King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Tuesday, August 01, 2023
Chapters: ISAIAH 63-66
Study: The Same LORD Over All
Hello My Brother/Sister/Friend,
So many people are under the impression that The Old Testament does not have any bearing on us today, that all the judgments given are specifically aimed at Israel. While it is true that God does have certain things He will contend with Israel over, it is not true that it does not have any baring on us today. God, did not change His view on what is sin, He is the same today, yesterday, and forever. We may now be under the law of grace, but He is still a just God, He still hates sin, and He will contend with every nation. And here is the thing, part of His judgment will have to do with how well they treat Israel. You see, while God does judge His people for their sin, they are His and He will deal with them His way, and no one will interfere, and that goes for both Jew and Gentile, [Romans 10:10-13 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 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. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.]
If you read through the Old Testament enough you start to see the same pattern in the New Testament. In fact, many of the words of the prophets are the very words that Jesus spoke, and many of the prophecies concerning Him, the judgment of the earth, and even the new heaven and earth were already spoken in Old Testament times. This is why God is no respecter of persons, He deals with sin and rebellion the same way with all people, if they choose Him, He will accept them as one of His. As we complete the reading of Isaiah, we get a glimpse of what will happen when Jesus returns, and in you think that things will be the same as when He first came here, think again, He is returning with a vengeance.
[Isaiah 63:1-5 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. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 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. 4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 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.]
[with dyed garments from Bozrah?] [Bozrah; fold, the sheep of the fold;] This town is located in Edom, within the city of Jobab, the son of Zerah, one of the early kings of that nation. When Jesus came here the first time He was like a lamb, very meek and mild, but when He returns He is coming in like a lion, very powerful, ready to pounce on and devour His enemies and the enemies of His people, [Revelation 14:19-20 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 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.]
[and the year of my redeemed is come.] This is the time when those who were already redeemed by the blood of Christ, being purchased of His own blood shall be redeemed again from the anti-christian bondage and slavery that the world has held them captive to from the time they accepted Him as their Saviour. This will be known as the jubilee of the saints, [Revelation 13:7-10 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.]
You see, even though we are saved by grace, we are still sinners, and many Christians are content to remain that way without repentance. This actually causes a great deal of grief as it is Jesus who bears every one of the burdens that come with living in sin. Just think about all of the weight that Jesus carried around with Him before He hung on the cross and still carries, and yet He still remembers that He made a promise to redeem us, and sticks to that promise. Through Isaiah, Jesus recalls how He carried affliction they carried and yet they fought Him every step of the way.
[Isaiah 63:8-11,14,16 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. 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. 10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. 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? 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. 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.]
[In all their affliction he was afflicted,] Do you realize that all afflictions we face Jesus faces as well? We are not alone in this life, we have Jesus with us every step of the way. Of course, it grieves Him if we are adding to that burden if were are living in sin. We can thank Him for His promise to never leave nor forsake us, and to save our soul by grace, and that our salvation us not based on our works, [Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;]
[though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not:] Abraham died, never seeing the promise that God had of him becoming the father of so many children that it would be like counting the stars in the sky, [Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.]. And Jacob died never seeing the promise that God would send Shiloh, who is Jesus, [Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.] However, they both died having faith in those promises, and for that reason, they too are accepted by God even though the never seen or heard of the name of Jesus, [Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.]
It grieves me to see the way people are behaving, so I can only imagine how much Jesus feels. God is reminding us that He is the one who came here in the flesh through His Son, Jesus Christ, to save those who put their faith and trust in Him. God is no respecter of persons, He deals with sin and rebellion the same way with all people, if they choose Him, He will accept them as one of His. Through Isaiah, we are reminded that it is sin that separates us from God, that none of us are righteous on our own to save ourselves, in fact, it was a filthy rags until we come to know Christ as our Saviour.
[Isaiah 64:4-9 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.]
