Isaiah concludes his prophesy by explaining how the suffering Servant-King will make it possible for all of the nations to enter into his New Creation as Yahweh’s Covenant family.
Isaiah 56:1 Yahweh says:
“Maintain justice and do what is right,
for my salvation is near
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
2 Blessed is the man who does this,
and the son of man who holds it fast;
who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it
and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
Have you ever thought or been tempted to think, “I will be faithful to God once he blesses me?” Here God says, no the order is reversed. If you have placed your trust in him, he has already blessed you with true life that extends into eternity. Now despite the circumstances you find yourself in be faithful. God will never forget you. Yahweh is reminding the nations that because salvation is near they are to maintain justice and hold fast to God’s Law.
God created time and because, like all of his creation, time is good. God blesses and makes the seventh day holy, set apart, unique. Do you look at time as a gift from God? Do you value time? Do you attempt to follow God’s teaching on time? “Make the most of your time.” Ephesians 5:16
In the summer of 1929 Joseph Stalin, General Secretary of the Soviet Union, outlawed the seven day week thinking that the machines of industry would never stop, ushering in great progress and prosperity. That experiment against our created human nature led to eleven years of economic and social disaster. On June 26, 1940, Stalin reinstated the seven-day week. The seven-day cycle with a day of Sabbath rest is necessary because that is how the creator designed us. No matter how men try to deny that there is a God, they simply cannot get away from God, whether it is looking at the heavens and being in awe or looking forward to the weekend for rest and relaxation. Our deepest longings all point to God!
Isaiah 56:3 Let no foreigner who has joined himself to Yahweh speak, saying,
“Yahweh will surely separate me from his people.”
Do not let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.”
4 For Yahweh says, “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
choose the things that please me,
and hold fast to my Covenant,
5 I will give them in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters.
I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
6 Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh
to serve him,
and to love Yahweh’s name,
to be his servants,
everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it,
and holds fast my Covenant,
7 I will bring these to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” (Matthew 21:13)
8 The Lord Yahweh, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says,
“I will yet gather others to him,
in addition to his own who are gathered.”
9 All you animals of the field, come to devour,
all you animals in the forest.
10 His watchmen are blind.
They are all without knowledge.
They are all mute dogs. They can’t bark—
dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
11 Yes, the dogs are greedy.
They can never have enough.
They are shepherds who can’t understand.
They have all turned to their own way,
each one to his gain, from every quarter.
12 “Come,” they say, “I will get wine,
and we will fill ourselves with strong drink;
and tomorrow will be as today,
great beyond measure.”
Yahweh promises to gather eunuchs, those who had formerly been outcasts and not allowed in the temple, Leviticus 21:17-20, and foreigners to be his Servants. Yahweh promises to give them in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
God has appointed watchmen and shepherds to lead his people.
The reason pastors are ordained to the ministry of the Word and sacraments is that we, the people who have dared to believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, need help in keeping our beliefs sharp, accurate, and intact. We don’t trust ourselves – our emotions seduce us to infidelities. We know that we are launched on a difficult and dangerous act of faith and that strong influences are intent on diluting or destroying it. Eugene Peterson, The Word and Sacraments
Yahweh declares that as all of the nations come to the New Covenant, [his] house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples. In Matthew 21:13 when Christ was forcefully throwing the religious leaders out of the temple he quoted Isaiah saying, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
The religious leaders were to be watchmen protecting God’s house and shepherding God’s people but instead the watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge … greedy … shepherds who can’t understand. The priests were thwarting God’s plan by actually keeping Gentiles out of the part of the temple God had designated for them. Isaiah chided them, Let no foreigner who has joined himself to Yahweh speak, saying, “Yahweh will surely separate me from his people.” Instead of recognizing the Messiah, instead of being priests to the world, instead of inviting and welcoming the nations, they were more concerned with partying. We will fill ourselves with strong drink.
And while the priests were partying…
Isaiah 57:1 The righteous perish,
and no one lays it to heart.
Merciful men are taken away,
and no one considers that the righteous is taken away from the evil.
2 He enters into peace.
They rest in their beds,
each one who walks in his uprightness.
While the priests were only looking out for themselves and their friends, Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves, Ezekiel 34:2, the righteous were perishing. But even when the righteous perished God was personally looking out for them escorting them into peace.
Isaiah 57:3 “But draw near here, you sons of a sorceress,
you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes.
4 Whom do you mock?
Against whom do you make a wide mouth
and stick out your tongue?
Aren’t you children of disobedience
and offspring of falsehood,
5 you who inflame yourselves among the oaks,
under every green tree;
who kill the children in the valleys,
under the clefts of the rocks?
6 Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion.
They, they are your lot.
You have even poured a drink offering to them.
You have offered an offering.
Shall I be appeased for these things?
7 On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed.
You also went up there to offer sacrifice.
8 You have set up your memorial behind the doors and the posts,
for you have exposed yourself to someone besides me,
and have gone up.
You have enlarged your bed
and made you a covenant with them.
You loved what you saw on their bed.
9 You went to the king with oil,
increased your perfumes,
sent your ambassadors far off,
and degraded yourself even to Sheol.
10 You were wearied with the length of your ways;
yet you didn’t say, ‘It is in vain.’
You found a reviving of your strength;
therefore you weren’t faint.
Not only did the priests ignore the righteous, they mocked the righteous for being true to Yahweh. Like many false pastors today they were actually followers of Satan. Jude 4 They are children of disobedience, denying Yahweh’s Servant, the Messiah and his works of suffering, death, and resurrection. Instead of following the Lamb of God they sacrificed children in the valleys and poured out drink offerings to idols, never realizing that their false worship [was] in vain.
Isaiah 57:11 “Whom have you dreaded and feared,
so that you lie,
and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart?
Haven’t I held my peace for a long time,
and you don’t fear me?
12 I will declare your righteousness;
and as for your works, they will not benefit you.
13 When you cry,
let those whom you have gathered deliver you,
but the wind will take them.
A breath will carry them all away,
but he who takes refuge in me will possess the land,
and will inherit my holy mountain.”
Yahweh asks the wicked, “Whom do you fear?”
They should have feared the Lord but instead they seem to have foolishly dreaded and feared the opinions and judgment of men rather than their Creator. A breath will carry them all away.
Have you allowed fear of the opinions and judgments of men to affect your faithfulness to God?
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the company of scoffers. Psalm 1:1
Isaiah 57:14 He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way!
Remove the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.”
15 For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity,
whose name is Holy, says:
“I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Why should we fear God?
We are fallen, sinful humans facing death here on earth. Yahweh is the lofty One who inhabits eternity. How can we have any hope of reconciliation with such a high and holy God? Isaiah answers, “Build up, prepare the way!” The Servant is coming to save those who are humble and contrite, those who stop making excuses, honestly looking at, confessing, and repenting of their sins.
Isaiah 57:16 For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry;
for the spirit would faint before me,
and the souls whom I have made.
17 I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness and struck him.
I hid myself and was angry;
and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him.
I will lead him also,
and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.
19 I create the fruit of the lips:
Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,”
says Yahweh; “and I will heal them.”
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea;
for it can’t rest and its waters cast up mire and mud.
21 “There is no peace”, says my God,
“for the wicked.”
Yahweh did not want to contend with his people forever so he brought discipline so that they could be refined, and recognizing their sin be healed. Their hearts had been made humble and contrite. They were to find lasting peace in the servant, the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.
