Q1. Devastation

[WinstonY]

Question 4.1

 

“The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants” (5) writes Isaiah.  The whole of creation suffers because of human transgression .  Man in his greed in the past and continuing through the present pollutes the earth with his waste.  The desire for more material wealth than one really needs, the desire to hoard and the desire to treat others in a contemptible fashion leads to a way of life that pollutes the earth.  The wrath of God, that wrath that reacts to the waste, the pollution, the cruelity of people and is a consequence of the everlasting covenant made with Noah for then God said “for your own lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning.” (Genesis 9:5) “For in his own image God made humankind”, (9:6) .  If we are made in God’s image humans are modeled out of perfect clay but in the process the clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand and the pot needs to be repotted by the potter.  (Jeremiah 18:4) Just as God through Jesus creates a new heaven and a new earth humans will put on a new robe, one of righteousness provided by the saving act of Jesus Christ on Calvary.  God is a God who created and is creating now and forever.  

We are threatened because we do not understand the message as it is presented in the Bible.  We do not realize that a new heaven and a new earth is for which we pray when we pray “thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven”. Matthew 6:10) When God’s kingdom comes then it will be life as it is promised in Isaiah 11:6 “the wolf will lie down with the lamb”.  The Messiah will judge with righteousness (11:4) with  the belt around his waist and faithfulness with his belt around his loin ( 11.5) .    This will be a time of thanksgiving and praise and although it will come in God’s time we , while on this earth, are told to love the Lord our God with all our heart and our neighbour as ourselves.  We are to strive to bring good news to the poor and proclaim release for the captives as Jesus proclaimed in Luke 4: 16 - 18.

1 John 2: 15 - 17 does not contradict Isaiah .  John tells us not to love the world as it is (one can read into this that John would and does love the new creation, the new heaven and the new earth, a place where Justice abounds and we are righteousness before God.)  The love of the Father in those who love the world we as Christians, as followers of Yahweh , through the Son are to love justice for all , the widow and orphan, and oppressed and the captives.  When all this comes into being by the hand of the almighty Father then the new creation will abound.  In verse 17 John suggests that his present world of sin and sorrow are passing away and that in the new creation the will of God will be done forever.  

 

 

winstony

[Old Jerry]

The reason for the devastation of the earth is because we have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. This prophecy is important to forming faithful disciples who “fear the Lord” so that we will not conform to the ways of this world.

 

The way that this glitter and glory of man contradict this kind of prophecy is telling us that if we don’t let this world influence us we will be saved.

 

 

[blezed]

What is the reason that Yahweh will devastate the earth (24:5-6)?

1.  Sin and rebellion against God.

 

Why do we feel so threatened by this kind of prophecy?

2.  We are guilty people too.  No one likes to hear about judgment.

 

Why is this kind of prophecy important to forming faithful disciples who “fear the Lord”?

3.  To reminds us of the outcome of our disobedience.

 

In what way does the glitter and glory of man (1 John 2:15-17) contradict this kind of prophecy?
4.  Do not love this evil world.

 

[linda bass]

The reason Yahweh will devastate the earth is because it has been defiled by people's sin and rebellion against God. They have disobeyed His laws, violated His statutes, and broken His everlasting covenant.

We feel threatened by this kind of prophecy because we don't like to think about God judging and destroying the earth.

This kind of prophecy is important to forming faithful disciples who "fear the Lord" because God wants people who will trust Him and be obedient to His will.

The way the glitter and glory of man in I John 2:15-17 contradicts this kind of prophecy is that the people have the attitude that they don't need God. They think they can continue to commit sin and lead Godless lives without facing the consequences of judgment.

