In the Prophet Isaiah’s day, the people were building altars of worship dedicated to various so-called gods. Idolatry, along with all kinds of evil, was rampant. There was one king in particular who saw to it that the stomachs of pregnant women were ripped open. Another king went as far to sacrifice his own son by way of having that child burned alive as an offering. There was also the matter of discarding the Lord’s commandments. Is it any wonder God became angry? Please take the time to read chapters 15-20 of 2nd Kings, and you’ll know the “why” of God’s holy and righteous anger.
The world today is no different in its behavior either. Nothing has changed. There is, as Scripture tell us, nothing new under the sun. And guess what? The Almighty God hasn’t changed either.
The world has been foolishly provoking the Creator God to anger. It would be much wiser for the unbelieving world to wake up and fear Him instead of provoking Him. And, like Isaiah, we too are called to be that special messenger. Jesus commanded us to be active in carrying out the Great Commission. And, again like Isaiah, we can’t do it in our strength, but we certainly can in His. Amen?
Isaiah was steadfastly obedient when it came to delivering a message of repentance to kings, priests, leaders and right on down to the common people. Imagine, wherever Isaiah went crying out to the people to “come back to the Lord your God.” Plus, He was prophesying the coming of the Messiah. Not so easy. But Isaiah, with God’s power and authority, delivered. Let’s be the Isaiah of the cities, towns, and neighborhoods we live in. Amen?
Isaiah was given a great vision. With it he went on to speak a “far” prophecy which was the first coming of the Messiah spoken some 800 or so years before it was perfectly and completely fulfilled to the letter. What an awesome God!
We believers and followers of Jesus are messengers as well. We are to continue to proclaim the message: Jesus is coming again!
A great question for the lost in this world is a pretty good one. Are you ready?
A few weeks ago, a brother in the Lord spoke at our Men’s Prayer Breakfast. He brought up the subject that seems to be a pretty popular one these days… the Rapture. He threw out a question for the men that morning, “Are you ready for the rapture?”
That brother went on further with another question, but this one was specifically aimed at the “lost.” It was and is much more significant than the first. That question was, “Are you ‘death’ ready?”
Let’s be an Isaiah carrying a message that, for the most part and quite sadly, doesn’t want to be heard. What the lost does not want to hear is overridden by the fact that we believers are commanded by our Lord to deliver it. We are to be just as obedient as Isaiah was. And bonus… we will receive the crown known as the crown of rejoicing. Look at 2nd Thessalonians 2:19.
“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.”
Let’s remain active in asking those “lost” friends, loved ones and whomever God puts in our path, with questions relating to their eternal destiny. The answer they give will guide us in how to proceed. This is a matter of great consequence. It’s a matter of where they will spend eternity. Without knowing the Savior, for them it will be an eternity in the Lake of Fire. Like I said earlier, that message is not an easy one to deliver.
Isaiah had the mission of relaying the hard truth to a rebellious people. REPENT! That message has been handed off to us to deliver. Nothing has changed, just the faces.
Let’s not be distracted from telling the lost of what God desires for them which, of course, is eternal life; “for God so loved the world.”
Let’s pray sincerely and faithfully to the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us in our words and actions to that lost person He puts in front of us by way of Divine appointment.
Yes, we will more than likely be mocked and scoffed; after all, that’s to be expected according to 2nd Peter 3:2-3.
“That you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.”
Brothers and sisters, stand firm knowing they are rejecting God, not you.
When Jesus comes again, He won’t be riding on a donkey as the “Suffering Servant” like He did the first time. He will be coming an entirely different way according to Revelation 20:11. “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.”
The lost best get ready… the King is coming.
As for the believers, the question is this: Are we ready to be that “Isaiah” to the lost?
Be Blessed!
Mark Susswein: msusswein@comcast.net