But for the wicked, those who reject the Messiah, there can be no rest. There can be no peace. Seeking fulfillment apart from Yahweh can only produce restlessness and dissatisfaction. They will always be like the troubled sea cast[ing] up mire and mud, striving to find the answers that only the Yahweh’s Servant can provide.
Isaiah 58:1 “Cry aloud! Don’t spare!
Lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Declare to my people their disobedience,
and to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet they seek me daily,
and delight to know my ways.
As a nation that did righteousness,
and didn’t forsake the ordinance of their God,
they ask of me righteous judgments.
They delight to draw near to God.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you don’t see?
Why have we afflicted our soul, and you don’t notice?’
“Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,
and oppress all your laborers.
4 Behold, you fast for strife and contention,
and to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You don’t fast today so as to make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the fast that I have chosen?
A day for a man to humble his soul?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under himself?
Will you call this a fast,
and an acceptable day to Yahweh?
Isaiah is told, “Cry aloud! Declare to my people their disobedience.” As previously noted, preaching the whole counsel of God, Acts 20:27, cost Isaiah his life. Because preaching God’s unvarnished words can make a pastor very unpopular many are, instead, watering the truth down to make it more palatable.
But the people protested. Wait a minute we haven’t been disobedient. In fact, we have fasted, don’t you see? Why do you not answer our prayers? Why don’t you answer our requests for righteous judgments? Can’t you see we are spiritual people?
Yahweh answers; their fasts were nothing more than empty rituals, legalistically going through the motions. They are fasting from the wrong motives. They are fasting in order to manipulate Yahweh into giving them what they want.
Yahweh answers they are only fasting for their own pleasure.
They oppress all your laborers, they exploited their hired help.
They fast for strife and contention, so that they could win arguments. Look how good we are!
They didn’t humble themselves so as to make your voice to be heard on high.
Isaiah 58:6 “Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen:
to release the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and that you break every yoke?
7 Isn’t it to distribute your bread to the hungry,
and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house?
When you see the naked,
that you cover him;
and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh?
If your spirituality were genuine you would want to fast in a way that pleases Yahweh. You would release the bonds of wickedness.
What bonds of wickedness entrap people?
Quoting from Isaiah Christ said that he came to announce release to the captives. Luke 4:18 It is an historical fact that although slavery was practiced throughout history by every race and nation slavery was only ever ended by Christians letting the oppressed go free and enacting laws to end this inhumanity. Exodus 21:16
Christ’s followers are to live lives of humility and gratitude instead of selfish greed. They are to be gracious instead of arrogant, at peace with everyone as much as it depends on you. Romans 12:18
Having come to Yahweh they must stop the evil that they are doing toward others, unfair business practices, slavery, refusing to help the oppressed go free. Those who are Yahweh’s will feed the hungry, take in the poor, clothe those needing clothes, free the oppressed. They willingly follow Micah’s injunction.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” Micah 6:8
The evidence of a heart that embraces Christ is the fruit of the Spirit in a believer’s life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
Isaiah 58:8 Then your light will break out as the morning,
and your healing will appear quickly;
then your righteousness shall go before you,
and Yahweh’s glory will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and Yahweh will answer.
You will cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’
“If you take away from among you the yoke,
finger pointing, and speaking wickedly;
10 and if you pour out your soul to the hungry,
and satisfy the afflicted soul,
then your light will rise in darkness,
and your obscurity will be as the noonday;
11 and Yahweh will guide you continually,
satisfy your soul in dry places,
and make your bones strong.
You will be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water whose waters don’t fail.
12 Those who will be of you will build the old waste places.
You will raise up the foundations of many generations.
You will be called Repairer of the Breach,
Restorer of Paths with Dwellings.
If you take away the yoke and stop oppressing others, stop finger pointing at others to shift blame away from yourselves, and stop speaking wickedly, Yahweh will bless you. Yahweh will guide you continually and satisfy your soul. As you pour out your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted … your light will rise in the darkness. Your light will break out. Your healing will quickly appear. Yahweh’s glory will be your rear guard.
According to research compiled by Eric Metaxas, over 380 million Christians now face severe persecution globally. In communist and Muslim countries Christians are being captured, used as slaves, and murdered in astounding numbers. Like the early Church, we must generously support the impoverished, standing with persecuted believers, financially supporting them, petitioning governments on their behalf, and once again setting out to end global slavery.
- Hebrews 6:10: God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: God loves a cheerful giver.
- Galatians 6:2: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ.
- Matthew 25:40: The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’.
- 1 Timothy 6:18: Be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
- 1 John 3:17: If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
- Romans 12:13: Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
The Church that faithfully meets the needs of the poor and afflicted will be called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of Paths …
Even unbelievers recognized early Christian generosity. The Roman Emperor, grudgingly admitted that dedication to charity was a primary driver of Christian success:
These impious Galileans [Christians] support not only their own poor, but ours as well; all men see that our people lack aid from us. Julian the Apostate, Letter to Arsacius, c.361
Isaiah 58:13 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
from doing your pleasure on my holy day,
and call the Sabbath a delight,
and the holy of Yahweh honorable,
and honor it,
not doing your own ways,
nor finding your own pleasure,
nor speaking your own words,
14 then you will delight yourself in Yahweh,
and I will make you to ride on the high places of the earth,
and I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father;”
for Yahweh’s mouth has spoken it.
Finally, Yahweh admonishes Israel because they were not keeping the Sabbath. The day of Sabbath rest was a weekly reminder to delight in Yahweh and the heritage of his abundant blessings. It is so integral to Yahweh’s creation that the perpetual Sabbath is codified in the Law of God, the Ten Commandments.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Exodus 20:8
The Sabbath is a divine gift for rest and weekly renewal, a time to not only take a break from your frantic schedule but also a time to remember, thank, and worship Yahweh for his many provisions. The Servant-King, Christ taught; “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27
Isaiah 59:1 Behold, Yahweh’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; nor his ear dull, that it can’t hear.
In the previous chapter, the people had complained that Yahweh had not answered their prayers. Isaiah 58:3 Yahweh responded by [declaring] to [his] people their disobedience. Their response seems to be an old favorite. If God is all-loving he would save us, but perhaps he cannot save because he is just not all-powerful. Or conversely, perhaps God really is all-powerful, but he refuses to save us because he is not all-loving. He has abandoned his children.
God’s response?
There is no problem with God’s power, his interest, or in his love. The problem is that the sins and iniquities of the people have separated [them] from God.
In Jesus’ story of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32, it was the son who broke fellowship with the father; it was the son who walked away from the blessings of the father; it was the son who walked away from the benefits of the father’s love; it was the son who walked away from the protection of the father. Because of the son’s actions he suffered severe consequences but the father was always waiting in love, longing for his son to return home, just as our Creator God longs for his unfaithful children to return to him.
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
What iniquities separated the people from God so that he will not hear?
Isaiah 59:3 For your hands are defiled with blood,
and your fingers with iniquity.
Your lips have spoken lies.
Your tongue mutters wickedness.
4 No one sues in righteousness,
and no one pleads in truth.
They trust in vanity
and speak lies.
They conceive mischief
and give birth to iniquity.
5 They hatch adders’ eggs
and weave the spider’s web.
He who eats of their eggs dies;
and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper.
6 Their webs won’t become garments.
They won’t cover themselves with their works.
Their works are works of iniquity,
and acts of violence are in their hands.
7 Their feet run to evil,
and they hurry to shed innocent blood.
Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity.
Desolation and destruction are in their paths.
8 They don’t know the way of peace;
and there is no justice in their ways.
They have made crooked paths for themselves;
whoever goes in them doesn’t know peace.
