The Redeemer Shall Come to Zion

Jesus promised to establish His people in the Americas, in a place which He called “a New Jerusalem.” He promised that the powers of heaven would be among them, “yea, even I will be in the midst of you” (3 Nephi 20:22).

Many years earlier, the prophet Ether had made a similar prophecy:

And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like unto the old save the old have passed away, and all things have become new.
And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel.

Ether 13:9-10

In this week’s reading, we will see how Isaiah concluded his book by prophesying of the same events:

• “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 59:20).
• “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1-2).
• “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy” (Isaiah 65:17-18).

These chapters also depict the redemption by which our garments are washed white through the Savior’s blood:

Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
I have trodden the winepress alone …
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

Isaiah 63:1-3, 9

This week, as we study Isaiah 58-66, let’s look for ways that Jesus is establishing Zion among us so that He can come and dwell with us.