Words of Warning - Words of Wisdom (Isaiah 28-33)

Introduction

We all are quite used to listening to and heeding warnings. We listen to traffic reports to make sure we avoid accidents or traffic jams. We read product reviews to ensure we are paying for something worthwhile. If a tornado siren sounds in the late afternoon or evening in the summer, we pay attention. If the smoke detectors goesoff in the middle of the night, we jump up and evacuate.

Stop signs, traffic lights, sharp curves ahead...

“Test your breaks” before heading down a steep hill.

Humanity is fairly quick to seek out and heed warnings in things of lesser importance, why not in things of ultimate importance?

It's wise to heed words of warning, especially when they come from a reliable source.

13 Principles (Isaiah 28-33)

There is a pattern that emerges in these six chapters of Isaiah. There are five (some would say six) woes, but each is accompanied by one or more promises. You probably recognized this pattern as you studied this week.

I have chosen not to specifically look at each of the woes and promises individually. Instead, I approached this passage looking for principles that emerged.

This lecture is comprised of a single division containing thirteen principles. Most likely, there are 113 principles. But we don't have time to cover that many.

Those whose life (or joy) is in the fading (or fleeting) things of this material world will miss the beauty of the Lord and benefits of His kingdom. (28:1-6)

Matthew 16:24-26:

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Those in the northern kingdom, Ephraim, had all this world could offer. They enjoyed this life to the fullest in terms of worldly pleasures.

But they lost it all. There was nothing to show for it.

Nothing but judgment in this life and enteral separation from God in the next.

The exchange: death for life; temporal for eternal; a fading wreath for the Glorious Crown.

The scoffer's words will one day come back to haunt him. (28:7-13)

Scoff: derision; ridicule; mockery; scorn

“You think what you have to say is better than what I already know?”

Psalm 1:1 – Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scoffers.

Proverbs 1:22 – How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

Proverbs 19:29 – Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.

Proverbs 21:24 - “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

The scoffer is not necessarily interested in the truth since they believe they either know all that they need to know or they know where to find the answers.

They don't think the one they scoff at has anything worthwhile to teach.

That's pretty arrogant, especially when the One trying to teach is the All Wise God.

Modern day Skeptics are often this sort of person. They have a set of questions that they like to pose in order to undermine the gospel message.

Many are not seriously interested in finding the truth, they believe that they have it. They are more interested in pointing out what they say are reasons to disbelieve – reasons to justify their own beliefs.

Those who mock God by ignoring His discipline, embrace a lie and miss the blessing of His sovereign plan. (28:14-22)

Egypt was their covenant with death.

Egypt would provide the strength they needed in order to overcome the invading horde (or so they though).

But God had sent the invading horde and they were not going to overcome Jerusalem.

By thinking they were cheating death, they were believing a lie and a falsehood.

God had the truth and His purpose was to show Himself strong in the middle of a desperate situation – the invaders.

Jerusalem would have a firm foundation. This was God's plan. He was not going to allow the invaders inside the walls – there would be security because God was their Rock.

And we know that this firm foundation and precious cornerstone is a reference to Messiah – the Lord Jesus Christ. In Peter's first epistle he writes:

1 Peter 2:4-8:

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,”

8 and,

“A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, refers to Jesus as the chief (of ultimate importance) cornerstone. He is the anchor upon which His church is built.

Ephesians 2:19-22:

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

In the Gospel of Luke he records the words of Jesus in referring to the cornerstone. Jesus had just finished a parable of the vineyard, the tenants, and the owner and how the tenants had tried to seize the vineyard for themselves by killing all that the owner sent to them. Jesus concludes in Luke 20:17-19:

17 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone’?

18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

Since basic understanding in life comes from God, He must be our primary source of counsel and wisdom in all things. (28:23-29)

Agricultural metaphor.

God gives the basic understanding in all tasks needed to survive.

To the farmer, when to plow, how long to plow, what to plant, when to harvest, and how to process the harvest.

This comes from God – man didn't come up with all this on his own.

Wisdom comes from God as verses 28:26 & 29 tell us.

Psalm 111:10

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

It's foolish to despise God's wisdom. He is the source and giver of wisdom.

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

All of us have areas where we could use a bit more wisdom. If we deny it, isn't that a bit proud?

God is all wise. There is no life situation that is a challenge to Him.

In what areas of life do you need to ask God for wisdom?

Those whose religion is merely rituals and words will eventually lose their understanding and vision of God. (29:1-14)

They weren't missing any festivals.

They performed the correct sacrifices at the correct times.

They were by the Book, I am sure. So what's the problem?

“By the Book” is necessary but not if one forgets the source and intent of the Book.

Psalm 51:16,17 --

16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

David, in this Psalm, was in the middle of confessing and repenting of murder and adultery. He was guilty and was acknowledging that before God. But as he points out, to merely follow the letter of the law in return is to ignore the intent of the law. The intent of the law was to point out my total inadequacy in atoning for my own sin and that an innocent had to die in my place. Sacrifices were never meant as a ritual covering for sin but a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice for sin that God himself would provide for those whose hearts are broken and contrite before Him.

God has never desired robots that just follow through with His commands.

He could have created such creatures if that is what He desires.

He created humans to have fellowship with Him.

And those who love Him desire to obey Him out of love and gratitude for who He is and what He has done.

He desires for us to follow through with what He commands, yes, but only out of love and submission to His perfect will.

Here is what Amos wrote in chapter 8:

9 “In that day,” declares the Sovereign LORD,

“I will make the sun go down at noon
and darken the earth in broad daylight.
10 I will turn your religious feasts into mourning
and all your singing into weeping.
I will make all of you wear sackcloth
and shave your heads.
I will make that time like mourning for an only son
and the end of it like a bitter day.

11 “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD,
“when I will send a famine through the land—
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
12 Men will stagger from sea to sea
and wander from north to east,
searching for the word of the LORD,
but they will not find it.

How would you rate your religion? Is it from the heart or is it primarily outward only?

This Christmas, as you find yourself caught up in traditions, preparations, busyness, stress, etc., stop, slow down, consider, what is this season all about?

Our world would like us to consider it as the holiday economic infusion into retail centers. Or they would like us to consider it a time of family gatherings. A time to celebrate and get into the “Christmas (or Xmas) spirit”.

They would like us to look at a baby and think of peace and joy in the sense that our future is wrapped up in our children.

But the celebration of this season for the Christian is all about the fulfillment of God's promise of Messiah:

• He came as a baby

• lived as a man

• died as a criminal

• rose from the dead

He came...

• ...not to give an example of how to live – though he did

• ...not to bring wise teaching – though he did

• ...not to heal the sick – though he did

He came, lived, died, rose, and ascended...

• ...so that his people might have life

• ...so that his people might receives the promised Holy Spirit

  • who gives life

  • who opens eyes and ears

  • who enables his people to live a life that looks like their Master – Jesus

Those who seek their own plans without including God miss the blessing of being used by God as part of His redemption plan. (29:15-24)

Look at God's divine plan that He will bring about in 17-24.

He is the all Wise One, the potter.

When I sneak my own plans into the works, I am telling God that my plans are more important than His.

And that He doesn't have the right to use me as He wills.

But I also miss out on being the instrument that God uses. I miss a privilege to serve His purposes.

How are your plans interfering with God's plans and what are you going to do about it?

Those who walk in their own wisdom and not by God's Spirit bring disgrace on themselves and miss out on God's grace and direction. (30:1-33)

What Judah was trying to avoid, by going to Egypt, was God's doing because of their sin.

He was disciplining the nation.

And so in verse 1 he tells them that what they are doing is multiplying their sin. God had a purpose in disciplining them.

Let's read what God's purpose in His discipline was:

30:15

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

30:18

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Despite their rebellion, look at what the Lord will do:

[read 30:19-21]

And the end result would be turning away from idols to the living God. This is what God desires.

Repentance and dependence on Him.

Proverbs 3:5,6:

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight [direct your paths].

How have you experienced missing God's direction in the past?

What are you doing today to ensure you are following God's direction and not your own?

Those who seek human solutions rather than seeking the Lord practice idolatry and invite disaster. (31:1-9)

Look how strong the gods they have trust in really are:

31:3

But the Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, he who helps will stumble (Egypt), he who is helped will fall (Judah); both will perish together.

They are elevating Egypt to the status of a god by relying on them for protection.

But they have a history with YHWH and it's not pretty.

The true God is the LORD Almighty who will shield Jerusalem:

31:5

Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will 'pass over' it and will rescue it.

The ESV says, “he will protect and deliver it; he will spare and rescue it.”

Egypt has no power against YHWH and Israel is revolting against him by seeking their help.

In verses 6 & 7, God calls them to repent and return to him and when they do, they will leave behind their idols of silver and gold.

Psalm 118:8

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

Psalm 40:4

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

Where Christ reigns there is righteousness, justice, and understanding where there once was foolishness, ungodliness, and self-centeredness. (32:1-8)

Look at the contrast between the descriptions in verse 3 & 4 vs 5-7.

What once was the norm, fools called noble, scoundrels respected evil seeming acceptable. This is the way things were before Christ.

Don't some of these things seem like the norm in our day.

What is evil is called good.

The man who claims there is no God is consider the noble and wise one.

Scoundrels and criminals are respected and looked up to.

But with Christ their is opened eyes to see the truths. Opened ears to hear and understand.

And a mind that was once rash is now rational and able to gain knowledge.

[Consider the framework up which science was formalized – those who believed in a Creator God who designed the universe]

[they believed in a rational Creator and that he put order and purpose into what he created]

[that it was not eternal and infinite but that it had a beginning and first cause]

The Holy Spirit transforms a repentant heart into a place of justice, righteousness, and fruitfulness. (32:9-20)

God calls those who feel secure in themselves to repent, receive the Holy Spirit and the righteous, fruitful life that only He can give. (32:9-20)

The land is described as overgrown with thorns and briers. This is supposed to be God's vineyard.

And the women are complacent. They are indifferent to the condition of the vineyard.

Verse 12 & 13 are a call to repent and cry out to God.

Verses 15-20 describe the renewal that will come when the Spirit is poured out from heaven.

Fertile field, forest. Justice & righteousness.

Peace, quietness and confidence.

A place of rest.

What is the human condition without Christ, without the renewing work of the Holy Spirit dwelling within?

Paul gives a pretty good idea in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11:

9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

What thorns and briers are you allowing to grow where there should be spiritual fruit?

Those who fear the Lord experience His grace in trouble but the wicked will be destroyed. (33:1-9)

Assyria and the other nations that were ruthless did not fear the LORD. They were instruments of his justice, but they had no fear of him.

They had ample opportunity to acknowledge him, but their pride would not allow it.

And their doom is seen in the first verse.

But the Lord's own are described in verses 5 & 6:

Again, righteousness and justice are mentioned – that is who God is.

Here's how Solomon finishes the book of Ecclesiastes in 12:13,14:

13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.

With a fear of the Lord comes humility. Because to truly fear him, one must acknowledge him as sovereign over them. Their is no room for pride in such a relationship.

Proverbs 3:33,34

33 The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

When the Lord returns, the wicked will experience everlasting judgment but the righteous will see the King and dwell in His perfect presence forever. (33:10-24)

In Matthew 25:46, Jesus says:

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Conclusion

Heeding a warning is wise, especially when the warning comes from One who is all-wise!

Reason to Rejoice (Isaiah 25-27)

Introduction

There are times in life when it seems like there are very few positive things going on. When it seems like everything is falling apart and there is no real, visible reason for joy. But that is never the case for the believer.

This is not to say that we ignore all of life's problems in favor of a “worked-up” emotional outlook to life. One that is unrealistic but uses methods of positive thinking to overcome the stark, and often discouraging, aspects of life.

Instead, the believer, above any other person in this world, has real and genuine reasons to rejoice but he must look for them. He must ponder the true and lasting eternal realities that are found in the One true and living God.

And that is where we are in Isaiah tonight. The times were anything but comforting for any of God's people in the 8^th century BC. In fact, they were downright scary and looked like disaster was around every corner. And certainly disaster was around many corners but never, throughout any of the forthcoming destruction, was God not actively involved in the events and timing of each and every circumstance surrounding His people.

His people had reason to rejoice, but they had to find those reasons in God, their God.

In Faithfulness, the Lord Fulfills His Plans and Will One Day Remove Death and Sorrow for All People. (Isaiah 25:1-12)

Praise to the Faithful One (Isaiah 25:1-12)

The Lord is Praiseworthy Due to His Faithfulness; He is Honored, Revered (25:1-5)

Chapter 25 begins with the personal praise and adoration of Isaiah to the Lord: “O LORD, you are my God”

This verse highlights a significant and unique characteristic of YHWH – He is a personal God and those who are His should address Him as their God.

This praise begins with who God is, His character: perfect faithfulness, marvelous deeds, eternal plans.

Praise necessarily starts with who God is. It must be focused on the attributes, character, and nature of God.

NOTE: Many of your children in the childrens' program look at an attribute of God each week. They study that attribute and by doing so, receive a broader glimpse of the One True God.

Isaiah begins with God's character and then He uses history's fulfillment as well as future events to expound on the perfectly faithful God and His marvelous eternal plans.

NOTE: History is important! Especially the history pertaining to the deeds of God. So all history is very important. Keep that in mind as revisionism continues on the march in our day.

Look at verse 4:

• Refuge for the poor – over and over God has shown concern for the treatment of the poor; also the poor in spirit (humility)

• Shelter from the storm – he points out that the storm is the ruthless (those without mercy); God shows mercy by sheltering His own

• Shade from the heat – beautiful picture which may be hard to envision in a place like KC since shade does little to squelch the summer heat. But in a dry and dusty land, shade in the heat can significantly reduce the intensity down to the bearable level.

Those who are in the “Shadow of the Almighty” cannot be touched unless He allows it. And even then, He is with them.

From here, Isaiah moves to look at future events in verse 6.

Feast For All Peoples; Death, Crying, and Disgrace Removed; People Will Rejoice and Be Glad in Him (25:6-9)

Verses 6-9 picture a future day of feasting that is provided by “the LORD Almighty”.

[Seven Old Covenant Feasts, Commemorate God's faithfulness, fulfilled in Jesus]

Feasts in the Old Covenant were a time of gathering the people together in Jerusalem for a common assembly. A time to share a meal, share life, share a common faith, and for remembrance.

Here he says all peoples meaning this is people from all ethnic backgrounds – all nations.

Aged wine, the best meats and the best wine – depicting the abundance and satisfying nature of what will be there.

Whether this is literally talking of food and drink or not, I am not sure. But, I think it may be.

Matthew 26:29 -- I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Not only will there be complete fulfillment and joy in the LORD's presence, but He will remove man's worst enemy.

I am not talking about taxation here.

Death is man's worst enemy. It came about by sin and is the result of sin that all men will face.

In verse 7, he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations.

I believe he is speaking of the covering for the dead in that day. A wrapping cloth that was used to embalm the dead.

Because he goes on in verse 8 to point out he will swallow up death forever.

Back in chapter 5:14, Isaiah had depicted the grave as having an appetite:

Therefore the grave enlarges its appetite and opens its mouth without limit; into it will descend their nobles and masses with all their brawlers and revelers.

So the grave is pictured as the one that swallows up. But this future picture is of the grave being swallowed up.

The Apostle Paul, in his magnum opus on the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15, in verse 55-57 he quotes from Hosea 13:14:

55 Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sin is the cause of death. But because of Jesus Christ, those who belong to him have victory even in death.

Christ is the fulfillment of every aspect of the Old Covenant and of the moral Law of God. In Him, he fulfills the righteous requirements of the law in us.

The grave is not the end for anyone. And for those who belong to God, it is just the beginning of real life.

There will be no more tears sorrow or disgrace.

The Feast that God will prepare will be a never-ending time of rejoicing for the redeemed (see 25:7). It will be God's redeemed family, meeting around His table, because of His Salvation.

This is the LORD's word!

The final verses, 10-12, deal with the distinction between “this” mountain and “that” mountain.

The Lord's Hand Will Rest on “This” Mountain But Will Trample Moab (25:10-12)

The pride of man and his achievements is nothing to God.

They will come to ruin.

Man's pursuit, no matter how impressive, will be nothing.

Only those who come to God on His terms are secure.

His way is the only way and any other is futile and ends in death.

Application For Today

So how does this chapter apply to us in the 21^st century?

Much in every way.

All of humanity is depicted here. Two mountains. Two ways of worship: right and true worship of the One that is perfectly faithful or worship of what is false, temporal, and results in death.

Are you able to sincerely address God in the way Isaiah did? “O LORD, you are my God”

If you belong to God, in Christ, you can.

Are you addressing God in this way?

How is your life living proof of God's perfect faithfulness, His marvelous deeds, and His fulfilled plans?

Have you ever stopped just to ponder the faithfulness of God? To consider and contemplate the ways He has been faithful to you, to your family, to your church, to the people of this earth.

How often do you reflect on God's faithfulness and praise Him for it?

What concerns you most about death? Is it the process or is it what comes after?

How is the fact that death and sorrow will one day be removed causing you to rejoice today?

We do not have to dread death.

If you are able to say, as verse 9 does, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us” then death bears no more sting.

If you can't say this, will you humble yourself, acknowledge Him as Lord, and repent of sin and turn to him for salvation tonight?

Principle: God is perfectly faithful whether man acknowledges Him or not.

The Lord Has Established a Path of Peace for the Righteous But Will Judge the Wicked for Their Sins. (Isaiah 26:1-21)

Peace For the Righteous Ones (Isaiah 26:1-21)

A Song of Praise From the Righteous to God for Peace, Salvation, a Strong City, and Humbling Those “On High” (26:1-6)

This is an unusual city that Isaiah begins talking about in verses 1-2.

But he uses usual words to describe it.

This city has walls, ramparts (or defenses against assault), and it has gates.

But this city is not a material city. He is using the idea of security and structure to describe what God is to His people:

• It's a strong city – this is one that cannot be conquered

• It's walls and defenses are the salvation that God brings

• It's gates are opened, but only to the righteous, the ones that come by faith to the salvation that God offers

He pictures this as “In that Day”. The day of the Lord.

This is a picture of the believer's position today. Because of Christ, and the salvation He bought with His own blood, by faith we can enter into this strong city.

Where our salvation is our protection. There is nothing to fear, for what can man do but hurt the body.

The soul is secure in Christ.

Sometimes we equate the perfect life as the life that is absent of any type of difficulties.

A tranquil existence. And I have often wanted a tranquil existence, one in which everything fits together perfectly and there are no stresses or things to be concerned about.

Peace

Often we think of peace as the absence of conflict and in one sense that is true. When there is peace between peoples there is a lack of conflict.

But is doesn't take interpersonal or international conflict to have a lack of peace.

Much of the lack of peace that humans have is something from within us, not due to external things.

But when one's life is fixed on an immovable reference point, there is peace of mind.

God is the only steadfast reference point.

He is the Rock eternal and trusting Him brings stability in spite of the circumstances.

It's easy to get off course in a ship at sea. If you are navigating by a sense that you are heading in the right direction without consideration for any other object, that sense will lead you in circles or worse.

I understand that farmers often will navigate their tractors, while plowing, by looking at a tree.

A fixed reference point is crucial.

And as we saw in Philippians 4 this week, life throws a lot of things at us that may cause anxiety.

We are bombarded by opportunities to fret, wring our hands, pull out our hair.

But Paul tells us that the things that bring anxiety, like every other thing in our lives, must be brought to God in prayer.

NOTE: This is not like having a boss that micromanages your work and wants to know everything you are doing. God already knows all of this. But when we bring everything to Him in prayer, we acknowledge our inability in our own strength. We make the statement to ourselves that we have every ability to mess even the smallest things up. And that without God, we are nothing.

And so, as Paul says, God will give a peace that passes understanding.

It will be surprising, especially given the circumstances.

And who is glorified when God's people endure hardship yet have a surpassing peace? God is.

The Righteous Wait For the Lord, Seek His Renown, Walk in His Law, Long For Him; His Judgments Show Righteousness and Grace (26:7-11)

Verse 7 talks about smooth and level paths for the righteous.

This doesn't mean the path is easy. But it does mean that it is a path that God has prepared.

That's the difference here.

We can rest assured that there is nothing in the path of life that God is unaware of and that hasn't first passed through Him.

NOTE: This does not mean that everything the believer does is necessarily righteous. You and I can get off the beaten path, so to speak, and bring upon ourselves the consequences of unrighteous choices.

But that is why we also looked at Psalm 1 in conjunction with this passage.

Both speak of the necessity of sticking with Godly advice and wisdom as found in God's word.

We are inundated with godless advice in our society. You can't avoid it. And some of it even sounds good.

But the one who is blessed takes delight in God's law as opposed to walking in the council of the ungodly.

Or aligning ourselves with sinners – compromising on the truth.

Not using God-given discernment but instead taking the path that seems to be the path of least resistance is foolish at best.

The promise is fruit in season. Like a tree near water will produce, those who abide in God through his word bear fruit.

• Wait on the Lord.

• God's character (his name) and His renown are what is desired (How concerned are you with God's reputation?)

• A growing desire for God (night and day) – the more time spent seeking God, the more one desires God.

What Can We Do?

You might have found yourself lacking in some of these characteristics. I know I have. What to do?

Pray:

• Lord, give me discernment so I can see the righteous path you have for me.

• Give me a hunger and thirst for your word.

• Help me to hunger and thirst for righteousness.

• Give me perseverance to wait on you. To seek your leading in all my paths.

Renew the Mind (Romans 12:1,2):

How about starting with Paul's advice to the Philippians in 4:8:

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

NOTE: This might be an excellent opportunity for memorizing sections of Scripture, meditating on them, fasting and prayer for direction and a renewed passion. Just a thought.

The Wicked and the Righteous

From Psalm 1 and from these verses there is a stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked, both in their way of life as well as the final destiny.

In verses 9,10 of Isaiah 26, we see that God's judgments come as a means of showing His grace.

He teaches righteousness through judgment so that some might learn.

But the wicked don't learn it even when they are blessed by living in a land where righteousness abounds.

The wicked are bent on their own pursuits and ignore even the gracious hand of God at work all around them.

They don't see that the Lord's hand is lifted high and that they are under His wrath.

They will not stand in the judgment or in the assembly of the righteous.

Their way will perish.

The Lord Establishes Peace; Enlarges the Nation; Brings Himself Glory (26:12-15)

In verses 12-15, Isaiah points out the complete inability of God's people to take any credit whatsoever.

We often want to take credit for what God has done, don't we. But this is a heinous sin.

And Isaiah is quick to acknowledge this fact.

Not Our Peace But Yours

The peace that we have is not due to our own ability, but God has established it.

Without God, there is no peace – even without conflict.

Our Self-Rule Is Empty

In verse 13 he acknowledges that they have been ruled by other masters.

Many of these masters were due to their godless pursuits – idolatry, asking for their own king, etc.

They know what a mess life is without God. And it is often good to reflect on what you might be were it not for the grace of God.

What was your life like before coming to Christ? What types of lords did you have before the Lord changed you?

Without the love of God, where would you be right now?

Have you thanked Him lately for changing your life direction and putting you on the righteous path?

The Disciplined Came to the Lord; Man is Not His Own Savior or Creator (26:16-18)

Isaiah acknowledges, in 16-18, that man is unable to bring about his salvation but that it is God alone who has brought it about.

Man can't take credit for human birth let alone spiritual birth.

The picture in verse 16 is that of a person in distress and coming to God. Not even a prayer that man can articulate is significant in producing what is needed.

But God is the source of all that man needs.

The Dead Will Live; But the Wicked Are Judged (26:19-21)

We wrap up this chapter with the hope of the resurrection. Hope for God's own. But resurrection to judgment for the wicked.

And even though many of us might live through God's judgment on the wicked in this life, we have a shelter in Him.

He is our city, our Rock of salvation. We need not fear the retribution that will come upon the wicked so long as our hope is in Christ.

Those in Him will never taste the fury of God's wrath because he tasted it for us.

Application For Today

There is no peace in this world. Compromise on principles does not lead to lasting peace.

Peace is found in surrender:

• Surrender my anxiety in prayer (Philippians 4:6)

• Surrender my life direction to God's righteous path.

• Surrender my trust in myself or others to God.

• Surrender my mind to renewal:

  • God's law for direction

  • God's will

  • Worshiping God

  • To the good that only God supplies (Philippians 4:8)

Principle: Peace is found in surrender to God and faith in Him alone.

1. How would you rate your level of peace tonight? Why is that?

2. What are you bearing that needs to be brought to God in prayer? What part of everything are you neglecting to bring to Him in prayer?

3. What evidence is there in your life that you are on the path of righteousness?

The Lord Disciplines and Protects, Causing His People to be Fruitful, and Will One Day Gather Them Together to Worship Him. (Isaiah 27:1-13)

Providence of the Divine Vinedresser (Isaiah 27:1-13)

The Lord Will Punish Leviathan With His Sword (27:1)

This is one of 5 references to Leviathan in the Bible.

For inquiring minds, here are the passages: Job 3:8, Job 41:1, Psalm 74:14, Psalm 104:26, and this passage, Isaiah 27:1.

In the Job passages he speaks of Leviathan as a formidable sea creature that you would not want to encounter.

Whether Job was using poetic language to describe an actual creature of not, I am not sure. But certainly it was some creature that is to be avoided.

But certainly in this passage, is seems to be point to the serpent, Satan, and his kingdom.

That the Lord will put an end to his rule.

And with that end, the accuser of man will be banished.

The originator of sin will be out of commission.

He will have no influence over man ever again.

NOTE: Some commentators believe this was fulfilled in part at the first advent. Where Christ fulfills the promise God made to Eve after the fall. That the Seed to come would crush the head of the serpent. Certainly Christ did that. His kingdom is doomed and he knows it.

The Lord Watches Over His Vineyard; He is Refuge and Peace For All (27:2-5)

And the vineyard that was spoken of as bearing bad fruit in chapter 5, will be fruitful (vs 2)

God had put His vineyard to the plow, so to speak.

But now, it blossoms. It is producing fruit.

Two (or More) Views

One view of this would say that this fruitfulness came with the first advent of Christ.

That the church is the fulfillment of this fruit-bearing – that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches.

That God guards his own.

And as verse 5 points out, He welcomes all who will to come to Him and find peace with Him through Christ.

Another view is that this fruitfulness is yet to come. That it will come during a literal 1000 reign when Christ establishes His rule on the earth on Mt Zion.

NOTE: Though these are two vastly differing views on prophetic fulfillment, they are not things that should divide believers. They do have bearing on how one takes and interprets various literary forms. But again, we should not be in disunity over it.

Jacob Will Fill the World With Fruit (27:6)

When Christ came, the root of Jesse, He is offspring of Jacob that ultimately brought about the spreading of fruit throughout the world.

Jesus said, in John 15:5-8:

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Fruit only comes to those who are in the true vine. He is the One through whom the fruit of the vineyard point. And we are recipients of that fruit. And if you are in Christ and abiding in him, you too are a fruit-bearing part of God's vineyard.

The Lord Makes Atonement For Jacob By Removing Alter and Idols and Crushing the City (27:7-11)

In these verses, Isaiah points out that God punishes His own, but not like He punishes the wicked.

The wicked are under the wrath of God – they are objects of wrath.

When God punishes His own, it is to drive them to himself.

How many of us came to Christ during a time of crisis in our lives.

A time where we reached the end of our rope. Where we were in despair.

Only to look back and see that it was the hand of a gracious God who brought us to the point where we had nothing to hold onto.

That we were hopeless and helpless. And it was there that we acknowledged our sin and shame and came in repentance to our merciful Lord.

Were it not for the discipline of God...

Israel Gathered, Trumpet Will Sound, Exiles Will Worship in Jerusalem (27:12-13)

The final point deals with trumpets.

You looked up some trumpet passages this week and saw that there were some pretty interesting references in the Bible:

• Exodus 19:10-13 - To signal when it was okay to ascend the mountain

• Leviticus 25:8-10 - To signal the year of Jubilee – freedom

• Matthew 24:30-31 - To signal Christ's return

• 1 Corinthians 15:52 - To signal the resurrection of the dead

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16 - To signal the resurrection of the dead and the gathering of believers

One day there will be the final trumpet blast. And it will signal the time to climb the mountain. The year of Jubilee. The return of Christ. The resurrection of the dead. And the uniting of believers with our Lord for all eternity.

Are you ready for the trumpet to sound? What have you done to prepare?

Is your readiness based upon your doing or is it solely based upon the righteousness of Christ?

Christ could come at any time. There is nothing left to be accomplished.

You and I should be living each day as if this could be our last. We should not be spending time gazing into the heavens, but we should be living a righteous life.

Spreading the light of the gospel.

We should be the salt of the earth. Preventing cultural decay as we share God's good news with the lost.

Illustration:

I read an article online yesterday.

Pretty soon we will have a billboard, this month sometime, that will call us to be prepared for May 21, 2011.

That is the prediction of “We Can Know” in regard to when Christ will return.

This is definitely what we must not be doing as believers. We must not sit around and make predictions about His return.

Christ didn't tell us. Prophecy is not for us to speculate on and set dates by.

We have a mandate to live as if Christ will come in our lifetime or in 1000+ years.

The 1^st century church thought it would be in their lifetime. And they lived their lives for the purpose of pleasing God.

Will He find us doing the same if He returns tonight? I hope so.

Principle: God provides everything necessary in order to bear fruit.

1. How has God used discipline in your life to remove things that detract from fruitfulness?

Conclusion

Maybe you're here tonight and you find yourself often pessimistic about current events. Generally talking about negative things. Focusing mainly on how it used to be or how it should be.

If you belong to the Lord – if He is your God – you and I have too much to rejoice in – we don't have time for the fruitless talk of this world.

Begin looking, and I think you'll be surprised to find how very much we have to rejoice in today.

Sneak Preview (Isaiah 24:1-23)

Introduction

Have you ever watched a movie preview or a movie trailer and think it's going to be a great movie only to find out that all the good elements of the movie were found in the trailer? That everything else was just filler in order to make it last 90-120 minutes?

Trailer: 3. (Movies) A short film consisting primarily of one or more short portions of a film, used in promotions or advertisements shortly before initial release of a film.

God's prophecies are not at all like that. In fact, the details of the actual events depicted in the prophecies are far more graphic and detailed than the previews ever could be.

A Recurring Theme (Isaiah 24:1-13)

Chapter Summary: The Earth Laid Waste; Peoples Scattered; No Distinction of Rank (1-3)

In chapters 13-23, Isaiah has prophesied about every conceivable nation in the vicinity of Judah. All were going to see devastation and destruction.

Even Judah would be exiled for 70 years and their land utterly devastated.

But even these events were mere shadows of what was to come.

They were brought about by the same principal – the Lord Almighty. But they pale in comparison to something yet to come.

In fact, there is a pattern that we see from history, don't we. We see that nations, even those that have God-honoring beginnings, but who reject God and His commands, eventually come under judgment by God and are no longer powerful forces in the world.

And we saw that cyclically with Israel. From our vantage point, the final blow came when Rome stepped in and sacked Jerusalem in 70 AD.

But all this to say that these were mere previews with common elements.

Man in rebellion to God and His laws becomes steeped in sin and turning to every form of self-gratifying acts corrupts the land that God has graciously given to live. The result is a continual furthering from the things of God until God brings about the natural consequences through His judgment.

And the pattern goes on until the end of time. The players are often different and most times think that their ideas are somehow novel.

But as Solomon said, “...there is nothing new under the sun.”

Sin is still sin and man still falls prey to the deceitfulness of his own sin and corrupts all that he comes in contact with.

So whether this chapter has one or more fulfillment in history, there are varied opinions on that. The point is that ultimately this cycle of rebellion, corruption, retribution, and renewal will eventually come to an end.

And only God knows the time. It may be this year or it may be in 1000's of years. It is not for us to know the time, we are just here to heed the warnings.

We have the privilege of learning (hopefully) from the disasters of others.

And so in this beginning 3 verses, Isaiah lays out a summary of the remainder of the passage.

1. The earth will be devastated and ruined.

2. People of all rank in life will be affected.

3. And it is the Lord's utterance so it is a sure thing.

The reasons behind all this become evident as the chapter unfolds.

The preceding chapters were a whirlwind of calamitous events but shadows of a final calamitous event. They were localized to the nations, but there is coming an event that is broad and all-inclusive.

The previews match the pattern but only on a smaller scale.

So, unlike a movie preview that leaves you guessing, God has spelled out the events and throughout He has been clear in pointing out what He was judging and why it was such an offense.

In verses 4-6, the prophet moves into some language that begins to explain, in descriptive terms, the apocalypse to come.

Earth Dries Up; Exalted Languish; Earth Defiled By Disobedient People; Earth Cursed; People Bear Guilt (4-6)

[Read 4-6]

The drying up of the earth gives the idea that it is wilting and wasting away.

Genesis 1:11-13:

11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

What had once been created to produce all types of vegetation is now beginning to shrivel.

Whether global warming is real or political at this point, in the future the condition of the earth will be decidedly less conducive to yielding crops.

In fact, the end of this created order will be “a burning up by fire” and then a recreation of this creation, but without the curse that exists.

And so he uses this word languish for both the earth as well as the exalted of the earth.

