Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
No memories of the past evil, will be something to thank God for. Peter also warned the Christians of a coming destruction of this earth; new heavens and a new earth, warning them to seek righteousness and holiness.
2 Pet 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
It would same to refer to a nuclear holocaust.
2 Pet 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
The Millennial kingdom first, then the new heavens and the new earth. There will be no sin or flesh in the new earth.
2 Pet 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
In Revelation this is repeated, in the time frame after the Great White Throne judgement. So the new heaven and the new earth refers to a time after the Millennium.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Isa 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Isa 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
In New Jerusalem; only the glorified saints of God will be there, with the angels. God will be the light with his Son, the Lamb of God. There will be joy and no more sorrows; no more tears and memories of the past.
However, in the Millennium, people of earth will still be living, with their memories of the past. Prophecy often does not come in time order. Isaiah now speaks of the Millennial reign of Christ Jesus.
Isa 65:20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
A hundred year old child, no early deaths due to disease or affliction; but the sinner being a hundred years old, shall be accursed. Sinners live along with the redeemed; the redeemed are the blessed of God, they will go on to live forever in New Jerusalem. The sinner will be accursed and be separated in a place of torment. The first signs of the end time Millennial kingdom began with the gathering of God's elect people. This began when Israel again became a nation in 1948.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Mat 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Mat 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
In 1949 two evangelists, Billy Graham and Oral Roberts began to warn people of the coming kingdom and to bring them in through faith in Jesus Christ. In the Millennial Kingdom on earth, salvation is still by faith in Jesus Christ. Children born to the elect in the kingdom, still inherit the nature of Adam. All humans have the sin nature. If a child is one hundred years old, perhaps an adult will be as in the time of Adam? Jesus will bring the creation back to the beauty of the time of the Garden of Eden. Adam lived to be almost a thousand years old.
Gen 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
Isa 65:21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
Isa 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
Psa 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
With satan bound for a thousand years, there will be peace on earth. There will never be peace on earth, so long as satan entices men to sin. Pride, self glory, power and lusts fill the minds of humans because of satan. That is why we must be diligent to renew our minds in God's word. It is not enough to claim we are saved, we must keep ourselves in the will of God.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Put on the spiritual things that God has provided through Jesus Christ, given in Ephesians 6; the whole armor of God. Which of these can you do without? salvation, righteousness, truth, the gospel of peace, faith, and the word of God. We need all of these to serve our Lord.
Isa 65:23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
Isa 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Psa 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Psa 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psa 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psa 37:6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Earth being restored, will bring back the beauty and peace of the Garden of Eden.
Isa 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
Earlier, Isaiah gave a similar prophecy. Things repeated are established and important.
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.
All creation groans waiting for the renewal.
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
The angel Gabriel spoke of the future to the virgin Mary
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Jesus will reign in Jerusalem for a thousand years, then shall come a New Jerusalem.
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.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Some teach that there is a coming kingdom on earth; they say that is all there is. Well, if they are alive when Jesus returns, they may make it to the Millennial kingdom. However, by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, we shall continue and be with him in the New Jerusalem. We can know we will live forever now. Do not let anyone try to destroy your faith. Faith In Jesus is the entrance to heaven. We become his spiritual people of God, abiding with Him forever. Hail to the King of Glory!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Blessed and the Cursed
The Blessed Remnant
Isa 65:8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
Isa 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
The LORD sees a remnant of Judah that serve him and he will not destroy them. They are as a cluster of grapes saved from the crushing; the blood bath of the winepress. We are in Christ a cluster of grapes; the fruit of the Holy Spirit, in those saved from a people that will be under the wrath of God.
Isa 65:9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
Jesus spoke of a last days remnant; the elect of God.
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Isa 65:10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.
Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Those who seek God and stay close to him are blessed. In times of trouble, God's people find green pastures and rest. He is our rest and peace.
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.
The Cursed Rebellious
Isa 65:11 But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.
That "troop," gad, refers to the worship of a pagan god, that supposedly would disribute good fortune. They forget God's covenant place of worship, on the holy mountain of Jerusalem and instead worshipped the idols of the nations. America is an example of a rebellious people, troubled on every side, bad news every day, but many still serve false gods, many having exchanged the true faith for a lie. There were and are many who refuse to believe in and to come near the LORD who is our peace.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Isa 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
Prov 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
Prov 1:25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
Prov 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
Prov 1:27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Prov 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
Prov 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
Prov 1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Prov 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
Prov 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
Prov 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Isa 65:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:
Isa 65:14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
Oh how sad it is to meet those who cannot come to the LORD. They are a cursed people, having hardened their hearts, they are given over to their evil ways. May the Lord have mercy on all who call upon his name. His own servants he blesses. The rebellious do not receive good things of the LORD. The LORD promises to meet our needs, He gives us joy of heart; the rebellious have sorrow, confusion and unrest.
