How does God describe the righteous?
(Isaiah 65-66; Mal. 4:1-3; Rom. 10:20-21; Rev. 19:6-7; 21:1-4) Blog 21-27 Mar. 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: After confronting the hypocrisy of God’s covenant bride and giving direction to the leaders of Judah, Isaiah encouraged God’s people with promises of a glorious future brought in by a Divine Deliverer who through final judgment would bring salvation to the remnant of his people. God’s tender concern for his bride is based on the everlasting covenant that he made with her at creation. In chapter 40, Isaiah displays God’s omnipotent power and wisdom before introducing his chosen Deliverer in chapters 41-45. After pointing out the uselessness of other “gods” in chapters 46-48, he assures God’s people that Jesus, as God’s elect, will keep the covenant for the people, providing freedom for those captive to sin. Chapters 50-53 reveal that through suffering Christ will accomplish redemption and chapters 54-58 proclaim God’s covenant of Love, whose sign is the Sabbath. Then future history is outlined in chapters 59-61, presenting God’s final judgment that brings the blotting out of sins, the sealing of God’s people, and the perfecting Latter Rain. The marriage of the Lamb is depicted in chapter 62 followed by Christ’s second coming in glory and vengeance in chapters 63-64. Now what should we expect as Isaiah ends this litany of events?
Two Classes (Isaiah 65:1-25; 62:5; Deut. 32:20-25; Rom. 10:19-21; Rev. 7:17; 21:1-4)
1. To whom is God speaking in Isaiah 65:1? To his people, Israel.
2. How does the Apostle Paul apply the words of Isaiah 65:1-2? Paul applies these verses to rebellious Israel showing that the Gentiles would come to the light of the Gospel while the nation Israel is content on doing ceremonies without true faith.
3. According to Isaiah 65:5 in what was Israel trusting that was like smoke in God’s nostrils? They were trusting in their own righteousness & not in the righteousness with which God wanted to cloth them.
4. Who does God say will inherit his holy mountain? Jesus, the Seed of Jacob, & all who become elect through faith in him – his servants.
5. Who does God say will be hungry, thirsty, ashamed, sorrowful, and vexed in spirit? Those that forsake the Lord.
6. What promise does God give to the believing remnant of his people? That for them he will create “new heavens & a new earth” that will be an eternal joy to Jerusalem, his saved remnant.
7. Where in the book of Revelation are the two thoughts of Isaiah 65:19 repeated? In Revelation 7:17 the 144,000 are promised no more weeping & in Revelation 19:6-7 Jesus & the Father rejoice over the bride in the marriage of the Lamb.
8. How does Isaiah 65 picture life on the earth made new? As long-lived with building houses & planting vineyards, with no ferocity among the animals & no hurt or pain.
The Final Conflict (Isaiah 66:1-19; Deut. 32:20-25; Rom. 9:28-33; 2 Thes. 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:7-10; Rev. 13:16-17; 14:11-13)
9. While contrasting the fate of the wicked and the righteous in Isaiah 66, how does God describe the righteous? As poor, contrite, & trembling at his Word.
10. To what kind of people does God say he will send strong delusions? To those that refuse to answer his call & love evil rather than the truth.
11. What are Isaiah 66:7-9 trying to teach us? That the final conflict for God’s people will be severe like birth pangs but short-lived for God “will finish his work & cut it short in righteousness.”
12. What metaphor does God use to describe Jerusalem? That of a mother who feeds & comforts her children.
13. What natural element do Isaiah and Peter say God will use for the destruction of the wicked? Fire spreading like a whirlwind.
14. Just as Jesus wrote to the seven churches of Revelation what does Isaiah say he also knows about the wicked? Their works & their thoughts.
15. What does the book of Revelation call the sign of Isaiah 66:19 with which God marks the wicked for destruction? The mark of the beast.
The Deliverance of God’s People (Isaiah 66:19-24; Malachi 4:1-3)
16. What will those rescued from the nations do when they believe the truth of the Gospel? They will rush out to the unsaved & bring many into God’s church just before probation closes.
17. What titles does God give to the saved in the New Jerusalem? Priests & Levites & in Revelation 1:6 “kings & priests.”
18. What two worship celebrations does Isaiah say will continue eternally in the new heavens and new earth? The Sabbath & the New Moon.
19. According to the last verse of Isaiah and the first three verses of Malachi 4, what will be the final end of the wicked? They shall be burned up & become ashes under the saint’s feet, for while they die the eternal death their worm nor their fire do not die.