Isaiah 66

Not Ashamed

Isa 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

This puts things into perspective. God is sovereign; can we limit God? Can we build him a dwelling place? Yet, he has chosen to make us His dwelling place; the God of omnipresence, who inhabits all creation, has given to us a special unction of the Holy Spirit. We didn't do it, he did this through His Son who shed his blood for our redemption, justification and sanctification. The heaven or heavens are His throne, all creation physical and spiritual. Earth is but a footstool, so what does that make us? In ourselves we are as ants, but he himself has lifted us up out of the dust, given us a new spiritual birth and made us the children of God. What a glorious salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.

Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Who will the God and creator of all pay attention to: Is it our wealth? Our Speaking ability? Our position of importance? Who will God look for? But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Poor of spirit, not full of self, challenging God. A contrite spirit, not full of self pride, but sorry for sins. You reverence and tremble at his word, instead of doing your own thing and calling "that book" as archaic and written by men. One sign of being born again, is reverence for His word and a desire to obey God.

The LORD speaks to the idol worshippers of Judah

Isa 66:3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

They did their own form of religion and their hearts were far from God. From the LORD's viewpoint; the sacrificing of an ox was as killing a man, from these disobedient worshippers. All they did was an abomination to him. Where were their hearts? Those who reject Christ have made their own distorted values, for example: a compulsion to save the whales combined with a mandatory granting of abortions, the killing of unborn babies for stem cell research and the policy makers denying of the elderly of health care, because they have no value. Another way of seeing this; their sacrifices were only adding to their sinful behavior. What good is a religious sacrifice if it is to a false god or from a sinful rebellious heart?

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Isa 66:4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

They would be cursed and follow after delusions instead of truth. We see this in the world today for those who have rejected God and Christ. They make up delusions of evolution, mother earth, green policies, global warming, and one world government. The Christians who trust God and his Word and follow His truth, are branded as the enemy, the intolerant ones, people of hate speech, because they oppose the sins of the world. Gay pride and their claim of love, cannot replace a humble and contrite spirit. Not only are they not sorry for their behavior, but they want to make it the law of the land. When I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear. This is the blindness of self made religion. They do not hear from God when he calls, but they hear false teachers and false spirits. They do not obey the true God, but they do evil before His eyes. He sees it all, without the slant of the world's news. Those who worship the God of Israel hear him and obey him, for he will avenge his elect.

Isa 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders and he spoke to them:

John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

If we fear God, we tremble for hunger of his word and speak his word as it is life and truth; then some religious people may break fellowship with you, but if you trust and obey the LORD, you shall be rewarded by him. Saul of Tarsus thought he was serving God when he rounded up Christians, but when he saw the light that was Christ Jesus, he became the greatest apostle. We are to continue to shine the light of Jesus in a sin darkened world.

Psa 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Psa 34:5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
Psa 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psa 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

From the beginning, man has had to make choices. Will you follow the voices of the world, or hear and follow the voice of the LORD? The world is seeking an earthly paradise their way; through their own thoughts and reasoning and actions. They reject God and Christ Jesus and will be cast out. Those who are of a poor and contrite spirit, who tremble at his word, he will receive in Christ Jesus.

Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

The way to paradise is through the cross of Jesus and his blood spilled to make us clean of sins. The world is becoming more and more evil, but we are not of the world. We must shine as the light of Christ, even if this may result in persecution while saving some from the fire.

2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Tim 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2 Tim 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,...

We please God, not man.

The Voice From Jerusalem

Isa 66:6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompense to his enemies.

The LORD speaks from His temple in Jerusalem; He will recompense, fully pay back his enemies for their sins.

Deu 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

When we stray from the LORD our path is slippery; we will soon fall. Yet, we must get up and by faith, continue in our walk with the LORD.

Isa 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
Isa 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

The things of God are contrary to our ways. We seek God our way, but after years of struggling, we are broken with a sorrowful heart and suddenly the LORD sees us and we respond to his call, we are touched and changed. Through Jesus we become new creations.