[wifee]

1a)Man’s sin&rebellion against God in not living as He has commanded us,and all evil spiritual powers &principalities.The Gentiles are guilty before God, of course (Romans 1-2), but so is the covenant people to whom Yahweh revealed his law on Mount Sinai. Covenants come with curses to those who break them, as is seen in verse 6.

b)Because we look like them."The city -- here the world city, the representative of civilization -- is destroyed in all its urban sophistication and pride.We have polluted the earth,crime is everywhere,we have broken God’s covenant,disobeying His Word,We have left God no choice but to destroy the earth as it is.We will suffer consequences of sin.If we are unsure of our destiny,bound by satan’s lies for our future&we to be saved,we should turn to Jesus,confess of going own path without God &be released,free to live with God for ever.

c)There is still time to get right with God."While feasting and celebration of people on earth will cease (24:7-13), there will be celebration of God's righteous judgments (24:14-16a).This prophecy marks out the hope we can have in Jesus.We need not feel threatened if we have committed to turn&follow Christ as our saviour,trusting in him,living as he asks us in our daily life,the cleansing blood of Jesus has washed our sins away&Jesus will intercede for us at judgement day.,Jesus won the victory over sin for us defeating death on cross&rising again in ressurection power

.d)If we love the things of this world,pride &importance from wealth,buying what we desire,we are deluded by man’s glory&glitter-they are not from God,but from evil world itself &this world is fading away&these forbidden things will perish.

[JoanG]

The majority of the people on earth are sinful and very disobedient to the word of the Lord. He will use the end of time as a great punishment. This will be much more intense than Sodom and Gomorrah. People do not want to think about any kind of destruction. The human mind does not seem to allow people to fear anything with a healthy effect. People seem to take everything to an extreme. I am not convinced that people as a rule really think about their own salvation. I think that they like to live in a bubble of beliefs where the world is okay and nothing will happen to them. People do not want to believe that God would destroy his best creation: Man.

 

The fear of God is another issue. I do not feel that people now really know what it is to fear God. They have personalized him too much. I feel that they might even think that he is just a concept or something that is just there and not really thought about. There are very few people that really even honor God like he should be. They seem to forget that he is even around most of the time, unless they feel a great need in their lives for him. Prayers and thoughts about him seem to be a second thought.

[Commissioned]

 

Q1. (Isaiah 24) What is the reason that Yahweh will devastate the earth (24:5-6)?  Why do we feel so threatened by this kind of prophecy?  Why is this kind of prophecy important to forming faithful disciples who “fear the Lord”? In what way does the glitter and glory of man (1 John 2:15-17) contradict this kind of prophecy? 

 

The reason Yahweh will devastate the earth is due to sin and rebellion against God. We feel so threaten by this kind of prophecy is yhe similarity with this generation,  Today there is sin and rebellion against God. Is there a judgment againt us?  This kind of prophecy is very important to forming faithful disciples who “fear the Lord” because it keeps us sober and grounded in keeping the laws of the Lord.  The glitter and glory of man (1 John 2:15-17) contradict this kind of prophecy because it draws man away from pleasing God.

[Paula Price]

This is the warning that God has assigned to Isaiah to tell his people. The wages of sin is death. God has promised His protection to those who walk in his word and keep his commandments.  The old testament is full of the stories of how God instructed his people to live according to His will and walk with him and keep his commandments and when they did not, they were destroyed, punished and separated from Him.  Man can not serve two masters.  We have to choose who we will serve.. God has always promised His favor on those who trust in him and obey his will and his word. he rewards those of us who do. And for all those who chooses to continue to walk in sin and not obey the will of God, death and destruction will be their master.  All of these questions are asking the same thing and the answer is always the same no matter how it is worded.  The old testament is full of stories of the faithful few who trusted in God and followed him and did what he told them to do.  Even thought the promises would come to pass years and years and generations after, they trusted ad believed that God would deliver on his promises and stayed faithful to his word and doing his will.  There were those who did not live to see the promise but never wavered in the faith that it would come to pass, because GOD PROMISED IT.  Both scriptures, the old and the new, repeat the same promise.  God is to be feared, obeyed, and worshipped.  There is no other god who can promise eternal life.  Those who believe and love and walk with him and keep his commandments are his children and will gain all the promises of the riches in glory with him.  Those who continue to sin and will not obey will be destroyed. Let us not be so caught up in the world and what is going to happen to it,  but focus on what we are expected to do to ensure eternal life with him. Let us continue to lift up the name of Jesus and let our light shine so that others will see our good works and glorify the Father.  Let us continue to testify of his goodness and his faithfulness in our lives so that someone will say, "what must I do to be saved?"

[Paula Price]

1 John 2 tells us that we are not to love the things of this world for they are sinful and anyone who loves sin, does not love God.  the ways of the world are to please man and self.  We were created in the image of God, to worship and do his will.  We were created for his pleasure, not our own.  We were created to do His will and not our own. Did man speak and create the universe?  the earth is the Lord's and the fullness there of, the world and all that dwells there in.  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every word into judgement with every secret thing whether it be good or evil.    This is His promise.......  Do you believe???  We are all held accountable for our own actions and when we die, that is our judgment day, to stand before God and be judged.  It does not matter if we think now that that time will come in the future.  When we die there is no more future.  that future is when our spirit leaves our bodies at that time and it is up to how we lived that determines our future....did we live unto the Lord?  did we keep his commandments???  While we live and have our being, while there is still breath and blood running through our veins.  Let us walk holy and righteous before our God now, and then we need not be concern about where we will spend the future, for we have his promise of where that will be.

[RebeccaL]

On 8/2/2013 at 5:58 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (Isaiah 24) What is the reason that Yahweh will devastate the earth (24:5-6)?  Because God’s people, chosen and Gentile, have been rebellious and not kept the Covenant.

 

Why do we feel so threatened by this kind of prophecy? A non-believer would chalk this up to nonsense, but a small part of them would wonder if they were wrong. They would think about all the ways they haven’t been “good” and wonder, “If there is a God, would I be destroyed because I haven’t been “good”?” It’s childish but it’s the way we begin to learn, and that’s ok. I have learned that God looks in our hearts. That bad things happen to faithful people just as they do to non-believers because our God is not a tit-for-tat kind of Being. All things are working towards Love. But all this is hidden from non-believers and prophecies like this are scary and threatening. It’s one way to get them to think and ask questions, and hopefully they do! God wants us to ask questions and search for answers! He welcomes our doubt because The Word can handle all of our doubt and then some! Scripture interprets scripture and there are no questions too hard for The Truth.

  Why is this kind of prophecy important to forming faithful disciples who “fear the Lord”? Well, this kind of prophecy might scare a questioning person or new believer into being faithful. But once we start growing in our faith, we are transformed into a new person and prophecy like this has a different meaning - it is God’s Will which is always better than our own. A person just starting in their walk with God would really struggle with understanding, truly understanding, that. Jesus says his yoke is light, and it is, so much lighter than the world’s.

 

In what way does the glitter and glory of man (1 John 2:15-17) contradict this kind of prophecy? 

 

 

[RebeccaL]

As for the last part of this question, I do not think there is a contradiction. God’s Will is perfect, and I am part of His Will when I love God, love my neighbors and walk with God, praying unceasingly, shunning evil, nurturing my faith and knowledge of God’s Word and His creation. 

[Ray B]

Q1. (Isaiah 24) What is the reason that Yahweh will devastate the earth (24:5-6)?  It is because of peoples sin and there rebellion against GOD.

Why do we feel so threatened by this kind of prophecy?  It is the end of this earth and heaven, only a few shall remain.

Why is this kind of prophecy important to forming faithful disciples who "fear the Lord"? It gives one the understanding of Lords greatness and that his faithful children shall be saved.

In what way does the glitter and glory of man (1 John 2:15-17) contradict this kind of prophecy? The world would have us believe that we are to live buy its flesh and desires, that gold and silver and money are all powerful and mighty. That mighty live in victory and the poor are oppressed by the ways of the world. But God has no use for such things, it is my heart that he desires not my wealth, God is my provider, healer, creator and Father.

[Ray B]

Q1. (Isaiah 24) What is the reason that Yahweh will devastate the earth (24:5-6)?  The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes
and broken the everlasting covenant. ⁶ Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth's inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left." 

Why do we feel so threatened by this kind of prophecy?  Those that are not right with God will surely perish.

Why is this kind of prophecy important to forming faithful disciples who "fear the Lord"? In fearing the Lord and being obedient to his word we walk by his laws and decrees. And in doing so we most certainly will be protects and enter into his kingdom.

In what way does the glitter and glory of man (1 John 2:15-17) contradict this kind of prophecy? Man thinks that the shiny objects on the earth are what we should be striving for but lord says seek first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness. That we should shift our attention to God and not the things of this world.