Isa 65:15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:
The rebellious leave behind a cursed name : Cain, Esau, Ahab, Judas, they all have perished, but the Lord has a remnant that serve him. They shall have a new name; we today are named as Christians, the faithful, the chosen of God.
Isa 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
The blessed shall bless himself in the God of truth. All things are from God; all blessings, all power, and all good things. In Christ we are given his authority and power. This is available when we are in his will, as he directs by his Holy Spirit.
Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
There are Hebrews under the old covenant and there are Christians under the new covenant. Out of these who are called the children of God, there is a faithful remnant. A chosen few who serve the LORD and are close to him. They will continue into eternal life.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Salvation is by faith and by their works and their fruit you shall know them. We know that salvation is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who shed his blood as payment for our sins. No man can make his own way, we must believe the promises of God. Are you part of the faithful remnant?
Isa 65:8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
Isa 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
The LORD sees a remnant of Judah that serve him and he will not destroy them. They are as a cluster of grapes saved from the crushing; the blood bath of the winepress. We are in Christ a cluster of grapes; the fruit of the Holy Spirit, in those saved from a people that will be under the wrath of God.
Isa 65:9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
Jesus spoke of a last days remnant; the elect of God.
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Isa 65:10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.
Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Those who seek God and stay close to him are blessed. In times of trouble, God's people find green pastures and rest. He is our rest and peace.
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.
The Cursed Rebellious
Isa 65:11 But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.
That "troop," gad, refers to the worship of a pagan god, that supposedly would disribute good fortune. They forget God's covenant place of worship, on the holy mountain of Jerusalem and instead worshipped the idols of the nations. America is an example of a rebellious people, troubled on every side, bad news every day, but many still serve false gods, many having exchanged the true faith for a lie. There were and are many who refuse to believe in and to come near the LORD who is our peace.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Isa 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
Prov 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
Prov 1:25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
Prov 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
Prov 1:27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Prov 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
Prov 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
Prov 1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Prov 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
Prov 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
Prov 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Isa 65:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:
Isa 65:14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
Oh how sad it is to meet those who cannot come to the LORD. They are a cursed people, having hardened their hearts, they are given over to their evil ways. May the Lord have mercy on all who call upon his name. His own servants he blesses. The rebellious do not receive good things of the LORD. The LORD promises to meet our needs, He gives us joy of heart; the rebellious have sorrow, confusion and unrest.
Isa 65:15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:
The rebellious leave behind a cursed name : Cain, Esau, Ahab, Judas, they all have perished, but the Lord has a remnant that serve him. They shall have a new name; we today are named as Christians, the faithful, the chosen of God.
Isa 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
The blessed shall bless himself in the God of truth. All things are from God; all blessings, all power, and all good things. In Christ we are given his authority and power. This is available when we are in his will, as he directs by his Holy Spirit.
Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
There are Hebrews under the old covenant and there are Christians under the new covenant. Out of these who are called the children of God, there is a faithful remnant. A chosen few who serve the LORD and are close to him. They will continue into eternal life.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Salvation is by faith and by their works and their fruit you shall know them. We know that salvation is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who shed his blood as payment for our sins. No man can make his own way, we must believe the promises of God. Are you part of the faithful remnant?
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Behold Me, Behold Me
Isa 65:1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.
Grace was given to the Gentiles , who believed the gospel message of Jesus Christ. The first thing that comes to mind is Isa 53.
Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Who has believed? Let's go on a quick tour through the scriptures to see who has believed.
Righteous Abraham
Gen 15:6 And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
A reluctant prophet and the power of God
Jonah 3:5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
The religious leaders had no faith, but the tax collectors and harlots believed the true report
Mat 21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
Only one way of salvation: faith in Jesus
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Believe and become disciples
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Believe and love God most of all
John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Believe the testimonies
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
The Gentiles believed
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
Not by the law, but by faith are ye saved
Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Acts 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Acts 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Acts 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Acts 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Acts 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
James the head of the Jerusalem church regarding the Gentile Christians, gave them four things to abstain from: Idolatry, fornication, things strangled and blood. These all were practiced and accepted by Gentiles in their former way of worship, but were an offence to the Jewish believers. Man made idols of gods were to be put away as well as the eating of meat sacrificed to the gods. This was addresses by Paul in 1 Cor 8.
