A Remnant
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.
Because there were a few people faithful to the Lord in Judah, God did not destroy them like he did the homosexual cities of Sodom and Gomorrha. God hates this sinful behavior for the people were not seeking God, but their own lusts.
Empty worship
Isa 1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
God compares them to Sodom and Gomorrah; listen to God and His law. God is real, not imaginary, not of their making or just a tradition. God lives and he wants a spiritual relationship with us.
Isa 1:11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
1 Sam 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry...
Isa 1:12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
Isa 1:13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
Isa 1:14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
Isa 1:15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
Why? Because it was not in truth. They were going through empty rituals and they were not even thinking as they did it. It had become a habit with them and they had blood on their hands. They were guilty of sin, murder, rebellion and they had no concern for their condition.
We must be careful to not make church just empty rituals; with our hearts on other things.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
We are to offer sacrifices of praise to the LORD with clean hands and clean hearts. We are not to be the dead, doing dead rituals to please the spiritually dead. Nor should a place of worship become as a public meeting hall, with no order or reverence towards God.
Wash away sin
Isa 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
Wash your hands, cleanse your hands from evil doings. Put away of your doings and your evil heart from God's eyes; stop doing evil. The message of repentance as taught by John the Baptist and Jesus. Turn from your evil ways, not just washing hands before eating, but a change of heart and deeds.
Mat 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Isa 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Learn to do good, learn right from wrong, and do what is required of you as God's people; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Too many who claim to be born-again have not repented or learned right from wrong. Many are self willed and not following God. God hasn't changed, we must change. If we follow the world, the world is evil. The world is accepting evil behavior as normal. We must renew our minds in the word of God and replace our behavior with the will of God.
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Sit down and listen, stop running around and take heed to God's word. If you repent and believe in His promises, (Receive Jesus as savior); though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. This is a beautiful promise of what Jesus has done for us.
Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Isa 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
A stern warning and reminder of God's covenant with Israel. You shall reap what you sow. Walk by faith and do not turn back and rebel and murmur against God.
Unfaithful City
Isa 1:21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
The faithful city was Jerusalem, the place of worship and the temple of God had turned to sin and rebellion worshipping other gods. A city of judgment and righteousness had become a lodging for murderers.
Isa 1:22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
Silver is become dross, worthless, being used for worthless things; it was not used to help the poor or those in need, The wine weakened with water, wine was no longer pure but diluted.
Isa 1:23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
The princes are as corrupt politicians, rebellious, giving away the country to thieves: everyone loving gifts and bribes: they only help those who will help them. Righteous judgment had left them. They may claim to care for others only to stay in power. This was supposed to be the city of God, but it had become the city of thieves and corruption.
Jesus came to restore righteousness and to heal the sick, even in Jerusalem.
Mat 21:11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
Mat 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Mat 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mat 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
Jerusalem in Isaiah's time had fallen into sin. In our time the city leaders in Jerusalem were to host a homosexual invasion, little has changed in Jerusalem. Jesus will return and Jerusalem again will be the place of righteousness.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Avenger and Purifier
Isa 1:24 Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
Isaiah speaks the three names of God; Lord: Jesus, the Word is Lord; God the Father is the Lord of hosts, "hosts" referring to the angelic armies of heaven. He is the Mighty One of Israel, also the Holy Spirit, the power of God on earth. The three are one God.
Isa 1:25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
God will avenge, removing unrighteous persons and corrupt spiritual leaders whose shine was not pure silver, but tin and dross. These may oppress the people under them or teach from their own imaginations. He will remove the dross, from the silver or the gold, and remove the tin, the mixture, the double-mindedness. We also are to be pruned, and tried in the refiners fire. To be made pure and single minded. Only through Jesus can we be made righteous and pure of sins. We are to trust in the Lord, keep our eyes on Jesus, pray without ceasing, God knows his remnant people. He hates sin, but wishes to restore, more than to destroy.
Mal 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Mal 3:4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
He will avenge himself of those who are His enemies and restore His elect. Choose restoration, for no man can stand against God Almighty. Better to suffer the heat for a while and come forth as pure gold, than to be cast into the lake of fire forever. Hear the word of the Lord. The LORD wants to purify his church.
