 |
#819
When we are honestly seeking the promotion of
Christ's glory and cause, we will rejoice in
whoever He may use.
ISAIAH 1, Verses 1-15
We shall not comment on every chapter in this
book as some may find it hard to understand.
However, if you have the time, read the chapters
omitted. Commencing with Isaiah, to the end of
the Old Testament, we have seventeen books of
scripture, which foretell the future. No one but
God can tell the future correctly. God spoke to
these prophets, and told them what to say. But He
has told us that all these things happened and
all were written for our instruction and warning.
1 Corinthians 10:11. Prophecy is mostly about the
earth, not heaven. Isaiah gives us the greatest
and longest view of the future of the world. The
other prophets take up little sections of the
future. Isaiah lived during the reign of four
kings of Judah, or roughly from 765 BC to 700 BC.
Is 1:1-9 A summary of the whole book of Isaiah;
God loved Israel very much, but because they had
turned away from Him, He must punish Judah and
its capital Jerusalem for all their wickedness.
The other 10 tribes had already been taken away
into captivity. This terrible event should have
shown them that God had carried out His warnings,
and had allowed the 10 tribes (the kingdom of
Israel) to be carried away captive. They never
have been brought back (about 2,700 years ago).
But the kingdom of Judah went right on in their
own sinfulness.
Is 1:10-15 All their religious acts was just a
sham. God hates this pretense.
#820
Every Bible ought to be bound in shoe leather.
ISAIAH 1, Verses 16-31
Is 1:16-20 Wonderful verses. God pleads with them.
No matter how bad they were, if they would only
turn to God, He would cleanse them.
Is 1:16-17 Notice the last 4 words of verse 16
and first 4 words of verse 17. We must act in
this order. Are we?
Is 1:18-20 The Lord was not overlooking their
sins, but wanted them to know that if they would
only realize the seriousness of their sins, He
would gladly welcome them to come to Him and
speak about them. We can use this verse in
preaching the gospel today because really it is
the same story, except that the blood of Christ
has been shed. For them it was a national turning
to the Lord. For us, it is individual.
Is 1:21-23 But they would not listen. Just like
the world today.
Is 1:24-31 Nevertheless God is going to bring
salvation to them in the end. This salvation is
on the earth, and takes place after we believers
are gone to be with the Lord Jesus.
#821
All Bible truths are practical, not theoretical.
If we are growing in knowledge, we should be
growing in grace. (2 Peter 3:18)
ISAIAH 2
Is 2:1-4 A glimpse into the far-distant future of
Judah. After the seven years of tribulation, the
Lord comes in glory and sets up His kingdom for 1,000
years, the millennium. These verses refer to that
still-future time.
Is 2:6-19 A more accurate translation of the
middle of this verse is ... "because they
are filled with what comes from the east".
Today, the stores have so much of Eastern styles
and merchandise that it makes us realize how
close we are to the fulfillment of these verses.
But before Israel is brought into this wonderful
time of blessing on this earth, there was going
to be a long time of forsaking by God. These
fourteen verses refer to these days. Really, we
could say that it stretched from the time the
kingdom of Judah was taken to Babylon (just after
Isaiah wrote his book) right on today and then on
till after we believers are taken to be with the
Lord and through the tribulation.
Is 2:20-22 Just a little whisper of when Israel
begins to humble themselves, and then the
glorious days of the 1,000 years of the
millennium will dawn on this earth. But we
believers will be with the Lord before that day
comes.
#822
If we do not learn to be patient, we are not
likely to learn anything else.
ISAIAH 5
Is 5:1-15 God planted this vineyard, expecting
fruit, but He found only wild, unusable fruit.
Is 5:7 Many times we have read of how disobedient
Israel was, in spite of all the kindness of God
during their whole history; His vineyard is a
picture of Israel.
Is 5:16-19 The future, after we have been taken
to heaven. This is the millennium, when the
blessed Lord Jesus shall be King over the earth.
Is 5:20-24 When people give up the Word of God,
they get everything mixed up (but they don't
realize it). He cannot bless us if we are
disobedient to His Word.
