Prophecy is God’s Guarantee

Israel Would Return From Captivity

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Return from Captivity

Book of Jeremiah Chapter 29

The Christian life is not always an easy life, but we are still to be at peace in our heart and soul, because we know we are on the winning side.

In our own nation we know that it is divided even more than it has ever been.

Down through the centuries the greatest crimes have been in the name of race, and unfounded beliefs, and cultural wars, social status, and we cannot leave out religion.

We live knowing that those in power create these things, so they can continue in the path they have chosen which is not always the best way for the people.

We know that lawlessness is running rampant in most all places and no one seems to care but actually take advantage of these things for political purposes.

These same type things were happening in Judah in the time of Jeremiah, but he was God’s chosen man to spread the Word of God to these people.

The people of Judah were being misled by a group of men who said themselves that they were called of God, but this was not true.

These things have continued, and the Church is taking heavy damage because of false teachers and preachers today.

God has already said what He is going to do, and we had better decide what we are going to do!

Jeremiah wrote a letter according to the Word of God intending to cause encouragement among those that already had been taken to Babylon.

Chapters 29-31 are so full of truth and prophecy that it is a shame we can only cover such a small portion of them.

Let’s read what God had to say.

*****Jer 29:1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;
Jer 29:2 (After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;)

The Holy Spirit has caused things to happen so that we can read the same letter Jeremiah wrote to those who were already captive in Babylon.

Daniel, and those three Jewish boys renamed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego among many others had been taken to Babylon when King Jehoiakim was removed by Nebuchadnezzar. Some say there were 10,000 of the best of Judah taken at that time.

Dan 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
Dan 1:2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
Dan 1:3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;
Dan 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

Now these others would join them.

We should understand today that no matter where we travel it is encouraging to see a copy of God’s Word. We should understand that the Lord never forgets those He has washed in His own personal blood!

This is the first letter of many that Jeremiah wrote to these captives.

*****Jer 29:3 By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,

Elasah was the son of Shaphan and the brother of Ahikam who a supporter of Jeremiah was, when he faced the false charge of treason for preaching the Word of God. This was in a section we did not cover.

This Gemariah was probably the son of Hilkiah, the High Priest who was the one who had found the Books of Moses in the Temple that were read to King Josiah.

It appears that these two were good men and could be trusted by both sides and they carried with them the letter of Jeremiah written to those in captivity.

We already know that Nebuchadnezzar had a lot of respect for the Prophet Jeremiah.

Many of these in captivity would now listen to the words of Jeremiah because they were witness to the fact that what Jeremiah had said had come to be true.

The encouragement that Jeremiah gave to them were the actual Words of God!

*****Jer 29:4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;

Have you noticed that God does not hide the things He does, even when we may not like what He says. He will always tell us the truth!

We must understand that no matter where we are and no matter what the circumstances, God wants us to make an impact on those we are near.

The false prophets were teaching that they would soon be back home, which was not true. The words of God to Jeremiah was that their captivity would be 70 years.

They in turn were to make homes for themselves and settle into the communities where they were located.

They had lost everything they had in Judah but there never comes a time that God’s people should not be content and do the very best they can.

Nebuchadnezzar had taken the best of Judah to be an influence on his empire because he knew the will of God’s people are strong

He knew that God would take care of His people.

He, Nebuchadnezzar knew he could still profit because of these reasons!

Evil men are sometimes wiser in the ways of God than the true believer!

God had caused His people to go into exile and Nebuchadnezzar was only the agent God used to do this thing. Nebuchadnezzar understood this to be true.

Our world is so messed up today and foolish to cause harm to God’s people.

If the world would just allow God’s people to live in peace, the world would reap many benefits just because God’s takes care of His children.

This letter was also going to the political power of Babylon and the Lord made sure they knew that this letter was from the Lord of all the Angelic Host, the God of all power and not only that but the God of Israel, the Almighty God!

Jer 24:5 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
Jer 24:6 For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.

God’s message does not ever change!

What was God’s message on this day?

*****Jer 29:5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;

Nebuchadnezzar had taken some of the best of God’s people. They knew how to build houses. Their land was destroyed but the land of Babylon was fertile, and they could grow their food according to food laws of Moses and not depend on trying to find such food in Babylon.