1 Cor 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1 Cor 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
1 Cor 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
1 Cor 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
This was an offence to the Jews. Fornication involved temple prostitutes, widely accepted among the Gentiles, but not God's way. Things strangled were to be avoided for life is in the blood. The blood was to be spilled, a type of Christ's blood spilled, also a practice of the Jews. The blood was not to be eaten or drank, which was a common practice among the Gentiles.
Ask yourself, do you follow the abominable things of the world? Or do you come out of the world to please the LORD. Fornication, is common now in the world. They do not say anything about living together apart from marriage anymore. Things are so bad in the world that it is unlawful to speak against homosexuality. Values of the world are becoming opposite of those of God in his Holy Bible. The world lives in and values the things that God has told us not to do.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
1 Pet 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1 Pet 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Isa 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
A disciple does the will of God, not his own will. How many of us give God our choices, rather than accepting his will? The rebellious walk in a way according to their own thoughts, to trust in their own wisdom, their own judgment, their own thinking, instead of obeying the LORD.
Isa 65:3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;
Idol worship was common. This is why the LORD allowed Israel to be taken captive. What things do we put ahead of our love of God?
Isa 65:4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
These things were unclean, against the law of Moses and an abomination to God. Do we willfully disobey God? More important than laws, is the authority behind them. If we disobey and treat God as if he were not real; where is the fear of God? If we love him and fear him, how can we do what he hates? How can we ignor the one we love and obey? Where is our hearts desire and what do we obey?
Isa 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
I can see this attitude in many of the denominations and especially the pseudo Christian cults. We are the only true believers they say. But they are arrogant and rebellious. They speak with pride: "Our way is the true way, all others are wrong." Jesus is the way. This separates many religious people who add works to their form of religion as the only "true" way.
We hear the warnings; can we see?
2 Tim 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 Tim 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2 Tim 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2 Tim 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Isa 65:6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,
Isa 65:7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Pay day is coming; the day of reckoning. Will we join with the world and hide among the rocks at his appearance?
Rev 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Will we only fear God at that time? Fear God now and do his will. He has given us much freedom and grace. Let's use it to advance his name and his kingdom. Do we continue to hear his voice calling us? Do we hear and turn to him when he cries Behold me? Or are we too busy doing our own will? Sometimes we are too busy doing religious things; too busy to hear Jesus when he desires to lead us.
God the Father made it clear
Mark 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Take note and make adjustments in your life. Put God first and hear His Son. Hear him as he calls "Behold Me," and follow him. Lead us Holy Spirit in the will of God, not our own thoughts. Amen
Grace was given to the Gentiles , who believed the gospel message of Jesus Christ. The first thing that comes to mind is Isa 53.
Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Who has believed? Let's go on a quick tour through the scriptures to see who has believed.
Righteous Abraham
Gen 15:6 And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
A reluctant prophet and the power of God
Jonah 3:5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
The religious leaders had no faith, but the tax collectors and harlots believed the true report
Mat 21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
Only one way of salvation: faith in Jesus
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Believe and become disciples
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Believe and love God most of all
John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Believe the testimonies
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
The Gentiles believed
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
Not by the law, but by faith are ye saved
Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Acts 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Acts 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Acts 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Acts 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Acts 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
James the head of the Jerusalem church regarding the Gentile Christians, gave them four things to abstain from: Idolatry, fornication, things strangled and blood. These all were practiced and accepted by Gentiles in their former way of worship, but were an offence to the Jewish believers. Man made idols of gods were to be put away as well as the eating of meat sacrificed to the gods. This was addresses by Paul in 1 Cor 8.
1 Cor 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1 Cor 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
1 Cor 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
1 Cor 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
This was an offence to the Jews. Fornication involved temple prostitutes, widely accepted among the Gentiles, but not God's way. Things strangled were to be avoided for life is in the blood. The blood was to be spilled, a type of Christ's blood spilled, also a practice of the Jews. The blood was not to be eaten or drank, which was a common practice among the Gentiles.
Ask yourself, do you follow the abominable things of the world? Or do you come out of the world to please the LORD. Fornication, is common now in the world. They do not say anything about living together apart from marriage anymore. Things are so bad in the world that it is unlawful to speak against homosexuality. Values of the world are becoming opposite of those of God in his Holy Bible. The world lives in and values the things that God has told us not to do.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
1 Pet 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1 Pet 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Isa 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
A disciple does the will of God, not his own will. How many of us give God our choices, rather than accepting his will? The rebellious walk in a way according to their own thoughts, to trust in their own wisdom, their own judgment, their own thinking, instead of obeying the LORD.
