Chaplain’s desk — Words from Isaiah

Scriptures taken from the NKJV

With permission from Thomas Nelson Publishing

As a Christian, I love the words of the prophet Isaiah.  I understand that some of his prophesies have more than one time in which they would be fulfilled, but many, like in chapter two are for the “latter days” when Messiah will come to reign and rule.

2-4.  Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.  Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; he will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  He shall judge between the nations, and shall rebuke many people; 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.

I believe, as do some of the Rabbis in Israel, that this time is very close.  Messiah will return, as Christians believe, and set up His kingdom in Zion, Jerusalem.  He shall judge the earth and all of the inhabitants thereof.  Are we ready?

True Christians believe there is only one God, but three in personalities.  We look at Genesis 1: 26.  Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  27.  So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Create in Our Image.  We believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  Three in One.  We stand by Deuteronomy 6:4  “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!

Just as in our political system we hear some people called “RINO,” Republican in name only, unfortunately there is a preponderance of people who should be called “CINO,” Christian in name only.  Not all who claim the name follow the same God, a God of love, but also of justice and perfect holiness.  If they were to study God’s Word,, they would not do and say the things they now do.

It was words from Isaiah that made me believe God was calling me to teach Bible class at the church in Las Vegas, Nevada where my wife and I were attending.  When I was asked to teach, I felt so very inadequate, and almost refused.  But then I said I would pray about it.

The very next morning, in my time of Bible study and prayer, The passage that came to me was Isaiah 6:1-8.   In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!”   And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.  And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.”  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

I felt I had unclean lips, even though I do not curse.  Unclean because I talked about things that are unnecessary. Unclean because of inadequacy.  But I made myself available and said “Yes, Lord.  If that’s what you want me to do.”  It has led to multiple spiritual adventures with God leading.

I see people today that Isiah could have been writing to.   Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!   Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,  who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous man!  Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom will ascend like dust; because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 5:20-24)

Our entire world is following this passage, calling evil goo and good evil.  Everywhere we see people who are wise in their own eyes, drunkenness and drug use, and harassment of those who try to follow God in church or synagogue.

Study Ezekiel’s writings.  I believe the first part of chapter 37 was fulfilled in May of 1948, when Israel became a nation.  The second part is coming soon.  Likely chapters 38-39 will proceed the last part of 37.  As I started out, Messiah is coming soon.  He will come to judge those who are left after great tribulation hits this world.  He will rule forever.  We are told that we are to watch for the signs, and when we see them, look up, for our redemption is drawing nigh.

The Psalmist who wrote the 103^rd Psalm expresses much of this writer’s feelings toward God Almighty..  Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!  Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:  Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,  Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.  The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.  He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.  For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;  As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

   As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.  For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.  As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.  For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.

   But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.  Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

  Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!