God’s people were more vegetarian than they were big meat eaters as we should be today.

They knew how to sustain themselves in the things that the Lord would provide, the Sun and the Rain and the necessities of life along with the Bread of Life, the Word of God, not much else is really needed.

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Jer 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
Jer 31:11 For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
Jer 31:14 And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.
Jer 31:22 How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
Jer 31:35 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
Jer 31:36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Jer 31:37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

We need to understand that wherever God has placed us, is our mission field.

We need to settle in and get to work. If the LORD opens another door, He will make us aware of it!

God celebrates the return from captivity of every one of His children!

Luk_15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Those who need no repentance are those who have made themselves righteous in their own eyes.

When we know that the Lord is keeping His eyes upon us for our good then we need to be a peace and do the work God has called us to do!

*****Jer 29:6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.

This did not mean for these Jews to take husbands and wives from the people of this foreign land but from the Jews that were among them. We already know that there were more than 10,000 of them taken to Babylon and others would be brought later.

Gen 24:3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
Gen 24:4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

Today each Christian is to be a fisher-of-men, so our numbers are never to decrease as they are today in many locations but only God can save, and these are the decisions that He makes.

Our job never changes. We are to do the best we can to tell all others about the Lord Jesus Christ.

It was important for these captives to increase for they were indeed the good figs!

They were to settle down. For those who listened it would be near 70 years before the Lord would send them back home.

They would not have to worry about what the government of Babylon would do to them. They were in the hand of God while they were surrounded by their enemy. In fact they would find that many from other nations had also been taken from their homes and they would not have Jehovah to protect them.

They would see many more who worshipped idols and their god could not save them.

Jehovah had saved these Jews by placing them in captivity! They had been saved from themselves!

Eze 28:26 And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.

What was God’s law for us all?

Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

They had to understand that there is a reason for everything that the Lord does, and it is always for the betterment of His people. If we do not understand this then we need to understand one most important thing.

The Lord is God and He does what He wants to do, whenever He wants to do it!

We are never to question the ways of our Creator and our Master?

What else were they to do?

*****Jer 29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

The truth is, the Lord expects those who are Christian to be the best citizens in any place we are located! Remember the Lord relocated the “Good Figs” of Judah for their safety

The true honor of a nation is dependent on the character of its people and as Christians we are to be like Christ with the character of God Himself or as close as we can get to it here on this earth!

This is where we fail the most. We forget the sinless, loving character of our Savior!

They needed to accept that this letter from Jeremiah was the actual Word of God because it was, and they needed to study it and completely obey these words!

We sometimes forget that the Lord is the answer to every question that we have!

It is the Lord alone who can change who we are and what other people see in us!

How powerful is our prayer for each other? We must stand in the breach for each other!

Psa 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

Our sermon from our Pastor a few weeks ago, was about how great a sin it is to not stand in the gap for each other.

1Sa 12:23 Moreover as for me, “God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you”: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
1Sa 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

It should be obvious that according to the truth of God, we sin against the Lord when we do not pray for one another and this does not mean we pray once and be done!

When we have the peace of God in our hearts, we can have peace where ever we are located.

None of these commandments change when we get to the New Testament!

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

We must understand that when we become Christians and even though our home is then in Heaven and we are just visitors passing through this earth, we are also still a member of the civil society.

We are to come out from them and be separate, but we will have to deal with those who reject the Word of God most every day and the Lord says we are to act like Christians and have the peace of God which will be a welcome sight in many places of unrest.

We are to spread this peace of God to as many as we can, and the very best way is to be like Jesus Christ.

This is what the title Christian means, to be Christlike!

We are always to show an interest in the peace of our nation and be a part of that peace. This does not ever mean we will not take a stand of the truth of God because we are to do this no matter what!

We must realize there will even be those in our own group who will stir up trouble anywhere they are located, and we should never listen to anyone who goes against the Word of God.

*****Jer 29:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

We must remember these people, many of them from the royal family had lost everything they had.

They had been removed from their homes with just the clothes upon their back.

There were many more people from the many different nations Babylon had conquered.

