Good morning, we'll be reading in Isaiah, and hopefully finish today. I pray God opens our understanding today and feeds us with His Word fully, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Let's begin in Isaiah chapter 53. This is a chapter that speaks about Jesus Christ so clearly, no scholars argue about this at all.
Isaiah 53
1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Who out there believes the report all these prophets gave regarding Jesus and His ways, and who is the arm of the Lord shown to? The arm of the Lord is Jesus Christ. The reason this question was asked is because many people have a problem with Christ; Jewish people don't believe He's come yet, Arabs don't believe He was God, Christians do not follow His ways; so who believes and who has the real Christ been shown to? Not many! Thankfully we're reading today with understanding.
Jesus did not come looking like Tyson Beckford or Denzel Washington, nor Brad Pitt. He did not care for you to like His physical make up, but rather to love the Words He taught.
Jesus was despised and rejected by men, in His day, and even today. He was certainly wounded for our sins by the Father and by Him we are healed.
7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
While He was being wounded and oppressed, He did not even protest and verbally proclaim that He was innocent. It is because He knew He had a mission. They put Him in the company of sinful men and traded a murder's freedom to bind Him. However, it was pleasing to the Lord to have this done because it will save the creation and the Father will divide with Jesus His portion with Him, and Jesus will divide His portion with His saints because He poured out His soul even unto death to be able to intercede for sinners.
The most interesting thing about this chapter is that it coincides with the entire story line of the bible.
Isaiah 54
This is again a chapter about the redemption of Israel as a nation and here they are being referred to as a woman who has been barren. God tells them to rejoice because they will inherit the Gentiles and live in their desolate cities. God is their Maker and their husband and He will redeem them.
God has forsaken the children of Israel for a moment but will gather them in great mercies forever, He has hid His face from her in wrath, but He will be her redeemer. God will teach her children of Him and they will live peacefully and in righteousness because they will fear the great and living God.
15Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
Now when the Lord brings peace on Israel, nations will still attempt to gather against them, but it will not be by the Lord as it is today, and God has said it in verse 17; that no weapon formed against Israel will prosper.
Isaiah 55
Preachers and church leaders are human and can make mistakes in life and in the Word of God. This is why it is important to read also by yourself to gain understanding, you may be able to help the pastor?
6Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
There will be a time when you cannot find the true God, we'll read more about this time by other prophets. This chapter tells the wicked man to leave his ways and seek repentance because the Lord will grant it to him because God has mercy, His thoughts are not like ours. His are much higher as Heaven is from earth are His thoughts from mans.
11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Positive thinkers do not have it like this yet, God's word does not come back void at all. So get this, think about all we've read and all that was prophesied. It will not return void. It will happen.
Isaiah 56
If you're walking in the ways of the Lord, stay with it because the time of His redemption is near. You are blessed if you keep the sabbath day and you keep from polluting it because it is a Holy Day set apart by God that represents His 1,000 years of peace on the earth. The Lord, in verse 3, says that the stranger (non Israelite) that has seen and understood that God is God and has joined the practice of the righteous children of Israel, they should not think they are separated from the physical Israelites. They should not think they have to do things differently. There should be no Christian sabbath day and a Jewish sabbath day. There should only be the Lord's sabbath day, which is the 7th day of the week!
6Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
7Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
This is pretty plain, you joined the covenant and keep the sabbath day, the Lord will bring you also into His house of prayer because His house is for everyone, every son and daughter of Adam. It is a mistake to think the children of Israel are the only ones. They were just commissioned to teach the other children of Adam the ways of the Lord.
8The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
This is speaking of the Gentiles and children of Ham, and also the remainder of the children of Shem (in which Israel come out of).
10His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
The last three verse switch gears and speaks about pastors and priest, known also as watchmen. The Lord let's us know that many of them are blind and ignorant of His Word. They may be sincere about the Word; but may not have been fully taught; while others are in it for the money. I certainly am not attacking preachers, but I must read the bible and take it's warnings and share it with others.
Isaiah called these watchmen, dumb dogs that don't bark when a thief comes to the house, they lie sleeping and they love sleep. They are greedy and can never have enough, they are shepherds that cannot understand, looking only to their way and doing all things for gain. They drink wine and hard liquor and party and do it again the next day. Beware of these preachers. A watchman is suppose to watch and warn you about coming calamities and give you good knowledge.