[Krissi]

What is the reason that Yahweh will devastate the earth (24:5-6)? Why do we feel so threatened by this kind of prophecy? Why is this kind of prophecy important to forming faithful disciples who "fear the Lord"? In what way does the glitter and glory of man (1 John 2:15-17) contradict this kind of prophecy?
The statement, "covenants come with curses to those who break them" is both frightening and just. The devastation of the earth is God's justice against those who have defiled, disobeyed, violated and broken. These are the verbs used by Isaiah to describe those who are now cursed. 

The curse seems to impact everyone, not just those who violate, break, defile and disobey, however, which is why it's frightening. Good people get caught up in this, people who have tried to obey and love God. Cities are ruined. People will be imprisoned. Even the moon and sun will be altered in some way. I think we're afraid of this prophecy because the entirety of the world will be effected and that there doesn't seem to be an exception to suffering for the remnant.

I'm not exactly sure why this prophecy is important to Christians who fear God. We're given conflicting messages: on the one hand God is love, our shepherd, a good father who doesn't withhold gifts from his children; on the other hand God is just, cursing those who disobey, destroying everything that civilizations have built. This prophecy talks about His justice.

The glitter and glory of man may refer to human accomplishments in architecture, the arts, literature, etc. Cities are targeted -- cities are places of high culture, usually. The passage in I John is as follows: 

 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the **** of the flesh, the **** of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

It's a warning not to put too much stock in our present lives, in part because the world "pass(es) away." 

It also says that those who DO God's will live forever. 

 

[Dove81]

 

Q1. (Isaiah 24) What is the reason that Yahweh will devastate the earth (24:5-6)? 
The Great turning away, the world has turned their backs on God. Very few believe in Him let alone read their bibles. What was once considered bad is now good and what was once good is now bad. We live in a world that has no fear of the Lord, they live for today and don’t care anything about tomorrow. This world goes against everything that God stands for.

Why do we feel so threatened by this kind of prophecy? 

‘I personally don’t feel threatened by this prophecy, I know that God protects His remnant. The ones who should feel threatened don’t care or believe that God is real. 

Why is this kind of prophecy important to forming faithful disciples who “fear the Lord”?

Fear of the Lord is healthy, He will and always has protected those who believe in Him and follow His statues. If one isn’t saved prophecy like this can lead them to replant of their ways. To get in the word and have a more intimate relationship with God.

 

In what way does the glitter and glory of man (1 John 2:15-17) contradict this kind of prophecy? 

Our desires for worldly things almost always lead us farther away from God.

 

•  

[Anna Rogers]

Q1. (Isaiah 24)

What is the reason that Yahweh will devastate the earth (24:5-6)? 

According to 24:5 it is because we have polluted the earth by transgressing the laws, violating the statures and breaking the everlasting covenant. 

Why do we feel so threatened by this kind of prophecy?

It is scary. Although I believe it is talking about the tribulation and I don't plan on being here for that, people I love who won't hear my message might be plus the I love this earth and although I know it part of God's plan I hate to think about it destroyed. 

  Why is this kind of prophecy important to forming faithful disciples who “fear the Lord”?

To remember God is a God of love, mercy and justice. He can't let unforgiven sin go unpunished. 

In what way does the glitter and glory of man (1 John 2:15-17) contradict this kind of prophecy? 

I don't see the contradiction. 1 John 2:15-17 is a reminder not to love the world and the things of this world. We can't love this world and God at the same time. Verse 17 states "and the world is passing away..."  The prophecy talks about the curse that devours the earth. Loving the world is sin against God who will eventually send judgement. 

[Katy]

Q1. This world will be devastated by God because of sin and rebellion against God’s laws and against God Himself.

Humans feel threatened by this kind of prophecy because, in their own minds they are good and don’t deserve punishment. 
This kind of prophecy is important for Christian’s because it makes us understand that what is written in Scripture is true and will come about and we must not become complacent about our lives and our walk with God unless we also want to be punished by God.

Many people are living and loving the world without any thought about what is going to happen in the future. Scripture tells us very clearly that we must not love the world or anything in it. We are ‘set apart’ to serve our Master and Saviour. Everything in this world that is sinful does not come from God and it will pass away. If we faithfully follow God and obey Him we will live forever.