Isa 65:3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;
Idol worship was common. This is why the LORD allowed Israel to be taken captive. What things do we put ahead of our love of God?
Isa 65:4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
These things were unclean, against the law of Moses and an abomination to God. Do we willfully disobey God? More important than laws, is the authority behind them. If we disobey and treat God as if he were not real; where is the fear of God? If we love him and fear him, how can we do what he hates? How can we ignor the one we love and obey? Where is our hearts desire and what do we obey?
Isa 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
I can see this attitude in many of the denominations and especially the pseudo Christian cults. We are the only true believers they say. But they are arrogant and rebellious. They speak with pride: "Our way is the true way, all others are wrong." Jesus is the way. This separates many religious people who add works to their form of religion as the only "true" way.
We hear the warnings; can we see?
2 Tim 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 Tim 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2 Tim 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2 Tim 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Isa 65:6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,
Isa 65:7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Pay day is coming; the day of reckoning. Will we join with the world and hide among the rocks at his appearance?
Rev 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Will we only fear God at that time? Fear God now and do his will. He has given us much freedom and grace. Let's use it to advance his name and his kingdom. Do we continue to hear his voice calling us? Do we hear and turn to him when he cries Behold me? Or are we too busy doing our own will? Sometimes we are too busy doing religious things; too busy to hear Jesus when he desires to lead us.
God the Father made it clear
Mark 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Take note and make adjustments in your life. Put God first and hear His Son. Hear him as he calls "Behold Me," and follow him. Lead us Holy Spirit in the will of God, not our own thoughts. Amen
Monday, June 15, 2009
A New Mind
1 Cor 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
These represent two ways of thinking by the natural mind. The Greeks seek wisdom, which could be good because wisdom is from God, but if they seek wisdom only to debate and argue, then it is wrong thinking. The Jews seek a sign. Recognizing a sign or miracle from God is good, but following them can lead them astray to false spirits and teachings.
John 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
John 2:20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
John 2:21 But he spake of the temple of his body.
Both the Greek wisdom seekers and the Jewish sign seekers need discernment, Spiritual discernment.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Cor 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
If you are born again of His Spirit, you have access to the mind of Christ. We must replace our natural thinking with God's thinking. We need the mind of Christ and that only comes through careful study and reading of the Bible. The Bible is a spiritual book, requiring the Holy Spirit to discern what is read and to deposit this into our minds and hearts.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Our mind is renewed first by forsaking the thinking of the world and the natural mind, and then seeking the transforming power of God searching his thoughts and making them our own. We receive by grace the anointed word of God and that through faith. Grace and faith work together to transform us into the children of God. Without faith, we would not believe nor seek the things of God, With faith, comes a new creation through Jesus Christ, the object of our faith. We must discern what is of God and what is of another spirit. We need Spiritual discernment that only comes from reading the word of God. Some do not have discipline to sit down and read the word. They cannot be disciples, if they have no discipline. The Spirit works in you to discern the word of truth. If no time is spent in the word, then we only have the natural man's thoughts. Study the word, read it, eat it so that it is part of you. This is the way to receive the transformed and renewed mind. It requires effort to be transformed and renewed, with submission to the mind of Christ which comes by the Holy Spirit. Where are we getting our thoughts? The mind is a battleground, the worlds news is never good news. Take time to refresh and cleanse your mind through reading the Bible. Put off the old mind and put on the mind of Christ.
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Also study 1 Cor 1:10 - 3:11
These represent two ways of thinking by the natural mind. The Greeks seek wisdom, which could be good because wisdom is from God, but if they seek wisdom only to debate and argue, then it is wrong thinking. The Jews seek a sign. Recognizing a sign or miracle from God is good, but following them can lead them astray to false spirits and teachings.
John 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
John 2:20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
John 2:21 But he spake of the temple of his body.
Both the Greek wisdom seekers and the Jewish sign seekers need discernment, Spiritual discernment.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Cor 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
If you are born again of His Spirit, you have access to the mind of Christ. We must replace our natural thinking with God's thinking. We need the mind of Christ and that only comes through careful study and reading of the Bible. The Bible is a spiritual book, requiring the Holy Spirit to discern what is read and to deposit this into our minds and hearts.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Our mind is renewed first by forsaking the thinking of the world and the natural mind, and then seeking the transforming power of God searching his thoughts and making them our own. We receive by grace the anointed word of God and that through faith. Grace and faith work together to transform us into the children of God. Without faith, we would not believe nor seek the things of God, With faith, comes a new creation through Jesus Christ, the object of our faith. We must discern what is of God and what is of another spirit. We need Spiritual discernment that only comes from reading the word of God. Some do not have discipline to sit down and read the word. They cannot be disciples, if they have no discipline. The Spirit works in you to discern the word of truth. If no time is spent in the word, then we only have the natural man's thoughts. Study the word, read it, eat it so that it is part of you. This is the way to receive the transformed and renewed mind. It requires effort to be transformed and renewed, with submission to the mind of Christ which comes by the Holy Spirit. Where are we getting our thoughts? The mind is a battleground, the worlds news is never good news. Take time to refresh and cleanse your mind through reading the Bible. Put off the old mind and put on the mind of Christ.
