The Coming of the Messiah

The Work of the Coming Messiah

Book of Isaiah Chapter 8-9

We should always understand, when God's enemies threaten God's people, then God's people can only be delivered by following God's directions! God teaches us all that His "judgment" will come on all those who reject His warnings.

God had warned all of Israel and now even more so Judah of a terrible time of distress that was close at hand. King Ahaz and all the people except a very small remnant had forsaken God.

When we forsake God we will be forsaken by God!

King Ahaz had rejected any "sign" of deliverance that was offered to him by God's Prophet and had place his security and the security of Judah, into the hands of the King of Assyria.

The people of Judah which lived in such a fear and terror now had turned to wizards and necromancers for guidance, instead of seeking the Lord for answers.

Have you ever been out on a dark night when it seemed that you could just feel the darkness? Well a very dark cloud was approaching God's people, in fact a darkness that could be felt as it approached.

As we know after the dark and cloudy days, God's Sun always shines, so God's prophet Isaiah, now spoke of the sunrise after such a dark and cloudy time for the Jewish people.

Let's begin:

*****Isa 8:21  And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward. 

Isa 8:22  And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness. 

We should clearly understand when God's people are suffering because of the enemies of Christ, God has an open ear. When God's people are suffering because God's chastisement, that suffering will do nothing to turn away God's anger.

The only way for that suffering to end is genuine repentance!

When a people can only see a picture of terrible darkness and gloom in their future, a picture of even more suffering many times they will become infuriated. They will curse their own government and all those that do not know the Lord will curse Him also!

Maybe even some of those that do know the Lord!

When hopelessness grips a people they are soon taken captive by it and live a life of misery! They will seek anything that seems to bring pleasure in this life even if it brings health and/or financial ruin. Laws will have no meaning, all authority will be rejected and even the simplicity of Christ will seem to be a great burden.

We can be saved from being caught up in these things!

What is God's answer?

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Act 2:39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 

Act 2:40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation". 

God says we must make a choice!

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

God says those that trust Him will always find a light at the end of the tunnel!

This what Isaiah was preaching to God's people, the Jews!

What does God promise to those who trust Him? Deliverance!

Why did Christ Jesus come the first time? To preach this time of the "Grace of God"!

Luk 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 

Luk 4:19  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 

Deliverance, but by the Lord Jesus Christ.

"God's Riches At Christ's Expense"

*****Isa 9:1  Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 

Isa 9:2  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Isaiah wanted the people of Judah to completely understand, though they were facing a terrible time in the near future, a glorious future still lay ahead in another time!

Isaiah wanted these people to know, there was coming a day when Israel would be united and be able to stand against all her enemies.

What do we know? The land of Zebulon and Naphtali were the first to feel the attacks of foreign powers and became known as the Galilee of the Gentiles, in the days of Jesus. Some say the Galilee of the nations, meaning the same land that had been trampled upon by every foreign invader that had ever entered into Palestine.

It can be said that it was here in this Galilee of the Gentiles where the true light shined, because it was here where the Lord Jesus Christ lived during His ministry. It is from this same area where the Lord chose His 12 disciples.

Mat 4:12  Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 

Mat 4:13  And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 

Mat 4:14  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 

Mat 4:15  The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 

Mat 4:16  The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 

Mat 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

When there is a prophesy in the Word of God there will be a fulfillment of that prophesy!

This the land where the Jew knew they were walking in the shadow of death but those who knew the Lord could have no fear!

When we are walking in such places God reminds us that He is walking with us.

Psa 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

Psa 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 

Psa 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Psa 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Psa 23:5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

Psa 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. 

The truth is when we see God's "warning" we will always see God's "nevertheless", a means of escape, where God's "wrath" becomes God's "mercy" when we repent!

In fact when we study the Scriptures, we will most always find the clearer promises of the Lord have been given to us in the darkest hours!

Every prophet of God that told of the darkness of Israel and the darkness of evil in this world also prophesied of the Messiah, the Savior! When lies and falsehoods rule the hour, we always see the promise of the Messiah to remove all unbelievers and shine in all His glory.

Jer 23:5  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

In our sinful nature we stumble and grope through this world blind to the truth of the spiritual world. Every effort is spent on living as long as possible or just giving up and living in egregious sin for a short life of misery.

The truth is there is "no one who will not get the opportunity" to witness the light of Jesus before their death, in any instance!

Joh 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

Joh 8:24  I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. 

When we accept our Savior, we no longer have to live in the darkness of this world!

*****Isa 9:3  Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

The truth is when the Messiah returns to rule this earth for 1000 years, those who have made it through the 7 years of tribulation will begin to multiply.

There will also be a great increase in joy!

That joy will be according to having a great harvest when there had been only a meager planting.

Their joy will be as a great victory over the enemy as it is the victorious soldiers who divide the spoil of the enemy.

Just as the seed had to pass through a long process while depending on the Lord of the harvest, there will be a great victory!

Just as the army of God has gone through a long and painful campaign depending on the Lord of host, there will be a great victory!

Isa 61:9  And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed. 

Isa 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. 

Isa 61:11  For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. 

The Lord will have broken the burden of sin in this world!

The spiritual joy of the Lord will be with all His people!

These are promises made to the Jews.

*****Isa 9:4  For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 

Isa 9:5  For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 

It is true that Midian had been a great burden to Israel for a period of time.

Jdg 6:1  And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. 

It is also true that during the trial of Jesus, the Jewish people had made another even more serious mistake!

Mat 27:24  When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 

Mat 27:25  Then answered all the people, and said, "His blood be on us, and on our children".

They had cursed themselves and that burden will remain with them until the Messiah returns to set them free, so even a much greater burden will have been lifted at the Second Coming of Christ.

The Lord will have broken the yoke of sin's prison. 

The Lord will have broken the yoke of Satan's bondage.

The Lord will have broken the will to reject the Word of God.

The Lord will have washed them in the "Blood of Jesus" the only blood that cleanses.

Rev 13:8  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. 

Rev 13:9  If any man have an ear, let him hear. 

At the return of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, all wars will then cease!

All the battle garments of all soldiers will then be just fuel for God's fire!

Eze 39:8  Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken. 

Eze 39:9  And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: 

Eze 39:10  So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD. 

And why are these things so true? Because the Son of God will be all the government that this world needs!

*****Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

Isa 9:7  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 

Look out world, God says the Messiah will first come as the "God-Man". (For unto us a child is born)

The Messiah will take the form of a human!

In our last lesson we saw that Isaiah had prophesied the sign of the Messiah. The Messiah would be born of a "Virgin". Not just some young maiden but a young "Virgin" of marital age and according to the Jewish tradition of marriage!

Luk 1:35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

God was even so bold to tell us where this birth of the Messiah would take place.

Mic 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 

And God through the prophet Daniel gave us all a time frame for the birth of the Messiah and even His return. Though no one will ever know the exact day or the exact hour.

**(Unto us a Son is given) Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

Joh 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

**(Then shall the government be upon His shoulder) The Messiah will have the undisputable right to govern this entire world! The Messiah will put his shoulder into this work!

Jer 23:5  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 

Jer 23:6  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

**(The Messiah would be called "Wonderful-Counsellor") The Messiah would be the Fountain of wisdom and understanding, with the mind that rules all things!

Isa 28:29  This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. 

Heb 2:18  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. 

The Messiah, is the One person, who can feel what we feel and the only person who can teach us how to have victory in life!

**(The Mighty God) As the Mighty God, the Messiah can do things that no one can even conceive.

He is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent (present everywhere at the same time)

The Messiah can save anyone, the very moment they call out to Him in "faith", under any conditions!.

He is the Savior, He is the Redeemer, He is the Deliverer, He is everything that we have ever needed and He is also the Perfection of beauty!

Psa 50:1 The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. 

Psa 50:2  Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. 

Psa 50:3  Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. 

**(The everlasting Father)

Even with all His power and all His wisdom and all His understanding, the Messiah is first the most perfect Father than any of us have ever seen!

He knows that those who trust Him are His children He will never forsake any of us, for any reason!

He is exceeding in tenderness and compassion!

Heb 2:13  And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 

Heb 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 

Heb 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

Isa 40:10  Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 

Isa 40:11  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

**(Prince of Peace)

The truth of the Messiah, (Jesus Christ) is that, not only does He bring peace to the human heart, when He returns, He will also bring world-wide peace to every nation.

