Those Who Are Left

Those Who Are Left

“And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and he who remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem. When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters in Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, then the Lord will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering.” Isa. 4:3-5.

The literal significance of these words applies to the earthly Israel and Jerusalem, whereas the spiritual significance applies to the spiritual Israel, the church.

Those who are left on Zion and who remain in Jerusalem after the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters in Zion and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, will be called holy. Then only one-third will be left who will also have to go through the fire. Zech. 13:8-9.

This is how God also treats the spiritual Israel—the church. “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Pet. 4:17.

Coming to the church means that you come to the spirit of judgment and to the spirit of burning. Paul describes it with the following words: “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is judged by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.” 1 Cor. 14:24-25.

There are many people who have come to the church over the years, but they did not tolerate the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning that rules there, and so they left. Hundreds of religious people and many preachers have visited the meetings but have left again, offended. When God’s light through the gospel testified about marriage, the home, and place of employment, about God’s will when it concerned money and earthly things, and their lives were chastised and judged, they did not fall on their faces and pray for salvation, but they went out offended and warned against the church. They spoke evil and spread rumors that it was a false doctrine, that there was no love to be found there, and that they only judged. It is bondage, they said, and they want to save themselves through works. All these “Samaritans” have put a cloud over the church as a cover by day. 2 Kings 17:24, 41; Ezra 4:1-3; Neh. 4:1-2.

When it goes well with people, it is day for them. They don’t need any help, and their eyes are not opened to the glory of Zion because of this cloud and the smoke. But we read that at night Zion was covered by the light of a flame of fire. This is how these people see it. When it becomes night for them and they experience difficulties and darkness, and then they think of the church (Isa. 30:20), it will be covered by a flame of fire. If then they think of approaching the church, they realize they have to cleanse themselves. Yet they have said so much and done so much that they do not dare approach the fire that covers the church. Their works do not permit them to repent.