We murder and lie. We have abandoned truth and, instead weave webs of deception as poisonous as adders’ venom. Individual lives as well as societies built on lies will inevitably implode.
Your lips have spoken lies.
Your tongue mutters wickedness.
4 No one sues in righteousness,
and no one pleads in truth.
They trust in vanity
and speak lies.
They conceive mischief
and give birth to iniquity.
Taking Yahweh’s words of condemnation to heart the people pray a prayer of repentance.
Repentance
Isaiah 59:9 Therefore justice is far from us,
and righteousness doesn’t overtake us.
We look for light, but see darkness;
for brightness, but we walk in obscurity.
10 We grope for the wall like the blind.
Yes, we grope as those who have no eyes.
We stumble at noon as if it were twilight.
Among those who are strong, we are like dead men.
11 We all roar like bears
and moan sadly like doves.
We look for justice, but there is none,
for salvation, but it is far off from us.
The people confess that because they had no interest in justice or righteousness, darkness overtook them.
They became filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Romans 1:29-31
In their private lives, they could find no comfort. In their society, justice was not welcomed. In our societies we find the same downward spiral today. False and demonic-inspired ways of life such as communism and Islam may seem like good ideas until all the remnants of God’s light are gone. When the light is finally stamped out of a society, they grope as those who have no eyes.
God’s transcendent truth, on which the Western world was established is now ignored and even publicly mocked. The people’s prayer in Isaiah is warning that when truth is rejected societies will inevitably devolve into chaos. While there is still a little light left many are willing to delude themselves, believing that God’s ways are not necessary. But when the light of God’s way is mocked and ignored the darkness will eventually devour the society.
As the Post-Christian West devolves into the chaos of murder and lawlessness, lurching toward the unholy alliance of Communism and Islam’s Sharia Law and their mutual goal of exterminating Christianity, even prominent atheists are lamenting the loss of the Christian foundation that their society was built upon. Richard Dawkins said, “I like to live in a culturally Christian country, even if I don’t believe a single word of Christian faith…I am thoroughly in favor of education in the Bible. England is an historically Christian country. You cannot understand English history without the Bible.” Douglas Murray describes himself as a “Christian atheist.” Alastair Campbell calls himself a “pro-faith” atheist. Though not a believer Tom Holland wrote, “Western morality is the product of Christianity. All of us in the West are goldfish and the water we swim in is Christianity. The West has forgotten its debt to Christianity.”
Can we accept even unbelievers as allies in the building of God’s kingdom? Yes. Pagan King Cyrus of Persia aided Israel donating funds and treasures to the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 1 As Christ taught, “Whoever is not against us is for us.” Mark 9:38 Similarly, Paul rejoiced even when people approved of Christianity for wrong motives saying, “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.” Philippians 1:18 We pray that men like Dawkins and Holland will not only see the good that flows from the foundation of Christian society but in seeing the good they will also embrace Christ as their Messiah.
Continuing their prayer Israel admits,
Isaiah 59:12 For our transgressions are multiplied before you,
and our sins testify against us;
for our transgressions are with us,
and as for our iniquities, we know them:
13 transgressing and denying Yahweh,
and turning away from following our God,
speaking oppression and revolt,
conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
14 Justice is turned away backward,
and righteousness stands far away;
for truth has fallen in the public square,
and uprightness can’t enter.
Hearing Yahweh’s complaint the people respond, “Our sins testify against us.” Realizing the true nature and severity of their sins, they finally come to Yahweh in confession.
Isaiah 59:15 Yes, truth is lacking;
and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
Yahweh saw it,
and it displeased him that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no man,
and wondered that there was no intercessor. (Matthew 10:32)
Therefore his own arm brought salvation to him; (John 6:40)
and his righteousness sustained him.
17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head.
He put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and was clad with zeal as a mantle. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
18 According to their deeds,
he will repay as appropriate:
wrath to his adversaries,
recompense to his enemies.
He will repay the islands their due.
19 So they will fear Yahweh’s name from the west,
and his glory from the rising of the sun;
for he will come as a rushing stream,
which Yahweh’s breath drives.
20 “A Redeemer will come to Zion,
and to those who turn from disobedience in Jacob,” says Yahweh. (Luke 2:38)
21 “As for me, this is my Covenant with them,” says Yahweh. “My Spirit who is on you, and my words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your offspring, nor out of the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says Yahweh, “from now on and forever.”
Because of their sins no man could act as an intercessor between the people and Yahweh. The Redeemer put on the whole armor of God and came to Zion to be our intercessor. When Jesus comes to Israel, he will put into motion the Covenant plan, conceived before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:4
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26
And just as the Redeemer put on the armor of God the Apostle Paul urged Christians to put on the whole armor of God, that [they] may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6:10-18
God’s amazing Covenant Promise, Isaiah 59:21, is that he will put his Spirit … on you and put his words…in your mouth. When equipped with the truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer, believers will be able to extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.
As obedient Christians speak up in the Spirit’s power, the good news, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, will flow out to the whole world as a rushing stream. Jesus came to rescue and defend his children. Those who put their trust in the Messiah will be given the Spirit. These new believers will learn God’s Words and they will faithfully teach God’s truth to their children and their grandchildren throughout the generations. Deuteronomy 4:9
When the Messiah, the light of the world, John 8:12, announces his kingdom in Isaiah 60-62 everything will begin to change.
Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you!
2 For behold, darkness will cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but Yahweh will arise on you,
and his glory shall be seen on you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising. (Acts 26:23)
4 “Lift up your eyes all around, and see:
they all gather themselves together.
They come to you.
Your sons will come from far away,
and your daughters will be carried in arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant,
and your heart will thrill and be enlarged;
because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you.
The wealth of the nations will come to you.
6 A multitude of camels will cover you,
the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah.
All from Sheba will come.
They will bring gold and frankincense,
and will proclaim the praises of Yahweh.
7 All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you.
The rams of Nebaioth will serve you.
They will be accepted as offerings on my altar;
and I will beautify my glorious house.
8 “Who are these who fly as a cloud,
and as the doves to their windows?
9 Surely the islands will wait for me,
and the ships of Tarshish first,
to bring your sons from far away,
their silver and their gold with them,
for the name of Yahweh your God,
and for the Holy One of Israel,
because he has glorified you.
10 “Foreigners will build up your walls,
and their kings will serve you;
for in my wrath I struck you,
but in my favor I have had mercy on you.
11 Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive.
12 For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
13 “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress tree, the pine, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
14 The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you;
and all those who despised you will bow themselves down at the soles of your feet.
They will call you Yahweh’s City,
the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
15 “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,
so that no one passed through you,
I will make you an eternal excellency,
a joy of many generations.
16 You will also drink the milk of the nations,
and will nurse from royal breasts.
Then you will know that I, Yahweh, am your Savior,
your Redeemer,
the Mighty One of Jacob.
17 For bronze I will bring gold;
for iron I will bring silver;
for wood, bronze,
and for stones, iron.
I will also make peace your governor,
and righteousness your ruler.
18 Violence shall no more be heard in your land,
nor desolation or destruction within your borders;
but you will call your walls Salvation,
and your gates Praise.
19 The sun will be no more your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you,
but Yahweh will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will not go down any more,
nor will your moon withdraw itself;
for Yahweh will be your everlasting light,
and the days of your mourning will end.
21 Then your people will all be righteous.
They will inherit the land forever,
the branch of my planting,
the work of my hands,
that I may be glorified.
22 The little one will become a thousand,
and the small one a strong nation.