"Prince" means he will be the principle ruler of this world and all His creation. For 1000 years this world will be filled with a people of peace!

And a peaceful people will want to worship the Lord of Peace!

A heart that knows true "forgiveness" can have "peace with God" and "the peace of God"!

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

The Messiah will return to this earth "to establish God's Kingdom"!

It is during this time that it can be truly said that the "Gospel" has reached every ear and every heart. As Daniel said "the stone that was cut out of the mountain without hands has filled the whole earth"

Dan 2:44  And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 

By being the adopted son of Joseph, the Messiah is the living heir to the throne of David and the last One because He cannot die and the Church is the "bride of Christ" and His children, the remaining heirs, who also cannot die!

Remember it is not the Church that joins with the Jews, it is the Jews who will join with the Church. There will never be but one way to be in the family of God and this is "Faith" in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ!

God will fulfill the promise He made to King David:

Psa 132:11  The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. 

God will fulfill the promise He made to Israel:

Jer 3:17  At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. 

Jer 3:18  In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers. 

Israel will be reunited, there are no lost tribes of Israel and there never have been. God has always known where His people are located!

God will keep all His promises!

**The Messiah will rule with a rod of iron, but His kingdom will be established in righteousness.

Isa 42:21  The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. 

The zeal of the Lord, "to sanctify His great name as the only Savior", will have caused all these things to happen!

Eze 36:21  But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. 

Eze 36:22  Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 

Eze 36:23  And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 

Eze 36:24  For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 

No one will ever again profane the name of the Lord!

We are a foolish people if we do not want to be a part of the Kingdom of the Messiah, The Lord Jesus Christ!

It is obvious that we can see our world grow darker and darker in sin.

The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah get more evident in our world today.

The governments become more and more corrupt.

Evil is called good and good is called evil.

God's people are even more hated than ever before!

These things are all facts!

It is obvious, that the truth of God is, that Jesus Christ was much much more than just some great teacher or some great prophet.

God says we need to get our minds wrapped around this truth!

Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 

Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

The Lord, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is declared in every manner possible to possess all the attributes which make God, God!

Those that attack the Lord Jesus Christ have attacked the Word of God and God Himself!

Why would we not expect them to see the wrath of God?

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

This is the truth of the Scriptures!

This is the only Light that shine shine through the darkness of this world!

Questions?

Let's Pray! 

The Sign of the Messiah

The Sign of the Coming Messiah

Book of Isaiah 6; 7

Today we get a little glimpse of Heaven and then one of the greatest prophecies to ever be fulfilled, the recognition of the Messiah.

We will first see the testimony of a prophet's call to serve the Lord.

We will next the prophecy of the Messiah and the sign of His truth.

Let's begin:

*****Isa 6:1  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, "high and lifted up", and his train filled the temple. 

King Uzziah had ruled for 52 years, longer than any other King of Israel. No doubt that as Isaiah witnessed the death of one of Israel's better kings, Jehovah God decided it was time to give Isaiah a glimpse of the King of Kings upon His throne in Heaven.

The first thing we notice is, that God did not show Isaiah His majesty as the Lord Jesus had but showed him in a way that he could understand the true King of our universe.

Isaiah saw the true King and the true "Judge" of Israel who would rule for much more than 52 years but in fact forever!

Isaiah had seen the throne of Uzziah but now in the throne room of God, he sees a throne much higher and much more lifted up than any throne of this earth and upon it sat "Adonai".

Adonai is the divine character of God and is applied to Jesus Christ through the title "Lord".

Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 

Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 

Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is "Lord", to the glory of God the Father. 

The title "Lord" then, denotes the divine sovereignty of Christ.

2Co 4:5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus "the Lord"; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

Rom 14:5  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 

Rom 14:6  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto "the Lord"; and he that regardeth not the day, to "the Lord" he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to "the Lord", for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to "the Lord" he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 

Rom 14:7  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 

The title "Lord" says This Lord is also our true King!

1Ti 6:14  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of "our Lord" Jesus Christ: 

1Ti 6:15  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and "Lord" of lords; 

1Ti 6:16  "Who only hath immortality", dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 

It should be obvious that Isaiah was not only a prophet but he was also a priest as he had witnessed the regal robes of the High Priest that could not compare to the regal robe of the Lord, Adonai.