If God’s people joined in the grumbling for being in such a position it would not help matters at all.

If they listened to the false prophets of their own nation instead of the Word of God given to Jeremiah, which had already proven to be true, they would be miserable in their new surroundings.

If they showed that they had settled into their surroundings, it would make their lives at least passable until they would go home again to their homeland.

It is always easy to dream about the good old times when we are going through bad times, but the God of the mountain is still God in the valley!

As Christians we have nothing to fear in this world no matter our circumstances. The worst thing that could happen, which is our death, is really the best thing that can happen.

Jesus would not be allowed in many Churches today because He always told the truth. The truth based on the Word of God.

Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Jesus said these words when He was asked about His return.

We know that according to the words of Jesus the very first sign of His return is the rise in false prophets and false teaching!

Anyone that says this is not true today need to read and study the Word of God, so they will not get confused.

We should also understand that one purpose of the 70 years was for most of these false teachers to die off.

*****Jer 29:9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

We should never mistake the intentions of the Lord. He does not desire that any human being die before they have had a chance to repent. God does not think of evil for anyone of His creations.

There will be many who will repent but there will also be many who will cross God’s “Red Line” the first one being Lucifer, Satan, and the angels who followed him.

We must think of the Lord more as the “father of the prodigal son” than any other thing.

To those who repent, the Lord will rush to them with the best robe and He will kill the fatted cafe and sup with them.

God’s every intention is to give all His children ever lasting peace!

We must also know that God will not call a stranger to teach you the truth of God.

The very first test for the man of God is “does he believe that Jesus Christ is truly the Messiah, God in the flesh”!

Without this faith we will not ever please our God!

The test in this day of captivity was the 70 years.

If not for the Word of God given to Jeremiah, the children of Israel would have only gotten bad news from home!

It is easy to draw a crowd when your words are as butter and honey, but we will never get anything but the truth from the Almighty God!

We would be fools to desire anything but the truth.

In America today so many lies have been told, so many words have been twisted and slanted because of hatred, that we seldom ever hear the truth.

We have people like Soros and others willing to buy lies and liars to swing things the way that they would have the world be, but unless we stand up for the truth, we will lose the freedoms we have because of socialism and communism.

God will certainly test our “faith” and He should, when we are so easily swayed from the truth!

God does not need us to be witness of lies, when we are to be witnesses of the truth!

*****Jer 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

God will never abandon Israel.

Over and over we see this in the Scriptures and we would fools to believe otherwise! We already know that the Lord will chastise those He loves.

God’s “judgment” will only fall on those who hate the Lord!

When a prisoner knows the exact date of his release then everything he does is in preparation for that day.

These Jews needed to adapt to their surroundings and be useful and these 70 years would go quickly.
If they could be a benefit to Babylon, then they could live in peace while these 70 years passed.

This is what the Lord ask us all to do. Seventy years have been determined by the Lord to be the average life span of humans and the Lord only ask us to be busy about the Lord’s work and watch patiently as these years pass by, until He takes us home.

In typology, this is the lesson we can learn from the Jewish captivity!

These were nation builders who Nebuchadnezzar had taken to Babylon and these parents were to pass these skills to their children so that they could rebuild Israel when these 70 years were over.

We must also remember this one thing. These Jews would not return to Israel because they were very good in Babylon.

They would only return to Judah because of God’s “mercy” and God’s “grace”!

They certainly did not deserve to return to the promised land of God because of their own merits.

These things should be really familiar to us all. We will never be good enough to go the God’s Heaven, it will be only because of God’s “mercy” and God’s “grace”!

God always has kind thoughts of all His children and all His creation.

Over and over again we see that God has no intention for the nation of Israel to cease to exist! It would be wise for the world to see this too!

God will fulfill the promises He made to Abraham and to David and we can expect it!

God does not ever forget the things He says!

God promises all His children the greatest of futures. Things this world can never provide!

We know that the Messiah, Jesus came first to save, and the Messiah will return to sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem the capital of Israel because this is the place He has chosen.

The Lord will lead us to an expected end that He has chosen and on to a life of wonderful blessings, which He has made new!

