Date: Wednesday July 25, 2012
Today's Chapters: Isaiah 17-21
Message Title: Be Ready
Hello My Friend,

In the blink of an eye Jesus will be here and when He does all will know that He truly is the Savior and judge of all. Why hasn't He returned yet? God is longsuffering in that none should perish, meaning He does not want to see anyone end up in hell. The word longsuffering means to be patient, not easily provoked, while God could send Jesus in an instant, He is patient, not willing to destroy the earth until every person who believes in His Son is presented before Him without spot. We cannot stop His return, but we can be ready for His arrival. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” - 2 Peter 3:9,10,14.

Through God, Isaiah foretold the ruin of the rest of the tribes of Israel along with Syria, also known as Damascus. The destruction of Damascus, which is the metropolis of Syria, and of other cities, will be destroyed, just like Jerusalem and yet a remnant would also be preserved. “The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid. The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts. Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel. At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.” - Isaiah 17:1-3,6,7.

Every nation will be judged and like Jerusalem, Damascus, and only a remnant will join their Maker and be saved from destruction. Mercy is reserved in the midst of His judgment, but only for the remnant, the ones who put their faith and trust in His Son. This remnant shall be made holy, acknowledging God's hand in all things, giving Him the respect and glory due to His name. “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:11-13.

With destruction also comes restoration, God assures His children that although they will face some tribulation through His judgment of the nations He will protect them and give them rest. “For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches. They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them. In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.” - Isaiah 18:4-7.

While a child of God will have to go through some suffering from time to time, God is always with them and will give them rest through that suffering. God’s people are trampled on as a nation, scattered and abused, no nation, will escape. Though they are cast down, they ARE NOT FORSAKEN. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” - Hebrews 13:5,6.

Though the land of Egypt had been a house of bondage to the people of God, they kept an alliance with them, only to get drawn into captivity to their false gods and idol worship time and time again. For this reason Egypt will also face God's judgment. “And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.” - Isaiah 19:2-4.
As I was reading this chapter I could not help, but think of all that is going on in Egypt today, Christ is definitely warning us that He in His way here. Jesus said, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” - Matthew 24:6-8,13,14.

One day every nation will know Christ as their King, through Isaiah, God also foretells of Ejypt seeking Him and God's acceptance of them. “In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it. And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.” - Isaiah 19:19-22.

Those who know Christ, know God's Word, understand it, follow it, and teach it to others. Before one can know God, one must know Christ, it is usually when we are brokenhearted and have been afflicted that we learn the true meaning of repentance and salvation. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:7-10.

Today's Prayer: God, While You are preparing us for the day Jesus returns to claim His Kingdom help us to be prepared for His arrival. Lord, give us Your power, wisdom, guidance, and understanding to live in Your Word and be a godly witness and testimony to others. Lead us in the way that we should go so we can live here as peaceably as we can while Your judgment is upon our nations. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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