Oh, the impact the Book of Isaiah has had on the New Testament!

On our Christian lives, too, including our “vocabulary.”

And today’s verse furnishes us a prime example …

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6

What confession!

Yet this is from the same writer who records: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

Wow!

But now, I can’t drift … back to our Text for today.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6

The Hebrew adjective “unclean” (spelled “tame,” and pronounced ta-may’)means “defiled” or “polluted.” (The root word’s first use in Scripture records when Shechem “defiled” Jacob’s daughter Dinah, Genesis 34:5.)

And did you notice Isaiah frames the word “righteousness” in the plural number? “Our RIGHTEOUSNESSES, which to us (apparently) appear to be many … are merely (revoltingly) “filthy rags” in God’s Eyes!

“Rags” means “clothing, garments, apparel, robes, vestures,” (dozens of times) … but means “rags” as here only once in the Old Testament!

The adjective “filthy” conveys a powerful word picture. The word is simply spelled “ed” and means “a period of time.” It became to the Jews a word for “menstrual (bloody) cloths!” Which were extremely unclean to the rabbi, to the priest, in Mosaic Law. (Leviticus 15:19 … And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.)

To “fade as a leaf” suggests the state of losing one’s vitality. (The spiritual man who meditates in God’s Word “day and night” will be like a tree whose leaves never fade! Read Psalm 1:1-3.) Isaiah is highlighting the “wages” of sin here.

The noun “iniquities” employs a verb meaning “twisted things, perverted” in the Sight of God! The word is spelled “avon” in Hebrew.

But here (next) is another unique metaphor. Our sins/iniquities being like the “wind!” Strong wind that blows away lots of good things, a cyclonic storm of sinfulness, destroying much in its path!

This single verse provides us a veritable theology of sin (in class this is called “hamartiology”).

Sin which Jesus came to forgive!

Sins which Jesus bore for us on the Cross!

Isaiah 53:6 … All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; AND THE LORD HATH LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL.

In fact, God can even do this with our “filthy rags” and iniquitous wretchedness … “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies BLOT OUT MY TRANSGRESSIONS.” Quoting a repenting David in Psalm 51:1.

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Such sins … all gone!

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“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.” Isaiah 64:4

This is clearly the very verse Paul had in mind as he (much later) wrote: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

At least 66 times is Isaiah so used, his words being reproduced (quoted directly or indirectly) in the New Testament! What an impact!

Sounds like (from today’s Text) that God has “prepared” some great things for His people! In Hebrew “prepared” translates “asah,” a verb meaning “to make, to fashion, to produce, to perform!” While in Greek (Paul’s word) “hetoimazo” which is translated “prepared” means “made fit.” Or simply “to make ready.”

Makes one anticipate God’s Will … positively so … for each child of His, each believer in Jesus!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11 surely expounds this idea too!

And Isaiah hints that no god beside our great (living) God … can do such things! “Oh God, beside Thee!” Beside the God Who so loved the world He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins!

A Hebrew scholar has expressed his thoughts on the verse, Isaiah 64:4, like this: “For from days of old no one has heard, nor has ear perceived, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and acts in behalf of the one who gladly waits for Him.”

Wow!

Heaven must be wonderful!

Our glorified bodies, too!

Not even mentioning the “New Jerusalem” that will be our home eternally!

And all of eternity …“with Jesus!”

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

We can’t even imagine what God has planned for those who love Him! He IS indeed: “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20

Years ago in Book about “Revival” I recall reading a Sermon using Isaiah 64:1 as its Text. These words comprise a prayer to God: “Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.”

As in: “Lord, we need Thee. Please come and help us. Only Thy Presence could ever meet the needs (right the wrongs) in this old sinful world. Thou art our Salvation.”

In our Text today … the verb “wouldest rend” is spelled “qara” in Hebrew, meaning “to tear in pieces.” It can also mean “to make (something) wide or large.” Or “to split asunder!”

The verb “come down” is self-explanatory. “Yarad” means “to descend.” (God did descend one Day, literally, at the Incarnation! Jesus is God “come down” to us!)

Come to think of it, God did “rend the heavens” once as well! When Jesus was baptized! “And straightway coming up out of the water, he (Jesus) saw the heavens opened (the Greek verb schizo, our word “schism,” meaning ‘to tear open’), and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him.”

Wow!

This is Revival, no doubt!

But our verse today, Isaiah 64:1, does NOT directly point to either of the two Jesus Events just described, not precisely. It looks yet further ahead to the Second Coming of Jesus to earth!