Languish means to wilt, become weak, to lose strength or animation, become dull, feeble or spiritless.

In other words, it loses the vibrancy it was created with.

The same will be true with the “exalted of the earth”, those who were of high rank. Or the great things of the earth will become as nothing.

One might ask, why is this? What is the root cause? Is there anything that can be done to prevent this from happening?

Those responsible for these calamities and the condition of the earth are the people of the earth.

Ah ha, one might say, exploitation of natural resources. Over mining. Clear-cutting. Reduction in the rain forests. Etc., etc., etc.

I am not going to excuse the misuse of what God has created. But that is not the concern here.

It was never God's intention that man mistreat His creation or use it in any way he desires. We were given the task of tending the land and caring for it.

And Christians should be the best stewards of what God has created.

But the issue is not exploitation but sin.

Disobeyed The Laws, Statutes, Everlasting Covenant

And more specifically it is disobedience to God's laws, violation of statutes, and breaking the everlasting covenant.

Certainly Judah was sent into exile due to their disregard for God's laws and statutes. They had broken the covenant God had made with them. One in which He said if you fail to keep everything written in the law, the land will spew you out.

Leviticus 18:24-28:

24 “‘Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. 25 Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26 But you must keep my decrees and my laws. The native-born and the foreigners residing among you must not do any of these detestable things, 27 for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. 28 And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.

But not just Israel. All humanity, whether they were under the Old Covenant or not, are subject to God's law.

The laws may well depict what Paul talks about in Romans 2:14-15:

14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.
15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them

So whether Jew or Gentile, all people are responsible for the defilement of the land in this passage.

All the coming destruction was due to a disregard of God.

As verse 6 points out, the people of the earth are consumed and burned up. They must bear their guilt.

We as humans are moral creatures. We are the only creatures on the face of this earth capable of sinning.

And we bear the responsibility for the corruption of the created order by disregarding God and His law.

And so, like there were in 586 BC, so there will be at the end of time – very few left. Very few survivors.

This theme at the end of verse 6 is reiterated in verse 13. In that verse he points out that like shaken olive trees or gleanings after a harvest, so will the remaining peoples be.

It's as if the coming calamity was to shake the tree or harvest the grapes and put them into the winepress of God's wrath as Revelation 14:19 says:

So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

Who's to blame? The moral agents of this created order, humanity.

Not only is the earth going to be devastated, but the things that man found pleasure in will all come to a halt.

Wine Dries Up; No Merrymaking or Joyous Singing (7-9)

He goes back to this theme that showed up back in chapter 5, “The song of the Vineyard”. The idea that man's pleasure and enjoyment was wrapped up in hedonistic pursuits. And if that is where happiness is found, there will be no happiness or joy in that day.

In Jeremiah 7:34, he is prophesying about the coming exile to Babylon and he writes these words:

And I will silence in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, and the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, for the land shall become a waste.

How can joy exist apart from God? Lasting joy cannot. Those who find their happiness in what this world offers will be sorely disappointed. If not now, one day.

Where is your happiness found? Is it bound up in things that will eventually decay, dry up, and blow away?

City Ruined; Houses Barred; No Joy Only Gloom; Gates Battered (10-12)

The city is in question. There are those who believe this refers to Jerusalem and that this pictures the destruction under Babylonian captivity.

Some believe it is also a picture of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Others believe this is a depiction of just some generic city representative of the state of rebellious human civilization.

It may be a bit of all these. As I mentioned at the beginning of this lecture, the themes in this chapter are repeated over and over throughout history.

The idea is that either all houses are empty or they are barred due to fear.

Whatever the case is, there is a lack of normality. What used to be a city that thrived and was filled with throngs of jubilant people is now like a ghost town.

There is no joy to be found. Their is gloom in its place.

The end of verse 11 says that gaiety is banished from the earth. All reason to celebrate and party no longer exists. And even the ability is no longer there.

The city is in ruins and there are no gates. The very fortresses that made this a secure place to live and enjoy life are not present anymore.

Few Olives Few Gleaning – So the Earth (13)

He wraps up this section with a synopsis restating that this applies to the earth and the nations.

Principle: Everything corrupted by sin is subject to God's devastation.

Illustration:

Common cold. Caused by a number of different viruses, rhinovirus being the most common. Not a bacteria so anti-bacterial soaps are not better than normal soap. Best prevention, don't come in contact with the virus.

There are seasons and places where the virus is more common. Enclosed in places where others have the virus raises the likelihood of exposure.

Frequent hand washing reduces the likelihood of contamination by 20%.

Applications:

1. How are you exposing yourself to things that lead you into sin?

2. What do you need to do in order to “keep you hands clean” from the contaminants that are so pervasive in our culture?

   
   

A Fitting Intermission (Isaiah 24:14-16a)

True to form, this chapter has a section that glimmers hope. In the midst of all the destruction, corruption, and devastation, there is rejoicing.

Like most of the preceding 23 chapters, Isaiah brings out this elevated theme of the Lord and His salvation. He is the exalted and there is no other.

Singing and Rejoicing to the Lord – Widespread (14-16a)

This joy is coming from the voices of those referred to as “they”. The they is not pointed out specifically, but it certainly is not the ones destroyed by the previous destruction.

The subject of their joy is not of the same type depicted earlier. This is not induced by wine or beer.

This is rejoicing to acclaim the Lord's majesty (v 14), to give glory to the Lord (v 15), to exalt the Lord God of Israel (v 15) and to sing “Glory to the Righteous One.” (v 16).

Smack in the middle of this chapter filled with defilement and sin and corruption, God emerges exalted, glorious, and righteous.

This is a celebration, not of the glory of man or just the enjoyment of life, it is a celebration of the Lord.

