ascent. God’s “creation” of people, in other words, signifies their rebirth or ascent to a higher spiritual level after they have kept his law and word that are the terms of his covenant on that level.
Because all spiritual categories beyond the Jacob/Israel category, not only Zion/Jerusalem, identify with Zion, Isaiah’s definition of “Zion” as a people and a place (Isaiah 1:27; 59:20) may also apply to them. Because repentance is an eternal principle and Zion is a place of God’s protection, the process of “repenting” or “returning” to God (sub) continues on.
A key blessing pertaining to all of God’s covenants is the physical protection of those who keep his law and word. While people in the highest categories receive God’s protection unconditionally—having previously met his conditions and having been tested in them—the Zion/Jerusalem category receives God’s protection on condition it keeps his law and word.
Isaiah 65:18Rejoice and be glad forever in what I create. See, I create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.
Isaiah 52:1–3Awake, arise; clothe yourself with power, O Zion! Put on your robes of glory, O Jerusalem, holy city. No more shall the uncircumcised and defiled enter you. Shake yourself free, rise from the dust; sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Loose yourself from the bands around your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion. Thus says Jehovah: You were sold without price, and you shall be redeemed without money.
Isaiah 31:4–5As a lion or a young lion growls over the prey when the shepherds muster in full force against him, and is not dismayed at the sound of their voice nor daunted by their numbers, so shall Jehovah of Hosts be when he descends to wage war upon Mount Zion and upon its heights. As birds hover over [the nest], so will Jehovah of Hosts guard Jerusalem; by protecting it he will deliver it, by passing over it, preserve it.
Isaiah 37:32Out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and from Mount Zion a band of survivors.