The Tribulation first, then the Millennium … that’s the Biblical Order. Based on a literal reading of the Book of Revelation, the Book of Zechariah, the Book of Isaiah, the Book of Jeremiah, and the list has just begun!

“The time of Jacob’s Trouble,” a phrase used in Jeremiah 30:7 … followed by the time when “the Lord will be King over all the earth,” quoting Zechariah 14:9.

Wow!

Well, today’s Text highlights (emphasizes) this sequence. Graphically so in my estimation.

“For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.” Isaiah 54:7-8

It almost speaks for itself, doesn’t it?

Obviously, God is the Author, the Speaker.

“A little wrath” (the Tribulation, comparatively so) followed by “everlasting kindness” (the Millennium)!

But note that the Millennium (the time of Kindness) is here NOT limited to a thousand years. It is now said to be “eternal!”

This kind of analogy reminds me of Paul. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 … a “little” suffering here … a “ton” of Glory over yonder!

But why the Tribulation, all that trouble, God’s wrath … anyway?

I believe to humble Israel, to bring her to repentance … to put her under conviction … all of which leads to her salvation!

In microcosm, Isaiah 66:8 … “For as soon as Zion travailed (the Tribulation), she brought forth her children (New Birth, Millennium, Salvation).

Zechariah 12:12 … the Tribulation … “And the land shall mourn (under conviction for sin), every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart.” (Here’s Genuine Brokenness, Sorrow.)

Then immediately … Zechariah 13:1 … “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” Salvation, Jesus returning, sin forgiven!

Comparatively speaking … “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

Hallelujah for Israel!

And we New Testament believes will be eye-witness to this Majesty!

Hallelujah for the Church!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Isaiah (the whole Book generally and chapter 54 specifically) is sort of like (regarding the Millennium) peeling a sweet onion! Each new layer reaches/reveals more “meat” and gets nearer and nearer to the central “core”, the very “heart” of the matter!

And today’s Text is no different.

“Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” Isaiah 54:4-5

What a “reversal” from Israel’s checkered history …

No longer fearful! (Does that not somehow imply peace?)

No longer ashamed!

No longer confused!

No longer a widow, poor and alone!

No longer considered a “blight” on society, a “useless” people, a “freak” of nature!!

These few foregoing sentences sum the Text’s first half … “Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.”

But why?

Who cares anyway?

Martin Luther, echoing (or maybe even determining) the Reformation’s attitude toward them, called the Jews … “a base, whoring people, that is, no people of God, and their boast of lineage, circumcision, and law must be accounted as filth.” (Quoted from his Book “On the Jews and their Lies.”) There’s much more: They are full of the “devil’s feces … which they wallow in like swine.” Their synagogue was (according to Luther) a “defiled bride, yes, an incorrigible whore and an evil slut.”

Is that shame enough, especially when heaped upon them by a churchman? (Martin Luther is NOT my hero, not by any means!) Hitler used some of these nefarious lines to promote his brand of anti-Semitism!

Yes, that was Israel’s legacy for many years, decades, centuries! And nobody cared!

Well … I’ll tell you Someone Who does care about His people, His little “chosen nation” … God Himself cares!

He (during the Millennium) will remove all that blight from the Jewish Nation! (From “the apple of His Eye,” called such four times in Scripture, Israel is.)

The rest of today’s Text … the “Meat/Heart” of it … “For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” Isaiah 54:5, notice the Titles here!

God is Israel’s “Maker!” In essence, Creator!

And her “Husband!” (Then she is a widow no longer!)

And her “Defender,” not as plain in the Passage but there! “The Lord of Hosts” is literally “the God of the armies!” Look it up …

And her “Redeemer,” having bought her unto Himself with His precious Blood!

And I’ll add, her “Sanctifier,” as the “Holy One” of Israel!

Then also, to the earth’s other Millennial inhabitants … He is the “God of the whole planet!”

Truly, a world Ruler!

If I am reading this right, taking Isaiah literally … the Millennium will be wonderful for Israel, her believing remnant!

And we who are alive today, having trusted Jesus as Saviour, having been saved, born-again … will at that time (during the “Millennium”) also be “with the Lord,” right near His side I assume.

According to Paul, anyway … “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD.” Quoting 1st Thessalonians 4:13-17, King James Version.

“Ever with the Lord!”

What comfort!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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We will soon be out of the Book of Isaiah, though that man of God wrote more about the Millennium that I ever realized. Relatively soon we’ll be in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, both rather loquacious our subject.

In the meantime, here’s our Text: “Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.” Isaiah 54:1-3

If taken literally, which intend to do, today’s Lesson title is pretty accurate. Bearing children mean the world to ancient Israel. They held to this Bible ethic: “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.” And a quiver could hold lots of arrows, Psalm 127, but just some excerpts.

So at least God is promising that in the Millennium fertility (childbearing) will increase, apparently exponentially. (In the Millennium? Yes, all of chapter 54 seems to be oriented toward that coming Golden Age.)

But Isaiah is describing motherhood and fatherhood that brings real joy, not dismay.

Is the curse going to be lifted, about bearing children with great pain? (Remember back in Genesis 3:16, God to Eve: “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children.)

Now, if I am reading our Text correctly, not even any “labor” (or “travail”) in childbirth!

By the way, if this delightful scene is perchance “symbolic” in some way … “spiritual offspring” being in view, Israel finally being a “light” to the gentiles and many heathen being saved … it is all the more glorious!

But what the second half of today’s Text, about “enlarging one’s tent?” That series of “word pictures” is at least an indication of coming prosperity and peace and welfare for the Jewish people. A building program … having enough children, that becomes a necessity, I’d say. More room!