Is 5:25-30 God is going to punish Israel very
severely, just before the Lord Jesus returns.
These verses refer to that time called the day of
tribulation.
#823
Dealing with evil in any way will cause
defilement, because we have a nature that
responds to it.
ISAIAH 6
Is 6:1-6 A seraphim is a heavenly being, possibly
like an angel. They are concerned about the Lord's
glory. Notice what they say.
Is 6:5-7 When Isaiah hears what the seraphim say
about the Lord, he realizes that he is in the
Lord's presence. This causes him to know how
unclean he is himself. (This is always the result
when we are brought close to the Lord. We see how
careless we have been. But when we confess to the
Lord the things we have been going on with which
we realize are not pleasing to Him, then He
restores us.)
Is 6:8 Now Isaiah is ready to be used by the Lord.(We
cannot be suitable for the Lord to use unless we
have had Isaiah's experience.)
Is 6:9-13 Israel was so disobedient, that God has
to tell Isaiah to go and tell them that He was
going to blind them so that they would not be
able to understand God. (Blindness is happening
today in our lands. People are not obeying God's
Word, so 2 Corinthians 4:4 is becoming true. We
all need to be very careful to live out
everything we have learned from the Bible. If we
don't we will not see clearly.)
#824
If Christ has not the love of our hearts, He
doesn't want the work of our hands.
ISAIAH 9
Is 9:6 Suddenly God brings in the Lord Jesus,
without identifying Him. One who will be able to
bring Israel back to God.
Is 9:14 In the tribulation God will be only
acting in judgment on Israel. But God is not
finished with Israel. The punishments will
increase in severity.
Is 9:15-17 They gladly listen to false teachers
when they get away from the Lord. (So do
believers, Satan has many false teachers today).
Is 9:18-21 And they turn to more wickedness, when
their heart is hardened. The last sentence means
that God will punish them still more.
#825
We are not saved by God's love, but by God's
grace, which is love that paid a price. (Ephesians
2:8,9)
ISAIAH 18
A most interesting chapter, because we can see in
it some events foretold which are beginning to be
seen in the world these days.
There have been many very different thoughts
written by men over the centuries as to the
meaning of this chapter. But those, whom we
believe have searched very diligently into each
word, seem to be in agreement that this chapter
refers to Israel and an unnamed, friendly nation
which sends help to it. We do not wish to write
positively about this, but recent world events
seem to be confirming this view.
Is 18:1 A little more accurately, this first word
is calling the attention of a country which is
sending ambassadors to try to help Israel in a
future day. It is translated "Ho!" Then
"shadowing with wings" seems to suggest
a desire to protect or cover another which is in
need of help. "Which is beyond the rivers of
Ethiopia", (or Cush). That is beyond the
Euphrates or the Nile. (This expression is only
twice in the Bible - Zeph. 3:10). So, a country
far away.
Is 18:2 This description can easily be applied to
Israel, scattered, peeled, amazingly long
existing.
Is 18:3 All the world is called to pay attention!
Is 18:4 The Lord is looking down from a separate
place (heaven), and appearing to be taking a rest.
At harvest time, a lull when nothing seems to be
happening.
Is 18:5 When everything seems to be going well
for Israel, suddenly the Lord will send something
to cut it down to shreds.
Is 18:6 Devastation everywhere.
Is 18:7 But then! The Lord will heal it so
completely that it will be like a beautiful gift,
presented to the Lord where HIS name will be
honoured on earth.
#826
We must know the truth with our minds; have it in
our hearts and live it with our lives.
ISAIAH 21
Today we read of the future of this world's
business, science, art, politics and pride of
accomplishment... all shall be totally destroyed.
The word "Babylon" describes these five
areas of this poor world without Christ.
Is 21:1-10 Are referring to the area around the
great city of Babylon. But that word has a
broader meaning, which includes the five points
we mentioned above.
Is 21:11-17 Refer to the nations surrounding
Israel. They could be called the Arab lands.
God calls it the "desert of the sea".
In the scriptures "the sea" is a
picture of the mass of people. Men may be very
proud of what they are doing, but God waits until
they have reached the top (like He did at the
tower of Babel). There is that same word - "Babel"
"Babylon" - "confusion". Then
He is going to destroy the whole thing. This
happens during those seven years.
