The Word

 Isaiah 24 – 25 “The Little Apocalypse” (Chapters 24 – 27) Apocalyptic (to reveal, to make known: it is a style of writing that is “fantastic” and full of imagery) Up to this point, Isaiah has warned God’s people of the coming judgement. He has also warned of the coming judgment of the nations surrounding the Israelites. There is hope if they repent. In the future, the greatest of hope is found in Jesus Christ. “This Immanuel is going to be God in the flesh, and He will establish the kingdom of David in righteousness and truth (chapters 9-12). In contrast with that kingdom, man’s kingdoms are going to come to an end - chapters 13-23. They will not impede the establishment of the Messiah’s kingdom, and, in fact, they will become members of the Messiah’s kingdom. In the words of Daniel 2:44, that kingdom will break and crush all other kingdoms and it will carry the glory of the Lord to the ends of the earth. Having spent eleven chapters, then, systematically calling God’s judgment on ...

 Isaiah 18-23 Nations Continued… “Up to this point, Isaiah has preached against primarily Jerusalem (Judah) - the southern tribes of God’s people. In chapter 13, God directs His judgment in these eleven chapters against the nations surrounding Judah. This is done for a few reasons: 1. These nations are guilty of sin and sin has to be punished. This shows us that God has expectations of everyone.Everyone is obligated to learn what God wants them to do. 2. God had warned Israel not to trust in men (2:22);therefore, they should not trust in nations of men for their security. God, alone, is to be trusted. 3. God has promised that He will establish a new body of people (pictured as a temple - 2:1-4 and a Kingdom, with the Son of David as the King - 7:14; 9:6-7). How will these foreign nations react to this new kingdom? Well, on one hand, they will flow to this new kingdom (2:1-4); on the other hand, God will destroy the kingdoms so they cannot inhibit the establishment of this new kingd...

 Isaiah 13 – 17 We enter the section of Isaiah that is most applicable, in concentration, to nations other than Israel, a theocracy. There is much debate in our time about application of prophecy to the United States; most of that is applicable to the church not the United States. What we can say, with confidence, is that through the next 11 chapters God, using Isaiah, makes it clear that He is “Judge of all the earth” – Gen. 18:25. The Lord is sovereign over all, no matter the nation or its people. “The nations section reveals the folly of all political scheming when it takes place independently of trust in the one God of all nations.” (Seitz, 170) Chapter 13 Babylon V1 I. Babylon, that empire that made Jerusalem a desolation in 587 BC. “burden” or “oracle” or “prophecy” massa. This was informing the Israelites of the doom of the nations surrounding them and it was in Him they should trust. V2-5 I. V2 – “banner” or “standard” – a call to march. Notice the three imperatives: lift u...

  The Valley The world tends to punch us when we’re down. Outside of our control, we may have enemies, especially due to the Cross and the truth found in Scripture. This morning let’s consider David and how he was called – anointed- and found himself often at odds with his environment. We are called to obey Christ, we are called to spread the Truth in love, we are called to care for our fellow man, and we are called to view heaven as the end game, not this world – all things that will put us at odds with the world.   As we recall, Jesus stated in Matthew 10:  “… and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ”   And in John 15, speaking of how the world will view His disciples:   “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.   19  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That ...

Isaiah 9-12  Immanuel, Judgement, and Immanuel’s Rule  Chapter 9, Immanuel V1-7  I. V1, 2 – V1 The Hebrew Bible has 9:1 as 8:23; but remember there were  no such divisions in the ancient manuscripts. Zebulun and Naphtali had land north of Mount Caramel and west of the Sea of Galilee. Galilee of  the Gentiles had a mixed population according to Shackleford (132). This  is also the territory of Nazareth. God has held them in contempt, but glory is coming. V2 “walk” or “walk” and “dwelt” or “live” is in the same perfect tense in the Hebrew indicating the action was certain. John in  Chapter 1:9 states,” the true Light which, coming into the world,  enlightens every man” and then verse 12, “I am the Light of the world…”  II. V3 – The result of that light? Increased joy and rejoicing! III. V4,5 – Two historical references here, Egyptian bondage and then the  defeat of Midian (Judges 6-8).  IV. V6 – The declaration – In the...