We finish Isaiah today. He says Jerusalem will be a place of peace and the New Heavens and New Earth will also be a reality.
Isaiah 66: The Humble and Contrite in Spirit
1 Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?
2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
3 "He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck; he who presents a grain offering, like one who offers pig's blood; he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol. These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations;
4 I also will choose harsh treatment for them and bring their fears upon them, because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight."
5 Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: "Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name's sake have said, 'Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy'; but it is they who shall be put to shame.
6 "The sound of an uproar from the city! A sound from the temple! The sound of the LORD, rendering recompense to his enemies!
Rejoice with Jerusalem
7 "Before she was in labour she gave birth; before her pain came upon her she delivered a son.
8 Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labour she brought forth her children.
9 Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?" says the LORD; "shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?" says your God.
10 "Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her;
11 that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance."
12 For thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14 You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and the hand of the LORD shall be known to his servants, and he shall show his indignation against his enemies.
Final Judgment and Glory of the LORD
15 "For behold, the LORD will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire will the LORD enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the LORD shall be many.
17 "Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig's flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, declares the LORD.
18 "For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory,
19 and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands far away, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory. And they shall declare my glory among the nations.
20 And they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots and in litters and on mules and on dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.
21 And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the LORD.
22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the LORD, so shall your offspring and your name remain.
23 From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the LORD.
24 "And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."
Things to think about…
1. What does the Lord require of His people? The answer is found in Isa 66:2 – To show humility and be those who fear (respect) His word. We all have opinions on things, but the last word should come from the Lord who is the Word. May we combine our faith with humility by putting all our previous understandings on the altar and say “Lord if your word says it, make me believe and obey it”.
2. What value do you place on religion, church, tithing, prayer, bible reading? All of these things are only profitable as there is obedience to God’s word, otherwise there is no difference before God between us and the world. We are like those who blatantly go against God, Isa 66:3-6.
3. What do you think Isa 66:7-14 speaks about? Our Lord gave birth to a physical/spiritual nation in a day when He was used as the payment for their sin. This is one interpretation and fulfillment of the prophecy. There was a literal fulfilment of Isa 66:8 on May 14, 1948 when Israel was proclaimed as a nation after not being so for over 1900 years. I believe this is certainly a partial fulfilment of this prophesy with the remaining prophesies of Jerusalem to occur as this age draws to a close. Faith in Christ is the only thing that will bring about complete fulfilment of these prophesies for Jerusalem, both for Israel and the nations.
4. Isa 66:15-24 is like a two edged sword. No-one likes to talk about final judgement. I certainly don’t like preaching on it, because I see what is involved. It is easier to think about heaven rather than hell. The readings in the synagogues prior to Christ did not like ending on a bad note as we see in Isa 66:24, The Pulpit Commentary says this. The Jewish rabbis regarded it as anomalous that any portion of Scripture should conclude with words of ill omen. When, therefore, this chapter was read in the synagogue, or the last of Ecclesiastes, or Lamentations, or Malachi, they directed that after the reading of the last verse, the last verse but one should he repeated, to correct the sad impression that would otherwise have been left upon the mind. But Isaiah thought it salutary to leave this sad impression. But what are we to do, the era of the New Heavens and the New Earth also speaks of a place of eternal punishment for those who reject the Word of God. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved, we know Him as Jesus.
5. Our Lord created the place of judgement. We will be as He is. As such, it seems in the parable in Luke 16 of the rich man and Lazarus, as well as this last verse in the book of Isaiah, we will see those who are under the hand of the Lord’s judgment. This is the fearful and unnerving this side of glory, but it will not detract from the joy and blessing we will experience in heaven for eternity.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Ric Benson group will start back on Wednesday night 6:30pm.
Pastor Jay has started the young adult’s life group starts back this Sunday.
Prayer Points
1. Christian minster attacked with a knife this week - Mar Mari Emmanuelle of the Good Shepherd Church, Wakeley in Sydney. He spoke out against the extremist Covid vaccine agenda. Pray for a full restoration and calm in his congregation.
2. Families of victims of the Bondi Junction massacre. Pray for healing, comfort and hope.
3. Anna is starting a Playgroup at CBC. First one this week on Friday 19th Apr 9:30am.
4. Conflict in Israel and Ukraine.
5. Those who are considering baptism.
6. Church finances to cover all expenses.
7. Pray for new Playgroup outreach, Kids@Church, Life groups and church community days.
8. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday afternoons. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
9. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
10. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise the Lord for ministry opportunities at Kidz@church and Playgroup.
2. Continue to pray for Tad to gain strength at home. Good to see him at church yesterday. Continue to pray for Glenys as she now has a splint to gain full use in her left arm. Any encouragement you can give will be greatly appreciated.
3. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. All Life Groups start back Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
2. Kids@Church back on Sunday.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for April...
Q. 19. Do you have a soul as well as a body? A. Yes; I have a soul that can never die.