#827
It is a great thing to receive a blessing, but it
is a greater thing to be a blessing to others.
ISAIAH 23
The city of Tyre was a great seaport on the
Mediterranean (in present-day Lebanon). It is a
picture of the business or commerce of the world.
All this is going to be destroyed by the Lord
when He comes in His glory. But in the end the
Lord is going to use some of this earthly
commerce for the good of His people Israel in the
millennium.
#828
The fullness of Christ is manifested by the
fruitfulness of a Christian.
ISAIAH 24
This chapter sounds as if the world is standing
before the throne of God, like Rev. 20:11-15. But
that great white throne judgment is for
individuals. But here it is broader and more like
whole areas being judged by the Lord.
Is 24:1-2 This poor world tries to find its joy
and pleasure apart from God. Today we are reading
of the awful end of this poor unhappy world as it
is known today.
Is 24:13-15 In Israel at the end of the seven
years, there is going to be a small number of
Jewish people who truly believe in the Lord. They
are often called "the remnant". They
shall form the future nation of Israel.
Is 24:16-18 The unbelieving ones in Israel.
Zechariah 13:8 tells us 2/3 of the Jews shall be
unbelievers and perish.
Is 24:19-23 The days of the great tribulation,
when this world is going to stagger like a
drunken man! Count the number of times the word
"earth" is used in this chapter.
#829
Once you quit growing, you start to die a lot
faster. (2 Peter 3:18)
ISAIAH 26
Is 26:1-4 Very often, when you read the Old
Testament prophets, using the words "In that
day", it is referring to when Israel shall
have gone through the dreadful punishment in the
tribulation for their past sins, and have come
into the blessings of the millennium. Notice the
beautiful words, "salvation", "righteousness",
"truth", "peace", "trusts",
"everlasting", "the Lord Jehovah".
Is 26:3 A good verse to memorize. The verse
before applies to the whole nation, but this
verse is very individual.
Is 26:5-11 There will be many unbelievers on the
earth in those seven years. Verse 11 means that
when the unbelievers will see this punishment
coming on them, they won't believe that God is
causing this. But later, they will, and be
ashamed. But verses 7 to 9 show that there shall
be some believers among them.
Is 26:12-13 The believing remnant can't boast in
anything but the name of the Lord!
Is 26:14 Those nations which would not believe
God shall be completely destroyed. Notice the
words "dead men", here and in verse 19.
Here it refers to the punishment to fall on the
wicked, rebellious Israelites. Verse 19 refers to
those (the remnant in the future days) who, in
Israel, turn to the Lord. It is going to be a
resurrection of these ones.
Is 26:15-19 Whereas today, the Jews who are back
on their land of Israel, are proud of themselves,
here we hear of what that believing remnant will
say. They don't depend on themselves anymore.
They depend only on God.
Is 26:20-21 The days are going to be so terrible,
that God is here telling the remnant to hide
until the tribulation is over.
#830
The sense of responsibility should lead ever to
the sense of weakness.
ISAIAH 28
Is 28:1-4 A slight change takes place. God starts
to take up the different things in Israel which
He is going to judge - Ephraim (this was the name
of one of the tribes, but is used often to
represent all the 10 scattered tribes). We learn
God's view of the things which people value
greatly. The first two are pride and carelessness
through being rich - verse 3.
Is 28:5-6 But God whispers a few words of
encouragement to the little remnant of believing
Jews. (Not a crown of pride - verse 1 - but a
crown of glory!)
Is 28:7-13 God has been patient with Israel. He
tried to teach them like a child at school -
"Here a little and there a little". But
they didn't listen.
Is 28:14-15 Instead they will choose the
Antichrist (this is still in the future today).
Is 28:16-17 Again the Lord Jesus is suggested
here.
(1 Peter 2:6 gives us the key). When God judges
things He brings in the Lord Jesus and His cross.
Is 28:19-29 This is the story of a farmer who
collects and throws away the weeds (fitches and
cummin) then plants his good seed (wheat, barley,
rice). All is a picture of God's dealings with
Israel.