Isaiah 57
2He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
This is great for understanding, especially in times of grief. At times a loved one may die, a good person who loved the Lord, who only made people smile, who constantly did right, and they pass away into the sleep of death. Many people never think about why this is, and never consider that the righteous die, young or old, to be taken away from the evil to come.
They will enter into a peaceful sleep and rest, and wake walking in their uprightness. Although it is saddening to see them depart from us, it is better that God has done this because in our day, great evil is on the way, and perhaps in times past, evil was coming that the Lord did not want them to have to deal with. This is what He wants us to consider. Death is not always just for the evil, it is also good for the righteous.
The Lord reminds us that everything we have and everything we see, He has brought forth so we should be thankful and humble before such a God.
15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Do you understand verse 15? God, the high and lofty One lives forever, dwells in the high and holy place with Him as oppose to them, who has a contrite and humble spirit who has come to revive the spirit of the humble and the hearts of the contrite ones. In other words, the Father dwells with the Son, who is contrite and humble in spirit, and the Son has come to revive man who is humble and contrite (remorseful particularly of sin). This verse sliced down the confusion concerning the trinity to me. God would have dwelt with them if it were a trinity or more, instead He dwelt with Him. We'll look more into this as we read.
21There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. And never will be!
Isaiah 58
They don't and things remain the same. They come to God everyday loaded with sins up to their eyelids, praying telling God that they've fasted but God hasn't done anything for them for their fasting and afflicting their bodies. But in the same day you fasted, you go to work and you find pleasures to do. Is that a real fast? Is that fast that the Lord has chosen (verse 1-5)? Look at the fast the Lord has chosen:
6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
If you do it like this, then you can come before the Lord and ask for a blessing or for your needs and He will answer you.
He will restore Israel and have them build up the old waste places of many generations, if you turn away from doing your pleasures on the sabbath day, which is the Lord's Holy Day, and honor it not doing the things you want in them, but finding pleasure in the Lord, then you'll ride in the high places of the earth and be given the heritage of Jacob, this the Lord has spoken and will happen. A chapter devoted to the sabbath day.
Isaiah 59
2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
People say every day, "I prayed to God for a new car and I'm still on the bus," or "I prayed for health and a better job, but I have seen nothing." These people wonder why then finally give up on God, never inquiring why their prayer has not been heard, yet alone answered.
The Lord's hand is not short that He cannot save you nor His ear heavy that He cannot hear you; but your sins are stinking and that has separated you from you and your God. God does not listen to sinners. And although we all sin, we have some who learn the law, and try to avoid sins, but when we do we pray to the Father in the name of Jesus for forgiveness. We repent; then we can ask for food today, health today, etc.
16And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
17For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
With all the evil we do continually justice and truth have fallen down in the street; and when you know the truth and depart from evil ways, people actually begin to dislike you, friends stay away from you, and others even attack you. The Lord sees all of this and is displeased that there is no judgement in all the earth. The Lord saw that there was not a man on the earth clean enough to intercede for the people and He had to do it Himself. The Lord had to get a "Do It Yourself" kit to save this creation.
Isaiah chapter 60
When the Lord restores Israel, it will clearly be by the strength of the God of Heaven and Earth; because the Gentiles are ruling the world right now; but when God restores Israel, the Gentile will be serving the children of Israel.
16Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
19The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
When the Lord returns to earth, there will be no need of the sun or moon, because God will be our light. Amazing!
There are plenty things the Lord is going to do when He returns, one is to really reestablish Israel as His first born and adopted people.
Isaiah 61
2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,...
This is what Jesus read when He was ministering on the earth in Luke chapter 4, and fulfilled prophesy in the ears of the people that day. He read the first three verses along with doing a lot of the deeds in the first three verses, then He closed the book and sat down. However, we will read the rest of this chapter to see all that He was sent to do.
First off we see the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him to preach good tidings to the meek, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, open the prisons (spiritually imprisoned as well), proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, the day of vengeance, comfort those who mourn, and appoint them that mourn in Jerusalem.
However, there is more:
4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
9And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.
Israel will build the old wastes places. Well they certainly have to be back in the land to do that. Strangers will be working for Israel. And they will appropriately be named the Priest of the Lord, and men will call them the Ministers of our God and for this the children of Israel will eat the riches of the Gentiles. When I watch MTV Cribs or see how many buildings some of these money changers and masters make, I smile saying one day the children of Israel will be eating all of this up.
