America – “Judgment or Salvation?”

Scripture Text Isaiah 65

In this chapter God was preparing to judge the nation of Israel. What happened to the nation of Israel is destined to repeat it’s self in our beloved nation if we don’t repent and turn to God. This nation cannot go unpunished if we continue to reject God and His word.

I. Vs. 1-7 The Lord said that although He had constantly been presenting Himself and His love to Israel time and time again, they had rejected Him and they continued to be stubborn, independent, and evil which made judgment necessary. They provoked God by;

(a) Worshiping idols in their pagan gardens offering sacrifices and incense to them.

(b) Being involved in necromancy (supposedly consulting the dead for advice about the future, while sitting among the graves. Witchcraft, fortune telling, palm reading, seances which is seeking to communicate with the dead, and Satan worship!

(c) Disregarding God’s dietary laws which He had given them to keep them healthy.

(d) Being religiously arrogant, holier than thou till they became as repulsive and irritating to Him as smoke in a person’s nose. Because of their sins, the Lord would judge them. The consequences of sin had to be faced; God would pay them back in judgment for their continual idolatrous worship in high places and for disregarding Him and His laws.

II. VS. 8-12 In God’s judgment, a remnant will be preserved.

Though judgment was addressed to the whole nation, it will not be total. As a few grapes are left when vineyards are gleaned, so a remnant will be left who will return to the land (possess My mountains) and cultivate it, and pasture their flocks there again. Those that loved the Lord, trusted Him and lived for Him would be spared.

III. V: 11-12 On the other hand people are destined for slaughter if they do not trust the Lord, and if they disregard the temple on God’s holy mountain. Fortune and Destiny were names of gods Israel worshiped in her attempts to know the future. Food and drink were set before those idols to seek to please them. Such people, God said, is doomed to die by the sword, for they refused to listen to Him and deliberately chose to go on sinning against God.

IV. Vs. 13-16 The consequences of righteous living differ from those of wicked living.

 Contrasts between people who are the Lord’s servants and those who have departed from Him are dramatically presented in these verses. His servants will eat... drink, and rejoice, while the rejecters will be hungry... thirsty, and shamed. God’s servants will sing for joy whereas the rejecters will wail, be cursed, and put... to death. God’s servants... will receive another name, that is, will be given a new character by a new birth, so that they will take oaths honestly (by the God of truth.) God will forget their previous difficulties and sins because of His grace. In that day, when the wrongs of earth are righted, people will use the name “the God of truth” when they bless themselves or when they take an oath. In other words, God will be acknowledged as the One who brings His plans to pass, who does as He says He will do.

V. Vs. 17-25 The Lord will establish a glorious kingdom in which peace and righteousness will flourish right here on earth. Throughout the chapter, as well as throughout the book, the prophet implicitly pleaded for the people to place their trust in the Lord, to worship Him, and to live righteously according to His word and they would be the recipients of a new heaven and earth. One in which no sin or evil exists.

The need for new heavens and a new earth is suggested in Isaiah 51:6. During the Millennium Jerusalem will be a place of joy (65:18). Also the Lord Himself will rejoice over it, for sorrow will be vanished (v. 19). Though death will still be present, life spans will be extended (v. 20) and people will enjoy safety and the produce of their vineyards (vv. 21-22). God’s blessing will be on their work and families (v. 23) and He will speedily answer their prayers (v. 24). Wild animals will lose their ferocity and harmony and safety will prevail under God’s good hand, On His holy mountain.

Invitation: Make sure you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord.

If you don’t know for sure make sure today before it’s eternally to late! Confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to save you and invite Him into your life to lead, guide, and direct you.