The Faithful will go through the Judgment

Isaiah 65:8-16

Isaiah speaking for the LORD:“As the new wine is found in the cluster, and they say, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it, ’so I will do for my servants' sake, and not destroy them all. I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and from Judah possessors of my mountains; my chosen shall possess it, and my servants shall dwell there.” (Isaiah 65:8-9 ESV)  You may not be into making wine, I’ve sure not attempted doing so.  God is using the analogy of a cluster of grapes and the making of wine to point out to the children of Israel that not all have turned away from His commands and precepts.  The faithful will go through the judgment but they will not be destroyed, they will be the ones God will use to rebuild. 

Listen to verse ten; “Sharon shall become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, for my people who have sought me.” (Isaiah 65:10 ESV)  If you are a people in bondage and you may have seen or have been told that Sharon is like a desert, reference to Isaiah 33:9, you might have a few doubts, but before going there remember these are the remnant of the faithful, the ones who believe God is a Promise keeper.  For us living in the U.S.A., it would be like God was telling us East St. Louise was going to be a wonderful place to live, for He was going to restore it to its former state before sin and corruption made it a hell hole, or Detroit is another great example. 

But God also has a word for the unfaithful, and there has always been those people, they were a large number when Moses lead them out of Egypt, and there is a very large number today in Jewish communities, as there is in the Church.  And yet, they did not listen to the warning then and I’m sure the unfaithful in the church are not listening today.  But God has spoken; “But you who forsake the LORD, who forget my holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in.”  (Isaiah 65:11-12 ESV)

As you read verses 13-16, it is clear God has drawn a line in the sand, those who reject Him will suffer and those who follow Him will be blessed.  I have known more than one person who thinks John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Is too narrow, but when you agree, it is very restrictive but it is Jesus, the Creator who said it, and does He not have the right to make the rules?  Sinful mankind is entitled to their opinions, but what does it profit one if they gain followers and fame, and power, and lose their own soul because they wanted life on their terms?  The question is the same today as then, who are you following, self or the Lord who gave His life to buy you out of the control of sin?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice