God always wanted Israel to be a witness to the nations of the world!

Isaiah tells us that repeatedly.

“I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, FOR A LIGHT OF THE GENTILES.” Isaiah 42:6

“And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I WILL ALSO GIVE THEE FOR A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES, that thou mayest be my SALVATION unto the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6

As does the New Testament: “For so hath the Lord commanded us(the Jews), saying, I HAVE SET THEE TO BE A LIGHT OF THE GENTILES, that thou shouldest be for SALVATION unto the ends of the earth.” Acts 13:46

Now, today in our Text … this “goal” indeed becomes a “reality!

Isaiah 60:2-6 … “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. 5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. 6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.”

Wow!

God’s Glory upon Israel, a newly saved people!

And Israel’s radiance, brightness, (inherited from Jesus) glory … will draw these people (Gentiles) to the Saviour!

Even the last few scattered (dispersed) children of Israel … will come home! Home to the Lord, finally! (The sweet “prodigal son” story fulfilled before the eyes of the whole world!)

Israel no longer downtrodden, browbeaten … but encouraged!

Even bringing “gifts” to Israel … these Gentiles will do! When a person meets Jesus … adoration and worship and gift-giving always follows!

And the Text today ends with them all “living happily every after!”

“And they shall show forth the praises of the Lord!”

Wow!

I could never subscribe to so-called “Replacement Theology,” which wrongly asserts that God is through with Israel! That the Church has become the new Israel .. and has usurped all the Promises God made to Abraham and his people!

No!

Not in the light of the Book of Isaiah!

God’s House … again in Israel, the Temple!

Isaiah 60:7, the verse we didn’t yet discuss …“All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.”

Flocks and rams … to sacrifice!

Altars on which to do so, being remembrancers (memorials) of the Cross of Calvary!

At the “House of God’s Glory!”

A rebuilt Millennial Temple!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Isaiah 60 is phenomenal!

One of the greatest chapters so far, in all the Isaiah Corpus.

For this reason, I plan to invest several Lessons covering these 22 verses. All of which are well worth studying.

But for today, just verse 1.

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” This was one of my “memory verses” as a boy, back when we were taught to “hide” God’s Word in our hearts.

I guess that Statement (a compound sentence) could be made by everyone who has ever been saved, in a sense.

The “Light” came to me, for sure!

God’s “Glory” arose!

Both Terms being names/titles for Jesus Christ my Saviour!

But “in context” (in its proper, overall setting in the Book of Isaiah) the verse refers to the little nation of Israel. Maybe even to Jerusalem particularly.

One commentary I noticed says the verse heads a chapter mostly concerned with “Zion’s Glory.” Remember Isaiah 59:20 … “The Redeemer shall come to ZION.”

Upcoming verse 14 also says: “… and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The ZION of the Holy One of Israel.”

Wow!

The Text again: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.”

God’s “Glory” is well defined as “the sum total of all His Essence, His Attributes!” His Mega-Majesty … visible to human sight!

And God’s Glory in Scripture generally “radiates” Light, great Light! As in the future New Jerusalem … “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them LIGHT: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22:5

In view of such great Jesus “Light” and “Glory” … what is Israel to do?

“Arise!”

No longer be lethargic. Get busy for the Lord! The command also has the inherent idea of being “established, confirmed” in what one believes and does.

But also “shine!”

Certainly implying that God’s Light is so influential, so penetrating … that we share in its luminosity!

It (He) changes us!

Recall 2 Corinthians 3:18 here. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, ARE CHANGED into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

In conclusion …

Two clear imperatives … “arise” and “shine” … duties which are resultant upon God’s Glory coming to mankind, to lost souls.

Oh Jerusalem, what a “bright” future you have … all because of Jesus!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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There is something “climatic” happening here, at the end of Isaiah chapter 59. Another Bible Account of the salvation of Israel, a miraculous Event indeed!

“18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. 19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. 20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. 21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.” Isaiah 59:18-21, where I have left the verse numbers in place for a reason, for clarity.

Some day (at the end of the Tribulation) Israel’s enemies will meet the final, furious (yet Holy) Wrath of Almighty God! Verse 18 … “According to their deeds, accordingly He (God) will repay, fury to His adversaries, recompence to His enemies; to the islands He will repay recompence.” For God it is now “pay-back” Time. Note that Israel’s enemies are now God’s enemies too!

And when God’s people see this … such Deliverance … as a consequence: “So shall they (Israel) fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun.” Verse 19a … Salvation has come! “Fearing God’s Name” is an Old Testament way of saying … “Trusting our Lord.” This is the very Moment of which Paul the Apostle spoke long ago … “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” Romans 11:26

Then back to the Battle (Armageddon) for a Line of Scripture: “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” The Holy Ghost as Warrior! That Hebrew noun for “standard” (spelled “nus”) means (at its root) “to make to flee!” Routing these Jew haters! Death to multitudes!

Now verse 20 … you till me. Is this salvation, or not, national salvation? “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.” The “Redeemer” is Jesus! “Turning from transgression” is an example of old-fashioned repentance, too!

We’ve just read Isaiah’s Rendition (one of them) of the Second Coming of Jesus to earth! As is more fully described in Revelation 19:11-21.

