Date: Tuesday July 24, 2012
Today's Chapters: Isaiah 13-16
Message Title: Under The Gospel

Hello My Friend,

As we read through the Book of Isaiah we learn of great prophecies, some of which came true already, some have yet to be fulfilled. The privileges we have under the Gospel are far greater than any under the law of Moses, although the same Gospel for was preached under both Testaments, we are truly blessed to only have to turn to our Savior for atonement and redemption from the horrible fate of being cast into the lake of fire. “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” - Hebrews 9:11,12.

Through Isaiah, God foretells the defeat of the northern kingdom by Assyria to the future when Babylon would carry the people of Judah into captivity. Surprisingly, about 180 years before it took place, he also foretold Babylon's defeat. “The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” - Isaiah 13:4-9.

Total destruction of Babylon as foretold in these chapters will not take place until Jesus returns. When Jesus returns it will be terrible for all who do not know Him personally as their Savior. All sinners will be destroyed, but there is one way to escape and that is through Jesus Christ. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:20-24.

Now, God foretells the Jews captivity to Babylon, their becoming servants to them, and the rest they will receive after their service. “For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors. And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,” - Isaiah 14:1-3.

It is a bit scary to know that the when Christ does return that the whole earth will be destroyed as Babylon, but we can also be put at ease because just as Israel will be restored so will the earth. As Christian's we have nothing to fear because we can proclaim that the Lord Jesus Christ will give is rest as we enjoy eternal life in His Kingdom “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. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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.” - Revelation 21:1-3.

Through Isaiah God turns our thoughts away from the glorious future reign of the King of kings to proclaim His judgment upon the unbelieving nations. “He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off. In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly. And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him. My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction.” - Isaiah 15:2-5.

While God does place His judgment upon all, He does give a way out of the consequences, no matter who we are. God gave Moab an opportunity to repent, but they refused and within three years this prophecy did come to pass. Why? They were too proud and would not listen to the warnings God was giving them. More souls end up in hell by pride than by any other sin because they are too proud to admit that they need God. Everyone needs God, without Him everything will fall apart eventually, and even though we can mess up and fall even with God, there is one thing we will never fall from and that is His grace. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” - 1 Peter 5:10.

Today's Prayer: God, It is scary to think what will happen when Jesus does return, but all who believe in and have accepted Him will be safe from all the destruction as we await the day we all get to live with Jesus in His new Kingdom. Lord, lead us and guide us, give us strength, wisdom and guidance to live in Your mercy, grace, and wisdom. Let us not be timid and shy to reach the lost nor be afraid to say that I am redeemed through the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep our eyes, ears, and heart open and tender and let us be a witness and a testimony of Your great love, mercy, and grace to all who believe in Your Son. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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