I, Yahweh, will do this quickly in its time.”
In beautiful and poetic language, Isaiah describes the Church of Christ. Just as the wise men followed the star, Matthew 2:10-12, announcing Christ’s birth, nations will come to [his] light, bringing treasure into the kingdom. What is this light? We think of light as coming from the sun and moon. But this light is different; it is the everlasting light; it is the changeless glory of Yahweh living with his children again as he did in Eden. Just as Christ welcomed children, Matthew 19:14, sons and daughters from all of the nations will come to Christ for the glory of God. Foreigners will build up your walls, and their kings will serve you. Nations that serve Christ will find blessing and will prosper; however that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
How will all of this be possible?
I, Yahweh, will do this quickly in its time.
Isaiah 61:1 The Lord Yahweh’s Spirit is on me, (Matthew 3:16-17)
because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. (Luke 4:16)
He has sent me to heal the broken hearted,
to proclaim freedom to the captives (John 8:31-36)
and release to those who are bound,
2 to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, (Luke 4:18-30)
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion,
to give to them a garland for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,
that they may be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of Yahweh,
that he may be glorified.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, in Luke 4:17-19, the Messiah stood up and read from the prophet Isaiah, fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 61, announcing redemption. He has come to reverse the worldwide damage that our sins have wrought.
- Sin impoverishes. Messiah preaches good news to the poor.
- Sin breaks hearts. Messiah heals the broken-hearted.
- Sin enslaves. Messiah proclaims freedom.
- Sin binds. Messiah loosens the binds that entrap us.
- Sin oppresses. Messiah proclaims the year of Yahweh’s favor.
- Sin must be avenged. Messiah executes justice on the unjust.
- Sin brings despair. Messiah brings comfort.
- Sin burdens. Messiah lifts burdens filling us with joy and praise.
- Sin darkens. Messiah’s light drives out all darkness.
Christian, do you know who you are?
The little one will become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation.
Christ’s restored people are a strong nation; beautiful trees of righteousness planted by streams of living water. Psalm 1:3
Isaiah 61:4 They will rebuild the old ruins.
They will raise up the former devastated places.
They will repair the ruined cities
that have been devastated for many generations.
5 Strangers will stand and feed your flocks.
Foreigners will work your fields and your vineyards.
6 But you will be called Yahweh’s priests.
Men will call you the servants of our God.
You will eat the wealth of the nations.
You will boast in their glory.
7 Instead of your shame you will have double.
Instead of dishonor, they will rejoice in their portion.
Therefore in their land they will possess double.
Everlasting joy will be to them.
In the immediate context, the people were looking forward to returning to Israel and rebuilding the ruins after captivity in Babylon. However, with the Messiah’s coming, Isaiah referenced Exodus 19:6, calling the people Yahweh’s priests. As priests we have the high calling of rebuilding what was lost in Eden by inviting the nations into the Servant-King’s kingdom. Prior to his ascension into heaven where he assumed his eternal rule, Christ appointed his followers as Yahweh’s priests, taking the good news of redemption to the ends of the earth. Who are you?
You are a kingdom of priests. Revelation 1:6
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people for god’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of the darkness and into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
Isaiah 61:8 “For I, Yahweh, love justice.
I hate robbery and iniquity.
I will give them their reward in truth
and I will make an everlasting Covenant with them.
9 Their offspring will be known among the nations,
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge them,
that they are the offspring which Yahweh has blessed.”
10 I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh!
My soul will be joyful in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation.
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth produces its bud,
and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring up, so the Lord Yahweh will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
And, just as Christ commanded, the first believers spread out across the globe to all the nations of the world making disciples. The ancient everlasting Covenant was being fulfilled as the priests raised a banner for the nations. Isaiah 11:12 The newly established Church, the bride of Christ, Revelation 21:2, adorned with jewels, clothed with the garments of salvation, the imputed righteousness and purity of Christ, is truly worldwide just as the prophet promised.
There is not a single race of people—whether barbarians or Greeks or by whatever name they may be called among whom prayers and giving of thanks are not offered to the Father and Creator of the universe in the name of the crucified Jesus. Justin Martyr c.150 AD, Dialogue with Trypho
Isaiah 62:1 For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning lamp.
Yahweh promises that he will not rest until [Jerusalem] shines out like the dawn. With the Messiah, great blessings will come to Jerusalem. That great blessing is not only salvation for Israel but salvation for the whole world. Her salvation [shines out] like a burning lamp.
Isaiah 62:2 The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory.
You will be called by a new name,
which Yahweh’s mouth will name.
3 You will also be a crown of beauty in Yahweh’s hand,
and a royal diadem in your God’s hand.
The nations of the world will come to salvation and see the beauty of Yahweh’s people. All of Yahweh’s people will be called by a new name: Christians, the Church of Jesus Christ. Romans 16:16
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. Revelation 3:12
Christian, do you realize that you are Yahweh’s very own possession, a pillar in the temple inscribed with a new name?
He erected pillars at the portico of the temple. The pillar to the south he named, Jakin, ‘He shall establish’. And the one to the north Boaz, ‘In Him is strength.’ I Kings 7:21
He shall establish. God wants believers to always remember that he that establishes His people. He first promised and then brought his people Israel into existence. He gave them land and established them among the nations to be witnesses to his name. Similarly, God has establishes his Church. He sent his Son, called his children by name, and extends his kingdom, his reign throughout the earth. We did not come on our own strength. It was not our idea. He established.
In Him is strength. When Israel tried to defend itself in its own strength they were soon defeated. God chastised them for forming alliances with Egypt, Isaiah 30:1-3, and other nations, as if they needed strength beyond God. Churches today continue to make the mistake of compromising with the culture. But our strength is not in our cleverness or our ability to adapt to that which is embraced by others. We may be overwhelmed but we are not insignificant. As we are faithful to the truth of God, he is our strength. As God opens doors unbelievers will flood into the Kingdom.
Isaiah 62:4 You will not be called Forsaken any more,
nor will your land be called Desolate any more;
but you will be called Hephzibah, (My delight is in her)
and your land Beulah; (Married)
for Yahweh delights in you,
and your land will be married.
5 For as a young man marries a virgin,
so your sons will marry you.
As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so your God will rejoice over you.
Historically when a bride got married, she received a new name, the name of her husband. When a person becomes a believer, they too receive the name of the bridegroom, Christ.
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready. Revelation 19:7
Because the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, gave his life to win his bride, the Church, Christians, both men and women, were given a beautiful picture so that they could follow their Savior’s example.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25
As Christ submitted his life to God the Father’s will, Luke 22:42,
Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22
Isaiah 62:6 I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem.
They will never be silent day nor night.
You who call on Yahweh, take no rest,
7 and give him no rest until he establishes,
and until he makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
8 Yahweh has sworn by his right hand,
and by the arm of his strength,
“Surely I will no more give your grain to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners will not drink your new wine, for which you have labored,
9 but those who have harvested it will eat it, and praise Yahweh.
Those who have gathered it will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.”
10 Go through, go through the gates!
Prepare the way of the people!
Build up, build up the highway!
Gather out the stones!
Lift up a banner for the peoples.
11 Behold, Yahweh has proclaimed to the end of the earth:
“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your salvation comes!
Behold, his reward is with him,
and his work before him!’”
12 They will call them “The Holy People,
Yahweh’s Redeemed”.
You will be called “Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken”.
The Messiah vows to guard his bride, the Church, and establish her in the earth. In perhaps one of the most beautiful mission passages in the Scriptures the Messiah says,
Prepare the way
Build up the highway.
