Key verse: V2 “In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely (honouring) for them that are escaped (survivors) of Israel.”
This passage is the shortest chapter but it summarizes the book of Isaiah on prophecies or the events to come, namely, the Great Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom.
1. The Great Tribulation
V1 “And in that day 7 women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach (shame).”
This verse speaks of the Great Tribulation, the period immediately after the rapture or Christ’s return when Christians shall be gathered into heaven with Christ. Those who are left behind are the unbelievers and many are women because most men have died in wars before the rapture. It will be a sad day for them as women outnumber the men and many women are willing to support themselves just to get married to take away their shame.
2. The Millennium Kingdom
V2-4 “In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, ... When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, ...”
The Millennium Kingdom will come after the Great Tribulation and it shall be established in the new holy city of Jerusalem in Israel. During this period, the Devil is bound a thousand years and hence, there is peace on earth.
Revelation 20:2 “And he (the angel) laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,”
Presently, Israel is in turmoil and in constant danger of attacks by her neighbors. However, in the Millennium Kingdom, without the Devil’s wicked and evil influence, the world shall have peace and Israel shall be a glorious and holy city of God.
3. Glory Of Christ
V5-6 “And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, ... all the glory shall be a defence ... And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow ...”
The glory of Christ shall not only be upon His tabernacle but also upon every house in the Millennium Kingdom and we shall reign together with Christ. What a glorious Kingdom it shall be!
2 Timothy 2:12 “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him (Christ): ...”
Revelation 5:10 “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Food for Thought
Are you Ready to Reign with Christ?
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:25 pm
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Key verse: V13 “The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.”
1. Food in Short Supply
V1 “For, behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay (supply) and the staff (support), the whole stay of bread, …”
In recent times, the world is facing shortages of rice, water and basic essentials and this is what was prophesied by prophet Isaiah thousands of years ago. Indeed, food and water are from God and let us not waste any of them but consume them for the glory of God.
2. Leaders in Short Supply
V2-3 “The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient (elder), the captain of fifty, and the honourable man, …”
There has been much publicity of leaders of today who lack integrity and moral standards. Many universities are now offering courses on integrity and character building in their curriculum to address this vital issue. Truly, godly leaders are few and far between.
3. Respect in Short Supply
V5 “… the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient (elder), and the base (despised) against the honourable.”
People have no respect for the elderly. They have no time for their elderly parents; not even a simple meal with them. Some even put their elderly parents in old folk homes. The lack of respect extends to them not offering their seats to the elderly on buses, MRTs, etc.
4. Peace in Short Supply
V15 “What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord God of hosts.”
Crimes, violence, robbery, thefts, sexual assaults, family violence, etc., are everywhere and on the rise. People are really living in fear and anxiety and praying for peace to prevail in society and even in their homes.
5. Spirituality in Short Supply
V18 “In that day the Lord will take away the bravery (finery) of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls (scarves), ...”
People are crowding shopping centers buying all kinds of beautiful merchandise they can afford. They are self indulgence and self centered and have no concern for the spiritual things of God.
Food for Thought
Keep a full supply of God when everything is in short supply.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:24 pm
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Key verse: V11 “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.”
Take a moment and truly and seriously reflect upon who or what you worship.
1. Man worships Materialism
V7 “Their land is also full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots:”
In this 21st century and in the year 2008, the silver and gold are our big bank accounts; the treasures are our properties, bungalows, condominiums, stocks and shares; the horses are our Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Mercedes, BMWs, Hondas, Toyotas; the chariots are the highly advanced and sophisticated military weapons. Now there is nothing wrong in our desires for materialism of wealth and possessions but when materialism takes the place of God, it becomes our idol or god.
2. Man worships Religion
V8 “Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:”
Man has created their own religions and man-made gods. They have worshipped them thinking that these idols or gods will help them in their quest and search for the meaning and purpose in life. However, the sad truth is that they are sincerely wrong in seeking religions apart from the true and living God. The God whom we worship is the Creator of this universe and all things including man, and only He alone is worthy of our worship and praise.
3. Man worships Self
V11 “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.”
In this day and age, look around the world, the community, the offices and workplace, the institutions and schools, the churches and homes, and you shall find increasingly, man is worshipping ourselves by the way we spend our time, talents and treasures.
No longer do we seriously investing our time, talents and treasures in God and His church, but instead we are giving most our time, talents and treasures in the pursuit of our career, education, health, sports, family, etc.
Again there is nothing wrong in our desires for improving and upgrading ourselves but when self-love takes the place of God, we become our own idols or gods.
Food for Thought
What do you think daily? What you think and do will reflect who and what you believe and worship.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:23 pm
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As we start on the book of Isaiah, let us understand the role of a prophet. A prophet is a representative of God who speaks of God’s divine Word.
Deuteronomy 18:20 “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.”
The prophet has an awesome responsibility of speaking the Word of God and if he does not, he shall be punished even by death in the hands of an angry God. The equivalent of a prophet in the New Testament is that of a pastor. He must also be careful of what he preaches because God’s punishment shall be upon him if he does not preach the Word.
Titus 1:7-9 “For a bishop ... Holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
As pastors, let us pray that God gives us the wisdom and truth to preach the Word. As Christians, let us pray for our pastors that they preach the Word in truth and wisdom.
1. He Pronounces Judgment
Isaiah 1:2-3 “... they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.”
The prophet Isaiah pronounced the rebellion, wickedness and hypocrisy of the people of God. It is not easy for the pastors to pronounce God’s judgment upon the people but they have to even if they are the most unpopular leaders in the world.
2. He Invites Repentance
Isaiah 1:16-19 “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; ... 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. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:”
The prophet invited the people on God’s behalf to get right with God. There is no sin too wicked and evil that God cannot forgive. God forgives all sins if only we repent.
3. He Gives Hope
Isaiah 1:26 “And I will restore thy judges as at the first, ... thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.”
The prophet showed the people that there is hope and righteousness in God in this hopeless and wicked world if only they trust and obey Him.
Food for Thought
A holy preacher who is skillful in the Word is the best weapon of God.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:22 pm
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