All these things are centered one object: the “good” for all those who love the LORD!

Zec 12:8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
Zec 12:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

We must understand, God does not need a nation that depends on its own power, God needs a nation that depends on the power of the Holy God who cannot be defeated!

Zec 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
Zec 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Nations may hate Israel today and some gather against her but when they become a Christian nation all the world will gather against her!

When we look upon the One who was pierced to shed His blood for our salvation, we will see the Almighty God who saves and who destroys!

What is the nation of Israel lacking today?

*****Jer 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

They will fulfill the only thing they are lacking.

2Ch_7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The ears of God are always open to hearing this prayer from any of us but especially the children of Israel!

Even King Solomon understood what the Word of God was saying;

1Ki 8:47 Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;
1Ki 8:48 And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
1Ki 8:49 Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,
1Ki 8:50 And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:

Where did Daniel pray? From a window facing Jerusalem.

In fact this was to the location of their prayers no matter where they were. It would not hurt if we also prayed toward Jerusalem with all our heart, all our soul in the land of our enemies.

The enemies of the Church continue to gather against her but the “Bride of Christ” must never be afraid of what this world can do to her!

This world has hated the Church from the day the Lord Jesus began His Church!

What always been the truth of God?

*****Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jer 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

What is the key? When we pray with a heart that has been given over to the truth of God!

We must humble ourselves in an act of submission to the Lord and allow Him to do as He pleases with us!

Let the Lord do what seems to Him to be good for us!

We must then have hope, “faith” in the promises of God.

Our relationship to the Lord must be on a personal nature just as His disciples.

It is a great feeling knowing that the Lord is thinking of us with His every thought!

In all His majestic creation God thinks about those who love Him the most!

How can God have good thoughts of a sinner such as I am?

God knows, who we are and what we are, and He gives the same instructions to us as He did to these captives in Babylon.

We are to make the most out of our circumstances and be patient, and prayerful, watching for the return of the Lord.

God does not ask much out of us when we think about all the benefits of giving ourselves to Him!

Listen to this Psalm of David

Psa 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Psa 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psa 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Psa 103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Psa 103:5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psa 103:6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

How can we not love Him?

Amen

Let’s Pray

The Mercy of God

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Mercy of God to Mankind

Book of Isaiah Chapter 55

Mercy can be described as showing compassion to those who live in misery. The Lord Jesus Christ is God’s act of mercy to all who have lived in this world!

When the Jews sought forgiveness of their sin, the High Priest then approached the “Mercy Seat” of God.

We should understand if we do not seek God at the “Mercy Seat” we will certainly face God at the “White Throne of Judgement”!

This should be a simple matter of choice for everyone, yet most of the world rejects this truth.

The High Priest of Judaism could not go to the “Mercy Seat” without the blood.

No one can approach God without the blood, so He has washed every believer in the blood of His Dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Heb_9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

For thousands of years people have sought for peace and it has been thought that it would take one mighty nation to bring that peace by fear of reprisal.

It is obvious that we have never seen true peace in our world and it cannot ever happen by the works of mankind.

Jehovah God has from the beginning offered true peace but His message has been rejected!

God says if the entire world will accept His message and trust in His Word and then apply His message to their lives, then our world can be a world of true peace.

In a world that has tried every other way available, why would we not give God an opportunity to prove His truth?

The real problem is, that the super-rich of our world do not ever want peace because there is no profit in peace! The gift of salvation is “free”!

The Lord Jesus Christ died so that we can be at peace with God. The only God, the God of creation!

It is sin that separates us from a Holy God and only through the Lord Jesus Christ can this separation be eliminated and “eliminated forever”!

God says we can begin to know these things if we would just become more “Spiritually minded” and not be so “worldly minded”!

So, God freely extends His invitation to all the world:

*****Isa 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

As this world approaches the day of the Lord and the “Rapture” of the righteous (the true Church), we as Christians must keep in mind our work is not complete until we die a physical death or God calls the Church home.

For every soul that is saved 10 more find their way to Hell!

We know this world is more evil now than it has ever been and most people will remain sinful and carnally minded, but there are always some who hunger and thirst for righteousness and need help getting there.

Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Until each of these precious souls come to the Lord, the Lord will not return!

We should not be confused with the wine and the milk.

No one would serve spoiled milk! Milk would be as new milk in its freshest state. That being true we can also expect that wine to be the freshest of fresh squeezed grape juice and not some alcoholic drink which serves no purpose as a gift of God!

Some say “yayin” is related to fermented and it is in some cases but the term “yayin” can also refer the action of pressing out the juice of the grape (to tread out), hence the juice of the grape that is trodden out and that first pressing is the freshest of the grape juice.

There is no place for “wine” in the life of the Christian!

Our righteous God is not in the business of giving us anything that would “alter our mind”, except the Holy Ghost!

It is in our best interest to get even more busy in whatever ministry the Lord has given to each of us, while the “Day of the Lord”, gets even closer with every day that passes.

Most every true Jew is looking forward to the Messianic Kingdom of the Lord and this Scripture describes the peace and righteousness in the day the Lord sets up His Kingdom here on this earth.

Isa 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
Isa 54:14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.

We see that these things are for every human being that is taught of the Lord!

What did Jesus say to the woman at the well?

Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

We can see that the Lord our God, offers something that this world does not have the ability to offer!

Even if we are worthless and wicked, God still makes this offer. All that is required is a thirst for righteousness and that thirst can be and will be quenched!

Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isa 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

If the truth is known, water was such a valuable resource in these times of Isaiah that many a stranger had to actually pay for the water they received from private wells.

It’s important that we see that the gifts of God come without cost!

We can just imagine the friction that was caused with the buyers and sellers of that day, as Isaiah cried out with this message of God.

In fact, in our world today, most people just believe that nothing of value can be free yet God still makes His gifts to be free!

What is the truth of the weary traveler in this world today? Until that thirst is quenched the mind will never be at rest!

The salvation of the Lord still remains a free gift:

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Then God adds, why would we ever want to spend our money on things that can never satisfy us.

*****Isa 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

What God is saying is, while Christianity is life eternal without spending, life in this carnal world is of continual spending and has no lasting profit and no lasting satisfaction!

God has never had His hand in those who seek the riches of this world, this is Satan’s tool of destruction!

1Ti_6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

This would include all the things that money can buy!

We eat what is good when we absorb the Word of God and the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ!

The Bible speaks of the “bread of sorrows”:

Psa 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

The Bread of tears:

Psa 80:5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.

The bread of wickedness:

Pro 4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

Notice in this Scripture we see the “yayin”, the fermented wine of violence! (God would never endorse such a thing)

The bread of deceit:

Pro 20:17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

The Lord Jesus Christ said He was the true “bread of life”!

Joh_6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Joh_6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Joh_6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

God says to listen diligently. “Listen” with care and not carelessly nor neglect nor reject what is said!

The spiritual blessings of the Lord are richer than anything this world has to offer!

The “soul” that delights in the gifts of God will certainly be “satisfied”!

Psa 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

The word “come” is used more than 600 times in the Scriptures. God says to listen to what He has to say with an open mind and then “come” so you can accept His free gift of eternal life!

*****Isa 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Submission to the Lord is His greatest requirement! We must yield our own will so we can conform to the will of God! This submission must come from the heart and the guiding principle must be “love”!

It is also obvious that we can see that the Lord is seeking a personal relationship with all those that come to Him!

One by one, God will take each one of us separately by Himself and reason and counsel with Him.

The Lord is saying that my sin and His redemption are much too important to Him to discuss in a crowd.
To sacred, to be discussed around the noise and distraction of this world.

In fact, as we take one step toward to Lord He will take two steps toward us!

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

This issue of coming to the Lord is the most important decision we will ever make in our life time! This issue involves eternal life in glory or eternal life in damnation!

When we come to the Lord and listen diligently to His Words we will understand that everlasting covenant, that the Lord will present to us, again, freely.

What are the sure mercies of David?

Psa 89:35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
Psa 89:36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
Psa 89:37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

Of course, the seed of David in His human form was the Lord Jesus Christ and since every believer will be adopted into the family of God, then we are part of that seed that will endure forever!

And “Selah” means pause and think about this for a moment. All God’s creatures should pause and think about what God is saying!

