Prophecy : Isaiah 4:1 - Seven Women and One Man

Introduction to the Prophecy

"Isaiah, one of the major prophets prophesied about 740 B.C. when King Uzziah died (Isaiah 6:1). He prophesied in Judah for more than 40 years during a period of moral and political upheaval.
The Book of Isaiah presents more power of observation or discernment than any other book of the Old Testament.
When Jesus begins His ministry, He quotes from Isaiah 61:1-2 mentioned in Luke 4:18-19. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound."

PROPHECY - Isaiah 4:1

"And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, "We will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel Only let us be called by thy name To take away our reproach."

Explanation

The day (future to Isaiah's prophecy c. 740 B.C.) will come when all the women (church, bride to be of Christ) will take hold (seize, gain possession, win, captivate charm, conduct, adopt, interpret, to operate) of one man (Jesus Christ) saying, "We will eat our own bread (own Manna, own words of life, own doctrine) and wear our own apparel (own garments of salvation or robe of righteousness); only let us be called by thy name (Jesus, Christian) to take away our reproach (shame, scorn, disgrace).
The prophesy foretells the time when all the churches will call themselves Christians in name only because they will preach their own doctrines and explain their own interpretation of righteousness ignoring the commandments of God. They believe that in calling themselves Christians will take away their shame.
John 4:23-24
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 8:47
He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.

Symbolism in Scripture

In That Day

What will happen in days to come. Isaiah prophesied in 740 B.C. about what will happen in the New Testament about the preaching of Jesus Christ. Jesus appeared more than three thousand years later.

Seven

A sacred number among the Jews, also indicating perfection or completion. It was used very often in a symbolic manner for the whole of a thing.


The number seven entered very largely into the religious life and observances of the Jews.
Seven spirits (Rev.1:4); Seven times wash in Jordan (2 Kings 5:10,14);
Seven stars (Rev. 1:16; 2:1; 3:1); Seven years (Gen. 29:18);
Seven years of famine (2 Sam. 24:13).
Seven women would signify a complete number of churches.

Woman - Church

The Lamb's wife signifies the Church of Jesus Christ.
Lamb's wife (Rev. 21:9); Jerusalem as bride for the Lamb (Rev. 21:2)
Worship at Jerusalem (John 4:21); Word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isa. 2:3; Mic. 4:2).
The women mentioned in this verse would mean all the Christian Churches. The seven churches mentioned by John in Revelation 1 and 2 signify
(1) the Active Church, sound in doctrine but deficient in love;
(2) the Poor but Rich Church;
(3) the Heretical Church;
(4) the Church of the False Prophetess;
(5) the Dying Church;
(6) the Loyal Church (Re.3:8 - thou has a little strength);
(7) the Lukewarm, Self-Satisfied Church.

Man - Jesus, Son of Man

Son of man hath not where to lay (Mat. 8:20; Luke 9:58)
Son of man hath power on earth to (Mat. 9:6; Mark 2:10; Luke 5:24)
Son of man is Lord even of Sabbath (Mat. 12:8; Mark 2:28)
Jesus is referred to as the Son of Man.

Bread - Words of God

Jesus ... the bread of life (John 6:32)
Bread of deceit (Pro. 20:17)
Leaven of bread (Mat. 16:12) of Pharisees and Sadducees
True bread from heaven (John 6:32-33) words of God
When the women eat their own bread, they will not preach the truth for Jesus said He is the bread of life (John 6:35, 40)."


Source: hubpages.com