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Also study 1 Cor 1:10 - 3:11
Friday, June 12, 2009
Sovereign God
Isa 64:1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.
Isa 64:2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
As the volcano flows as a melting fire making the sea to steam and boil, it is as a reminder of the power and judgement of God. We would all perish if it were not for his mercy. Isaiah speaks of the Lord coming with vengeance and a show of great power. Micah speaks similar words from the LORD.
Micah 1:3 For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.
Micah 1:4 And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.
Isa 64:3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
Exo 34:10 And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.
Terrible things or fearful, awesome and terrifying things.
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
It is fearful to fall into the hands of God for those not seeking him, but a time of joy for his covenant people of faith.
Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
I always saw this as a great reward for us who await his return; yet if we look at this from the viewpoint of the unsaved, the things coming, the wrath of God, will be greater than anything yet seen or experienced on earth. Those who put off salvation would have waited too long. Those who are saved and are watching and waiting for his return shall be rewarded.
Isa 64:5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
We are sinners and God is angry at sin. The prophet speaks: how can we who continue to sin be saved?
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
We are all unclean, our own righteousness are as under garments: we do fade as a leaf, soon to wither and die in our sins (apart from Jesus Christ); and our iniquities, our thoughts and desires are to do evil. As a dry leaf in a wind, we are taken away and will perish in our sins, if God doesn't help us.
Isa 64:7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
The knowledge of our sinful condition should cause us to cry out to God. The prophet continues to say that none call upon his name, nor are moved within to take hold of God in prayer. For you have hid your face from us, who are sinners without repentance, your vengeance will consume us, because of our iniquities. Who is he speaking of? Judah,? us,? perhaps all humans who are sinners and without hope? Where is hope? In the promised savior, who was not yet revealed. We know that it is the Lord Jesus Christ. How were people saved before Jesus came? Always salvation is by faith in God and his promises. He provides our salvation. Jesus came and when he went to the cross He descended to tell the old testament saints that he had come and that they are soon to be delivered up.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Isa 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
This verse shows that God is sovereign, our father, our Creator, as the potter shapes the clay for his purpose. He is the designer and the former of individuals, nations and events.
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?
A familiar hymn speaks of God as the potter and we as the clay in his hands. Clay is only wet dust, but God makes us useful, giving us a soul and His Spirit through Jesus our savior. We are made vessels for his use.
Isa 64:9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
Be not be very angry with us LORD, do not hold them against us forever for we are your covenant people. God's justice requires payment for sins. Blood was shed, the blood of Jesus, to remove our sins from our father's memory.
Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
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 64:10 Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
Isa 64:11 Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.
Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed at the time of the Babylonian captivity. It would be destroyed again after the coming of Christ Jesus, at 70 A.D. by the Romans. The world hates the chosen of God. We are not to set our affections on this world and it's things, but we are of a higher calling..
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Isa 64:12 Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?
Will you be silent LORD? Are you going to punish us? He will not forsake those who trust in him.
Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isa 41:11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
Isa 64:2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
As the volcano flows as a melting fire making the sea to steam and boil, it is as a reminder of the power and judgement of God. We would all perish if it were not for his mercy. Isaiah speaks of the Lord coming with vengeance and a show of great power. Micah speaks similar words from the LORD.
Micah 1:3 For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.
Micah 1:4 And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.
Isa 64:3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
Exo 34:10 And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.
Terrible things or fearful, awesome and terrifying things.
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
It is fearful to fall into the hands of God for those not seeking him, but a time of joy for his covenant people of faith.
Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
I always saw this as a great reward for us who await his return; yet if we look at this from the viewpoint of the unsaved, the things coming, the wrath of God, will be greater than anything yet seen or experienced on earth. Those who put off salvation would have waited too long. Those who are saved and are watching and waiting for his return shall be rewarded.
Isa 64:5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
We are sinners and God is angry at sin. The prophet speaks: how can we who continue to sin be saved?
