“O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!” (Isaiah 40:9)
Isaiah is prophesying about the proclamation made by Cyrus allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem. In the manner of prophecy, we can see how the prophecy can also be applied to the coming of the Lord. Chapter 40 marks the change of Isaiah’s prophecy from judgement to one of hope.
The phrase, “...that bringest good tidings...” actually means “O thou that bringest good tidings to Zion (Jerusalem),” according to John Gill, commentator of the Bible. So, Isaiah is telling the bearer of the good news to Jerusalem go up to the high mountain to declare it, loudly and without fear. The Lord also wants Judah to see what their God has done.
There is no better news than the Good News of the Gospel. The angel who appeared to the shepherds brought the Gospel to the shepherds. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) And to us who have believed the Gospel and have received the goodness and mercies of the Lord have been given the commission which is called the Great Commission to proclaim the Good News. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20) This commission was given to the followers of Jesus. We also are followers of Jesus and have received this commission. Mark writes even more explicitly, “And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) Matthew wrote that Jesus said to go to all the nations. Mark wrote to preach. The Greek word that Mark used meant to herald or proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Luke records it a little differently. After His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples in Galilee. He opens up their understanding so that they can understand the Scriptures. We remember that they did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit. Up to this point, they really did not understand all that was happening. They just loved Jesus and knew He was the Messiah. (Luke 24:44-45) They were not educated men except for Matthew the tax collector and Luke the doctor. Later on, when Peter and John were preaching, they were arrested and brought before the high priest. Peter preached the Gospel to the high priest and those with him. They were all amazed at his preaching because Peter was an uneducated fisherman. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13) Luke records the Great Commission. “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:46-48) Jesus clearly tells them that the Gospel has to be preached.
John also records how Jesus gave the Great Commission. Right before the ascension of Jesus into heaven, the disciples still didn’t fully understand and asked Jesus again if now was the time He would set up His kingdom. Instead, Jesus gives them the Great Commission. “When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8) Christianity is the only religion which proselytizes, meaning to attempt to convert others. No other religion does this. We have a commandment from the Lord to evangelize.
In Isaiah’s prophecy we have more good news to proclaim. Jesus is coming. “Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him: behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.” (Isaiah 40:10) This is not the rapture or the taking up of the believers. This is the second coming of Jesus in triumph to put an end to the Tribulation. Isaiah’s prophecy also commands us to shout it from a high mountain. (Isaiah 40:9) In other words, proclaim it so that everyone can see and hear. This is not to be a secret. We are to proclaim it loudly and without fear. And what do we proclaim? ...the Gospel and the news that Jesus is coming to reign.
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