He will raise a banner for the nations ⌞to gather around⌟. He will gather the outcasts of Israel and bring together the scattered people of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Listen to me, you islands. Pay attention, you people far away. Before I was born, the Lord chose me. While I was in my mother’s womb, he recorded my name.
Look up, look around, and watch! All of your children are gathering together and returning to you. “I solemnly swear as I live,” declares the Lord, “you will wear all of them like jewels and display them on yourself as a bride would.”
You will summon a nation that you don’t know, and a nation that doesn’t know you will run to you because of the Lord your God, because of the Holy One of Israel. He has honored you.”
The people of the west will fear the name of the Lord. Those in the east will fear his glory. He will come like a rushing stream. The wind of the Lord pushes him.
“Don’t be afraid, my servant Jacob,” declares the Lord. “Don’t be terrified, Israel. I’m going to rescue you from a faraway place. I’m going to rescue your descendants from where they are captives. The descendants of Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will frighten them.
Then many nations will come and say, “Let’s go to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways so that we may live by them.” The teachings will go out from Zion. The Lord’s word will go out from Jerusalem.
On that day many nations will join the Lord and become my people. I will live among you. Then you will know that the Lord of Armies has sent me to you.
Those who are far away will come and rebuild the Lord’s temple. Then you will know the Lord of Armies has sent me to you. This will happen if you obey the Lord your God completely.’ ”
When the seventh angel blew his trumpet, there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will rule as king forever and ever.”
After these things I saw a large crowd from every nation, tribe, people, and language. No one was able to count how many people there were. They were standing in front of the throne and the lamb. They were wearing white robes, holding palm branches in their hands,