Voices of the Prophets: Isaiah 61

            “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach the good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to the blind and to the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance  of our God; to comfort all that morn; to appoint unto them that morn in Zion, to give unto them beauty  for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, the planting of the Lord that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3). These amazing promises are all fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah has foreseen the coming anointed ministry of Jesus far in advance of its realization. The first two of the above cited verses are duplicated at Luke 4:18-19 as Jesus opens the book of Isaiah and quotes them at a gathering in the synagogue at Nazareth. This is the beginning of the ministry of Jesus which is to continue for a period of three and one-half years to the house of Israel leading  up to his crucifixion. The anointing refereed to is found at his baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River when the Spirit of the Lord descended upon him accompanied by the voice of God from heaven proclaiming him to be the Son of God in whom the Father was well pleased. (See Matt. 3:16-17). This necessary anointing is confirmed by the prophet Daniel a at Daniel 9:24: “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to make an end to sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision of prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” The anointed ministry of Jesus was extended first to the house of Israel prior to his death on the cross, but it was ordained to reach far beyond that to all nations at the end of the prophesied ‘seventy weeks’.

            “And strangers (Gentiles) shall feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowman and your vine dressers. But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord; men shall call you the ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.” (Isaiah 61:5-6). The demise of a people who are unbelieving is revealed following this promise of the salvation to be extended to the alien Gentiles. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes and commits themselves to him. He fulfilled the law and  it was nailed to his cross abrogating completely the old covenant.“For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.  And heir seed shall be sown among the Gentiles, and their offering among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord has blessed. “(Isaiah 61:8-9).

            Israel’s demise was sealed by their rejection of their Messiah although a remnant from among thembelieved and became the heirs of ‘the new and everlasting covenant’ which the Lord had already promised definitively through  the prophets and is detailed by the prophet Jeremiah.  We will visit that text at a later time.

            The balance of Isaiah 61 is focused on the blessings promised for those who wholly embrace that new and everlasting covenant. “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul  shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with  her jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations.”  (Isaiah 61:11-12).

David Lance Dean                     website and blogs :authordavidlancedean.com

Voices of the Prophets: Isaiah 53

             “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?(Isaiah 53:1 in part).  Presented here in this chapter is the all-encompassing message of the gospel of Jesus Christ which confronts every man to give an answer based on his subsequent revelation in the gospels including his death burial and resurrection. So the prophet predicts that which is to befall him (Christ) several hundred years prior to the actual act of redemption that is to occur at the time of his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection.

            Let us explore the chapter in order to understand more fully all of the truth involved by faith in the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.  First let us understand how he was viewed and generally received by the people save a remnant from among them. “He hath neither form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him; there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and we hid as it ere our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”  (Isaiah 53: 2-3 in part). In other word he did not bring an appearance or charisma of natural appeal which would have captured their attention.  His message was what he was all about.

            “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.: (Isaiah 53:4-6).The foregoing verses are probably the most clear setting forth of the gospel to be found in the Old Testament. There is a clarity and inclusiveness given here in this one chapter which can be correlated precisely with the New Testament accounts given in the four gospels but also verified time and time again in the epistles of the New Testament. When it was written it was pure prophecy but it had a certain fulfillment in the person and work of Christ to bring redemption to any and all of mankind contingent upon who would embrace it by faith and then faithfully endure in its promised provisions.

            The accounts of his ministry to the lost sheep of the house of Israel are thoroughly covered in the four gospels including all of the details of his suffering and persecution demanded by the Jewish hierarchy and the Pharisees.” He came unto his own and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them he gave thrower to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on his name.” (John 1:11-12).

            Salvations plan was to be extended so the Gentile nations and while it was to the Jew first the work of Christ was to become universally available to anyone who would embrace it by faith. There are two distinct aspects in the provision of Christ’s sacrifice of himself on the cross.  First is the shedding of his blood for the life is in the blood and without the shedding of blood there is no remission. “Much more then, being justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him.”  (Romans 5:9) and numerous other verses and texts found in the New Testament. The blood of Christ is for the cleansing of sin and addresses the issue of forgiveness and the receiving of the Holy Spirit when the act of faith has been exercised by any individual.

            The deeper work of salvation addresses the issue of deliverance from the power of sin inherent in the fallen nature of man. Moving forward from chapter five of Romans the Apostle Paul provides us with a very comprehensive and definitive explanation of the meaning of the cross to set us free from the power of indwelling sin. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me fee from the law of sin and death.” (Rom.8:1-2) We must come to understand and then apply the effectual working of the cross in our lives individually. This means a complete submission of our hearts and lives so that we can effectually enter into the reality of a walk led by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. We must apprehend as did Paul when he said at Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live yet not I , but Christ liveth in me: and the life that I live in the the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me.” This more clearly explains Isaiah 28:4 “He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was on him, and by his stipes we are healed.” So we are called to take up the cross in the depth of its meaning because…”he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sins of many, and he made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 28:12).