1 Pet 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1 Pet 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Be Restored Or Burn
Isa 1:26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
God wants to restore his covenant people. The fallen city of Jerusalem, was the result of sin and idolatry. The first purpose of God is restoration' that's why he sent His Son Jesus, to save the lost. He is the Lord's counselor. He brings us the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God. God will touch the hearts of his spiritual leaders first; the judges and counselors. Judah was a theocracy, the leaders were representing God's laws. Our prayers should go out for our leaders in the church and in our nation. The nations leaders need to be saved. We need godly leadership in our country and spirit filled leaders in our churches.
Isa 1:27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
Jesus is the redeemer of the Holy City. In Him we are the righteousness of God; through faith, not by works. By faith in Jesus Christ we are declared righteous and the Holy Spirit in us is the presence and righteousness of God.
Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Isa 1:28 And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
Apart from Jesus, there is the wrath of God.
Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Rom 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Isa 1:29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
Isa 2:13 And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,
Tree huggers? Those who worship strange gods under the trees and in the open air gardens were pagans. They were rebellious against the creator, worshipping the creation and made up gods and goddesses, as many do even today.
Isa 1:30 For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.
Isa 1:31 And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
Ye shall wither and die as a branch broken off. Tow is flax cord or string. Linen cloth made from flax was used to wrap the mummies in the early Egyptian tombs. When ignited it burns away as in the story of Samson:
Judg 16:9 Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.
John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
The ungodly shall suffer death and hellfire. The redeemed shall live with God forever. Those who are his will be refined and purified. This way they can serve God and others and not be vessels that are full of junk and uncleaness.
2 Tim 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2 Tim 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Tim 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
2 Tim 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
Redeemed and purified we are not to be set on a shelf to admire; but we are vessels for the masters use. Here I am LORD, send me.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Highlights from Isaiah
Prophesy is received and recorded as it happens, it is not in any necessary order. The calling of Isaiah is in Chapter 6. This is a good place to start our highlights from Isaiah.
Vision of Almighty God
Isa 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Who was king Uzziah? Uzziah was a mighty king, but in the end he overstepped his authority and burned incense on the altar. This was the duty of God's priests and the son's of Aaron. Because of this he was stricken with leprosy until his death. Perhaps Isaiah was pondering the life of the king and all the good and mighty acts that he had accomplished, and how the one transgression caused him to perish.
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Thank God for the grace that we have received in Jesus.
Isaiah saw a vision of the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. God does not share his glory with man. If we obey him he blesses, if we transgress, under the law he brings judgment. God is lifted up and His glory fills the temple. He is the absolute power and authority over all nations and all creation. We must understand this.
Isa 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
Above the throne in heaven are angels flying; having six wings, two covering his face, two covering his feet and with two each did fly.
If angels be thus reverent in their attendance on God, with what godly fear should we approach his throne! (Matthew Henry)
Why were there faces and feet covered? They were in the presence of Holiness.
We can look to Moses in the presence of God in the burning bush.
Exo 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
Exo 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
Isa 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
The triune God is implied in the words; Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts, the Lord of all angels and creation. All creation reveals the glory of God, the creation is not to be worshipped as god, but it glorifies the creator.
Isa 6:4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
The temple was shaken, and the house filled with smoke. The smoke of incense, or perhaps the shekinah glory of God.
Lev 16:2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
2 Chr 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
2 Chr 5:14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
Send Me LORD
Isa 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Isaiah was undone, as a man of flesh to see the King of Kings in a vision.
Deu 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
Exo 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Isa 6:6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Isa 6:7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
Was this real, or was it a vision? Were his sin's really removed? Yes, he was chosen of God, there would be nothing in the way if he trusted in Him and his promises. Unbelief is what hinders us; looking at our sins and failings. If we do see them, that is a first step, then we let God have them. For us, it is trust in Jesus; for Isaiah, it was faith in God and obedience to his words. His lips were free of sin.
Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Isaiah now had lips that were ready to speak. Here am I, a faithful servant relying on what I will receive from God. Here am I, send me. He would have a speaking gift, the clear speaking forth of prophesy, speaking clearly the word of God.
Moses was not as quick to respond to his calling.
Exo 4:10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
Exo 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
Exo 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Isaiah saw the vision and the call, and he was ready to go forth as the LORD sends him. May we be as Isaiah, LORD, Here I am, send me! Let no unbelief hinder the call of God. May we be as Moses, not trusting in our own abilities, but rather trusting in the power of God.
Hearing God's message
Isa 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Go tell the people God's message. God knows that they do not hear Him.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Isa 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Because of their lack of desire to hear, God gives them over to fatness of heart, heavy sluggish ears, shut, sleeping eyes, to make it even harder for them to be converted. Listen to this; he is saying many will not receive your message. They may have heard it many times and have hardened their hearts. This is as America that has a great spiritual heritage. The once mighty Christian nation has grown cold to the gospel message. The Spirit is saying that many will refuse your message. Do not let that stop you for there is a remnant who will serve God in truth. The LORD said let them alone, for they have chosen their way.
Prov 6:9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Prov 6:10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Prov 6:11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
There are spiritual sluggards too.
Isa 6:11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
Isa 6:12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
How long do I keep talking to these people who will not listen? Continue until their city is destroyed and they go into captivity. They cannot blame God, for he warned them through his prophets.
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.
Isa 10:21 The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
Isa 6:13 But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
(NKJV) Isa 6:13 But yet a tenth [will be] in it, And will return and be for consuming, As a terebinth tree or as an oak, Whose stump [remains] when it is cut down. So the holy seed [shall be] its stump."
One in ten shall remain in the land or shall return to the land, but they shall also receive more judgement from God. The holy seed, those of God would be from this number. A stump of a great tree is the description of the remnant. A stump rooted in the word of God. A stump that sets out new growth, new ministries, new churches, sprouting many new trees that are the planting of the LORD. We had a mighty Redwood in our yard that broke in a storm. The tree cutter cut it down to a stump. New life came from that stump and from the roots so that now we have many trees 20-30 ft. high.
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
The Remnant may be small, but when Jesus sends the Holy Spirit it is a powerful remnant. In our land that speaks of "In God We Trust"' it is the Remnant that has faith and that prays. The Remnant has the power and truth of God. You who are the Remnant need to follow the Spirit of God and be the light of God's truth and justice in a sin darkened world. Some may be martyred, but they will not stop being the called of God. They will be received into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Vision of Almighty God
Isa 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Who was king Uzziah? Uzziah was a mighty king, but in the end he overstepped his authority and burned incense on the altar. This was the duty of God's priests and the son's of Aaron. Because of this he was stricken with leprosy until his death. Perhaps Isaiah was pondering the life of the king and all the good and mighty acts that he had accomplished, and how the one transgression caused him to perish.
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Thank God for the grace that we have received in Jesus.
Isaiah saw a vision of the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. God does not share his glory with man. If we obey him he blesses, if we transgress, under the law he brings judgment. God is lifted up and His glory fills the temple. He is the absolute power and authority over all nations and all creation. We must understand this.
Isa 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
Above the throne in heaven are angels flying; having six wings, two covering his face, two covering his feet and with two each did fly.
If angels be thus reverent in their attendance on God, with what godly fear should we approach his throne! (Matthew Henry)
Why were there faces and feet covered? They were in the presence of Holiness.
We can look to Moses in the presence of God in the burning bush.
Exo 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
Exo 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
Isa 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
The triune God is implied in the words; Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts, the Lord of all angels and creation. All creation reveals the glory of God, the creation is not to be worshipped as god, but it glorifies the creator.
Isa 6:4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
The temple was shaken, and the house filled with smoke. The smoke of incense, or perhaps the shekinah glory of God.
Lev 16:2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
2 Chr 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
2 Chr 5:14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
Send Me LORD
Isa 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Isaiah was undone, as a man of flesh to see the King of Kings in a vision.
Deu 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
Exo 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Isa 6:6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Isa 6:7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
Was this real, or was it a vision? Were his sin's really removed? Yes, he was chosen of God, there would be nothing in the way if he trusted in Him and his promises. Unbelief is what hinders us; looking at our sins and failings. If we do see them, that is a first step, then we let God have them. For us, it is trust in Jesus; for Isaiah, it was faith in God and obedience to his words. His lips were free of sin.
Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Isaiah now had lips that were ready to speak. Here am I, a faithful servant relying on what I will receive from God. Here am I, send me. He would have a speaking gift, the clear speaking forth of prophesy, speaking clearly the word of God.
Moses was not as quick to respond to his calling.
Exo 4:10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
Exo 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
Exo 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Isaiah saw the vision and the call, and he was ready to go forth as the LORD sends him. May we be as Isaiah, LORD, Here I am, send me! Let no unbelief hinder the call of God. May we be as Moses, not trusting in our own abilities, but rather trusting in the power of God.