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
We are all unclean, our own righteousness are as under garments: we do fade as a leaf, soon to wither and die in our sins (apart from Jesus Christ); and our iniquities, our thoughts and desires are to do evil. As a dry leaf in a wind, we are taken away and will perish in our sins, if God doesn't help us.
Isa 64:7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
The knowledge of our sinful condition should cause us to cry out to God. The prophet continues to say that none call upon his name, nor are moved within to take hold of God in prayer. For you have hid your face from us, who are sinners without repentance, your vengeance will consume us, because of our iniquities. Who is he speaking of? Judah,? us,? perhaps all humans who are sinners and without hope? Where is hope? In the promised savior, who was not yet revealed. We know that it is the Lord Jesus Christ. How were people saved before Jesus came? Always salvation is by faith in God and his promises. He provides our salvation. Jesus came and when he went to the cross He descended to tell the old testament saints that he had come and that they are soon to be delivered up.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Isa 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
This verse shows that God is sovereign, our father, our Creator, as the potter shapes the clay for his purpose. He is the designer and the former of individuals, nations and events.
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?
A familiar hymn speaks of God as the potter and we as the clay in his hands. Clay is only wet dust, but God makes us useful, giving us a soul and His Spirit through Jesus our savior. We are made vessels for his use.
Isa 64:9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
Be not be very angry with us LORD, do not hold them against us forever for we are your covenant people. God's justice requires payment for sins. Blood was shed, the blood of Jesus, to remove our sins from our father's memory.
Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
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 64:10 Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
Isa 64:11 Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.
Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed at the time of the Babylonian captivity. It would be destroyed again after the coming of Christ Jesus, at 70 A.D. by the Romans. The world hates the chosen of God. We are not to set our affections on this world and it's things, but we are of a higher calling..
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Isa 64:12 Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?
Will you be silent LORD? Are you going to punish us? He will not forsake those who trust in him.
Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isa 41:11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Vengeance and Prayers - Isaiah 63
Vengeance
2 Cor 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
2 Cor 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
2 Cor 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Isa 63:1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Isa 63:2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
Isaiah speaks of what he sees in a vision. Who is this coming from the enemies of Israel with died red apparel? Edom means red. Who is this coming from the land of "Red" in red apparel? His apparel is glorious, and he travels in the greatness of his strength. We are seeing Jesus returning as judge, destroying the enemies of God.
Rev 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Rev 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Isa 63:3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
Isa 63:4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
No one knows the time but the Father, but Jesus will come to bring vengeance on the enemies of God and to establish his Millennial kingdom.
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Jesus has given judgement and shall give judgement upon evil and he is the way of righteousness and redemption. When he comes to reign on earth, it will be bad news for those opposing him and good news for those looking for him.
Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Isa 63:5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
Jesus finished the work on the cross, alone. He himself brought salvation to us by his spilled blood. When he returns he will take vengeance spilling the blood of his persecutors. No wrath of God shall come upon His own people.
Isa 41:28 For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.
Isa 41:29 Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.
Isa 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
Isa 63:6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
No matter what the enemy armies of the nations rely on for strength, God is greater. They will be destroyed in an instant.
Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Psa 20:8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
Psa 20:9 Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
God's people pray
Isa 63:7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
Isa 63:8 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.
Surely these are My people, children who will not lie: "The Hebrew word for lie contains even more than our word. It was applied to a fountain, pit or brook that contained no water any more and so disappointed the thirsty person, and to a fruit tree that no longer yielded any fruit (Habakkuk 3:17). With this one significant word, the Lord meant to say that His people will not deceive and disappoint Him." (Butlema)
Isa 63:9 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; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
God's love is faithful. His love sent Jesus the redeemer who took upon himself afflictions and bore our sins on the cross. Another name for angel is messenger. Jesus was no angel, but he did deliver the WORD of God to all who would hear. Jesus came from the very presence of God, for he is God the Son. Through his great love expressed; Jesus redeemed us by his blood, and he carries us. God is afflicted with His people, for He identifies with them. He will help His people who trust in Him.
What was the angel help in days of old?
Exo 14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
Exo 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Exo 33:15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
Exo 33:16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
God's people desire his presence. In days of old the angel guided them and certain men were given the Holy Spirit. Now we have the Holy Spirit with us through our salvation in Jesus. We must be careful to not grieve the Holy Spirit.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;God sent an angel to guide his people through the wilderness, but they rebelled.
Isa 63:10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Psa 106:34 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:
Psa 106:35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
Psa 106:36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.
Psa 106:37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,
Psa 106:38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
Psa 106:39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
Psa 106:40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
Psa 106:41 And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
Psa 106:42 Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
Psa 106:43 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
Psa 106:44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
Psa 106:45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
The LORD is merciful and he had mercy and grace for His covenant people but he will take vengeance on those who despise him and his people.