The mercies of David are all about the “Grace” of God!

It is the Lord Jesus Christ that was freely given for this world. (John 3:16)

*****Isa 55:4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

God gave us the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

A witness is one who gives evidence and sometimes at the expense of his life.
A witness must be an eyewitness of the things he has seen to be a true witness.

What did the Messiah say? Joh_16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

The Messiah could not be a witness if there was no Holy Trinity!

1) The Father sets Him forth as His gift to sinners. “Behold I have given Him.”

2) The Son declares, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.

Joh_18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

3) He was anointed with the Holy Ghost, and with power for this particular work.

Luk_4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

There could be no other witness to all people other than the Messiah given to us from God, the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Lord Jesus Christ was His Fathers witness of the truth of a Holy God!

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus Christ came because the entire world was in darkness!

Joh_12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

The Messiah came to restore the true knowledge of God because the truth of God was no longer being given to the people!

*****Isa 55:5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Most people do not realize that the prophet Isaiah was murdered for such statements as he made in verse 5.
Isaiah died by being sawn into while he was still alive. (this is the hate of those who hate the truth)

The Jews would not accept that the Messiah would come to save the Gentiles!
Even while these Jews were in captivity by Babylon they could only see the Messiah bringing vengeance to all the Gentile nations.

It was only the nation of Israel that had knowledge of the Holy One of Israel, all other nations worshipped idols of one sort or another and were sitting in darkness. Some Gentiles in all these nations will certainly one day run to the Lord having gained the knowledge of the Lord.

Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Since the day that Jesus arose from that borrowed tomb, He has been witnessing to all this world!

This prophecy is carried out every day in some nation other than Israel!

We must be among the “called of God” to be saved!

Notice that once knowing the truth, those that are called will not walk but they will run to meet the Lord!

BUT, the truth is, there is only a certain time allowed in all the ages!

In the time of Noah, God allowed Noah to preach for 120 years while he built the Ark.

In the Church Age, God will allow the time of the “fulness of the Gentiles”

In the time of the 7 years of Tribulation, God will allow that time.

During the Millennial Kingdom, God will allow 1000 years.

So, the truth is then, we must all seek the Lord while He can be found in our own age!

*****Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

The agent of salvation is the Lord Jesus Christ. Regardless how this world responds to this truth, it is not meant to be inflammatory, it is only meant to guide those who are lost, to reality.
Those that disagree make themselves heard because they have rejected the Word of God and have chosen to die in damnation!

It does not say to seek peace, or to seek joy, or to seek happiness but it says to seek the Lord!
When we accept the Lord as our Savior, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and it then we will find all these other things.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

If we have the Holy Spirit abiding within us we will have the fruit of the Spirit!

To seek is to look and search for, inquire, investigate, to pursue.

It is only those who know they have a need who will actively seek the Lord.

God knows we all have a need for salvation and a personal relationship with our Creator and He has provided that means for us.
The next step is ours to take!

There is no need for us to cling to helplessness, nor hopelessness, nor unhappiness when we have another option, and that option is the Lord Jesus Christ!

Act 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Act 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

We must know that the Lord is as near as a sincere heart!

Included in seeking the Lord is to forsake the path we now travel.
Also included in seeking the Lord is changing the way we think.
Both of these things are bound up in repentance!

Repentance is a complete change of mind.
Repentance is a complete change of purpose.
Repentance is a complete change of direction.

These things mean we have become aware of our own guilt and our own sinfulness!
These things mean that we have become aware of God’s mercy through the Lord Jesus Christ.
These things mean we have begun to hate sin and want no part in it ever again!
These things mean that we realize that by the “Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ we can be “justified” (just as if I had never done these things).

Pardoned means forgiven as if we were never guilty!

Most all of us feel that urgent need for forgiveness and that forgiveness can only come by Jesus Christ!

We may ask ourselves why Islam has so many followers or why Confucius has so many followers and all so called religions?

This is easily answered, to be a follower or disciple of these things, there is no requirement to give up sin!

Even the Atheist cling so hard to their own sin, they reject all authority other than their own! They give their own selves full authority over all religion! They are more wrong than all others!

