Today’s two Verses introduce, I think, an element of negativity. Yes, even during Jesus’ coming 1,000 year rule on earth!
“In righteousness shalt thou (Israel) be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.” Isaiah 54:14-15
True, it will be a time of “righteousness,” like the world has never before seen. For God’s people (again, Israel primarily) no “oppression!” Neither any “fear” nor “terror!”
BUT … looks like there is still the possibility of some kind of opposition! Though held “in check.”
One might wonder, “How can this be?” After all … “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled.” Revelation 20:1-3 promises this for sure!
No “devil” and yet …
Back to Isaiah 54, that last half of our Text … “Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together AGAINST THEE shall fall for thy sake.” Verse 15, “against thee” … against God’s subjects, the recently born-again Israelites!
They (the rebels) will attempt to confront the Jews, now saved by Grace Jews, but they “shall fall!” Coup unsuccessful!
Then two verses later in Isaiah 54, confirmation … “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.” Undoubtedly there will be some opposition … using “weapons!” But to no ultimate avail!
Man’s heart (multitudes will have been born during the Millennium, apparently not all believing in Jesus as Saviour) is inherently wicked, we’re talking about “natural” men here.
And even apart from Satan’s influence (him being detained) … a few reprobates hate the Lord and His kingdom citizens!
Yes, during the Millennium, some static! But not after the great White Throne Judgment … and not after “New Jerusalem” comes down from God out of Heaven!
Just for a peek, back to Revelation 20 … “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be LOOSED out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 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. And I saw a great white throne ….” Verses 7-11, truly amazing!
Even the Millennium, due to the hardness of some men’s hearts … ends in battle! But a battle which finally hands defeat and eternal torment to the Devil!
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
We’ve glanced at a great “time span” this morning, many centuries. But that’s just an example of how “up-to-date” our Bible really is!
Wow!
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