Isa 63:11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?
Isa 63:12 That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
Isaiah speaks as the voice of his afflicted people; for Israel as a whole was called the son of God, His covenant people. He had spoken through Moses to Pharaoh when His people were afflicted.
Exo 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Exo 4:23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
He speaks in remembrance of the days of Moses, how he had given his Spirit to Moses and been the deliverer with his glorious arm , dividing the Red Sea and the Jordan, showing himself as the Almighty God.
Isa 63:13 That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?
Remembering how that the LORD led His people through the Red Sea on dry land by His Holy Spirit, as an horse in the wilderness who has open space to run in, they trusting him to get across safely.
Isa 63:14 As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
Remembering how the The Holy Spirit was with them through the wilderness, giving them rest. We have this same Holy Spirit with us today, leading us, glorifying God within us and giving us rest and Peace through Jesus our savior and rest. We receive this rest through faith in God and His son, not by our doing. We remember his moving in our own lives and His great salvation.
Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
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.
Lack of faith kept Israel out of the natural promise land, even as it will keep people from entering the eternal rest in heaven with our Lord, through faith in Christ Jesus, our entrance into the eternal kingdom.
A Plea for Restoration of Israel
Isa 63:15 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?
The child of God, even as Israel in Babylon, calls unto the LORD who is holy and in his glory: where is thy zeal for your people? Show yourself merciful and deliver your people. When we pray it is good to remind the LORD and ourselves of His faithfulness in the past towards His people and in our own lives. Remind him of His promises and do your part in meeting any conditions to his promises. For example: If we do not ask in prayer, humbly by faith, then how do we expect an answer? Do we have faith or is pride in the way?
Isa 63:16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
Isa 63:17 O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
Isa 63:18 The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.
We plea as people of Abraham, but more importantly as your people our LORD, our Father, our redeemer: thy name is everlasting. You are Almighty God; the Alpha and Omega, no beginning and no end. The prayer person reminds God that he is able to keep them from falling. He asks the LORD why he allowed Israel to fall and become of hardened hearts? We do not know God's ways, yet we see from His word that although he can keep us from falling, that he may give us over to our choices because of stubborn insistence to sin. I believe that God will not forsake His people, but as the scripture says, he may chasten his children.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
The one in prayer asked for the return of the tribes of Israel to their promise land. Many did return from the tribes of Dan and Judah and the lost tribes of Israel will return in the end times. Twelve tribes are mentioned in Revelation, wherein 12000 of each tribe are sealed by God in their foreheads.(Rev 12:5-8) The LORD knows where His people are, both Jew and Gentile are one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.\
Isa 63:19 We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.
Isa 63:19 (NLT) LORD, why do you treat us as though we never belonged to you? Why do you act as though we had never been known as your people?
The person praying sounds like some of us, losing patience with God and wondering why he does not answer our prayer.We belong to God, but are in the midst of a people ruled by the god of this world who are not called by thy name.
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.
As the world becomes more evil, we will be hated and persecuted for our belief in God.
2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Tim 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2 Tim 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
The LORD is faithful to us as we are faithful to trust him.
2 Cor 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
2 Cor 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
2 Cor 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Isa 63:1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Isa 63:2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
Isaiah speaks of what he sees in a vision. Who is this coming from the enemies of Israel with died red apparel? Edom means red. Who is this coming from the land of "Red" in red apparel? His apparel is glorious, and he travels in the greatness of his strength. We are seeing Jesus returning as judge, destroying the enemies of God.
Rev 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Rev 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Isa 63:3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
Isa 63:4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
No one knows the time but the Father, but Jesus will come to bring vengeance on the enemies of God and to establish his Millennial kingdom.
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Jesus has given judgement and shall give judgement upon evil and he is the way of righteousness and redemption. When he comes to reign on earth, it will be bad news for those opposing him and good news for those looking for him.
Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Isa 63:5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
Jesus finished the work on the cross, alone. He himself brought salvation to us by his spilled blood. When he returns he will take vengeance spilling the blood of his persecutors. No wrath of God shall come upon His own people.
Isa 41:28 For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.
Isa 41:29 Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.
Isa 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
Isa 63:6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
No matter what the enemy armies of the nations rely on for strength, God is greater. They will be destroyed in an instant.
Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Psa 20:8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
Psa 20:9 Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
God's people pray
Isa 63:7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
Isa 63:8 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.