And this coming salvation for God’s “chosen nation” is ETERNAL! Verse 21 proves such. “As for Me, this is My covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.”

Talk about Revival!

No wonder they sing … “Some golden daybreak, Jesus will come!”

Perpetual redemption!

And tomorrow’s chapter (Isaiah 60) will even more gloriously tell the Story! After this Momentous Salvation Experience … “better days ahead” for the little nation Zechariah calls “the apple of God’s Eye!”

Join us in the morning!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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It is one of the most startling things Isaiah ever said, in a way. Just a clause from a single verse, too!

“Truth is fallen in the street.” Isaiah 59:14c

In fact, we live in a world today that even denies the existence of truth!

It is, anymore, sort of a self-defined thing. Or so they’re telling us down at the University!

Truth, as a concrete and absolute and eternal Entity … has indeed “fallen” in America. Even in places of leadership, so-called.

In Hebrew, “truth” is spelled “emeth.” It means “that which is firm, faithful, reliable, established,” and most importantly, “right” in the Eyes of God!

The verb “is fallen” (spelled “kashal”) means “to stumble, stagger, fall down, become feeble, be overthrown,” or even “decay.”

And the phrase “in the street” suggests this murder has occurred in the public places of a society. No longer is this travesty reserved for “closed door” situations! This denial of truth has indeed come “out of the closet.”

Nowadays a person has the “right” to decide if he (or she) is a girl (or a boy)! Or decide if the unborn baby is a “real” person or not, perhaps just a blob of tissue!

Yes, truth has fallen in America!

But, wait a minute.

What does the Bible say about truth?

Jesus claimed one day, praying to His Father as He did so … “THY WORD IS TRUTH!” (John 17:17)

Actually our Lord claimed even more than that! Him again, preaching: “Jesus saith unto him, I AM the way, THE TRUTH, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Wow!

In Psalm 119:43 the Scripture we hold so dear is unashamedly called “the Word of Truth!”

Later that great chapter proclaims: “Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.” (Verse 151)

According to Psalm 138:2, TRUTH BELONGS TO GOD. “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for THY TRUTH.”

Yes, truth may be fallen in the street … but I am going to keep a place for it in my heart!

I am going to still take God’s Word and God’s Son and God’s Ways as absolute Truth!

By the way, the Holy Spirit Who inhabits every single Christian … is Biblically called “The Spirit of TRUTH!”  (John 15:26)

Let Jesus speak one more time this morning: “Nevertheless I tell you the TRUTH ….”  (John 16:7)

Or … “If it were not so, I would have told you!” (John 14:2)

That’s good enough for me!

I will build my life around the Revelation of God’s Truth … the precious Word of God!

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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It is often the “missing” element in today’s ecumenical scene, at least in the West (including the United States). The two-word Title to today’s Lesson: “BOLD PREACHING!”

Notice I did not necessarily say “mean Preaching!” But I am talking about preaching (what Paul the Apostle called) “all the Counsel of God!” (Acts 20:27)

Yes, the whole Bible, as in “Preach the WORD; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2)

Not just the “sweet” Spots … the entire Word of God!

Now to today’s Text, Isaiah’s bold proclamation: “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-2

God’s “Hand” is a symbol of His Might, His Power, “omnipotence” it is often called.

And It is “NOT shortened!” (Meaning “discouraged” once in the King James Bible!)

He can still “save,” in Hebrew “yasha,” meaning “to serve as Saviour, Deliverer, Avenger, Deliverer!”

His “Ear,” too, is “NOT heavy!”

He can still “hear,” using “shama,” meaning “to listen, to discern” or even “to understand.”

He can still answer prayer!

Then the Text takes an abrupt turn!

BUT … “your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

Here things (during at least part of Isaiah’s Ministry) would have become tense!

Again I observe, “bold preaching!”

“Iniquities” translates the Hebrew noun “avon,” suggesting activities that are “bent, perverted, distorted” in the Eyes of God! Doing things opposite of God’s Way! (“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12 and again word for word in Proverbs 16:25.)

Perverted things like worshipping idols instead of the living God! Perverted things like sacrificing precious boys and girls to some false goddess. (Seems like the innocent little babies always suffer in an extremely wicked age!)

The verb “separated” (in Hebrew “badal,” used only 42 times in the entire Bible) means “to sever, to divide,” or even at times “to withdraw from” Someone! (This is here a participle, indicating an on-going action, a habit or lifestyle.)

Then (parallel to the just used word “iniquities”) “sins” (the much more common “chattaah,” used 296 times in the Old Testament), is derived from a verb meaning “to miss the right way,” to fail to receive/enjoy what God originally intended for you!

Wow! Then, sins are robbers!

But watch what these “sins” have done. They “have hid His Face (the Lord’s Face) from you, that he will not hear.”

Bible proof here … our sins affect God’s Ears, in essence blocking our prayers!

Remember Peter’s admonition? “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; THAT YOUR PRAYERS BE NOT HINDERED.” (1 Peter 3:7, where “hindered” is a Greek verb meaning “to cut off!”)

Yes, Isaiah, you are a bold Preacher, Prophet!

And we Christians are spiritually richer because this Preacher’s “66 Chapters” are in the Bible, in the Word of God!

I know I say this often, but these two verses would make a great memory project for some aspiring Bible student!

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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