Lift up a banner for the peoples.
Say…behold your salvation comes.
Those who had been living in darkness but have now placed their trust in the Messiah are called the Holy People, Yahweh’s Redeemed. Though the old Jerusalem had once been forsaken and subject to discipline, all the nations of the earth will flock to the banner of the New Jerusalem, the banner of the Messiah, the church.
The message of victory over death with a restored relationship with the creator changed the world. Highlighting the rapid and pervasive spread of Christianity, Tertullian wrote:
We are but of yesterday, and yet we have filled every place among you – cities, islands, fortresses, towns, market-places, the very camp, tribes, companies, palace, senate, forum – we have left nothing to you but the temples of your gods. Tertullian, c.197 AD, Apologeticus
Today it is difficult to see just how revolutionary and miraculous the rapid spread of Christianity actually was in the ancient world. But, today, sadly, many of the watchmen, many Christians, having been seduced and, succumbing to the lies of Satan, have grown both complacent and silent. Believing that all is lost they have forgotten that Christ reigns.
What is God’s judgment on unfaithful watchmen?
If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’
… I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved. Ezekiel 33:6-9
Are we faithful watchmen warning both our idolatrous secular neighbors and false shepherds who have infiltrated within the church?
Isaiah 63:1 Who is this who comes from Edom,
with dyed garments from Bozrah?
Who is this who is glorious in his clothing,
marching in the greatness of his strength?
“It is I who speak in righteousness,
mighty to save.”
2 Why is your clothing red,
and your garments like him who treads in the wine vat?
3 “I have trodden the wine press alone.
Of the peoples, no one was with me.
Yes, I trod them in my anger
and trampled them in my wrath.
Their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments,
and I have stained all my clothing.
4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart,
and the year of my redeemed has come.
5 I looked, and there was no one to help;
and I wondered that there was no one to uphold.
Therefore my own arm brought salvation to me.
My own wrath upheld me.
6 I trod down the peoples in my anger
and made them drunk in my wrath.
I poured their lifeblood out on the earth.”
Before Jesus went alone to the cross, to defeat death, he solemnly warned the Jewish leaders, as they cried “Crucify him, crucify him”, Matthew 26:64, that they would be judged for their actions. Luke 23:21 When Christ came in judgment against his murderers their lifeblood [was] sprinkled on [his] garments.
Clothed with a robe dipped in blood, His name is called The Word of God … Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Revelation 19:13-15.
The Apostle John is pointing out that in 70 AD, with the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple, the Messiah exacted vengeance on those who condemned him to death. He had warned the high priest, Caiaphas, that he would personally experience the judgment of the glorified Christ. Matthew 26:64
Every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. Revelation 1:7
And that is just what happened. The generation that had called out for Christ’s crucifixion, the generation that pierced him, was judged with destruction.
Westminster Confession of Faith: Shorter Catechism, question 26, describes the judgment…
Q. How does Christ execute the office of king?
A: Christ executes the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son. John 5:22
That is why, speaking of the Messiah, the Psalmist prophetically wrote:
Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have become your father.
Because they will stand in judgment the rulers of the earth are warned to honor the Messiah who rules from his throne in heaven.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Psalm 2
Those who conspire against the Anointed, the Son, the Servant will be judged with a rod of iron. Just as Israel was judged the kings and the rulers of the nations are warned: Serve the Lord with fear.
Israel continues their prayer of repentance.
Isaiah 63:7 I will tell of the loving kindnesses of Yahweh
and the praises of Yahweh,
according to all that Yahweh has given to us,
and the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
which he has given to them according to his mercies,
and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
8 For he said, “Surely, they are my people,
children who will not deal falsely;”
so he became their Savior.
9 In all their affliction he was afflicted,
and the angel of his presence saved them.
In his love and in his pity he redeemed them.
He bore them,
and carried them all the days of old.
Israel is remembering the many instances in their history when God saved them. Despite their sins Yahweh has shown great goodness, mercy, and loving kindness toward his children. In fact, just as the Messiah, the angel of his presence, guided, redeemed and saved Israel in the Old Covenant, Jesus led his people out of Egypt, Jude 1:5, Exodus 13:20-22, and the Messiah will save and guide all of his New Covenant children, including the Gentile nations of the world.
Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled
and grieved his Holy Spirit.
Therefore he turned and became their enemy,
and he himself fought against them.
11 Then he remembered the days of old,
Moses and his people, saying,
“Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock?
Where is he who put his Holy Spirit among them?”
12 Who caused his glorious arm to be at Moses’ right hand?
Who divided the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
13 Who led them through the depths,
like a horse in the wilderness,
so that they didn’t stumble?
14 As the livestock that go down into the valley,
Yahweh’s Spirit caused them to rest.
So you led your people to make yourself a glorious name.
15 Look down from heaven,
and see from the habitation of your holiness and of your glory.
Where are your zeal and your mighty acts?
The yearning of your heart and your compassion is restrained toward me.
16 For you are our Father,
though Abraham doesn’t know us,
and Israel does not acknowledge us.
You, Yahweh, are our Father.
Our Redeemer from everlasting is your name.
17 O Yahweh, why do you make us wander from your ways,
and harden our heart from your fear?
Return for your servants’ sake,
the tribes of your inheritance.
18 Your holy people possessed it but a little while.
Our adversaries have trodden down your sanctuary.
19 We have become like those over whom you never ruled,
like those who were not called by your name.
The people are remembering and confessing that despite God’s goodness toward them they rebelled. But even when they rebelled and grieved the Holy Spirit, Yahweh still did great things for them. But now facing exile they are asking, “Where is our God? Has he forgotten us?”
“Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock?”
Return for your servants’ sake, the tribes of your inheritance.
Remembering how Yahweh led Israel safely through the sea, the people pray that their exile will end. They pray that Yahweh would come down … and make [his] name known to your adversaries.
Isaiah 64:1 Oh that you would tear the heavens,
that you would come down,
that the mountains might quake at your presence —
2 as when fire kindles the brushwood,
and the fire causes the water to boil.
Make your name known to your adversaries,
that the nations may tremble at your presence!
3 When you did awesome things which we didn’t look for,
you came down, and the mountains quaked at your presence.
4 For from of old men have not heard,
nor perceived by the ear,
nor has the eye seen a God besides you,
who works for him who waits for him.
5 You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness,
those who remember you in your ways.
After pleading with Yahweh to come down again as he came down in the past and did awesome things which we didn’t look for, the prayer again changes to one of confession and repentance.
Isaiah 64:5b Behold, you were angry, and we sinned.
We have been in sin for a long time.
Shall we be saved?
6 For we have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteousness is like filthy rags.
We all fade like a leaf;
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
The people finally admit that all of their attempts at righteousness are tainted by wicked and deep-seated sin. They even compare the vile nature of their sins to filthy rags, iddim begged, the Hebrew term for menstrual cloths. Just like a woman is considered ritually unclean during menstruation, Leviticus 15:19-33, because of their sin, all the people of Israel are unclean. Their iniquities have taken them far away from God’s presence.
Isaiah 64:7 There is no one who calls on your name,
who stirs himself up to take hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us,
and have consumed us by means of our iniquities.
8 But now, Yahweh, you are our Father.
We are the clay and you our potter.
We all are the work of your hand. (Romans 9:20-21)
9 Don’t be furious, Yahweh.
Don’t remember iniquity forever.
Look and see, we beg you,
we are all your people.
10 Your holy cities have become a wilderness.
Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
11 Our holy and our beautiful house where our fathers praised you is burned with fire.
All our pleasant places are laid waste.