#831
The great use of a life is to spend it for
something that will outlast it. (Ephesians 5:16)
ISAIAH 30
Is 30:1-7 In the future, Israel will try to get
help from the nations around, but hear what God
says will happen. (Only God's thoughts through
His Word can teach us the right way. If we depend
on others instead of the Lord, He will make us
ashamed of what we have done. The world can never
help us.)
Is 30:8-14 Read these verses carefully for your
own good. No person is worse off than the person
who knows the Lord, disobeys the Word of the Lord,
and then is left alone by the Lord.
Is 30:18 He waits patiently for us when we go our
own way and find how really awful it is; then He
draws us back to Himself. But if our will gets
working, sometimes He lets us go on and on,
farther and farther away from Him. Happy day for
us when we do turn back. This is what some in
Israel will do in the last days.
Is 30:19 This is the beginning of the day of the
Lord - the millennium.
Is 30:20 Though they went through the tribulation,
those who believe will be brought into the
millennium.
Is 30:21 Then they shall walk in obedience and
shall be happy.
Is 30:22 Then they shall be glad to throw away
all the things that they had once set their
hearts on.
Is 30:27-28 Read Revelation 19:11-16. These both
describe that great day when the Lord Jesus shall
descend out of heaven, and shall destroy all His
enemies on the earth. (We shall come with Him!)
Is 30:30 A wonderful glorious day is coming for
our blessed Lord Jesus. The world takes His
lovely name in blasphemy and cursing now. He
shall come in glory and majesty. Every eye shall
see Him, every knee shall bow before Him.
Revelation 1:7.
#832
Nothing can be more worthless than seeking a
place for oneself. It is sure to end in
disappointment and confusion. The grand thing for
each one is to be found filling his appointed
place and doing his appointed work, and the more
humbly, quietly and unpretendingly, the better.
ISAIAH 35
What a beautiful chapter. When Jesus was here, He
gently used His great power to heal the sick, sad
and sinful. But all that He did was just a little
example of what He will do when He comes again.
So our chapter is telling us of that sweet and
glorious day when the Lord Jesus has come in His
glory. (And we will come with Him!) Then eyes,
ears, feet and lips shall praise Him. Do you see
these, and others here?
#833
The believer who is cheerful in the Lord
invariably brings blessing to others.
ISAIAH 40
Today's chapter continues telling of the glorious
future for Israel; it is written in such
beautiful language and opens up to us God's
kindness and grace to Israel of a still future
day on this earth. A part of Israel (called the
remnant), as we have learned, will have turned to
the Lord in the 7 years of tribulation just
before the millennium starts. These are the ones
that are described in this chapter.
Try to remember two things about the future: to
Israel, God is going to show His glories and
wisdom on the earth. To the believers (the church,
the body of Christ) He is going to show His glory
and His wisdom in heaven. We must never mix the
two, of course we can see often that they are
quite alike. But still, one is earthly, the other
heavenly. Many Christians get these two mixed up.
Some of your Bibles have notes at the top. For
instance, over chapter 41, they say "God's
church is exhorted to trust in Him". These
statements were written by men who were confusing
Israel and the church. And many still do.
Is 40:29-31 This is the little remnant in those
last days.
#834
Unsaved people have a present that is controlled
by their past, but Christians have a present that
is controlled by their future. (Philippians 3:12-21)
ISAIAH 41
Is 41:1-5 These verses are wonderful. Just as if
God were calling the whole world, and saying
something like this - "Let us settle this
question once and forever".
Is 41:7 They get all the metal idols and gods
repaired. They examine the soldering to see if it
will hold! They drive some extra nails into the
wooden idols to make them stronger!
Is 41:21-23 God asks the dead gods to tell the
future!
Is 41:24 God gives the final word. The gods are
nothing.
Is 41:26-29 The questions are asked - "Can
idols tell the future?" No. The idols are
wind and confusion. Sad to have to say it, but we
believers sometimes have "idols" too.
Anything which keeps us from enjoying the Lord is
an idol.
