July 12, 2003(33)
SHALL A NATION BE BORN AT ONCE? An event that amazes about to transpire. Who has heard such a thing. Isa. 66:8 Something unimaginable. A sign a portent. An act of the Lord that reveals His majesty and glory. There are four questions asked by the Lord in this verse. The first tells us that this situation has been declared and spoken of until it has become a Word of prophecy, which will be fulfilled by the Lord. Its message has been proclaimed openly in the scriptures, foreshadowed in type and symbol and is for the last days. Who has ever seen such things? The event to be seen, to be visible, as well. In this particular case something that has never been before. The preparation of the Lord staggers the imagination. His accomplishments in the church of the end of the age are far beyond the minor expectations of men. Only through the Word may we begin to catch a glimpse of His mighty works in the end of the age. 1 Cor. 2:9 The Spirit of revelation will open to the church all the mysteries of the Lord. It is not His intent and purpose to keep His secrets from those who love Him. 1 Cor. 2:10 The grand and glorious preparations of the Lord will be fully manifest in those who wait patiently for His Word to be completed in them. Isa. 64:4 Tremendous adventures lie ahead for the Bride of Christ.
A ONE DAY HAPPENING. Shall the earth (or a land, NIV) be born in one day. The context of this chapter in Isaiah must be considered very carefully in order to come to the right conclusion on this matter. The chapter opens with a rebuke to those who would build an edifice for the dwelling place of the Lord. When heaven is His throne and earth is but His footstool, where and how grand must a building be to satisfy His desires. How is it possible to take of the Creators, creation and build to suit Him? Since it is He who brought it all into being in the first place. Isa. 66:1-2 Then it becomes a matter of the style of worship which is used in approaching Him. The man who would build the house offers unacceptable sacrifices which are an abomination to the Lord. There is such an attitude of stubbornness and obstinacy that the Lord said, they have chosen their own ways, their souls delight in their abominations. Is this the people whom the Lord has chosen to reinstate and reestablish a people for Himself in these last days? Hardly. The Lord called unto them, sending His own Son as a witness and testimony of the great grace of the Lord. He was refused and rejected. Isa. 66:3-4 Contrary wise, this is the man to whom, the Lord will give attention. The man who is of a humble nature. One who is contrite, yielding and broken in spirit. A yielded vessel, body, soul and spirit. Then, perhaps that which is most necessary, that which produces the preceding attitude is the fact that the man accepted of the Lord, trembles, filled with an appreciation and reverence of the Word of the Lord. Isa. 66:2 The Lord responds, both to disobedience of the Word and acceptance and appreciation of the Word. To one, it is judgment. To the other life everlasting.