Revive Us O LORD

Isa 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

Death of this flesh body is going to happen to all of us. It is an evil time in the world, but there are those in the righteousness of Christ, that witness and shine for his glory. They may not be popular in an evil land, they may even be persecuted. Some of the best witnesses are gone, or are near death. We need them, but the LORD will raise up new witnesses. Some could be taken away to spare them from the evil to come and some may be martyred. Some are rewarded for a life time of service with a long life and a peaceful death; others, like Isaiah suffer death at the hands of evil men.

Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

When Peter was told that he must die a martyrs death, he asked, what about John?

John 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

All in Christ Jesus are received into glory and will return to rule and reign with the Lord in his kingdom; some go in peace, others at the hand of man; but to be eternally with Jesus is our reward.

Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Isa 57:2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isa 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Isa 57:3 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.
Isa 57:4 Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,
Isa 57:5 Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?

What of this ungodly generation? Shall they continue to do evil before the LORD? Sorcery and witchcraft are being practiced as in times of old. Illegitimate children, with no father's, or with evil parents, speak and walk in darkness, until the LORD sends a witness; but will they hear? Some hear and serve the LORD as did Mary Magdalene, the beloved servant and witness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Others refuse the truth and speak perverse words; some become people of power, corrupting the nation, the laws and the courts. These are children of iniquity, delighting in evil and sowing seeds of falsehood; the servants of the devil. They worship the creation, believe in evolution and deny the God who made all. Some are as those who sacrificed their children to the god Molech; they kill their children and serve those who promote this evil. Those who serve the LORD are labeled as extremists. The ungodly call good evil and evil good.

Isa 57:6 Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?
Isa 57:7 Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.

In nature you have committed idolatry and played the harlot with strange gods.

Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Isa 57:8 Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it.

Behind your doors you set up idols: You have given your heart not to the LORD of your covenant, but to strange gods. You have enlarged your bed, been intimate with other gods, expanding your worship of many gods and making covenants with them; in bed with false gods and beliefs. You have gone the way of the transgressor.

Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exo 20:6 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Isa 57:9 And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell.

Judah gave themselves to serve foreign kings as an unfaithful woman. I remember the woman of the streets, who came to Jesus with ointment. What a beautiful example she was of love and service to her king.

Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
Luke 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Luke 7:44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Luke 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luke 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Luke 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

May we serve Jesus like this, even doing good to the least of those we meet. What we do with Jesus will show which king we serve; the King of glory or the king of this world, the devil.

Isa 57:10 Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.

Although they were weary of their lifestyle, they had become addicted to it; they did not say that there was no hope for them, for they did not want to repent. They were not grieved by their iniquity, being as reprobates without a conscience.

Isa 57:11 And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?

Who are you afraid of, that you would trust in false gods and not the God of Israel? Today I see people fearing for lack of finances and looking to a leader for hope. Where is God in this? Why have you turned from him? When you had abundance, did you love things more than your provider; now who will save you?

Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
Psa 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

Isa 57:12 I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.

Trusting in man or things or false gods and doing works to please them to prosper, will not help you, if you turn from the true God.

Isa 57:13 When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
Isa 57:14 And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people.

Apart from our Holy God, all is vanity and all will perish as the chaff in the wind; but those who trust in the LORD shall inherit eternal life. The LORD will make a way for his people, he will make the path clear and straight. Jesus is a stumbling block to those who trust in self righteousness, but those who trust in Jesus shall be delivered unto holy ground.

Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Our LORD lives! LORD of Glory and LORD of life. In him we hide and are refreshed. LORD GOD, You are the high and lofty one, holy and separated from flesh; high and exalted are you, our LORD.

Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

He dwells in the high and holy dwelling place; who may enter his presence through Jesus? Those of a contrite and humble spirit. Contrite: dakka, means dust, in the dictionary it is described as one of a humble remorseful and repentant heart. Revive your people LORD, give them a fresh anointing.

Isa 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Isa 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isa 57:16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

To contend; Qal, plead, strive, debate, chide.

Psa 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Psa 103:9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
Psa 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Psa 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Isa 57:17 For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.

