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. 2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. 3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: 4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. 5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. 6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. (Isa 4:1-6 AV)

The book of Isaiah is full of parables, stories using symbolic language. In order to understand what the story is trying to tell us, we have to decode the symbols. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the
scripture is of any private interpretation. (2Pe 1:20 AV) So if we want to know what God is saying, we must accept the Bible's own interpretation rather than using our own ideas of what the symbols represent. So here is what I have found to decode this chapter using the cross references in my Bible and searching for uses of the same words and symbols in other parts of the Bible with common Bible study tools of a concordance or index to the Bible.

Verse 1
Mount Zion, Zion, Jerusalem = They that trust in the Lord; the people of God. Psalm 125:1-2; Isaiah 51:16. Women, Daughters of Zion, virgins, daughters of Jerusalem, Israel = The servants of the Lord; Jeremiah 6:2; Isaiah 37:21-23; Isaiah 54 esp vs 5, 6, 13, 17; 2 Corinthians 11:2. The church Ephesians 5:22-32.

(Note: Ever since Christ broke down the middle wall of partition between us God's people includes the Gentiles, Uncircumcision, aliens and strangers that were far off but are now made nigh by the blood of Christ. See Ephesians 2:11-19. Everyone that believeth Romans 1:16, 17; 10:12; 3:29, 30. Ye are all one in Christ Jesus Galatians 3:28. For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that
circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Ro 2:28-29.)

One man, Jesus Christ Romans 5:15. Bread = doctrine Matthew 16:6-12 Apparel, garments = Righteousness Isaiah 63:1-3; Revelation 19:8; Matthew 22:11-14 Called by thy name = called Christians Acts 11:26 Therefore Isaiah 4:1 is telling us this story: In that day seven churches shall take hold of Jesus Christ, saying, We will study our own doctrine, and work for our own righteousness: only let us be called Christians, to take away our reproach. Isn't that just like the situation we have in the church today?
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Mt 15:9 AV) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1Ti 4:1 AV) 1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even

the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1Ti 6:1-5 AV) 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2Ti 4:3-4 AV) Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. (Heb 13:9 AV) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (2Jo 1:9 AV) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (2Jo 1:10 AV)