12 Will you hold yourself back for these things, Yahweh?
Will you keep silent and punish us very severely?
The people pray, “Shall we be saved?”
Because the people had sinned they were unclean. No one calls on [Yahweh’s] name. Responding to their disobedience, Yahweh had judged their land. Zion has become a wilderness. Our beautiful [temple] where our fathers praised you is burned with fire. Our pleasant places are laid waste. The prayer ends with an appeal to Yahweh to turn away from his wrath. Will you keep silent and punish us very severely?
How will people be saved?
Isaiah 65:1 “I am inquired of by those who didn’t ask.
I am found by those who didn’t seek me.
I said, ‘See me, see me,’ to a nation that was not called by my name.
2 I have spread out my hands all day to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good,
after their own thoughts;
3 a people who provoke me to my face continually,
sacrificing in gardens,
and burning incense on bricks;
4 who sit among the graves,
and spend nights in secret places;
who eat pig’s meat,
and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
5 who say, ‘Stay by yourself,
don’t come near to me,
for I am holier than you.’
These are smoke in my nose,
a fire that burns all day.
6 “Behold, it is written before me:
I will not keep silence,
but will repay,
yes, I will repay into their bosom
7 your own iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together”, says Yahweh,
“who have burned incense on the mountains,
and blasphemed me on the hills.
Therefore I will first measure their work into their bosom.”
In Isaiah 13:29 God said, ”This people draws near with their mouth and honors me with their lips, but they have removed their heart far from me.” They followed the practices of false religions. Though they came to God insincerely he continually spread out [his] hands all day to a rebellious people. It took 70 years of captivity for them to be refined. However, Yahweh was also found by those who didn’t seek [him], the Gentiles, a nation that was not called by [his] name.
The Apostle Paul quoted this passage:
Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”
19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”
20 And Isaiah boldly says,
“I was found by those who did not seek me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”
21 But concerning Israel he says,
“All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people.” Romans 10:16-21
Yahweh offers his people a Promise of blessing, but when Israel rejects his message, God offers the blessing of salvation to the Gentile nations of the world. Although they had rejected him, Yahweh knows that his offer of salvation to the Gentiles will make Israel angry. Paul explains that offering the Messiah to the Gentiles will provoke a holy jealousy in the Jews eventually leading them to embrace their Messiah. Romans 11
Isaiah 65:8 Yahweh says,
“As the new wine is found in the cluster,
and one says, ‘Don’t destroy it, for a blessing is in it:’
so I will do for my servants’ sake,
that I may not destroy them all.
9 I will bring offspring out of Jacob,
and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains.
My chosen will inherit it,
and my servants will dwell there.
10 Sharon will be a fold of flocks,
and the valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down in,
for my people who have sought me.
Yahweh declares a Promise of discipline to his unfaithful servants.
Isaiah 65:11 “But you who forsake Yahweh,
who forget my holy mountain,
who prepare a table for Fortune,
and who fill up mixed wine to Destiny;
12 I will destine you to the sword,
and you will all bow down to the slaughter;
because when I called, you didn’t answer.
When I spoke, you didn’t listen;
but you did that which was evil in my eyes,
and chose that in which I didn’t delight.”
Yahweh explains the contrast between his faithful servants and unfaithful servants.
Isaiah 65:13 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says,
“Behold, my servants will eat,
but you will be hungry;
behold, my servants will drink,
but you will be thirsty.
Behold, my servants will rejoice,
but you will be disappointed.
14 Behold, my servants will sing for joy of heart,
but you will cry for sorrow of heart,
and will wail for anguish of spirit.
15 You will leave your name for a curse to my chosen,
and the Lord Yahweh will kill you.
He will call his servants by another name,
16 so that he who blesses himself in the earth will bless himself in the God of truth;
and he who swears in the earth will swear by the God of truth;
because the former troubles are forgotten,
and because they are hidden from my eyes.
Faithful servants will eat, drink, rejoice, and sing for joy of heart.
The unfaithful will be hungry, thirsty, disappointed and will cry for sorrow of heart.
The faithful sought after the God of truth…He who blesses himself on earth will bless himself in the God of truth.
The unfaithful sought fortune and destiny on earth.
Christ restated these blessings and curses like this,
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
With hindsight we can easily see how foolish people are when they pursue the meager temporal rewards of this earth while ignoring the eternal blessings of heaven. But, honestly, don’t we all continue following that same path today? C.S. Lewis explained it like this,
Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’; aim at earth and you will get neither. C.S.Lewis, Mere Christianity
The servants of Yahweh will inherit the new creation!
Isaiah 65:17 “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
and the former things will not be remembered,
nor come into mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create;
for, behold, I create Jerusalem to be a delight,
and her people a joy.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
and delight in my people;
and the voice of weeping and the voice of crying
will be heard in her no more.
20 “No more will there be an infant who only lives a few days,
nor an old man who has not filled his days;
for the child will die one hundred years old,
and the sinner being one hundred years old will be accursed.
21 They will build houses and inhabit them.
They will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They will not build and another inhabit.
They will not plant and another eat;
for the days of my people will be like the days of a tree,
and my chosen will long enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They will not labor in vain
nor give birth for calamity;
for they are the offspring of Yahweh’s blessed
and their descendants with them.
24 It will happen that before they call, I will answer;
and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together.
The lion will eat straw like the ox.
Dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain,”
says Yahweh.
Today, this passage is typically interpreted as being entirely about our future heavenly life; however, this passage is also describes the present earthly Christian life. Theologians call this “the already and the not yet.” Christians are already experiencing the blessings of Christ here on earth, but because we also experience the effects of sin and death, the kingdom has not yet come in its fullness. Notice that the new heavens and new earth described in this passage cannot only be describing heaven or the time after the final judgment. There is death at an advanced age, building, planting, working, marriage, and having children.
The Old Jerusalem, which had been unfaithful through its history and had apostatized from the faith of Abraham, would finally, be replaced by the New Jerusalem because of the Messiah’s victory over death. In Christ’s letter to the first century Philadelphian church he explained to them that the New Jerusalem is coming down out of heaven. Revelation 3:12 Christ is describing cosmic resurrection and regeneration. The Old Covenant has been replaced with the New Covenant, the Old apostate Jerusalem replaced with the New Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem is the Church consisting of both the Jews and the Gentiles who have embraced Christ as their Messiah.
To fully understand this, a little Greek might clear things up a bit. New, neos means chronological newness; however the Greek word used here is kainos, meaning newness of kind, in other words, superior quality. When the people of the nations turn their lives over to the King of Creation, place their trust in Jesus, the Messiah, and determine to live boldly without fear by his commands, their lives are changed, their families are changed, their communities are changed, and their nations are changed. This is newness of kind.
The idea of the heavenly Jerusalem inspired literary works such as Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan (1628), which drove Biblical spirituality deep into the soul of Western Civilization. Bunyan’s pilgrims built cities and nations. The socio-economic-political reforms of our age came from writers expounding the Bible. Vishal Mangalwadi, ‘The Book the Made Your World’
The church must realize that they have already come to Mt. Zion, the City of the living God. We are not to overlook the fact that, as people accept Christ as their Savior, the City of God is progressively being established now on earth among the nations. As Christ taught us to pray; Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 Christians must realize, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem. Hebrews 12:22 We are already living in the New Creation in Christ, but we are not yet what we will ultimately be. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Christian values made possible the transformation of our planet, allowing extraordinary numbers of people to enjoy an unprecedented standard of living. Now-a-days, those values are so widespread that we can easily think of them as an inevitable outcome of human development. It takes a major effort of will to imagine quite how revolutionary they must have seemed when first proposed. Daniel Hannah, ‘Inventing Freedom’
Isaiah concludes his prophecy by contrasting the faithful servants who will find blessing and the unfaithful servants who will find only judgment.