#835
Living the life in the light of the rapture means
running the race looking unto Jesus. Hebrews 12:2
ISAIAH 42
Is 42:1-4 Three servants of God are mentioned in
Isaiah. (1) David 37:35, (2) Israel, as a nation,
41:8-16 and other places; (3) The Lord, today's
chapter, verses 1-12 and all of chapter 49. Do
you recognize that lowly life which was never in
a hurry? God always had His beloved Son in mind.
Turn to Matthew 12:18-21, it helps you to
understand these verses. Just think that God
became such a lowly Servant. The Lord Jesus is
the Servant, and the Lord Jesus is God.
Is 42:7 We are never told in the Old Testament of
one Israelite, who had been born blind, receiving
his sight. The Lord Jesus was the first one who
brought sight to the blind (Mark 10:46). (Written
about 600 years before He came to earth).
Is 42:5-12 These verses all refer to the day when
Christ shall come again in His glory.
Is 42:13-16 What the Lord will do during that
time.
Is 42:17-25 Everyone who turns away from the Lord
to other gods (this might be done when we set our
minds to find pleasure in the world) will end up
in disappointment.
Is 42:24 Here it tells us that God controlled
what happened to Israel. He allowed the robbers
to come and rob them. (So if we turn to other
things, and forsake the Lord. He allows us
sometimes to get into trouble. And all because He
loves us so much).
#836
How can I enjoy the coming of the Lord if it will
destroy much of what I'm seeking to build up in
this world?
ISAIAH 45
Is 45:1-4 & 13 Isaiah writes down the name of
a king - King Cyrus, who would be a great Gentile
king of the future. We can imagine the surprise
about l75 years later when they brought the
writings of Isaiah to this king of Persia and
showed him that their God had told that he would
live! Even telling his name! Read about it in
Ezra chapter 1. No wonder he wanted to help the
Jews rebuild their city of Jerusalem.
Is 45:5-25 Beautiful words of God. Read them
carefully. Notice part of verse 21 "a just
God and a Saviour". Isn't that grand! God is
fair and just. But since that was written, the
Son of God has come to earth. He is the Saviour.
Is 45:22 Marvelous beyond words. And yet people
will not come to Him. They prefer to go on in
their misery and sorrow, and die unsaved.
#837
The great point is to be real, and to go through
the stern realities of actual life with a heart
truly subject to God.
ISAIAH 52
The Lord here calls Israel to wake up! He is just
about ready to announce a great event.
Is 52:3 He tells them that they sold themselves
to the Gentiles around them and they received no
payment, then He tells them they are going to be
restored later on and they won't be asked to pay
anything!
Is 52:4 The Lord reminds them of their sad days
in Egypt and of how they were oppressed.
Is 52:5 He asks what does He have as a result.
Nothing but howls from them, and His Name is
blasphemed!
Is 52:6 Then He tells them that a day is coming
when they'll know that "I am HE" and
"Here I am". They had completely
forgotten the Lord who had done so much for them!
Is 52:7-12 A great call to His people to listen
to what HE is going to do for them! Now we read
the greatest reference in the whole of the Old
Testament to the Lord Jesus dying on the cross.
Remember it was written 500 years before He came
to earth! Some of the tenderest, sweetest, most
touching expressions in the whole Bible.
The last 3 verses of this chapter and the entire
53rd chapter, form a great "V". Firstly
we read, in these 3 verses, the heights, the
glory of the Lord Jesus. Then in the 53rd chapter,
we see the great valley, and great depths to
which the Lord plunged in His life here on earth
and on the cross. Then at the end of this chapter,
we read of the height of glory to which He will
be raised when He is in His resurrection and
glorified life.
Is 52:14 No man's face was ever marred like His!
Is 52:15 Many Gentile nations on the earth in the
millennium shall turn to the Lord and be
astonished at what they learn of Him.
#838
The Christian ought to be the happiest of men,
but his happiness should consist in what he knows
is his portion in and with Christ.
ISAIAH 53
This chapter refers particularly to Israel, but
we shall apply it to ourselves.
Is 53:1 Something like "But, oh how few
believe"! Who will listen?