Many think that if they follow their heart, that they are in truth. No, the heart is often deceived by sin.

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Jer 17:11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
Jer 17:12 A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.
Jer 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Isa 57:18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.

We are but dust, apart from the grace of our Lord.

Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Isa 57:19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.

The LORD speaks through those who trust him. We speak life and hope and the glory of our LORD. We dwell in his peace and rest in him. He is our healer and our strength.

Isa 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
Isa 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

What a picture of the wicked masses. They are without peace; a restless polluted sea, casting up mire and dirt. We are to come out from them and not to partake in their uncleanness.

2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

We are the chosen of God, sent to proclaim the gospel of peace and to receive eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus is our rest and our peace with God, with his family and within ourselves. Keep us revived Lord and let not the enemy have any part with us. Amen

Judgment and Justice

Isa 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

We need to know what these words mean: judgment and Justice.

Keep ye judgment; mishpat, has two broad meanings. The first is to decide a case, of innocent or guilty; so it applies to discerning right and wrong, usually in a legal or court setting and pronouncing a sentence. The second meaning is to apply judgment to established laws; in our use it would be to judge according to God's word, not only by the letter but by the spirit of the law. We are not to judge as to sentence someone as a punishment; that is the work of the Lord. We are to judge as to right and wrong conduct. How else could we discern between good and evil and the wolf from the sheep? This is called discernment. We need discernment in the body of Christ. Those who judge to condemn others, better check their own salvation.

Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

And do Justice; tsĕdaqah, righteousness, in government and in personal matters. So we are to judge by the standard of the Bible, in righteousness. Jesus was not given righteous judgment by the chief priests and elders. They had secret and illegal court hearings and false accusers; they were all filled with unbelief and envy. For he was accused of saying he was the Son of God which is true and he was unlawfully executed for blasphemy by those who had no truth or righteousness. Those in power must have righteous judgment; but so few have these attributes.

The justice of God was fulfilled in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus for our sins.

Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.


If we seek judgment and justice we will find salvation in Jesus, our righteousness. His sinless life was given as a substitute for our sins. He satisfied the justice of his righteous Father God. when we believe in him, we receive pardon being justified by his blood. It is just as if we had never sinned.

Isa 56:2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

You are blessed if you have judgment and justice. Two ways to observe this is in Sabbath keeping and keeping your hand from evil. The Jews had a sign of the Old Covenant, that was to keep the Sabbath. Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and he is our rest. Traditions have changed for many to have church on Sunday. We should come together in rest and in worship on our Sabbath day. The ungodly do not attend church and have no regard for God. One reason we attend is to highly esteem our LORD in teaching and in worship, advancing his kingdom.

Isa 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

We are not to covet what we had or what we have lost. In Christ, all things are become new.

Phil 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Phil 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Isa 56:4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
Isa 56:5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

Their is no shame for the eunuch who has had his masculinity cut off with no natural sons or daughters. He will inherit a name greater than that of a father. He shall be a son of God through faith in Jesus.

Psa 31:22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
Psa 31:23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
Psa 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Isa 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
Isa 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

The strangers from the old covenant shall be welcomed in the new. The gentiles shall be accepted by Jesus when they believe in him for salvation. The old ways can be corrupted by man's traditions. Jesus came to cleanse the temple and our temples, with scourging and with his blood.

John 2:13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
John 2:14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
John 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
John 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

Mat 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Mat 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mat 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

Isa 56:8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.

It is one thing to be cast out by men and another to be cast out by the Lord at his displeasure . If you have been rejected and cast out of a church by men, Jesus is the final authority. If he calls, be sure to answer him and come to him.

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Isa 56:9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.

The birds and the beasts will devour those cast out by the angels at the coming of Jesus at his return. (Rev 19:17-18) Some who are cast out are in high places in the religious world. They are rich and self indulgent, arrogant and blind. As were those who plotted to kill Jesus.

Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mark 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

Isa 56:10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

The Father's watchmen were blind, they missed the messiah. The were spiritually ignorant. Yes, it is possible to know the law and the prophets and miss God. They are all dumb dogs; an unbelieving heathen was called a dog. They cannot see nor hear, so they do not bark; they prefer to lie at rest and slumber. They are very poor watchdogs, not even close to being the Lord's watchmen. This is how many will be in the end times, before Jesus returns.

Isa 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

Woe to these shepherds who get rich off of the flock and always want more. They are reprobate shepherds who have no understanding: they all look to their own way, as hirelings and Lords over the people, they abandon their flock for their own gain.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, contrasted with the hireling

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
John 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

There were self indulgent priests in Judah and there will be many in the last days

Isa 56:12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

As judgment approaches, they simply drink and get drunk. They tickle the ears of the sheep, giving them what they want to hear. The sheep are unrepentant sinners as are the shepherds, but he speaks so smooth and makes them feel good about themselves. Is this being a watchman shepherd?

2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

They do not want to offend so as to fill the church and to increase the flow of giving, so that all will go on as before in selfish indulgences buying favor with God, but living in unrighteousness. The tradition of purgatory is one false doctrine that assumes all will go to hell, but by prayers and money, the time would be shortened. If in hell, there is no salvation.

2 Cor 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

We are all called to be priests of God, a holy people. We dare not slumber as others do, in self indulgence and in sin. We must be awake to righteous judgment. Being aware of the closeness of Christ's return, we discern the times and we are to keep our lamps full of oil and be the light in a dark world. We are the watchmen to warn the world and to bring them to Jesus and his righteousness. We also must walk in holiness and in truth.

Good Counsel

Isa 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Come to Jesus you with thirsty souls, the price has been paid for your filling by his shed blood. Eat from his table and be fed with the word of God; be filled with his Spirit and never lack for his goodness.

It is not natural water

John 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Earthly wealth does not satisfy God or man

Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Isa 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

A lot of money is spent on useless entertainment and things that do not satisfy. I often see people smoking cigarettes while waiting for free food. Some spend their government money on the lottery or the casino and their children are not given proper food. These things are wasteful and empty. Jesus promised to provide the essentials of life to those who are his sheep.

Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
We must be content with our daily bread

1 Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Tim 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1 Tim 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1 Tim 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Isa 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

It is the soul that hungers after God.

Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The righteous are those in the New Covenant under the shed blood of Jesus; the everlasting king after David.

Isa 55:4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
Isa 55:5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Jesus is our leader and commander.

He was the promised Messiah to the Jews first; then the Savior of all the world who would believe in him.

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Do not put off coming to Jesus. The more you wait, the harder your heart becomes. Now is the day of salvation. Some have waited too long and refused God too often and the Spirit of God no longer seeks them. Without the presence of God, no one can be saved.

2 Cor 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

We had better remember this, for many think they are wiser than God, even accusing him.

Isa 29:16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

He made the heavens and the earth

Isa 40:25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
Isa 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

He has all wisdom and knowledge

Jer 33:2 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name;
Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Isa 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

What a wonderful promise. Sow the word, do not replace the word of God with your own thoughts, for they are vain. God's word will accomplish it's purpose, it is living and powerful and has the authority of God.

1 Pet 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Isa 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Following the Lord is not a chore, but great joy.

Isa 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

In the presence of the Lord, there is peace and rejoicing. At his return, all nature will rejoice and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. There will be no more thorns for the curse shall be removed.

Isa 11:5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
Isa 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Isa 11:7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Isa 11:8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

We live peaceable as much as is possible and with the provision the Lord has given to us. We are not to waste our resources but to sow finances and his word for an increase. When he returns there will be restoration and joy for all creation. He will not restore those who do not want him. The blessings are on those that are his people. Now is the time of salvation; give your life to the one who created you to be a blessing. Give all your life to Jesus.

Established in Righteousness

Isa 54:1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

I think of Hannah travailing in prayer before the LORD because she was barren, unable to have children. Her husband had another wife who bore children. The other wife became her adversary, making her life miserable. She was symbolic of our adversary, the devil.

1 Sam 1:6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
1 Sam 1:7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

Hannah promised, that if she bore a son, that she would give him to the LORD's service. This prayer was answered and Hannah was full of joy. She kept her promise to God.

