Thursday, September 11, 2014

Not Critter Faith - God Faith


Isaiah 2:1-5

Yesterday, we looked at time and explored what the latter days refer to, and it was not the end of the world, but a time set by God the Father when Jesus would return to rule His earth for one thousand years.  What we did not do was look deeper into verses 2-5, and today we will ask our teacher the Holy Spirit to illuminate our minds and hearts so that we can gain knowledge and understanding.

The mountain is referring to Zion, where the temple was and is special in that God made His presence known to His people, the Jews.  But Zion was not by far the highest of mountains in that region, but in terms of spiritual importance, Zion stood above all the mountains of the world.  Isaiah tells of a time yet to come when the Lord will prepare a feast for His people on that mountain and on that mountain conquer the evil nations, and death for all the nations.  This is so far beyond a time critters understanding, you must come to it by faith in the Creator who is not controlled by His creation.  On Jesus return, Jerusalem and mount Zion will be the place of total authority and power, and all nations will come there.

When Jesus left planet earth the first time, He told us who have entered into Christ by grace and faith in the finished work of the cross, that we were the light of the world.  But that light has never come from us, but by Christ living His life in and through us.  Do you recall Jesus’ words in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  Isaiah predicts a time when the people of all nations will come to see Jesus during His reign on earth.  In Isaiah 2:3-4, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”  For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

A world that is free from the power of Satan, for he is bound for this thousand years, but that does not free these people from their flesh, so they go to God to learn how to walk in Jesus, and they are serious.  If we who call ourselves Christian would understand that when we entered into a personal relationship with Christ, the power and control of the evil one stopped, but the flesh must go to Jesus to learn how to walk as Jesus did while on this earth in human form.  One day you and I will see this reign and the nations at peace with each other, but at that time we will not be time critters.  Is it not time to throw off all that hinders us and look to Jesus, and ask Him to teach us to walk victorious in this world?

From the Back Porch,,

Bob Rice

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