            So we conclude that without the blood there is no forgiveness, but without the cross there is no deliverance. They each must be applied by faith.

David Lance Dean                                                  website:authordavidlancedean.com

Voices of the Prophets: Isaiah 28

            “Woe to the crown of pride. To the drunkards of Ephraim (another designation for Israel), whose glorious beauty is a fading flower……..(Isaiah 28:1).

The crown of pride, the drunkards of Israel shall be trodden under foot: and the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley shall be a fading flower and as the hasty fruit before summer….(Isaiah 28:3-4 in part).

            We see at the outset of the prophet’s commentary in the text that he is speaking of the demise of Israel. This would be seen as the Northern ten tribes who were subsequently to fall under the lord’s judgment as the hands of the Assyrian Empire. The cause for this judgment is clearly set forth to be their pride and spiritual disorientation spoken of metaphorically as drunkenness. The testimony of scripture throughout whether Old Testament or New Testament is clear teaching that whatever covenant applies to us that we must remain steadfast and faithful.  In verse five the text carries forward: “In that day shall theLord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people.” Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies defines the word residue to mean that which is over and above, i.e. a remainder. In other words out from the larger body of the Lord’s people at any one time there will always be found a much smaller remnant who have remained faithful and have not transgressed, fallen away, or breached the covenant. The text continues in verse six: “And for a spirit of judgement to him that sitteth in judgement, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.”

            “Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept: line upon line; here a little and there a little.  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: but they would not.” (Verses 10-12). After covering the concept of moving forward precept upon precept the prophet introduces the concept of speaking in other tongues (known languages) to the Jews to proclaim to them that the promise of their anticipated Messiah has been fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. But because the majority of them had not advanced in precept upon precept but rather had engendered their own “oral traditions” contrary to the law they stumbled at the stumbling stone and the rock of offense in rejection of him.    

           

            Clarifying the gift of speaking in unknown languages as a gifting of the Holy Spirit it was come at a time and an occasion and that being the verification that the Messiah had come to redeem them  but also had extend that redemption to the gentile nations. That verification was made manifest at Acts chapter two on the day of Pentecost testifying to the Jews who had come from far regions to the feast as they were commanded to do under the law. The sign of the promise was given them in their own individual languages and verified by the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit testifying to the veracity of the prophesied gift. (See Acts 2: 6-12).

            Supporting the above precept we turn to I Cor. 14:21 and context confirming the prophesy. “In the law it is written, with men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and yet for all that will they not believe me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but them who believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believeth not, but to them which believe.”  We would further understand that tongues were a temporary gift which was to come to an end. “Charity never faileth; but whether there be prophesies, they shall fail; whether there shall be tongues, they shall cease….(I Cor. 13:8 in part).

            Returning to Isaiah 28 we read beginning at verse  16: “Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, for a foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also I will lay to the line and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail (Wilson- to scatter) shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with hell shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then shall ye be trodden down by it.”  The prophet is setting forth in clarity the coming of Messiah to establish a firm foundation and a cornerstone of reference to build upon establishing the new and everlasting covenant

            In a brief summary of the points covered in the chapter we see the judgment of a people (the Jews) unfaithful to the precepts of the old covenant, but at the same time the preservation of a remnant who embraced the new by faith. We are instructed that to insure our understanding of sound doctrine we must establish precept upon precept and line upon line to arrive at a correct understanding.  The giving of the gift of tongues was manifest to prove to the unbelieving Jews that the Messiah had come to provide a foundation and cornerstone of reference to build a new and everlasting covenant fulfilling and abrogating completely the precepts of the law. They were swept away as a refuge for lies “and your agreement (Jewish Israel after the flesh) with hell shall not stand.”

David Lance Dean                                 website and blogs:authordavidlancedean.com

Voices of the Prophets

               As I indicated in my recent posts I have purposed to gather up and place in order a summary of the prophetic utterances from the Scriptures relative to the unfolding world events leading us towards the end of the age. This covers a comprehensive revelation of significant events prophetically developed by several of the  prophets whose purpose it was to inform us precisely what to expect that individual believers could gain an understanding and avoid the many deceptions of the enemy who seeks to ensnare many and capture them for his own purposes of death and destruction. The most significant of those prophets is Jesus Christ.

            After careful thought and consideration I believe that to focus our attention to begin with on the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 24 provides us with a context to build upon for he is answering a question posed to him by the disciples. “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world?”(Matt.24:3) Jesus’ answer gives us a foundation to fully examine prophetic truth to the very end of the age.