We should consider that this throne and this majesty is part of what our Lord gave up to come to this earth to die in payment for our sin!

What did the Lord Jesus say?

Joh 6:62  What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up "where he was before"? 

This is what the Lord Jesus was referring to and this is what Isaiah saw in his vision on this day but he also saw much, much more.

*****Isa 6:2  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 

Isa 6:3  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 

Isa 6:4  And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

The one thing certain about all angels is that they are "created beings" but just in a higher order than humans!

Angels are not subject to the limitations of mankind!

Angles are also spiritual beings, though they may reveal themselves to mankind in the form of human bodies.

They do not have corporeal bodies as humans do!

There are more angels in existence than can be counted and that number will not change because they simply cannot die!

Angels have greater wisdom than humans but that wisdom is still limited.

Angels have greater power than humans but that power is still limited.

Angels, however, still have limitations in their relationship with God!

Angels were never created in the image of God, so they certainly cannot share in man's destiny of redemption and a "Glorified Body", as that of Christ!

There is coming a time when each redeemed man will be exalted above every angel!

1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 

Some also believe there are orders of angels some higher than others, and that can be true, but the Scriptures do not actually say this.

It is certain, though angels have many things in common, they also have separate functions as we see here and as we see with Michael and Gabriel!

We also know that angels have the freedom of choice as we see with Lucifer.

Even with the angels, all choices have consequences!

The truth that we do know, is that all angels serve as the ministers to God!

The "seraphim", in this Scripture have the ministry to God "in surrounding the throne of God as they attend God's holiness".

It is the "seraphim" who declare that mankind must be cleansed of sin's defilement before we can stand before God and serve Him!

They are not to be confused with the cherubim "who have the ministry of defending God's holiness"!

This is the reason that Cherubim are on the Ark of God rather that the Seraphim.

The cherubim had 4 wings while the seraphim have 6 wings but there are still other differences.

With two wings the seraphim covered their eyes, for they felt unworthy to look upon the holiness of God.

With two wings they covered their feet, because they felt unworthy to walk where God walked.

With two wings they flew continuously, while crying one to another "Holy, holy, holy, the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory".

If we think of these things as just being symbolic, then we better not miss what Isaiah saw!

Isaiah saw the Supreme "Authority" of God, His throne higher then all thrones of this earth!

Isaiah saw the Supreme "Glory" of God", His majesty filled all the Heavenly Temple!

Isaiah saw the Supreme "Holiness" of God, Holy, Holy, Holy! (The number 3 a perfect number, describing the perfect "Holiness" of God)

We must clearly understand there is a vast spiritual universe that far exceeds the material things we can see with our own eyes!

In truth, all of God's creation declare the Glory of God, just as these seraphim have declared!

Psa 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

The movement of the door and the house filled with smoke, was the reaction of God's Holy nature against sin!

This is also the reaction of our Father in Heaven, when one of His children has realized that they are in the clutches of Satan and repent and call on the Lord!

Psa 18:6  In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. 

Psa 18:7  Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. 

Psa 18:8  There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 

Psa 18:9  He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. 

Psa 18:10  And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. 

Psa 18:11  He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 

Psa 18:12  At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. 

Psa 18:13  The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. 

Psa 18:14  Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 

Psa 18:15  Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 

Psa 18:16  He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 

Psa 18:17  He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 

Psa 18:18  They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 

Amen.

So, Isaiah quickly realized that he also wanted to be and he also needed to be a servant of the Lord!

*****Isa 6:5  Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 

Isaiah immediately felt the "Grace" of God but more important he also felt his unworthiness to be a servant of God!

Isaiah was probably already a priest at this time but Isaiah now had a clearer vision of the Lord.

We must all realize the truth of the God we serve!

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

We must know the Lord and we must know who He is before we can serve Him as our Lord!

We must see the Lord exactly like Isaiah saw Him, "high and lifted up" above all His creation!

If we cannot recognize the Lord Jesus Christ in this manner, we are wasting our time in trying to serve Him!

We are all humans of unclean lips!

We all live in the midst of a people with unclean lips!

And God says:

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not "the unclean thing"; and I will receive you, 

2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

So how do we become a servant of the Lord?

