JanMary

Q6. (Isaiah 66:22-24). Why do you think eternal punishment is mentioned at the end of such a glorious prophecy as Isaiah? Even during the glorious Millennial reign on earth, the people born during that time will still have free will, as we have. Though hard to fathom, there will be those who "choose not to be chosen" and will instead choose eternal life apart from Him, in hell. Why is the enduring, eternal kingdom mentioned? Because that is the final end for everyone....either in eternity with the Lord, or in eternity in hell with Satan and all who rejected His gift of salvation. Who will be included in this kingdom? Every soul who responded to Jesus's gift on the cross for them, Jew and Gentile alike, and all of the Old Testament saints who looked forward to the Cross. Who will be excluded from it? Every soul who chose to reject Jesus....and those Old Testament folks who chose to go their own way apart from God.

Q5. (Isaiah 66:1-4) If God prescribed temple worship in the Pentateuch, why does he seem to prohibit it in 66:3? When Jesus died on the cross and cried "It is finished!" He had fulfilled every jot and tittle of the law, fulfilled every requirement of God's justice and punishment/ wrath regarding sin. He ushered in again the age of Grace (He is the person of Grace) which existed before the law was given at Mt Sinai. We will worship Him with no need for symbols and temples which were the foreshadowing of His earthly reign as Sovereign Lord, eternal King, Savior! (Our bodies are now His temple) What is missing from their worship? The indwelling Holy Spirit. They are hypocrites, putting on a facade to appear to be worshipping. Have you ever had this element missing from your worship? Years ago during a time of rebellion and sin, I showed up at church, sang the songs, but the barrier I'd erected in my heart, prevented true heart worship, though I probably appeared to be worshipping. (impossible to do while blocking Holy Spirit's presence) What kind of heart is God looking for (66:2)? He is looking for ones who are of a broken or wounded spirit who tremble and revere His Word! (Those who know we need Him every minute of every day...for the next breath, rather than hypocrites and Pharisees who focus on the idolatrous practice of trying to keep the law...which was only meant to mirror our sinfulness to us and our need of a Savior...He is the only One who was able to keep the law perfectly, so we've been set free from that impossibility.

Q4. (Isaiah 65:17-25) Why do you think the final state is referred to as the new heavens and the new earth? God is going to re-create them....the old will pass away and all things will become new! What is new about them? Jesus will reign from His throne in Jerusalem, which will be a place of rejoicing and her people a joy! Satan will be chained up for 1,000 years! There will be an end to war. The thing which amazes me is that though people will still have the choice to make in choosing Jesus' gift of eternal life, and Satan is bound in prison, there will still be those who reject Him, (v 20b) just as when He walked the streets of Israel during His first coming. Which verse talks about the end of pain and sorrow? v.19: No more will the sound of weeping be heard, nor the cry of distress. v 20: No premature death. v23: No more sudden terror or calamity. Which verse mentions instant communication? v 24: Before we call the Lord will answer. While we are still speaking, the Lord will hear. ( I love that His ear is continually tuned to hear our prayers, our every thought, our whispers, our tears. Which verse illustrates the peace of this Kingdom? v.25: The wolf and lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy Mount Zion, says the Lord.