Who will eternally dwell with everlasting, devouring fire?
(Isaiah 13-35; Eze. 28:1-19; Rev. 19:11-19; ) Blog Jan. 31-Feb. 06, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Through the prophet Isaiah God confronted the hypocrisy of his covenant bride, calling heaven and earth as witnesses of the loss of her first love. Although God promised to punish her unfaithfulness, he also promised to send her a Divine Deliverer through whom “a very small remnant” would be saved by means of his delivering judgment. If God’s people would plead for his forgiving mercy, they would become his wedded spouse forever.
The Fall of False Religion (Isaiah 13-27; Eze. 28:1-19; Rev. 16:12; 18:7-8)
1. According to Isaiah 13 how will God terminate false religion that is represented by proud Babylon? He will separate the righteous from the wicked by a quaking judgment in order that the kings of the east (represented by Cyrus [a type of Jesus] & the Medes) may destroy sin & sinners, leaving Babylon empty.
2. When God’s people are restored to their own land about whom does God give them a proverb? God gives them a proverb against the king of Babylon who glorified himself & was an agent of Lucifer until converted.
3. When the evil prince who inspired Babylon to persecute God’s people is cast down what do God’s people realize? That there remains NO evil power in the universe that will persecute them.
5. How does hell greet Lucifer’s descent into its realm? All earth’s dead leaders arise saying, “Art thou also become weak as we?” & the maggots begin devouring his flesh.
6. What was Lucifer’s position before he fell from heaven? He was the most exalted angel in heaven, even the perfect cherub that covered the ark of the covenant, the wisest & most beautiful of all God’s creatures.
7. In what way did Lucifer allow sin to arise in his heart? By thinking that he was God himself & that he should have a higher position than God had given him, even the throne of God & control of the universe.
8. What characteristic of Lucifer do most of today’s counselors say we need to develop and increase? Self-esteem (which is pride, as opposed to self-worth which is based on Jesus’ sacrifice for our redemption).
God Judges the Nations and his people (Isaiah 14:24-27:13; 1 Sam. 22:3-4; Rev. 12:9)
9. What truth is repeated twice in the last part of Isaiah 14? That God fulfills everything he purposes to do.
10. As God’s punishment of Moab for his pride is described in Isaiah 15 and 16 what respite does he also give to some of God’s outcasts? Moab shelters God’s outcasts from the face of the spoiler, like he protected David’s parents when he was pursued by King Saul.
11. In Isaiah 17 to what does God liken the remnant of his people? To the two or three olives left in the top branches of an olive tree after it is shaken for harvesting.
12. To where does Isaiah 18 say that the Ethiopians will bring their gifts? To Mount Zion, God’s church.
13. How does Isaiah 19 portray the effect of God’s visitation on Egypt? It will bring civil war producing despair causing the people to turn to spiritism until her life-blood (the Nile River) is dried up leaving nothing for fishermen nor weavers while her wise men become foolish until a remnant seek the God of Judah & worship him who blesses them together with his people Israel.
14. When in Isaiah 20 the prophet walked naked for three years what was he predicting? That Assyria would carry naked captives from Egypt & Ethiopia upon conquering them.
15. Despite having watchmen what does Isaiah 21 describe as happening during a pleasurable feast? The fall of Babylon.
16. In Isaiah 22 when God’s people allow breaches in their protecting doctrinal wall what will God do? He will carry them captive & shake them up for a time until he gives the key to the house of David to his trusted Servant (Jesus) who will be their ultimate Deliverer.
17. For what sin does Isaiah 23 that Tyre and Zidon are punished for seventy years? For the sin of pride.
18. According to Isaiah 24 why does God scatter his people? Because they have transgressed his laws & broken his everlasting covenant.
19. When the Lord brings down the pride of his enemies in Isaiah 25 and 26, what are God’s people doing? They are exalting him & proclaiming his wonderful works who swallows up death in victory & comes to rescue his people.
20. When the Lord punishes Leviathan, that old serpent the Devil in Isaiah 27 what else will he do? He will gather his people out of Assyria (legalism) & out of Egypt (antinomianism) “one by one” & with a great trumpet blast they will come to worship in heavenly Jerusalem.
God Counsels His People (Isaiah 28-35; Acts 3:19; 15:16-17; Rom. 10:19-20; Rev. 19:11-18)
21. In Isaiah 28 how does God say that he will correct the pride of the leaders of his people who are drunk with false doctrine that perverts their judgment? He will raise up a remnant who carefully study (precept upon precept; line upon line) his Word & like hail he will sweep away the proud leaders’ refuge of lies.
22. What does Isaiah 29 say will result when God’s people all fall asleep? God’s messages to them will not be understood but they will seem to be like a sealed book that neither the learned nor unlearned can read.
23. When human wisdom (represented by Egypt in Isaiah 30) is sought by God’s people, what results? Shame, confusion, & reproach come suddenly, just as today come from seeking counsel of a psychologist or psychiatrist.
24. What results does Isaiah 30 say will come if God’s people seek his counsel and patiently wait for him to reply? He will hear their cry for direction & even in adversity will instruct them in the way that they should go. They will cast away their idols & God will abundantly bless & heal them while defeating their enemies.
25. Whom does God invite to be his people in Mount Zion and Jerusalem when the Jews revolt against him? According to Isaiah 31 he invites the Gentiles to occupy the church that he vigorously defends (see Acts & Romans).
26. What does Isaiah 32 say will bring righteousness, peace, and assurance to God’s church? The pouring out of the Holy Spirit.
27. Who does Isaiah 33 say will eternally dwell with everlasting, devouring fire? Those that walk & speak righteously.
28. What scene in Revelation is depicted in detail in Isaiah 34? That of Christ’s destruction of those who oppose his remnant people leaving their dead to be consumed by the birds during the millennium.
29. How does Isaiah 35 picture things when all God’s enemies are destroyed? As a well-watered land producing flowers & healing for every human defect & the redeemed with songs of joy & gladness eternally walking in the way of holiness.