Proteus wrote:
Isaiah 51:4-6, from the New American Bible . . .
It's welcome news to us gentiles that God intends to save us, along with the whole world.  But what does that mean?  From, to or for what will G-d rescue us? 
Haven't you learned by now that proof texting invariably takes things out of context?  In Isaiah 51 the prophet is speaking to the Jews. . .  you are making two mistakes 1) proof texting (starting with line 4 and not line 1) and using a Christian translation that intends to support its "proof texts."
Try Artscroll's Stone Edition:
Listen to me, O pursuers of righteousness, O seekers of HaShem:
Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and at the hollow of the pit from which you were dug:
2 look to Abraham your forefather and to Sarah who bore you,
for when he was yet one alone did I summon him and bless him and make him many.
3  For HaShem will comfort Zion.  He will comfort all her ruins;
He will make her wilderness like Eden and her wasteland like a garden of HaShem;
joy and gladness will be found there, thanksgiving and the sound of music
4 Pay attention to Me, My people; give ear to Me, My nation; for instruction will come forth from Me
and My judgement will be a light for peoples, to whom I will give rest.
5 My righteousness is near; My salvation has gone forth;
My arms will chastise nations; the islands will put their hope in Me and will trust in My arm.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth below ---
for the heavens will dissipate like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die, as well;
but My salvation will be forever and My righteousness will not be broken.
7  Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, the nation with My Torah in its heart;
Do not fear from the disparagement of man, and do not be broken by their insults;
8 for like a garment, a moth will eat them, and like wool a worm will eat them;
but My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation for all generations.
Isaiah 51 is speaking of G-d's eventual redemption of the righteous remnant of Jews.

G-d will rescue Jews from the non-Jewish nations who have continually tried to destroy us.   He will save us from the other nations.   The saving and rescuing has to do with Jews as a people (lives again, not eternal souls) from evil non-Jews.   Try reading it IN CONTEXT.

סופי

And everything that Sarah tells you, listen to her voice. Bereshit (Genesis) 21:12
Last Edited By: Sophiee1 Mon, 22-Aug-11 14:57:04. Edited 1 times.