Israel will be restored and the Gentiles who saddled up with them and keep the Lord's covenant will be right there with the children of Israel.
Isaiah chapter 62
7And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.The Lord is going to fix Jerusalem and He is going to reorder this earth. He tells the children of Israel not to cease from praying for this until they see it done.
11Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. All these years and the Lord has not given out one reward yet because He says His reward is with Him and His work still before Him. If all men who have died are in the dust that they returned and God is in Heaven, with His reward, how can man have received His reward?
12And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken. Isaiah is really bent on making sure people know that Israel will be redeemed by the Lord and that they are not utterly cast away forever. I'm starting to get that, are you?
Isaiah 63
3I 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.
4For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
6And 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.
This is a troubling and violent chapter on the return of the Lord. Jesus was a friendly lamb, looking to teach and recover His children, even dying for them when He first came to earth. He has done that and will have a totally different approach when He returns to this earth. This time He will be a war raging lion, who will delete His enemies as He goes to establish His throne and kingdom. Do not be confused about this.
In this chapter, He and the Father are having a conversation. Who is this that is coming from Edom with glorious clothing moving with great strength, and mighty to save? And why are your clothing red like a man who went through a wine press?
Jesus replies, His clothing is red because He has squashed His enemies like a wine press. In His anger He trampled them and their blood sprinkled on His clothing and has stained them. This is for the day of vengeance. The Lord is coming back and going on a world wide killing tour after He kills a third of men in the valley of Megiddo, which is Armageddon war.
Are we prepared for this? The chapter changes subjects:
9In 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.
10But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Do you remember in Job when the angels presented themselves before God and reported? These were angels of His presence, they stand in the presence of God. God sent one of those angels to be with Israel, but they rebelled against the angel of His presence and vexed His holy spirit (the angel) and that same angel was turned to fight against the children of Israel.
We pray for the Lord to help us keep His path as the children of Israel pray as well.
Isaiah 64
Israel's prays for mercy, they are scattered and peeled and are waiting for God.
Isaiah Chapter 65
Here the Lord is speaking, saying He is sought by them that didn't ask for Him, and found by them that did not seek Him. He has spread His hands all day to a rebellious people who provoke God perpetually to His face. These people, His people, remain in graves, they eat swine's flesh or pork an unclean animal and other abominable things are in their bodies.
5Which 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.
You will hear these people tell you to stay away from them because they are holier than you. The phrase, "holier than thou" comes from verse five. These types of people who are holier than thou, are a smoke in the Lord's nose and a fire that burns all day.
The Lord will create a new heaven and a new earth, even a new Jerusalem to go in it that will come down from Heaven. During this time there will be no more short life, you know living till you're 50 or even 80; but try 890. A child will die at a hundred years of age. If you're considered a child at 100 years, what are we today?
20There 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.
It is going to be a real peaceful time when the Lord returns. We should all be looking forward to it.
Isaiah 66
2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
The Lord looks to the poor and the man or woman who has a contrite spirit and trembles at the Lord's word. The Lord looks to those who fear Him, are poor, and have a remorseful spirit in their behavior and their sin. Now let's read about the return of Christ:
15For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
17They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
When the Lord returns, it will be very harsh, with fire and chariots like a whirlwind, rendering anger, and destroying those who are still breaking His dietary law by eating the pig, who sanctify themselves and they talk to Satan, that was the tree in the garden of Eden we were not suppose to eat from. Understand what these three verses mean.
20And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
21And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
When the people of earth see the carnage and the great power of the Lord, they will remember the children of Israel and bring them up to the Lord as an offering and the Lord will take them (the children of Israel) as priest and levites as it mentioned in the previous chapter, chapter 61.
23And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
24And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Now from feast to feast and new moon to new moon and sabbath to sabbath, all people will come up to Jerusalem to worship before the Lord, and the Lord will make them go view the bodies, dead bodies of the men who sinned against Him. There will be worms eating on them that won't consume them and fire burning them that won't burn them and it will be an hateful site to all who see it. The Lord is going to put the lake of fire right there in Jerusalem and show it to everyone for a thousand years.
It was spoken, and written, and we read it, so it will come to pass. The Lord's words do not come back void.
This finishes our reading today, we also finish the book of Isaiah, and will proceed to Jeremiah. Praise God in Jesus name forever. Thank you for joining me today for the Word of God.
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Peace & Grace
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