Isaiah 65-66
A new heaven and a new earth. A new day, in which God’s people will be called by a new name. A day in which every nation and every tongue will come to Him.
Those are the hints which the Lord is bringing in the last two chapters of Isaiah – hints of the coming of Messiah and the new dispensation which will come with it.
Do you remember that we said earlier that the “Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed?” Well, these chapters are a perfect example of that adage.
All throughout the Old Testament, the covenant people of God were Jews – and Jews only. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were God’s chosen people, and that was that.
Now He is laying down hints for the Jews to see, but the traditions of men block their vision.
Of course, there is much that will happen before that day anyway. Jerusalem will be raided and burned. These children of Abraham will have to go into captivity in Babylon and stay there for 70 years. Then some will return to rebuild the ruins (Most will decide to stay in Babylon). Then more than three hundred years will pass before the fulfilling of this Word from God.
God has plenty of time. He speaks a word – and it will come to pass – eventually.
Now in our day, God’s prophets are still speaking. They are speaking a “now” word from God – a word for us to listen to and heed.
So what are they saying? They are saying that there is going to be a great divide. There are going to be some who seek the darkness and they are going to seek it with greater diligence. But there are going to be some who want God and they will run to Him with everything that is within them.
As a result, there is going to be a harvest of souls for God’s kingdom which will surpass every awakening which has gone before. Millions will run to Jesus.
This time, God’s word also says that the time is short. Very soon we will see a revival in our midst.
I so want that – and I want to be a part of it!
I Timothy 2
We are quick to talk about our leaders. (And I have to agree that often there is a lot to talk about). But do we pray for them?
When we see a man or woman in government who is totally away from God, do we spend time holding them up in prayer for their salvation? Or do we gossip about them with our like-minded friends.
Paul instructs us to pray for those in authority. He says that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men – for kings and all that are in authority. (V.1)
I have to say: that word pricks my conscience. I pray some for them, but I can’t honestly say that I believe God is going to change anything in their lives.
What if there were a visitation of the Holy Spirit when our congress was assembled? What if those who mock God now had a dream which turned them around? It could happen. What if some of the university professors who are now so hardened would have an encounter with the one true God? That could happen also.
Just the thought makes me want to be more diligent in my prayers. When we think about a great awakening – as we mentioned while reading Isaiah, eyes would be opened to the Lord in all spheres of society. What a difference that would make in our world!
I hope that you will join with me in praying for our leaders. Pray for their salvation. Pray for their wisdom to govern. Pray for truth to prevail in our land.
I want to see God move across this land, don’t you?