1 Sam 1:26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
1 Sam 1:27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
1 Sam 1:28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

Isa 54:2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

Because of Hannah's keeping her promise, God blessed her with more children. Those that obey God and seek him in prayer in time of sorrow, shall be rewarded. God is faithful and merciful to His people.

Isa 54:3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

Let's apply this to Israel in the promise land and spiritually to those who are faithful to do all that God calls them to do. We are called by Jesus to witness, first where we live and then throughout the world. The result of this will be many people brought to the LORD, those who were lost shall be found in Christ Jesus. Those who sow the word faithfully, shall have an abundant harvest.

Isa 54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

No way am I ashamed of Jesus, nor is he ashamed of me. He took my shame upon himself when he went to the cross. My sins are forgiven and I am counted as a righteous son of God. Amazing grace in our life comes as we respond to the call of God and come to Jesus Christ his son. Those women who are without a husband have Jesus as a husband, and provider.

Jesus is our kinsman redeemer, as the widow Ruth was redeemed by Boaz. To redeem someone requires something valuable as a ransom. Silver and gold and precious metals and are valuable. However, we were redeemed with something even more valuable—the precious blood of Christ.

1 Pet 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1 Pet 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1 Pet 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
1 Pet 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Isa 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

The LORD thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; God the Father and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel, God the Son; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. The only act that I know where Jesus acted separate from the Father was to take on the form of a man, to shed his blood on the cross, to die, to be buried and to be risen again to redeem mankind from sin and the devil. God is one God of the whole earth; Elohim, God the Father, God the Son and the God the Holy Spirit.

Isa 54:6 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
Isa 54:7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Isa 54:8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

When we were sinners in the world, it seemed as if we were without hope. Israel in captivity felt lost and forsaken, but her redeemer lives. Your redeemer lives and knows you by name.

For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. Jesus felt forsaken on the cross that brief time when Jesus took our sins upon himself and the father looked away.

Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Though the body died, the soul continued and he arose by the life giving Spirit within him. We also shall arise, soul and spirit to be with our Lord.

Isa 54:9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

God makes a promise to never punish his people again. In Christ Jesus there is no wrath upon the children of God.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Isa 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

This is looking forward the New Covenant in Jesus' blood. He is our peace and our rest. When we come to him by faith, we cease from our labors.

Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Isa 54:11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
Isa 54:12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.

This sounds like New Jerusalem, a city of beautiful transparent jewels and gold.

Rev 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
Rev 21:19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
Rev 21:20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
Rev 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Isa 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Oh that all of our nation were taught of the LORD. How far we have fallen from our foundation of faith in the LORD and his Bible. Only in the Kingdom established on earth by Jesus will these things happen.

Isa 54:14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.

Israel returning as a nation in 1948, had times of abundance and safety and the teaching of the law, but righteousness comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This will not happen until his return to reign on earth for a thousand years.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Oh thank God for counting the faithful as righteous in Christ, they shall not experience the wrath of God.

Isa 54:15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
Isa 54:16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

Satan will be bound for a thousand years when Jesus returns. After this he is loosed, he becomes an instrument by which men are tested. Even in a perfect environment with Jesus as King, some will rebel against God. The old sin nature of Adam remains until all are judged.

Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

In Jesus we are in God's covenant family, he is Father, King, warrior and protector. They may kill the body, but our soul belongs to God. If they speak against us, they are speaking against the Lord. He will judge them by his word.

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

The Atonement for Sins

Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

Isaiah prophesies here of the Messiah going to the cross as payment for our sins. Who will believe this report? If you do not believe we are saying either that Jesus did not die for your sins or that you refuse the Messiah, through stubborn unbelief. The majority of the Hebrew people have rejected their Messiah and often Isaiah 53 is not included in their reading or preaching.

Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

The Messiah would grow up before God, the Father, as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. Jesus was tender and gentle, a caring person. He grew up where he was not accepted as Messiah, in a hard hearted land; Joseph, the legal father was a carpenter, yet Jesus was born of a virgin.

Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Mat 13:56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
Mat 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
Mat 13:58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

He had no form or comeliness; he looked like an average man, no great physical features. He was not as the fair skinned, blue eyed Jesus portrayed in paintings. His beauty was within;

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The world looks for a king as Saul, outwardly tall and above others in stature and good looks.

When God sent Samuel to search for the king of his choice, he had a different set of requirements.

1 Sam 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Rejection is a sorrow known by many. Jesus was rejected by his own people, the religious leaders the governors and even betrayed by a close disciple; Judas. He suffered greatly in body and he suffered because he cared for others.

John 11:35 Jesus wept.
John 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

He took our sins upon himself, and willingly went to the cross.

Mat 26:63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Mat 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Mat 26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Mat 26:66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Mat 26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
Mat 26:68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Phil 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phil 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

He took the punishment as our substitute, to pay for our sins. He suffered for our peace with God.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

With his stripes we are healed. He died to heal our sinful hearts and when we are with him in glory we shall never need healing again. He has power and authority to heal people and to cast out demons, as directed from the father. We also must be directed by the Father, through the Holy Spirit when we do the work of Jesus.

Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

We cannot reject Jesus and his authority and do the work of God on our own. This is what they did when Jesus was with them. The chief priests and elders of the Jews did what they thought was important to themselves, and for envy, they tortured and killed the messiah sent to them.

Mat 27:17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
Mat 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
Mat 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Mat 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

If we receive Jesus and follow him by the Holy Spirit, then we may do the works of our Lord.

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

God will not give his power to anyone to work iniquity or rebellion. Many who claim to represent Christ are only seeing their own power, wealth and glory

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

We are referred to as sheep, dumb animals, helpless to care for or defend themselves, without a shepherd. All have gone astray, and Jesus our Good Shepherd was given the punishment for our sins and transgressions so that we might have the righteousness of Christ. Sins price was paid and righteous Jesus was risen back into the glory he had with the father.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

He became the sacrificial Lamb of God.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

John 19:9 (Pilate said), Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
John 19:10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Isa 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

Luke 23:10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
Luke 23:11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
Luke 23:12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

You will find in witnessing that enemies will reconcile and unite if they are in opposition to Jesus. We had better decide who we will side with.

John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Luke 23:13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
Luke 23:14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
Luke 23:15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
Luke 23:16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
Luke 23:17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)Luke 23:18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
Luke 23:19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
Luke 23:20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
Luke 23:21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

He died among the thieves on the cross; he had done no violence, neither was there deceit in his mouth.

Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luke 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Luke 23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
Luke 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Luke 23:47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

His grave was with the rich.

Mat 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
Mat 27:58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
Mat 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Mat 27:60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

The results of the sin offering pleased the LORD's righteousness. A substitute was provided for our sins. Every persons sins were taken care of on the cross of calvary by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The requirement, to be forgiven, is through faith in the shed blood of Jesus. Is this important? Yes, for regardless of what others claim as their religious preference, only through the blood of Jesus is God pleased and our sins forgiven.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Luke 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Luke 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

There is important truth here for us. Only pray in the will of God and accept his will over our own; this is for his glory and purpose.

2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

When Jesus took our sins upon himself, he felt the anguish that sin brings. He being without sin, felt more deeply the affects of sin on his soul. The man who had no sin became our sin with all the torment of the devil associated with sin. When the father looked away from him, because of the sins he bore, it was his greatest agony.

Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Can God forsake himself? No, but his body became the sin offering; the sacrifice and the sin. Jesus became the propitiation; the offering and the place of forgiveness; the living mercy seat of God, fulfilling all of God's righteous justice as the sin offering and the atonement.

Isa 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

After the victory, the spoils are divided among the strong. Who are the strong? Those who believe in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. By faith we receive grace and divide the victory, His victory over satan, sin and death. We cannot divide what we do not possess.

He was numbered with the transgressors.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Cor 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1 Cor 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
1 Cor 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
1 Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

He made intercession for the transgressors

Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Heb 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Heb 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Do you trust in Jesus as your Lord and savior? Have you believed the report? Now is the time to be sure.