*****Isa 6:6  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 

Isa 6:7  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 

**To be a servant of the Lord we must realize that all the "seen world" and all the "unseen world", are subordinate to the fact that we have a Creator!

Our Lord rules supreme over His own creation!

Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 

Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 

The Lord Jesus is the glue that binds all His creation together!

**To be a servant of the Lord we must understand that The Lord Jesus is truly the sinless Son of God and the second person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit being the third!

Jesus Christ is the sinless Savior of the world that He created! Only when we realize the truth of these things, can our Lord become our "Redeemer"!

To be the Savior of this world, "is by God's design" and Christ came "to freely offer pardon and purity" to all that truly believe upon Him!

We must also realize, our Savior, who will be King, demands our service after His pardon!

We should also realize, the Lord will not hesitate to discipline that servant until their loyalty is assured!

**To be a servant of the Lord, we must first realize we are a sinner and to get close to the Lord, then that sin must be purged!

I believe we can understand this "coal" as being the Word of God because Isaiah was then called to be a messenger of God, a true Prophet.

Jer 23:29  Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? 

What do we know of the altar of the burnt offering. God commanded for that fire to be always burning!

Lev 6:12  And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. 

Lev 6:13  The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out. 

To put that fire out would show disobedience to the Word of God!

To allow that fire to go out would show neglect of the things of God!

We must understand that in "typology" this represents a type of Christ Jesus and His sacrifice for our sin.

The altar of "the Cross", is always burning because the Lord's sacrifice, "satisfied a Holy God who had required our own death for our sin".

God allowed the sinless blood of Jesus to cover all sin!

This angel, being a minister of the Lord, had in his mouth the Word that he had received from his Holy God, who sits on the throne of Glory above the altar of His dear Son!

This event will happen again during the 7 year tribulation period.

Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 

Rev 14:7  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 

Isaiah then realized that God had given him something that had to be shared with all his nation!

isaiah received his commission from the Lord!

*****Isa 6:8  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? "Then said I, Here am I; send me". 

Isaiah got a little glimpse of Heaven.

The lips of Isaiah had been purified.

Now Isaiah can be in direct communication with the Lord.

You see, this is exactly what happens when we realize we are sinners and we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.

We are then washed in the blood of Jesus and we can go right into the throne room of God without some intercessor of this earth! The Lord has become our personal "Intercessor"!

Isaiah knew the function of the priesthood because he was already a priest but not the High Priest.

It was only the High Priest who could go beyond the veil to be in the presence of God and he could only do this one time each year!

SO, What else happened at the cross beyond payment for all our sin?

Mar 15:37  And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 

Mar 15:38  And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

Isaiah found himself in the throne room of God and he heard God's voice saying "whom shall I send".

Now we know that God was in the presence of His angels.

We also know that Isaiah had no idea why God was making this request.

We also notice that not one angel volunteered!

SO Isaiah, being ignorant of the nature of this calling, freely accepts this call of God and throughout his long life, Isaiah never felt this calling to be a burden.

The answer God is looking for will always be "Here am I; send me"!

Notice another very important thing, God did not take time to consult with anyone else or anything else in Heaven because our Lord rules supreme through out all His creation!

Those that trust in the Word of God "by faith", have never questioned the Book of Isaiah!

Joh 12:41  These things said Esaias, "when he saw his glory, and spake of him". 

again:

Act 28:25  And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, "Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers", 

Even the Lord Jesus:

Mar 7:6  He answered and said unto them, "Well hath Esaias prophesied" of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 

Mar 7:7  Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 

The truth is, before we can serve the Lord, we must surrender all we have to the Lord and we must surrender to the Word of God!

It was these things brought the supreme response from the Lord!

*****Isa 6:9  And he said, "Go", and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 

Isa 6:10  Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 

We should understand that the Lord will not do anything that He has not revealed to us in His Word! We have all the truth we need for "salvation" and we have all the truth we need for "Judgment"!

We do not have to guess because we can know, because we have the complete Word of God. There are no lost books of the Bible!

Amo 3:7  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. 

There will never be a new prophecy that opposes the Word of God we now have! In fact there will never be anything new that opposes the Word of God we now have!

All the Word of God will go hand in hand with the "work" that God asks us to do! So just "Go" tell some one else about Jesus.

