I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
The lifting of the eyes reveals a man holding a measuring line who is about to measure Jerusalem. The measuring is of the city itself, and the following explanation makes clear that he goes to take its measure. The line in his hand is the sign that rebuilding has been commanded, and it stands for that rebuilding work and for the enlargement of the city. It is a symbol that the commandment has been given for Jerusalem to be rebuilt.
The measuring declares that in mercy and pity God returns to His afflicted people. In answer to intercession He comes to their relief to bring comfort and strength. In doing so He restores them and fulfills His covenant promises. The promise joined to the measuring is that Jerusalem will be inhabited beyond its walls and will overflow with people and cattle. The Lord Himself will surround it like a wall of fire, set His glory in its midst, dwell among His people, and call Zion to rejoice.
His purposes for Jerusalem reach beyond ordinary human plans. Because biblical history is repeated, these chapters give lessons for the work of building the church. The vision belongs to His work for His people through the coming Messiah. That merciful work greatly discomfits and alarms Satan and his army. In resistance Satan stands before the angel pointing to their imperfections of character and disregard of the commandments.
The measuring also pictures God weighing His people by His standard for testing. Those who repent and obey, changing their wrong actions and making a thorough correction according to His measure, can be pardoned. Such thorough change keeps them from repeating their transgressions. When God sees that their repentance is genuine they are granted prosperity.
The lifting of the eyes reveals a man holding a measuring line who is about to measure Jerusalem. The measuring is of the city itself, and the following explanation makes clear that he goes to take its measure. The line in his hand is the sign that rebuilding has been commanded, and it stands for that rebuilding work and for the enlargement of the city. It is a symbol that the commandment has been given for Jerusalem to be rebuilt.
The measuring declares that in mercy and pity God returns to His afflicted people. In answer to intercession He comes to their relief to bring comfort and strength. In doing so He restores them and fulfills His covenant promises. The promise joined to the measuring is that Jerusalem will be inhabited beyond its walls and will overflow with people and cattle. The Lord Himself will surround it like a wall of fire, set His glory in its midst, dwell among His people, and call Zion to rejoice.
His purposes for Jerusalem reach beyond ordinary human plans. Because biblical history is repeated, these chapters give lessons for the work of building the church. The vision belongs to His work for His people through the coming Messiah. That merciful work greatly discomfits and alarms Satan and his army. In resistance Satan stands before the angel pointing to their imperfections of character and disregard of the commandments.
The measuring also pictures God weighing His people by His standard for testing. Those who repent and obey, changing their wrong actions and making a thorough correction according to His measure, can be pardoned. Such thorough change keeps them from repeating their transgressions. When God sees that their repentance is genuine they are granted prosperity.