Isaiah 66:1 Yahweh says:
“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build to me?
Where will I rest?
2 For my hand has made all these things,
and so all these things came to be,” says Yahweh:
“but I will look to this man,
even to he who is humble and of a contrite spirit,
and who trembles at my word.”
What is our proper response to Yahweh, the one who dwells in heaven and rules over the earth?
We are to be humble and contrite. Why? Because our selfish thoughts, motives, dreams, plans, and actions reveal our wickedness, we should tremble at [God’s] Word. We are to sincerely come before our Creator repenting for all the wrong that we have done and for all the good that we have neglected to do. By God’s grace we must learn to tremble. That is why each Sabbath, each week during the worship service, the people of God are to confess their sins as an act of worship. Worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29
Isaiah 66:3 He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man;
he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog’s neck;
he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig’s blood;
he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol.
Yes, they have chosen their own ways,
and their soul delights in their abominations.
4 I also will choose their delusions,
and will bring their fears on them,
because when I called, no one answered;
when I spoke, they didn’t listen,
but they did that which was evil in my eyes,
and chose that in which I didn’t delight.”
5 Hear Yahweh’s word,
you who tremble at his word:
“Your brothers who hate you,
who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said,
‘Let Yahweh be glorified,
that we may see your joy;’
but it is those who shall be disappointed.
6 A voice of tumult from the city,
a voice from the temple,
a voice of Yahweh that repays his enemies what they deserve.
God reiterates that he hates false, hollow, go-through-the-motions worship. Such actions are actually evil in his eyes. In fact, he views the insincere ritual of sacrificing an ox as a sin, just as killing a man is a sin. God looks at such an offering as if were unclean pig’s blood. God looks at the unrepentant burning frankincense as if they were honoring an idol. God says two things about such false worshippers.
First, because they refused to heed his warnings and chose to rebel against God, he chose to send delusions against them. God will send strong delusions that they will believe a lie. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 Many pastors today, with secular pressures stalking them and wanting to be accepted by the culture, are more than willing to go along with the latest cultural delusions. Instead of standing on the inerrant Word of God, that alone offers people the only answer to their deepest longings, many pastors, who find God’s Revelation inadequate, are jettisoning Scriptures they disagree with, or magically discovering that the current cultural trends were in the Scriptures all along.
Recently Bishop Yvette Flunder stated, “We need a Third Testament because the Bible has become problematic.” What problems does she find in Scripture? The first problem is the fact that Scriptures teach that Christ is the only way to heaven. John 14:6 Many pastors now teach that all religions, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, are valid and lead the worshipper to God. Christ is not the only way to heaven. Christ is merely one way to heaven. A second problem is that those influenced by feminism are able to find women pastors, deacons, and elders in the Scripture. 1 Timothy 2:12 A third problem is the fact that those willing to compromise with the sexual revolution are able to find Scriptural warrant for all of the LGBTQA+ behaviors including sodomy, pedophilia, nonsensical pronouns, cross dressing, and the surgical mutilation of the human body. Ephesians 5:3 A fourth problem is that those influenced by Critical Theory are able to find justification for socialism, communism, DEI, and unfettered un-vetted worldwide illegal immigration. Numbers 15:15-16
I recently listened to a sermon on Matthew 5:13 in which Jesus called his followers “the salt of the earth.” Ignoring the Scriptures that teach foreigners must obey the laws of the land, Leviticus 15:16, the pastor taught that since salt melts ice, obviously Jesus is teaching Christians that it is their moral duty to protest against and oppose the United States Government’s ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, agents. (Protestia.com)
Second, empty religion hates, rejects, and mocks both the things of God and God’s faithful followers. False followers of Yahweh may say the right words, ”Let Yahweh be glorified that we may see your joy.” But the truth is, when you teach that Christ is the only way to heaven, teach living in accordance to God’s commands, or point out how God’s eternal revealed truth is being bastardized to accommodate cultural norms, your brothers hate you, and cast you out for [Yahweh’s] name’s sake. They prefer to cling to their delusions rather than embrace the beauty of [being] transformed by the renewing of their minds Romans 12:2
Isaiah 66:7 “Before she travailed, she gave birth.
Before her pain came, she delivered a son.
8 Who has heard of such a thing?
Who has seen such things?
Shall a land be born in one day?
Shall a nation be born at once?
For as soon as Zion travailed,
she gave birth to her children.
9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to be delivered?” says Yahweh.
“Shall I who cause to give birth shut the womb?” says your God.
10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her. Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her;
11 that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts;
that you may drink deeply,
and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.”
Despite the impending exile to Babylon, Yahweh promises that there will be a time when victory comes easily to Jerusalem. Of course the exiles were to be returned to Jerusalem but this is referring to an even greater return from exile. Isaiah compares it to a birth that was so quick that the son was delivered even before the pain of labor came.
What could this mean?
After Christ’s resurrection and ascension into heaven, his followers were told to wait before they began their mission. Suddenly, on the Day of Pentecost, just as Jesus had promised, the Holy Spirit filled all believers, and the Church was born in power, with thousands of people from all over the world accepting the preaching of the good news and springing to life with the new birth. From that point on the message of salvation and eternal life in Jesus Christ spread like wildfire.
Writing to Emperor Trajan the governor stated,
Many of all ages and every rank, and even of both sexes, are brought into danger by being Christians. … For the contagion of this superstition has spread not only through the cities, but also through the villages and country districts. Pliny the Younger, c. 112 AD, Letters 10.96
Similarly, Saint Hippolytus wrote,
God’s Word said that the Gospel will spread abroad over the seas and islands in the ocean, and among the people dwelling therein, who are called “the fullness thereof.” And that Word has been made good. For the churches of Christ fill all the islands and are being multiplied every day, and the teaching of the Word of salvation is gaining accessions. Hippolytus (170 AD), The Sacred Writings of Saint Hippolytus
There are billions of people all around the entire earth that now believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because one man, a Jewish carpenter, born in Bethlehem, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, sacrificed his life for them, and rose from the dead. The knowledge of Yahweh really has reached to the ends of the earth.
Isaiah 66:12 For Yahweh says, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,
and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream,
and you will nurse.
You will be carried on her side,
and will be dandled on her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforts,
so I will comfort you.
You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
14 You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice,
and your bones will flourish like the tender grass.
Yahweh’s hand will be known among his servants;
and he will have indignation against his enemies.
15 For, behold, Yahweh will come with fire,
and his chariots will be like the whirlwind;
to render his anger with fierceness,
and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For Yahweh will execute judgment by fire and by his sword on all flesh; and those slain by Yahweh will be many.
17 “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens, following one in the middle, eating pig’s meat, abominable things, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together,” says Yahweh.
In keeping with Yahweh’s plan to bring all of the nations back into his kingdom, he announces,
“Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,
and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream.”