Isa 66:9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

I see in this that often God's people want things to happen before the time. They are impatient and when times of travail come, through much suffering, through much prayer, the LORD will deliver. We expect it to be quick and easy. When he comes, things Will move quickly. When Zion turns to the Lord with a whole heart there will be miraculous changes; the curses broken and freedom shall come, through Christ Jesus. Spiritual Jerusalem gives birth without pain:

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.

There is a separation of time of 2000 years in this verse of promise. It seems like a long time to us, but as nothing to the LORD; by faith it is assured. Can you see Jesus at his return? Can you see by faith that Lucifer will be bound and cast into a bottomless pit for a thousand years? This will happen as shown in the Revelation. Suddenly the tempter is removed and we live under the perfect Word of God. The Word of God will be taught, lived and honored and we shall live in peace. We wait and wait, generation after generation, by faith in the promises of God. Suddenly the curses are reversed, we live in a righteous world and Jesus is our King. At last and it will be worth it all.

Isa 66:10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
Isa 66:11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

The glory of Jerusalem shall be the presence of God's son. The time of the Gentile rule is over. Those Gentiles who receive the LORD shall be saved with the believing Jews.

Isa 66:12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
Isa 66:13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

The Lord is our comfort, he has given us the comforter, the Holy Spirit, but when he returns he will also be our comfort. We shall see him as he is.

Isa 66:14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.

We may suffer for a time, but it will be worth it. The Lord suffered much for us.

Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He shall rule with an iron rod keeping the peace and He is our gentle shepherd.

Judgement Day

Isa 66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
Isa 66:16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
Isa 66:17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

This is similar to the account in Revelation

Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Rev 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Rev 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
Rev 16:18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
Rev 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
Rev 16:20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
Rev 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Rev 17:2 With whom the kiings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Isa 66:18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

When the Lord comes back to Jerusalem, the armies of the nation shall be destroyed with those practicing false religions, spiritual fornications under the trees. Evil will be separated from the remnant of God.

Isa 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

Missionaries will be sent to the nations, to Tarshish (Spain, France and Italy), Pul and Lud, probably represent Africa. Tubal is the region of Russia and Javan is Greece as well as the far off lands. Although these lands had been evangelized in the past, they may have fallen away, as predicted in the time of the antichrist. His time will be over at the appearing of the Lord. In Europe and even in the United States, there is a spirit of antichrist and once great churches are now empty. Always there is a remnant, even in great compromising churches who no longer preach the gospel. When the Lord comes all will hear of his glory. We now are to preach the glory of the Lord, it is our Great Commission.

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
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 always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

If we are raptured, there will be almost no one to tell the nations of the glory of the Lord, until the LORD commissions the 144,000 Jews from the twelve tribes.

Rev 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Isa 66:20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
Isa 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levities, saith the LORD.

An offering of living souls as in Romans 12.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

From those saved Jews and Gentiles shall come priests and Levites, servants of the LORD.

Isa 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

2 Pet 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

The priests and Levites of old were to prepare for and keep the sabbaths and new moons. Some of these early forms of worship may be practiced during the Millennium as a remembrance and as a fulfillment.

1 Chr 23:31 And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:
1 Chr 23:32 And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.

Jesus is the substance of the holy days. He is LORD of the Sabbath.

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

No longer will worship be a shallow ritual, but all will worship God from a heart filled with His Spirit and His truth in His presence.

Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

As the citizens of Nazi Germany were to look upon the mass graves and the pitiful condition of the Jewish prisoners, so in the time of Christ's return will the nations look upon the millions of slain in Armageddon. Those in Christ shall live forever in the coming new heaven, but those who oppose him will be cast into the lake of fire, where the worm dieth not.

Mark 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

This concludes our study of Isaiah, 66 books as there are 66 books of the Bible. They are to show us our need to obey God and to follow him until we are reconciled to God. The end result of our journey will be heaven or hell. We are warned throughout the Bible to follow God, to only fear God, to stay the course, for it is in preparation for eternity. May our life count for good in His purpose and may our faith and obedience bring us eternal life in Christ Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Isaiah 65
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