Is 53:2 In God's eyes, Jesus was like a tender
green sprout from a root in a dry ground, but in
our eyes there was nothing in Him to attract us,
nothing to make us want Him (blessed Jesus!)
Is 53:3 Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. We
turned our backs to Him, and looked the other way.
We didn't care.
Is 53:4-5 Our griefs - our sorrows - our
transgressions - our iniquities were made His,
and the result? - our peace. We were healed!
Is 53:6 We are the ones who went astray like
sheep.
Is 53:7 He was the Lamb that was brought to the
slaughter.
Is 53:8 From prison and trial, they led Him away
to death.
Is 53:9 He was buried like a criminal but in a
rich man's grave - Matthew 27:57-60.
Is 53:10 It was in God's counsel to put Jesus to
grief, but Jesus would live again and God's plan
shall prosper in His hand.
Is 53:11 When Jesus sees all the results of the
punishment He endured, He will be satisfied, and
God will be glorified.
Is 53:12 To understand this verse, we must apply
it entirely to Israel and this earth. When it
happens, every believer in the Lord Jesus will be
safely with the Lord in heaven. Then this verse
will be fulfilled on earth when the Lord will set
up His world-kingdom. He will be Lord of lords
and King of kings. Every eye will see Him. The
last half of the verse is saying that the reason
He will be so victorious is "because"
of His life of obedience and humiliation, His
atoning death and His prayers.
#839
God's all cannot be praised with less than our
all.
ISAIAH 55
What a beautiful chapter! What an invitation!
What a loving God to make such an offer! It is
like the gospel message today. In verses 1-5 we
have the invitation; in verses 6 and 7, the
warning; and in verses 8-11 we have the "Word".
Is 55:4 To whom do you think God is referring
when He says "him"?
Is 55:6 Today this verse is true. If the Lord
comes tonight, then it will no longer be true.
"While He may be found"; this is so
serious.
Is 55:11 The people may scoff at the Bible, but
notice this verse. A good verse to memorize. See
if you can say it without a mistake. I think it
is one of the most misquoted verses in the bible.
You try it. It is a very, very important verse.
#840
When Christians are growing in the Word, they are
peacemakers - not troublemakers - and they
promote the unity of the assembly.
ISAIAH 57
In verses 1-12 we read about the bad behaviour of
the nation of Israel. God is the One Who is
speaking here. In verses 13-19 we learn of the
behaviour of the small number of obedient
Israelites whom we call, "the remnant".
Is 57:1-2 A righteous person dies, sometimes
early in life, and others don't seem to wonder
why. No one realizes that God is taking them away
to be with Him, and away from the evil days ahead.
Is 57:3-12 The people referred to are those in
the tribulation who refuse to listen to the Lord.
Their wickedness gets worse and worse. It always
does.
Is 57:9 This refers to the false Messiah. He is
referred to as "the king". Turn to John's
Gospel 5:3, the Lord Jesus refers to another
person who will come, pretending to be the
Messiah. That person is the same one who is
referred to in our verse 9.
Is 57:13 A change takes place here. The Lord
contrasts those who listen to the false voices,
gods and idols, with those who trust in Him. Look
at the promise in the last section of verse 13.
Is 57:16 What a warning here!
Is 57:18-19 Yet what promises to those who will
put the Lord first!
#841
A strange situation exists in today's society. We
have more readily available information about sex
and marriage than ever before, yet we have more
marital problems and divorces.
ISAIAH 59
Is 59:1 The Lord isn't too weak to save them! And
He is not deaf!
Is 59:2 But their own sins were the reason for
their troubles, and the cause of God's hiding His
face from them.
Is 59:3-4 God saw every detail of their life. (And
He sees ours too!) Is this our trouble? However
we must always remember this difference, these
people were under the law. Their blessings
depended on how they acted. Our blessings depend
entirely on the finished work of Christ for us.
But the enjoyment of our blessings depends on our
obedient life entirely. So try to remember this
difference as you read the Old Testament. Their
hands, fingers, lips, tongue, feet and thoughts
were all working. But for themselves, and against
the Lord who loved them so much.