It is giving acclaim to the one due acclaim. This is the enthusiastic approval of people who truly revere the Lord.

The motive is to exalt God who is by definition the exalted One. This is truth being spoken in the truest sense.

This is fulfillment of what Jesus said, “A time is coming and is now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth”.

Worship is giving God his due for who He is.

As is the usual custom, the previous section talked about the exalted of the earth languishing. Withering and fading.

But here is the One who is truly exalted. Not because of man's acclaim, but because of the reality of things.

Glory will be given to the Righteous One.

Who are the 'they' being referred to?

Well certainly this could be the remnant of Israel after the exile. They would fall into this general category of they. They certainly had a different view of the Lord than those idolatrous people prior to the exile.

They rejoiced in the Lord when they returned to Zion to rebuild the temple and later the wall.

But it could be those who have experienced new life in Christ. It most certainly includes them (and those of us who are in Christ). Who are a new creation.

Those who have entered through the narrow gate as Jesus said. For he is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Him.

He is the door through which all must enter in order to draw near to the Father.

Only in him can anyone truly rejoice in the Father and give glory to the Righteous One.

And one day, when Christ returns in all his glory. The heavens will melt away. The elements will be burned up by fire. Then the redeemed of God will forever rejoice in the salvation wrought by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Will you be in that number, exalting the Righteous One? Giving glory to God alone?

Are you giving glory where glory is due now? Has anyone heard you acclaim God lately?

How are you leading your family to see God as high and exalted?

Principle: True and lasting joy can only be found in the Lord.

An Action-packed Conclusion (Isaiah 24:16b-23)

It almost seems as though Isaiah is taking these deep breaths. As he proclaims the judgment, he is exhaling for a long period of time and then suddenly he inhales and their are these glimmers of hope. People are actually responding to God in a proper way. Giving Him what is rightfully His – praise and adoration.

But then, as we come to the end of verse 16, it seems that he is faced with the scene around him. He comes back to the present and begins to live out what the message previously had been portraying. He is wasting away.

Terror, Pit, and Snare Await the Treacherous of the Earth (16b-18a)

The reality for Isaiah, as it is for all generations, the wickedness of man continues on.

The treacherous betray. That is what they do. But so is the natural consequence of that sin.

He uses this idea that there is a payment coming and he uses the word, terror, pit and snare.

As if it was just a matter of time and they would be just like a hunted animal. First terrified by something. Essentially scared into a pit.

And just when they think they are safely out of danger because they got out of the pit, they are ensnared.

In other words, it is only a matter of time before the wicked will meet their end. They will face judgment.

Floodgates Opened; Earth Split, Shaken From Guilt of Rebellion (18b-20)

In verses 18b-20, Isaiah uses apocalyptic language that sounds similar to what happened when God judged the wickedness of man with a flood.

When he wiped out the human race – all but 8 – Noah and his family.

At the end of verse 20 he talks about it falling never to rise again. It will be utterly destroyed.

And why? Due to the guilt that is upon it. The rebellion of man against God is so great that God will destroy the earth and everything in it.

And it will never rise again. It is not a temporary thing.

Jesus says, in Matthew 24:37, “As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

He goes on to talk about man's attitudes will be the same. He will think he is okay. The increase in wickedness will begin to crescendo toward the end of the age.

But it will certainly not go unaccounted for.

You know, it's amazing to me that God puts up with things as long as He does. It is hard to conceive of One so long suffering as He is.

But that long suffering, patience of God should not be misconstrued as indifference toward the happenings in this world. Nothing goes unnoticed and all will taken into account eventually.

Listen to the words of the Apostle Peter from 2 Peter 3:2-7:

2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Heavenly and Earthly Powers Punished (21-22)

Not only will human wickedness come to an end, but God will judge the “prince of the power of the air”.

The one Paul describes in Ephesians 6:10-12:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The day of the Lord will bring judgment both to humanity as well as to Satan and his demons. When Christ returns, they will be cast into the place that God prepared for them, “the lake of fire”.

And there they will be bound for eternity, never to deceive mankind again.

For when God recreates the heaven and earth, nothing will exist that is corruptible. And there will be no defilement or anything to defile or deceive every again.

No temptation or remembrance of evil will exist.

Which leads to the last verse.

Sun and Moon Ashamed; The Lord Reigns on Mount Zion (23)

The sun and moon will be ashamed.

In other words, their light will be no comparison to the light of life.

They will not be needed when the Lord Almighty reigns gloriously.

Revelation 22:1-5 puts it like this:

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

This anthropomorphism is befitting. The One who created these “great lights” is now the light. And they are ashamed of their light in his presence.

This will be a time of endless rejoicing. A time of continual fulfillment and satisfaction. A time when true completeness is realized. The way we were created will be realized when we are in the new heaven and new earth. When we are clothed in incorruptibility. And our human nature is no longer influenced by our fallen Adamic nature.

Principle: Where the Lord reigns, there is no room for sin or corruption.

Illustration:

How ought we to live?

2 Peter 3:10-13:

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

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We must spur each other on, love and good works; don't forsake gathering together – no “Lone Ranger” Christians. We need to put "feet" on the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives those who belong to Christ.

Hebrews 10:19-24:

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Our Lord could return at any moment. Are you ready for His return?

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11:

1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Applications:

1. In light of God's soon return, how are you living? For whom are you living?

2. How are you encouraging other believers to live as you fellowship with them in your Church?

3. Are you involved in a local church? If not why not? We all need accountability, godly leadership, feeding, fellowship, etc.

Conclusion

We don't know the day or hour of our Lord's return. But we have a preview of the events.

We know history and it's fulfillment, showing God to be true to His word.

The end will come. Are you ready?

How can anyone be ready for such destruction?