Hearing God's message
Isa 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Go tell the people God's message. God knows that they do not hear Him.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Isa 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Because of their lack of desire to hear, God gives them over to fatness of heart, heavy sluggish ears, shut, sleeping eyes, to make it even harder for them to be converted. Listen to this; he is saying many will not receive your message. They may have heard it many times and have hardened their hearts. This is as America that has a great spiritual heritage. The once mighty Christian nation has grown cold to the gospel message. The Spirit is saying that many will refuse your message. Do not let that stop you for there is a remnant who will serve God in truth. The LORD said let them alone, for they have chosen their way.
Prov 6:9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Prov 6:10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Prov 6:11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
There are spiritual sluggards too.
Isa 6:11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
Isa 6:12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
How long do I keep talking to these people who will not listen? Continue until their city is destroyed and they go into captivity. They cannot blame God, for he warned them through his prophets.
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.
Isa 10:21 The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
Isa 6:13 But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
(NKJV) Isa 6:13 But yet a tenth [will be] in it, And will return and be for consuming, As a terebinth tree or as an oak, Whose stump [remains] when it is cut down. So the holy seed [shall be] its stump."
One in ten shall remain in the land or shall return to the land, but they shall also receive more judgement from God. The holy seed, those of God would be from this number. A stump of a great tree is the description of the remnant. A stump rooted in the word of God. A stump that sets out new growth, new ministries, new churches, sprouting many new trees that are the planting of the LORD. We had a mighty Redwood in our yard that broke in a storm. The tree cutter cut it down to a stump. New life came from that stump and from the roots so that now we have many trees 20-30 ft. high.
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
The Remnant may be small, but when Jesus sends the Holy Spirit it is a powerful remnant. In our land that speaks of "In God We Trust"' it is the Remnant that has faith and that prays. The Remnant has the power and truth of God. You who are the Remnant need to follow the Spirit of God and be the light of God's truth and justice in a sin darkened world. Some may be martyred, but they will not stop being the called of God. They will be received into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
The Truth Shall Make You Free
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Those who follow Jesus shall have the light. What are we to do with this light? We are to let it shine in the darkness.
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
Bearing record of ourselves is our testimony. It is up to the hearer to believe. We know what we speak is true, for we have experienced it and we have the light of God's truth.
John 8:14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
Jesus knows his record is true, he is the Living Word. He knows that he came from heaven, the spirit is speaking, for no flesh and blood can go to or come from heaven. Jesus the only begotten son came from heaven.
1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1 Cor 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1 Cor 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
You cannot tell where I came from, or where I will go, because it is of the Spirit. He came from the Father in heaven and he would go to him again, after the cross and the resurrection.
John 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
They judge after the flesh, with the senses. They were already seeking to find something in which to accuse him and He was already judged by them. Now they seek evidence to fit their impressions of him. Many search the Bible in this way, to fit their perceptions, rather than studying the Bible and letting it speak in context. There is more to Gods word than our thoughts about it. I learn new things each day from scriptures that I thought I knew all about.
John 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
His judgment is true, for the Father agrees with him. The Father speaks through Jesus, whom he has sent.
John 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
John 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
The law required two to confirm the truth of a witness or testimony. In our society many are taught that what is true for you is truth. Where is the witness? We have God's word and His Spirit to witness of the truth. Jesus is truth.
Heb 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
John 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
If they will not accept Jesus, they will not accept his testimony, nor will they accept His Father. To reject the Son is to reject the Father. They thought they served God, but really served their own thoughts and desires.
John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
John 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
John 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
No one could lay hands on him, without God's permission.
John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
Jesus shall return unto his father in heaven. They are of the earth and have not been born again of the Spirit of God. They were of the world and the devil is king over the world. They would perish with him.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Salvation is through Jesus, the Son.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 8:25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
They did not want truth, they were wicked, seeking to trip him up so that they could destroy him. Who are you? He told them, they continued; Who are you? They wanted him to be what they thought of him, instead of who he is. We should not see people in a bad way, we should be as Jesus, seeking the best of what people are. Pointing them in the direction God has for them, instead of controlling or manipulating them.
John 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
Jesus speaks the truth from God the Father. He brings truth and judgement; knowing right from wrong, and discernment.
John 8:27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
They could not receive his words, nor were they willing to hear the truth.