            His words are both a warning as well as instruction to be prepared with knowledge of the truth that we may avoid being deceived, captured and destroyed by the evil one. He first warns of wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, and pestilences assuring his followers that these things will come to pass, but will not be the signs of the end of the age. Rather he refers to them as “the beginning of sorrows” (vss.6-7).This is preparatory for much more extreme consequences resulting in persecution and martyrdom for faithful believers in Christ. We have not yet experienced this in America, but we can be assured that it is coming from that international satanic driven forces intent upon establishing a one world government. We can see clearly in America the breakdown of the rule of law and the coming political and economic chaos. With the impending economic collapse which is soon to come our perceptions of America, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution will be relegated to history and tyranny will be the new paradigm. This fact is more than obvious at this time as we honestly analyze current and developing trends. The church is in an advanced state of apostasy and has been almost completely neutralized by government regulation (501C3) and spiritual compromise. Iniquity will indeed abound more and more and the love of many will wax cold. (Cp. Matt.24:12). False prophets and false teachers abound in the religious world and many are captured by their lies and distortions of the truth.

            We have observed within a generation the demise and destruction of a once free nation. The stage is almost completely set for the establishment of a virtual dictatorship including economic and political bondage. With it will come the wholesale persecution of any who will confess and stand for Christ? America as its collapse is complete will be merged with Mexico and Canada into a regional government as one of ten such regions that will make up the emerging New World Order. Daniel has prophesied the same at chapter seven, verse 7. “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; and it devoured and brake in pieces and stamped the residue with the feet of it……..and it had ten horns.”  Daniel’s vision of the ten horned beast (regional governments) is confirmed by the Apostle John at Rev 13:1. “And I stood on the sand of the sea, and I saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon the horns ten crowns, and in his heads were the name of blasphemy.” This conforms to the United Nations Agenda 21 for world government as well as the 1982 Oded Yinon plan for a “Grater Israel”. For details see my book The Israel Deception.

            Returning to the text of Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 24 we perceive that we are called upon to remain faithful in the face of adversity and persecution as “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Verse 13) “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. “ (Verse 14).

            Jesus warns us of a significant event to occur just prior to the beginning of the great tribulation.  “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet……whoso readeth let him understand.”(Verse 15).  For a full understanding read my blog -The Abomination of Desolation.  This solemn event occurs immediately prior to the onset of the tribulation and is explained more fully at II Thes. 2:1-11. (See Daniel 12:11-12 and read my blog The Great Tribulation). Jesus tells us at Matthew 24:21 that this sign and its effects will mark the onset of the great tribulation. This period which brings such tribulation as has never been seen upon the earth and except the Lord would shorten it no flesh should remain alive. Read the text of his warnings at Matthew 24:21-25. Compare this text with Daniel 11:30-45 which reveals the Antichrist and his activities running through the tribulation to the very end. Daniel 12:7 verifies the duration of the tribulation to be 3 ½ years.( Compare also Rev. 11:2; 12:6 and 13:5). The length of the tribulation is confirmed several times to be 3 ½ years and not a seven year period as taught by most of today’s preachers. It will be a time of extreme persecution and martyrdom of all who confess Christ for Satan and his agent the Antichrist are purposed to remove any testimony of Christ from the earth. Yes, the body of the church will be subjected to the tribulation including persecution and martyrdom. No pretribulation ‘rapture’.

            Returning to the words of Jesus in Matthew 24 beginning at verse 29 we read: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall he sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light………..Then shall appear the sign of the  Son of man in heaven……..md they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of the heaven with power and great glory…….and they shall gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of haven to the other.”(vss.29-31).

The resurrection and the gathering of the elect occurs after the tribulation. (Cp. I Thes 4:13-17; Daniel 12:1-2; I Cor. 15:51-52; Revelation 7:9-10; Rev. 11:11-12). See my blog The Resurrection.

            The Day of the Lord shall ensue after the resurrection when the Lord returns with his elect to bring judgment upon the earth. Contrary to dispensational teaching which states that Rev. chapters 4-19 constitute the tribulation we find that many of those chapters are dealing directly with the Day of the Lord or said another way the Day of the Lamb’s Wrath. This activity of his judgment of the earth can be found in Rev. Chapters 8,14,15,16 and finally reaching its consummation in chapter 20 when men are judged at the great white throne. At chapter 21  and chapter 22 of Revelation we see that a new havens and a new earth are brought into existence as the old world and its order having been judged and destroyed. The Day of the Lord is consummated with what has come to be known as Armageddon. Contrary to conventional wisdom this happens outside of time and is not conventional warfare but entirely spiritual in its nature and consummation. See my blogs The Day of the Lord and the Eschatology of Armageddon.  The reader will be even better informed if they obtain and read my book These Prophets and the Revelation. I hope that this discourse will bring new understanding to many.

David Lance Dean                                      website and blog access at: authordavidlancedean.com

P.S. You will need to backtrack through my blogs posted each moth in order to locate the designated blogs. Add your email address at the designated location on the site and you will automatically receive new blogs as they are posted.