What was the command given to us all of the Lord?

Mat 28:19  "Go" ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

This was the same command given to Isaiah!

God was saying to Isaiah that the unbelief of his nation had caused them to reach a point where they could not understand the Divine principles of God.

Isaiah had a message of warning but Isaiah still maintained a message of salvation, all his days.

What was the truth of these people?

Rom 11:8  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 

It is the "rapture" of the Church that will awaken Israel from this slumber!

This message God had for these Jews was a harsh message, so Isaiah wanted to know how long would this blindness, this foolishness, this rejection of the Lord, last.

How long would this "judgment of Israel last"?

*****Isa 6:11  Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, "Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, 

Isa 6:12  And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land". 

For those who say this took place in the time of Nebuchadnezzar, they are wrong. That was just a taste of what is yet to come!

The Lord Jesus repeats these things to the Jews of His day after the time of Nebuchadnezzar:

Luk 19:42  Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 

Luk 19:43  For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 

Luk 19:44  And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. 

The nation that had it's beginning at the day of Isaiah's calling was Rome and in 70 AD Titus of Rome devastated Jerusalem.

BUT, Even this did not remove the blindness of these people!

The Apostle Paul gives us the true answer.

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, "until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in". (this would be the Rapture of the Church)

Rom 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 

Rom 11:27  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 

Rom 11:28  As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 

Rom 11:29  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

This time has not taken place and will not until after the Church is "called out" of this world!

So, How many of these Jews will actually come to know the Lord?

*****Isa 6:13  But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof. 

The truth is, the Holy Seed of the Jew will arise from that stump that will be left when the Lord returns!

There will be a tenth that will go through the 7 years of Tribulation and of those that will remain will receive the promises of God given to David!

Amo 5:3  For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel. 

Amo 5:4  For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: 

From Ezekiel:

Eze 5:1  And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair. 

Eze 5:2  Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them. 

Eze 5:3  Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts. 

Eze 5:4  Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel. 

Eze 5:5  Thus saith the Lord GOD; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her. 

And Zechariah:

Zec 13:8  And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 

Zec 13:9  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. 

We can see that Isaiah had a harsh message for his own people but Isaiah never faulted and isaiah never quit on God!

Sometime had passed until the rule of Ahaz, the most evil of all the rulers of Judah and we will see the a most revealing prophecy from Isaiah by the Holy Spirit and the sign of the only One who could put an end to the misery of the Jew and bring salvation to this world.

*****Isa 7:11  Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 

Isa 7:12  But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 

Isa 7:13  And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 

First we notice that a prophet of God did not have a problem coming face to face with the government.

We hear a lot about Elijah and Ahaz and sometimes we forget that Isaiah also stood his ground for the Lord without fear.

A sign from the Lord was "an outward act that served as a pledge or a proof of His Divine Word".

This sign could sometimes be natural sign but a sign could also be supernatural by God's design! For instance:

We have the "Rainbow" in the day of Noah.

We have circumcision in the day of Abraham.

We have the sign given to Gideon. (the dew and the sheep's wool)

Even evil King Saul received a sign of the truth of Samuel.

In the time of Jesus, miracles became a sign of His Divine power.

Jesus Himself said that Jonah and the whale was a sign of His death and His resurrection.

The thing we must observe in this Scripture is, that in this hour or this time that Isaiah and King Ahaz were together this day, the fate of the Jewish people is decided for more than 2000 years, even past the day we live now!

We should understand that King Ahaz had already rejected the Lord and the Word of God through God's prophets.

At this time Ahaz was trusting in the false gods of Assyria and he was not about to ask for a sign from God, because he knew God might give him one that he did not want. Ahaz had already rejected the power of God and some sign would not change anything for him!

Ahaz was afraid he would have to commit to a policy that he had already lost faith in!

The Bible says:

1Ti 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 

We see this beginning to be true in this day we live now because we are in these later times!

We should also realize, that when we ask God for proof of His existence, we are also showing a lack of "faith" but to refuse what God offers through His Prophet and His Word, is truly an insult to an all powerful God and Ahaz had insulted God with his lack of respect!

Ahaz and his sons represented the house of David at this time, but no other king of Judah had defied God as had Ahaz.

It could be said that Ahaz had renounced Judaism and had also renounced Jehovah!