1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
Jesus speaks of his crucifixion, then will you know who I am and my purpose from the father. We know the gospel truth: Jesus was crucified to pay for our sins and has risen from the grave. This is the truth of God revealed. Whosoever believes in him shall not perish but is made alive in His Spirit and will live forever with God.
John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
Jesus always had the indwelling presence of God with Him. This is what the true believer has, the indwelling presence of God through the Holy Spirit.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
John 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
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.
Disciples learn deeper of Jesus and his word. They follow him all the way to eternal life. Jesus is the savior from our sins. There is no other way for our sins to be forgiven, but by faith in Jesus. Although Jesus came in the flesh, he is Spirit eternal; the Living Word. He came from God, His Father, in heaven and he returned to God. He brought us truth and life. We must see Him as he is and receive his testimony. If we believe in him, we shall not perish, but live with him forever in glorious spiritual bodies. The earth and the world shall pass away, but God's kingdom is everlasting. Those who come to him will be saved from death and hell. He is the way, the truth and the life. The truth received and believed, shall make you free and give you eternal life.
Those who follow Jesus shall have the light. What are we to do with this light? We are to let it shine in the darkness.
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
Bearing record of ourselves is our testimony. It is up to the hearer to believe. We know what we speak is true, for we have experienced it and we have the light of God's truth.
John 8:14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
Jesus knows his record is true, he is the Living Word. He knows that he came from heaven, the spirit is speaking, for no flesh and blood can go to or come from heaven. Jesus the only begotten son came from heaven.
1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1 Cor 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1 Cor 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
You cannot tell where I came from, or where I will go, because it is of the Spirit. He came from the Father in heaven and he would go to him again, after the cross and the resurrection.
John 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
They judge after the flesh, with the senses. They were already seeking to find something in which to accuse him and He was already judged by them. Now they seek evidence to fit their impressions of him. Many search the Bible in this way, to fit their perceptions, rather than studying the Bible and letting it speak in context. There is more to Gods word than our thoughts about it. I learn new things each day from scriptures that I thought I knew all about.
John 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
His judgment is true, for the Father agrees with him. The Father speaks through Jesus, whom he has sent.
John 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
John 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
The law required two to confirm the truth of a witness or testimony. In our society many are taught that what is true for you is truth. Where is the witness? We have God's word and His Spirit to witness of the truth. Jesus is truth.
Heb 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
John 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
If they will not accept Jesus, they will not accept his testimony, nor will they accept His Father. To reject the Son is to reject the Father. They thought they served God, but really served their own thoughts and desires.
John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
John 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
John 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
No one could lay hands on him, without God's permission.
John 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
Jesus shall return unto his father in heaven. They are of the earth and have not been born again of the Spirit of God. They were of the world and the devil is king over the world. They would perish with him.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Salvation is through Jesus, the Son.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 8:25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
They did not want truth, they were wicked, seeking to trip him up so that they could destroy him. Who are you? He told them, they continued; Who are you? They wanted him to be what they thought of him, instead of who he is. We should not see people in a bad way, we should be as Jesus, seeking the best of what people are. Pointing them in the direction God has for them, instead of controlling or manipulating them.
John 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
Jesus speaks the truth from God the Father. He brings truth and judgement; knowing right from wrong, and discernment.
John 8:27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
They could not receive his words, nor were they willing to hear the truth.
1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
Jesus speaks of his crucifixion, then will you know who I am and my purpose from the father. We know the gospel truth: Jesus was crucified to pay for our sins and has risen from the grave. This is the truth of God revealed. Whosoever believes in him shall not perish but is made alive in His Spirit and will live forever with God.
John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
Jesus always had the indwelling presence of God with Him. This is what the true believer has, the indwelling presence of God through the Holy Spirit.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
John 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
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.
Disciples learn deeper of Jesus and his word. They follow him all the way to eternal life. Jesus is the savior from our sins. There is no other way for our sins to be forgiven, but by faith in Jesus. Although Jesus came in the flesh, he is Spirit eternal; the Living Word. He came from God, His Father, in heaven and he returned to God. He brought us truth and life. We must see Him as he is and receive his testimony. If we believe in him, we shall not perish, but live with him forever in glorious spiritual bodies. The earth and the world shall pass away, but God's kingdom is everlasting. Those who come to him will be saved from death and hell. He is the way, the truth and the life. The truth received and believed, shall make you free and give you eternal life.
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