Isa 52:12 | KingComments | STEP | These verses are about an other side of the circumstances and deal with the release of the exiles. The previous six calls have worked toward this call. God’s people are commanded to leave the area of their exile (cf. ). The commanding language refers to Babylon, but Babylon stands for more than just the city. It also speaks of terrible idolatry caused by the beast of the Roman Empire and the antichrist, as the context shows ( ; ). God’s people are commanded not to touch anything unclean at their departure. They must not take anything of Babylon with them. What they must take with them are “the vessels of the LORD” that have been brought to Babylon. This refers to the return by order of Cyrus and the return of the objects taken away by Nebuchadnezzar ( ). Unlike their fleeing from Egypt, their departure from Babylon will not take place in haste or as a run ( ). It is more of a victory march. Their entry into the realm of peace will be even more so. Their attitude will speak of being perfectly ready to resume the service of worship of the LORD in His temple. Therefore absolute purity is required. However, they will need His guidance and protection and they will be assured of that. The Messiah Himself will guarantee it. He gives the promise: “For the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel [will be] your rear guard.” This all has a direct message for those who, being objects or vessels themselves, are set apart to be used by the Lord ( ). They have the holy responsibility “to keep oneself unstained from the world” ( ) and also that they “cleanse” themselves “from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” ( ). It also applies to the Babylon of the end time ( ). It is the things that come to us from professing Christianity and with which we should not defile ourselves by opening up for worldly elements in order to introduce them into the church.

‏ Isaiah 52:12

Call to Leave Babylon

These verses are about an other side of the circumstances and deal with the release of the exiles. The previous six calls have worked toward this call. God’s people are commanded to leave the area of their exile (cf. Isa 48:20). The commanding language refers to Babylon, but Babylon stands for more than just the city. It also speaks of terrible idolatry caused by the beast of the Roman Empire and the antichrist, as the context shows (Isa 2:8-9; Rev 13:12-15).

God’s people are commanded not to touch anything unclean at their departure. They must not take anything of Babylon with them. What they must take with them are “the vessels of the LORD” that have been brought to Babylon. This refers to the return by order of Cyrus and the return of the objects taken away by Nebuchadnezzar (Ezra 1:7-11). Unlike their fleeing from Egypt, their departure from Babylon will not take place in haste or as a run (Deu 16:3). It is more of a victory march. Their entry into the realm of peace will be even more so.

Their attitude will speak of being perfectly ready to resume the service of worship of the LORD in His temple. Therefore absolute purity is required. However, they will need His guidance and protection and they will be assured of that. The Messiah Himself will guarantee it. He gives the promise: “For the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel [will be] your rear guard.”

This all has a direct message for those who, being objects or vessels themselves, are set apart to be used by the Lord (2Tim 2:21). They have the holy responsibility “to keep oneself unstained from the world” (Jam 1:27b) and also that they “cleanse” themselves “from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2Cor 7:1).

It also applies to the Babylon of the end time (Rev 18:4a). It is the things that come to us from professing Christianity and with which we should not defile ourselves by opening up for worldly elements in order to introduce them into the church.