God will not deliver a people who do not trust Him to deliver them!

God will only answer a prayer of "Faith"!

The greatest sin against the Lord is the sin of unbelief! (It cannot be forgiven)

"Therefore"

*****Isa 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

King Ahaz refused to trust that the Lord would deliver Judah from the combined forces of the Northern Tribes and Syria and he had placed his faith in the forces of Assyria.

God decided on a "supernatural sign". In the day of Isaiah an impossibility but today is certainly possible.

A young virgin maiden, "of marriageable age", would have a son, not just any son but the Messiah. His name would be Immanuel (God with us).

We should not be fooled by modern translations, this was to be a "virgin" in all sense of the word virgin! This Son was to be the Messiah!

God says what He means and God means what He says!

This was to be a young Jewish virgin maiden of marriageable age with the strength, in every way, to carry this child of God!

This Son of this virgin would be the great "Deliverer" of Israel!

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 

Rom 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, "There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer", and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 

Rom 11:27  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 

This virgin born Son, this Messiah, was to be born in Bethlehem. (First Coming)

This Son of this virgin, Mary, was to become the Redeemer and the Savior of mankind! (First Coming)

Luk_2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

2Ti_1:10  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

1Jn 3:8  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 

To dispute these things is to dispute the Holy Spirit who also directed the Apostle Matthew.

This sign of the "virgin birth" of the Messiah was explained to Joseph who was also of the House of David, as was Ahaz to whom this prophesy was given.

Mat 1:20  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 

Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 

Mat 1:22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 

Mat 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 

Mat 1:24  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 

Mat 1:25  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. 

Mary was a virgin at conception and remained a virgin until after the birth of the Messiah.

These things could never have been written about Hezekiah because he would have already been born before this time and was probably about 9 years old.

The efforts of King Ahaz would have destroyed Judah and Israel would never be resurrected and God could not allow that to happen!

This prophesy of Isaiah was to prove to Ahaz that Judah was invincible until the Messiah was born of this virgin, only after this could things change for Israel and Israel be devastated by Titus of Rome.

What would be the history of this child this Messiah?

*****Isa 7:15  Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 

Isa 7:16  For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings. 

Adam lived in the Garden of Eden at the first and even knowing the law of God, he did not refuse to do evil.

The second Adam, the Messiah would witness the destruction caused by sin and He would refuse all evil and choose the good!

The Messiah would partake of the simple things of life because He would be raised by poor parents but Godly parents who would teach Him the truth of God.

God would be His true Father as he would be filled with the all power of Holy Spirit from His birth!

Remember also that Ahaz was taking a stand against Israel and Syria. His greatest problem was he trusted Assyria for protection rather than the hand of God.

Isaiah just informed King Ahaz that both those two nations would both lose their kings and this was not something that should be of concern to him.

**2Ki 15:37  In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah. 

2Ki 15:38  And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

All these things were a warning to King Ahaz but he still rejected the Word of God through God's prophet!

Ahaz had already rejected the Word of God given to Jacob:

Gen 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. 

The truth is, that the Jews have been without a ruler, without a judge, and without a King for more than 2000 years because they have rejected the true King of kings and the true Lord of Lords!

The virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ is a major doctrine of the Church and the importance of it cannot be over stressed!

1) The Lord Himself gave this sign! The sign was not so much prophecy at is was the given child, the Son of God.

This sign would be a child given to all people, a gift from our Holy God!

2) It was the "first coming of this Child" that was the sign more than even "the birth of this Child".

God informed the Jews of that day, that they must pay attention to what He was saying, so they would know when this thing took place and most all of them missed it. Those that realized the truth then rejected it!

This is the truth of all prophecy in the Word of God, we must all pay attention so we will know when these things take place and when we can expect the next one to take place.

What did Jesus say to these Jews?

Luk 12:54  And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. 

Luk 12:55  And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. 

Luk 12:56  Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; "but how is it that ye do not discern this time"?

They had missed the time and the purpose of the "Sign" God had given to them! 

As far as Bible prophecy for the Church is concerned, the next thing on God's clock is the "Rapture" of the Church!

These prophesies concerning the Jews will take place after this!

Are you ready, to meet the Lord?

Questions?

Let's Pray!