This is a reference that takes us back to the beginning, back to Eden. Genesis 2:8 Eden was the mountain sanctuary where God dwelled with his image-bearers. It was where mankind could meet with and have a relationship with their Creator. Genesis 3:8-9 Four rivers flowed from this mountain to water and bring life to the whole earth. Genesis 2:10-14 But because of their disobedience Adam and Eve were banished from the sanctuary. God placed cherubim with a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:24
Estranged from God, the universal longing of mankind has been has been to regain the favor of God. Throughout history, to recover the sense of cosmic belonging all cultures have attempted to recreate mountain sanctuaries as sacred places of worship. Mt. Olympus, Mt. Fuji, Mt. Kailash, Mt. Katahdin, were designated as holy in the attempt to compel the gods to bless them. This is actually the idea behind Babel. Genesis 11:1-4 The people believed that if they built a ziggurat, an elevated temple sanctuary to offer sacrifices, God would be pleased and come down to bless them.
All religions offer mankind that same hope. Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Pantheism, teach that the follower must earn their way back to their god by striving to overcome the thoughtless, and downright evil things that they have done in their lives. This is accomplished by appealing to god through worship, sacrifice, devotion, and by adding good thoughts, practices, and deeds to earn the gods favor. But because all have sinned and fall far short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23, the way back into God’s presence is barred.
We cannot reach heaven on our own because the wages of sin is death. But the grand story of the Bible is that God Promised to intervene, Genesis 3:15, and pay wage that our sin and rebellion deserved. The gift of God is eternal life. Romans 6:23 Or as Isaiah has explained, the Servant-Messiah was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him. By his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5
Like the rivers that flowed from the mountain of Eden to water the whole world, (I will extend peace to her like a river), with the coming of the Messiah, the message of the free gift of salvation will flow out to the whole world. Ezekiel references this in the beautiful prophetic vision of a stream, representing the Holy Spirit, flowing from the temple that grows into a mighty river that brings healing and abundant life to the nations. Ezekiel 47:1-12
The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side.
3 As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. 4 He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. 5 He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. 6 He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”
Then he led me back to the bank of the river. 7 When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. 8 He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. 9 Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. 10 Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. 11 But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. 12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”
Do you recall when the Messiah taught his disciples that they would be fishers of men? Matthew 4:19 In his vision Ezekiel saw fishermen standing on the riverbank!
The 2nd Century Letter to Diognetus describes the spread of Christians throughout the Empire.
They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers.
Yahweh announces that he will also comfort his children.
This is a peculiarly delightful metaphor. A father can comfort, but I think he is not much at home in the work. When God speaks about his pity, he compares himself to their father: ‘Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth, them that fear him.’ But when he speaks about comfort, he selects the mother. When I have seen the little ones sick, I have felt all the pity in the world for them, but I did not know how to set to work to comfort them; but a mother knows by instinct how to do it. Charles Spurgeon, “The Tenderness of God’s Comfort” Sermon No. 3189
Isaiah 66:18 “For I know their works and their thoughts. The time comes that I will gather all nations and languages, and they will come, and will see my glory.
19 “I will set a sign among them, and I will send those who escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to far-away islands, who have not heard my fame, nor have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations. 20 They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to Yahweh, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says Yahweh, as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into Yahweh’s house. 21 Of them I will also select priests and Levites,” says Yahweh.
When the Jewish leaders asked Jesus for a sign to authenticate his claims to divinity, he told them that the only sign he would give them was the sign of Jonah. Matthew 12:40 Although they didn’t understand him at the time he was referring to his death, three days in the grave, and resurrection.
Just as Isaiah had foretold, “I will set a sign among them … and they shall declare my glory among the nations.” That is exactly what happened. The good news of Christ’s resurrection from the dead and free offer of salvation spread like wildfire among the nations of the world as Yahweh [gathered] all nations and languages.
Do you remember why and how all the nations with their different languages originally came into existence? Genesis 11
Christ sends all of his disciples out into the nations of the world as his ambassadors, 2 Corinthians 5:20, as his priests…
You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 7 Therefore, to you who believe, [He is] precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 1 Peter 2:5-9
Isaiah 66:22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me,” says Yahweh, “so your offspring and your name shall remain. 23 It shall happen that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before me,” says Yahweh. 24 “They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against me; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.” (Revelation 21:1-4)
Isaiah ends with a stark contrast reminiscent of Joshua’s challenge. There are only two choices.
Fear the Lord and serve him with faithfulness … But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, choose this day whom you will serve. Joshua 24:14-15
Will you accept Yahweh’s offer of life and sing a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth. Revelation 5:9-10
Or will you reject Yahweh’s free offer of life and be one of the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against [Yahweh]; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.
In Genesis 3:15, after Adam sinned against his Creator, Yahweh initiated a rescue operation. God promised that one day in the future, a child, born of a woman, would undo the damage done when Adam chose to listen to Satan. The Savior opened the way for all men to return to God. Isaiah has unfolded this plan through to its culmination. The Messiah, the long-awaited child, born of a woman, took our curse of death upon himself on the tree. After he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, the victorious Savior bound Satan, Revelation 20:1-3, Mark 3:27, so that he may no longer deceive the nations, holding them in darkness. With Satan bound, the free gift of salvation quickly flowed, like a rushing river of living water, out to the nations of the earth, inviting them to join the City of God, the Church.
What is meant by Satan being bound? The answer is Satan’s being bound…refers not to his total activity being eliminated, we know that he fires fiery darts and he comes at us…and prows around like a lion…but he is bound, or as the Gospels say, he is cast down in two specific ways. First, he cannot deceive the nations, to gather them together to wipe out the Church, so the Church is invincible. And second, the nations will no longer be in the times of ignorance but will be responsive to the Gospel. Kevin DeYoung, clearlyreformed.org
Christ summed up this choice with a parable;
He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the blade sprang up and produced grain, then the darnel weeds appeared also. 27 The servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where did these darnel weeds come from?’
28 “He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’
29 “But he said, ‘No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” Matthew 13:24-30
Since the coming of Christ the earth is compared to a wheat field. Christ’s kingdom was to advance to encompass the entire world, all of mankind. Yes, Satan does his best to sow weeds among the wheat. But try as he might he can no longer hold the nations in darkness, deceiving them. There are weeds among the wheat but in God’s eyes the earth is a wheat field ripe for the harvest, John 4:35, and the Lord has called for workers and that harvest will continue until the return of Christ.
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
The story of Yahweh’s image-bearers began in Eden, the Garden Sanctuary of God. Despite Adam introducing death into the perfect creation by foolishly trading away his birthright of innocence and immortality as a child of Yahweh for a lie, Yahweh promised to redeem and restore what was lost.
The true message of the Bible is not one of sin and rebellion leading to destruction, rather, the story of the Bible is one of exile with the promise of redemption and return. Through the sacrifice of the Messiah death has been swallowed up in victory, and the Spirit-empowered offer of life has been extended to all of the nations and peoples of the earth. Those who accept the Messiah’s offer are forgiven their sins, are heirs to the kingdom, and are honored to be his servant-ambassadors.
Meditate on these words of God.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever. Revelation 11:15
He was given dominion, glory, and kingship that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:14
The Covenant Promise
At creation’s dawn,
wrought in Spirit’s song,
and by the hand of God, His fingers mold.
Before earth came to be,
from all eternity,
the counsel of the Three and One foretold…
The rebel’s head to crush,
and lips to lick the dust,
through Abram’s seed the nations receive blessing.
And to his watching eyes,
stolen kingdoms lie,
the once great power of the dragon rusting.
Assured and with known certainty,
across the sweep of History,
the works of God inexorably unfold.
Made as a gift to man,
the weaving of the plan,
as revealed to Prophets sent of old.
“Make straight the roads and plain”,
the messengers proclaim,
the earthly coming of Creation’s King!
To reign as Prince of Peace,
prisoners to release,
freed captives in His train to Heaven bring.