Surely these are My people, children who will not lie: "The Hebrew word for lie contains even more than our word. It was applied to a fountain, pit or brook that contained no water any more and so disappointed the thirsty person, and to a fruit tree that no longer yielded any fruit (Habakkuk 3:17). With this one significant word, the Lord meant to say that His people will not deceive and disappoint Him." (Butlema)
Isa 63:9 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; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
God's love is faithful. His love sent Jesus the redeemer who took upon himself afflictions and bore our sins on the cross. Another name for angel is messenger. Jesus was no angel, but he did deliver the WORD of God to all who would hear. Jesus came from the very presence of God, for he is God the Son. Through his great love expressed; Jesus redeemed us by his blood, and he carries us. God is afflicted with His people, for He identifies with them. He will help His people who trust in Him.
What was the angel help in days of old?
Exo 14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
Exo 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Exo 33:15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
Exo 33:16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
God's people desire his presence. In days of old the angel guided them and certain men were given the Holy Spirit. Now we have the Holy Spirit with us through our salvation in Jesus. We must be careful to not grieve the Holy Spirit.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;God sent an angel to guide his people through the wilderness, but they rebelled.
Isa 63:10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Psa 106:34 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:
Psa 106:35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
Psa 106:36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.
Psa 106:37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,
Psa 106:38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
Psa 106:39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
Psa 106:40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
Psa 106:41 And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
Psa 106:42 Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
Psa 106:43 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
Psa 106:44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
Psa 106:45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
The LORD is merciful and he had mercy and grace for His covenant people but he will take vengeance on those who despise him and his people.
Isa 63:11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?
Isa 63:12 That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
Isaiah speaks as the voice of his afflicted people; for Israel as a whole was called the son of God, His covenant people. He had spoken through Moses to Pharaoh when His people were afflicted.
Exo 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Exo 4:23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
He speaks in remembrance of the days of Moses, how he had given his Spirit to Moses and been the deliverer with his glorious arm , dividing the Red Sea and the Jordan, showing himself as the Almighty God.
Isa 63:13 That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?
Remembering how that the LORD led His people through the Red Sea on dry land by His Holy Spirit, as an horse in the wilderness who has open space to run in, they trusting him to get across safely.
Isa 63:14 As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
Remembering how the The Holy Spirit was with them through the wilderness, giving them rest. We have this same Holy Spirit with us today, leading us, glorifying God within us and giving us rest and Peace through Jesus our savior and rest. We receive this rest through faith in God and His son, not by our doing. We remember his moving in our own lives and His great salvation.
Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
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.
Lack of faith kept Israel out of the natural promise land, even as it will keep people from entering the eternal rest in heaven with our Lord, through faith in Christ Jesus, our entrance into the eternal kingdom.
A Plea for Restoration of Israel
Isa 63:15 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?
The child of God, even as Israel in Babylon, calls unto the LORD who is holy and in his glory: where is thy zeal for your people? Show yourself merciful and deliver your people. When we pray it is good to remind the LORD and ourselves of His faithfulness in the past towards His people and in our own lives. Remind him of His promises and do your part in meeting any conditions to his promises. For example: If we do not ask in prayer, humbly by faith, then how do we expect an answer? Do we have faith or is pride in the way?
Isa 63:16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
Isa 63:17 O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
Isa 63:18 The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.
We plea as people of Abraham, but more importantly as your people our LORD, our Father, our redeemer: thy name is everlasting. You are Almighty God; the Alpha and Omega, no beginning and no end. The prayer person reminds God that he is able to keep them from falling. He asks the LORD why he allowed Israel to fall and become of hardened hearts? We do not know God's ways, yet we see from His word that although he can keep us from falling, that he may give us over to our choices because of stubborn insistence to sin. I believe that God will not forsake His people, but as the scripture says, he may chasten his children.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
The one in prayer asked for the return of the tribes of Israel to their promise land. Many did return from the tribes of Dan and Judah and the lost tribes of Israel will return in the end times. Twelve tribes are mentioned in Revelation, wherein 12000 of each tribe are sealed by God in their foreheads.(Rev 12:5-8) The LORD knows where His people are, both Jew and Gentile are one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.\
Isa 63:19 We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.
Isa 63:19 (NLT) LORD, why do you treat us as though we never belonged to you? Why do you act as though we had never been known as your people?
The person praying sounds like some of us, losing patience with God and wondering why he does not answer our prayer.We belong to God, but are in the midst of a people ruled by the god of this world who are not called by thy name.
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.
As the world becomes more evil, we will be hated and persecuted for our belief in God.
2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Tim 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2 Tim 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
The LORD is faithful to us as we are faithful to trust him.
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