I mean “Revelation 19:11” ahead …

John there wrote: “And I saw heaven opened (like a door), and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him (JESUS) was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.”

Jesus, returning to defeat the anti-Christ and the hordes of ungodly people who worship him! Jew haters, every single one!

And then literally, the Old Testament teaches us … when Jesus’ Feet touch earth … “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives SHALL CLEAVE in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” Zechariah 14:4

Yes, the earth will be rearranged when Jesus comes again!

Truthfully … “the mountains will flow at His Presence!” Just like our Text insinuates, promises.

And mark this … when Jesus comes again … TRUE (WORLD-WIDE, GENUINE) REVIVAL WILL HAVE ARRIVED!

Isaiah’s prayer of long ago will have been answered.

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I more and more see why godly people long for that Return, for that Revelation of our dear Lord. And why the Bible closes (Revelation 22:20 with this prayer: “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

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As I read our chapter earlier today, this verse stood out so clearly. This is Israel talking, in the last days, the coming days of great Tribulation I suspect …

“Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.” She is praying here in Isaiah 63:16. At one of her lowest points in all her history!

Look!

She feels she has been torn from her roots! “Father Abraham no longer knows us.” (“Though Abraham be ignorant of us.”) Her heritage is shattered, or at least shattering, she believes. (Her history has been rewritten. A perversion today called “revisionism.” It is happening in America every week, too. They are indeed trying to rob us of our history!)

Israel is also lamenting the fact that her very own people are no longer loyal to her! “Though Israel acknowledge us not.” I am told that in Israel today so many Jewish people despise their own government! And many seem to be against the very preservation (and defense) of the Homeland! And in the United States, some of the most liberal of all politicians and entertainers and Judges (etc.) are ultra liberal, pro PLO, anti-Semitic advocates! Yes, this battle is spiritual, not just intellectual or philosophical, demonic forces are evident!

Things look extremely dark for Israel, in our Text verse today! Again: “Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.”

Wow!

But … though everything human and even familiar seems to be AGAINST her … she has finally realized GOD IS FOR HER!

“Doubtless thou art our father.”

Astounding!

But more than just Father, great as that Relationship is!

“O LORD, art our father, our REDEEMER; thy name is from everlasting.” Redeemer too! This is Salvation, Jesus, Eternal Life … Israel being born again!

And even more good news … God as Father and Redeemer WILL NEVER CHANGE! “Thy Name is from everlasting!”

Amazing! One might even say “eternally secure!”

Folks, there is a verse David penned that “fits” this Text precisely, amplifies and illustrates it so very well! “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” Psalm 27:10

Wow, the LORD Who never fails! !

Israel … finally, trusting Jesus!

THAT DAY WILL COME!

God’s Word is sure.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I am glad to be a Christian!

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Isaiah 63 begins with these words, with two questions. : “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?” (Verses 1 and 2)

Then immediately, these questions are answered. In the First Person, nonetheless!

“I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.” (Verses 3 and 4)

I believe (as do most of the conservative Bible Expositors I have consulted) that this Passage is talking about Jesus! At His literal Second Coming to earth. That Jesus, via the miracle of Bible Prophecy, is speaking!

Jesus, when He “interrupts” the Battle of Armageddon and defeats the Jews’ final enemy/enemies (Satan and anti-Christ and a company of wicked nations). When He returns to the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4) and overwhelms the anti-Semitic nations that surround His people, the Israelites.

His “garments” are soaked in “red,” the blood of the slain! (Blood will flow pretty deeply that Day! See Revelation 14:10, to the “horses’ bridles.”)

He, our Lord, is here “glorious,” in Hebrew “hadar,” meaning “honourable!”

He is also “strong,” in Hebrew “koach,” meaning “firm, mighty.”

In a word picture, Jesus has vigorously “tread the grapes” of God’s Wrath, juice (blood-red) flowing everywhere!

But after considering those two opening questions … THE LORD JESUS HIMSELF RESPONDS, ANSWERS! (Making this Text similar to Psalm 24, another Poem of Victory! An “antiphonal” Poem!)

“I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.” Verse 3, Jesus in righteous, holy Anger!

“His vesture dipped in blood,” Revelation 19:13

No doubt this is the “day of the vengeance of our God,” previously mentioned in Isaiah 61:2.

Verse 4 immediately adds, in proof: “For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.”

It’s time to “deliver, saved” Israel!

To deal with her congregated enemies!

We have long seen Jesus the Saviour!

Now meet Jesus the Warrior!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Israel’s true, final DAY OF ATONMENT!

The Lord willing, more tomorrow.

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