[for thou hast hid thy face from us,] There is a reason why we do not get saved sooner that we did, Christ only reveals Himself to us when we believe in Him. While we are all born with the knowledge of God at birth, life and the way that these children are being brought up causes them to forget that knowledge. Then when God sees some faith in us, He reveals the spiritual things to those who know Him. In other words, if we know Christ, then we know God, and if we know God than we have His Spirit in us, showing us these things, including the truth that not every Jew will be saved, neither will every person who calls themselves a Christian. God never forces Himself on anyone, He does call on us, but just like we must answer the phone that is ringing in order to accept the call, we must answer His call or we will be held responsible for our sin.
[Isaiah 65:1-2,5-8 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. 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; 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. 6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom, 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. 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.]
[so will I do for my servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all.] You do realize that the only reason why Jesus has not returned yet is only because of the faithful few that are still here? When God told Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of all its wickedness, Abraham asked Him if He would destroy it if any of the righteous remained. God’s response was this, [Genesis 18:32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.]
[come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.] Yesterday, I was explaining to my students that even though they are little people can see Jesus through them if they are behaving as Jesus did. One of them blurted out that they had many people saved, and to my response I let them know that we are not the ones who save and we cannot have that attitude as to think that we are better than other Christians. That attitude will cause God to stop blessing us in a heartbeat. This is actually addressed to all people who stand by themselves in all their pride, thinking that they are holier than God. These are people who walk in the ways of their religion, even if they do believe in Christ, and are worse off because they believe their own righteousness is what saves them. Well, they are just lining themselves up for the slaughter.
[Isaiah 65:12-16 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. 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: 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. 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: 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.]
[And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen:] Did you ever wonder why it seems like so many Christians are against you? They envy us. You see, they see God blessing us and want the same thing. And while they seek God’s help too, it is vain, meaning they never remove the sin from their lives that He is telling them to get rid of, [Romans 6:15-17 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.]
The problem is this, we as a nation have gotten way too comfortable with sin as being the norm. Of course, we are saved by grace, and nothing can change that, but God wants us obedient because that is what keeps us from needless suffering. When we can call out to Him sincerely in repentance that is when He will hear us, and in fact, answer us before we even speak to Him. Through Isaiah, God reminds us this also that those who do accept the call and receive Him as their Saviour will rejoice, not on this earth, but on the new earth.
[Isaiah 65:17-20,24-25 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 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. 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. 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. 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 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.]
[for the child shall die an hundred years old;] This is a foreshadow of the new earth, one where children will grow up at a ripe old age and sin will not be a thought, but as for those who a wicked, if any of them shall live to be a hundred years old, they shall die accursed upon their death. In the grace and comfort of all believers as we endure all the pain and suffering in this life, to look for this new heaven and new earth, who in those days shall enjoy the fruit of their labors, and as for death, it will be destroyed, [Revelation 20:13-15 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.]
[that before they call, I will answer;] Here is a hint, even if you are saved, if you are not repentant and continue to live in sin, He will not hear your calling out to Him. None of us are perfect, even after we are saved we fail God more times than we care to admit, but that really is not what God is after. What He wants more than obedience is actually for us to fear Him, which means simply to love Him and invite Him into our lives.
[Isaiah 66:1-4 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2 For 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. 3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. 4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.]
[even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit,] [Contrite; To break or bruise; to rub or wear.] To be contrite literally means to be worn or bruised, a heart that has been broken, knowing that it has sinned against the Almighty God is one that gets God’s attention.
[Isaiah 66:5,10,12-13 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. 10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: 12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.]
[As one whom his mother comforteth,] Just like a mother who comforts her child when they cry, God, will hear the humble cries of the brokenhearted over those who are of a proud heart any day, [James 4:8-10 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, I believe in the sacrifice that You made for me, and I put my faith and trust in You that one day I will see You face to face, and when I do You will welcome me with open arms, and not for the works that I have done through You after my salvation, but through my faith alone in You. I know my works do not save me, but they do show You just how thankful I am of what You have done for me. They also remind me that I can do absolutely nothing without You and just how weak my flesh is if I am not walking in Your strength. Lord, lead me and guide me, let me enter and remain in Your rest, fully protected and comforted by Your loving arms, at all times. Never let me forget that I am Yours and You are mine and no matter what I have done that will never change. Keep me humble and always seeking You for it is only when I take my eyes off you that the I will fall. I love You Lord, and ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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