Read the yet Text again, that “expansion” part … “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.”

“Break forth,” in Hebrew spelled “paratzs,” means “to burst,” the reason I chose the noun “explosion” in the title up above.

So many Jewish “seed” (offspring) that the little Nation herself cannot house them all, seems to me. They will be given once “desolate cities” to rebuild and inhabit! (A true “urban renewal” Program!)

God’s Promises to Abraham truly have not been forgotten! “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.” Genesis 15:18, among other places! (This plat describes a lot of geography, a lot of real estate!)

Is Jesus so coming again, this majestically?

Yes.

If not, how do we interpret Passages such as Isaiah 54, only a little portion of which we’ve discussed this morning?

Coming again to rule the world!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

The Lord willing, more tomorrow.

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Throughout the whole Bible the great Jewish “Exodus” from Egypt is celebrated. From its initial, miraculous occurrence in the Book of Exodus (chapter 14) virtually until the end of Malachi we hear “echoes” of God’s leading His people to freedom! Against great foes, too.

As an example, Scripture in places portrays the return from Babylon as another Exodus. And there is even reason to believe that one of the Gospels (Mark) may have undertones of the “Exodus” experience through the Life of Jesus, a greater than Moses! Jesus, the Real Liberator!

And I am sure this morning that in our Text we see it again, hints of the Exodus! Except now it is the Lord inviting His people (whomever they might be, Jews foremostly I suspect) to “exit” this filthy world (those vile nations) and “separate” themselves … retuning to the Lord Jesus Christ (the new world Leader) during the Millennium.

Isaiah 52:11-12 … “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.”

I see four times the verbal unit “go out” is used in this short Pericope. (The very definition of “exodus!”)

I think the Apostle Paul quoted (or at least alluded) to this Passage in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 … “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

But now (in today’s context) the Jews are not leaving Egypt … they are leaving their cubbyholes and hiding places and caves of refuge (wherever they could seclude themselves during the anti-Christ’s reign of terror, the great Tribulation) … running unto Jesus their Emancipator (in more ways than one)!

In other words, “sanctify yourselves.” (A word “string” used 8 times in the Old Testament.) Clean up!

Bearing “the vessels of the Lord?” Yes, God’s intent for the Jews from day one! (God speaking to Israel back near the first Exodus … “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” Exodus 19:6, and though we’ve not studied it yet, Isaiah 61:1 … “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God.”

Wow!

But the real point (the heart) of today’s Lesson … my intent when I first sat down here to type … was this nugget from our Text … “For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.”

Again for emphasis, as the Jews “come home” during the Millennium, to Israel … “For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.”

No rush, no danger (for the first time in years and years and years) … because they will have an Escort! A Protector! A body Guard!

The Lord Himself … will go ahead of them!

And will be behind them, too … “their rereward.” (In English … protecting them from the “rear.”)

Hallelujah!

Surrounded by the Lord!

Surely you’ve heard, Exodus language by the way … “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.”

Isaiah 54:17 in real life … “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”

What promises!

And if God has all this planned for repentant Israel … think how well He has already cared for us, part of His very Body, Bride, Church!

Ahead of me, behind me, underneath me (His everlasting Arms), over me (from Heaven) plus on my right hand and left!

Comforting!

I will close today with Psalm 34:7. Someone memorize it please. “The angel of the LORD ENCAMPETH ROUND ABOUT them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

Glory!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Isaiah 52 is just one of those great chapters, largely Millennial in nature. And that special “Clause” I just mentioned in the Lesson Title is found there.

I’ll show you. Isaiah 52:9-10 … “Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”

And the Clause you have in mind, Brother Bagwell?

THE LORD “HATH MADE BARE” HIS HOLY ARM!

We had a beloved teacher back in Bible College days who prayed with us students nearly every day. Not simply praying with us in the classroom, though every session in that sweet place did begin with a word of prayer. I mean in his office, before or after school, he’d call a handful of us together … and we would PRAY!

I shall never forget those days!

Praying for lost souls!

Praying for the little Churches we pastored!

Praying for the school!

Praying for people, any requests we knew!

Praying for ourselves, for spiritual growth!

Intercessory prayer, mostly!

A Christian discipline (prayer) that might be better “caught” than “taught!”

If so, Dr. Henry was a “carrier!”

I can hear him now; “O Lord, make bare Thy Mighty Arm,” move in this situation we pray!

It’s a word picture taken from our Text today, Isaiah 52:10. Again, “The LORD HATH MADE BARE HIS HOLY ARM in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”

Praise His Name!

In context here, a Millennial Clause!

A depiction of God really getting into a matter! To the point of “rolling up His sleeves” and applying Himself with all His Might!

It’s an “anthropomorphism,” I know. (Assigning God a human like action, to better understand/comprehend Him!)

But a pretty one, a Bible one, an inspired (inerrant) one!

The rest of today’s Two Verse Pericope is pretty self-explanatory. “Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”

Singing. joy, comfort, redemption!

All signs I think that God has indeed “rolled up His sleeves” and … returned to earth and defeated evil and established His Throne and begun His 1,000 Year Reign! (The Millennium!)

Wow!

Do you have a problem today, a real tough situation?

If so, invite God to move in … make bare His Mighty Arm … and make things right!

The God who challenges (really, here He commands) us: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee GREAT and MIGHTY things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3

“Great and mighty things” …

In the doing of which God undoubtedly (though figuratively) flexes His Muscles! Takes off His Coat and rolls up His sleeves … and does His Work!

What a gracious God we serve!

An involved God!

“Making bare that almighty Arm!”

All of which challenges me to go find a room … and pray!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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