So why is Jehovah God teaching us all these things?

*****Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

When we are lost to the ways of the Lord, we just don’t think right!
When we are lost to the ways of the Lord, our way, the path we travel is always wrong!

God created mankind to be the most intelligent of His creations but if we cannot think in the ways of the Lord how can we have a personal relationship?

Amo_3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

My own thoughts and my own way of thinking will still leave me here on earth till I die!

My thoughts cannot reach into Heaven but the thoughts of the Jehovah God can reach me where ever I am, at any time!

Until we think as the Lord thinks we will never know salvation! We cannot think in the way of God until we are filled with His Holy Spirit!

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

When the Holy Ghost begins to deal with us when we are lost and brings conviction in the way we think then sin grows to be a heavy burden that we want to get rid of.

If you have ever suffered through cancer or some other disease, then you certainly wanted to get rid of it as quick as you could.

Once we become aware of the tragedies of sin, it will be no different, we will want to be rid of any sin we know we have!

Many think this impossible but our Savior does the impossible!

No way of thinking that we can have, can come close to the thoughts of God.

Once we come to know the Lord as our Savior, then God simply blots out all our sins and they no longer exist in the mind of God and there is no record of them in Heaven!

The truth remains, that until we believe in the greatness of God shown in the Genesis record of creation, we will never understand the Bible.

2Ti_3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

We may be slow to think the way that God thinks but Jehovah God is never slow to forgive when we seek forgiveness!

God gave us His words, bound together with His love and the Word of God will accomplish what God sent it to do because it is all true!

*****Isa 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

The Word of God is our contact between a loving God and each believer!

Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psa 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psa 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psa 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

It is our God who chose to make Himself aware to His creation!

Psa 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psa 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Psa 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psa 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Psa 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The Word of God has been given to us in figure and symbol, in prophecy and song, in history and science, and at last in the Person of Jesus Christ and since He has come we have the explanation of all the plan of God!

It is only the Word of God that can bring God’s creation to fulfillment of purpose.

Mankind can only realize the possibilities of their own lifetime!

The Word of God has purpose.
The Word of God is spoken.
The Word of God is written.
The Word of God is “lived”!
The Word of is Powerful!
The Word of God is TRUE!

The Word of God is prosperous and it will accomplish what God intended for it to do!

Col_3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The Word of God cannot fail!

*****Isa 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isa 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

The Christian life must be an extension of the life of Christ Jesus!

It is because the Word of God is like seed, that the work of the Husbandman can be accomplished.

It is the job of the Church to be that sower of the seed, (the Word of God). In reality, this is our greatest purpose after we know the truth of God and have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior!

Once we have been pardoned, we can serve the Lord with joy!
Once we have been pardoned, we can be led forth with peace!

Even all of God’s creation will benefit and therefore break forth in a joyful demonstration!

It is a fact that when Israel was removed from their land the land became a desert that no one wanted.

It is also a fact that since Israel is returning to the land given to them by the Lord, that land has blossomed and now every nation is seeking to have a part in a land that is no bigger than the State of South Carolina, where I live!

To the Jew in the day of Isaiah that 70 years may have seemed like an eternity but the Lord never forgot His people and no doubt these great words given to Isaiah should have brought great comfort to them, if they only trusted in the Word of God!

There was no power on earth that was going to keep these Jews in Babylon for more than those 70 years!

Hear in this chapter of the Book of Isaiah, we see God revealing man’s necessity and God’s answer to those needs, while inviting all of us to take part of it.

God says these things are free, they require no money!

God says just open your ears and at least listen to what He has to say before you continue down a path that leads to eternal death.

God will turn a life lived in the deserts of sin to a life lived in the garden of salvation!

God is not picky, God will take whosoever will call upon His name.

It is the LORD, Jehovah who is that sign of everlasting peace, mercy and grace that can come from nowhere else!

God will never hide His face from the believer!

God purposes fulfil themselves and the results are certain!

It is certain that God will have a people to live with Him throughout all eternity, we are a foolish person if we do not want to be a part of His family!

How do we begin this new life?

We seek the Lord while He can be found!

Questions?

Let’s Pray!