Is 59:15 A very sad verse. Those who walk
obediently are attacked. Is this true today? It
surely is. The more obedient you are to God's
Word, the more narrow-minded you will be
considered. But who are we trying to please, God
or man?
Is 59:16-20 God saw that there was no man who
could help them, so He has stepped in Himself.
This is exactly why the Lord Jesus came to earth
as a Man. Beautiful verses, particularly verse 20.
God knew that the only way His people would ever
be happy and blessed, would be when He would send
His Son!
Is 59:21 But it certainly won't be because they
did anything; but only because God changed their
hearts; and all because the Lord Jesus died for
them on the cross. See how this verse is
confirmed in the New Testament, Heb. 8:10-13. The
Bible is all one!
#842
What we are at home is a truer index of our
Christian character than what we are in public.
ISAIAH 62
Beautiful chapter, Isaiah says He will not rest
until Israel is blessed at long last!
Is 62:2-4 We sometimes hold up a special treasure
for everyone to see. This is what the Lord is
going to do with Israel in the "day of the
Lord".
Is 62:5-12 God's promise to Israel.
Is 62:6 Watching and praying, a good combination
(Matt. 26:41, Mark 13:33, Luke 21:36).
Is 62:10-12 Always remember that the great
blessing into which Israel is going to be brought
during the millennium all depends on what the
Lord Jesus has done on the cross for them. The
unbelieving nation is now relying entirely on
their own vaunted strength of their army - and
not on the Lord at all. All these shall be swept
away and a nation of believers in the Lord will
emerge. So here we read "behold thy
salvation cometh". The Lord Jesus is their
salvation (and ours).
#843
Christianity is not a religion - it is a
revelation.
ISAIAH 65
Is 65:1-5 Now God answers. He says that other
nations (the Gentiles) which never inquired about
Him before, are finding Him. But Israel, His own
people, have followed their own evil path, even
though He has stretched out His arms to welcome
them all day long!
Is 65:5 And they say to one another "Don't
come too close, you will defile me! for I am
holier than you!" (They didn't deserve any
mercy).
Is 65:8-16 In these verses we find a very
important point. God makes Israel into two groups
for the future. (1) The little group which will
believe on Him during the tribulation. This
little group is known often as "the remnant"
(in our chapter, He calls them "my servants"
and sometimes "my chosen" - verses 8-10
and 16).
(2) The main part of the nation of Israel is
going to be destroyed when the Messiah, the Lord
Jesus, comes in His glory. Do you see this point
in these verses?
Is 65:17-25 These verses go on into the
millennium. People will live the whole 1,000
years (as long as a tree - verse 22, only a
sinner shall die younger - verse 20). What a
lovely world it will be then. The Lord Jesus
shall be the One that everyone will look to.
#844
There is something deeper than obedience because
of duty, and that is obedience because of
devotion.
ISAIAH 66
God continues with His answer.
Is 66:1-2 Although God made heaven and earth, He
asks what place could anyone build for Him that
could be as nice as that, yet in spite of all
this, He says He will look to the man that is
humble and who trembles at His Word.
Is 66:3-4 The people were using any sacrifice
which they offered to God. God would therefore
choose how He would treat them.
Is 66:5-6 God is going to punish the unbelievers
in Israel.
Is 66:10-13 Here again we see that God divides
between those who believe (how richly they are
going to be blessed! verses 10-14) and those who
do not (sudden destruction is going to fall on
them, verses 15-17).
Is 66:19-21 God is going to send those believers
(all Jews) to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom to
the heathen nations during the tribulation (see
Matthew 24:14).
Is 66:22-24 And so our lovely book of Isaiah
closes with these rich promises of blessing to
believing Israel in the millennium. There are
eleven different "everlastings" in this
Book. Everlasting Father, covenant, strength,
burnings, joy, God, salvation, kindness, sign,
name, and light. The Bible is an everlasting
"sure word". 2 Peter 1:19. Obey it to
be happy. But do not forget, when this takes
place, we believers shall be with the Lord!
Isaiah is quoted in Matt., Mark, Luke, John, Acts,
Romans, 1 Peter.
|
|
|
