Isaiah 26:2

2 Open the gates, That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.

Isaiah 26:2 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 26:2

Open ye the gates
Not of Jerusalem, literally understood, nor of heaven; rather of the New Jerusalem, whose gates are described, ( Revelation 21:12 Revelation 21:13 Revelation 21:21 ) at least of the church in the latter day; the gates or door into which now should be, and then will be, open; Christ the door, and faith in him, and a profession of it, without which none ought to be admitted, and whoever climbs up another way is a thief and a robber, ( John 10:1 John 10:9 ) these words are the words of the prophet, or of God, or of Christ by him, directed not to the keepers of the gates of Jerusalem, or of the doors of the temple, though, they may be alluded to; nor to any supposed doorkeeper of heaven, angels, or men, there being none such; rather to the twelve angels, at the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem, ( Revelation 21:12 ) or to the ministers of the Gospel, who have the key of knowledge to open the door of faith, and let persons into the knowledge of divine things; to admit them to ordinances, and receive them into the church by the joint suffrage of the members of it. The phrase denotes a large increase of members, and a free, open, and public reception of them, who are after described; see ( Isaiah 60:11 Isaiah 60:18 ) : that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in;
not all the world, for there is none righteous, not one of them naturally, or of themselves; nor the Jewish nation, for though they sought after righteousness, did not attain it, unless when they will be converted in the latter day, and then they, and all the Lord's people, will be righteous, and appear to be a holy nation, and a peculiar people, ( Isaiah 60:21 ) ( 1 Peter 2:9 ) and being made righteous by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, and sanctified by the Spirit, will be fit persons to be admitted through the gates into the city; see ( Psalms 118:19 Psalms 118:20 ) ( Revelation 22:14 ) and because there will be great numbers of such, especially when a nation shall be born at once, hence they are so called: and these will be a set of men that "will keep the truth"; not, as the Targum renders it,

``who keep the law with a perfect heart;''

for no man can do that; but rather the ordinances of the Gospel, as they were first delivered by Christ and his apostles, and especially the truths of it; and the word here used is in the plural number, and may be rendered "truths"; the several truths of the Gospel, which will be kept by the righteous, not in memory only, but in their hearts and affections, and in their purity, and with a pure conscience; and they will not part with them at any rate, but hold them fast, that no man take their crown, ( Revelation 3:11 ) .

Isaiah 26:2 In-Context

1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks.

2 Open the gates, That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.

3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.

5 For He brings down those who dwell on high, The lofty city; He lays it low, He lays it low to the ground, He brings it down to the dust.