For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Isaiah 24-25

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 9, Day 2, the focus is again on Isaiah 24.  Similar to my focus and post yesterday where I discussed how believers are citizens in Heaven, my focus today contrasts how the sinful of Isaiah's day put their faith in cities built by human hands. We are referred to Hebrews 11:10 where Abraham is provided as an example of faithfulness.  Abraham is one example of many in this chapter of Hebrews - a chapter that is often referred to as the "Hall of Faith." This chapter contains many examples, from Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, etc. to detail how heroes of the faith persevered through challenging times and the unknown by focusing on something that they could not see and would not see in an earthly lifetime.  My commentary outlines this chapter as having the following divisions:

1.  God's judgement on the entire earth (v1-6)
2.  End of worldly joy (v7-12)
3.  Reaction of righteous (v13-16)
4.  Inescapable judgement outside of Christ (v17-22)
5.  Finale: God's glorious city (v23)
   

Clearly, we see a prophecy of end times and there is much to fear for those who are not in Christ.  Yet for those who are in Christ, we can rely on the certainty that this life is not the end and we are to persevere and endure through this life and its trials - and place our hope in Heaven which will be glorious indeed!

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My Prayer: Lord, You are glorious indeed and You have saved a place for me in Heaven - something I know is glorious and I am grateful.  Yet I know I am not deserving.  I have sin...daily...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One. But I say, “I waste away, I waste away. Woe is me! For the traitors have betrayed, with betrayal the traitors have betrayed.”

Isaiah 24-25

From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One. But I say, “I waste away, I waste away. Woe is me! For the traitors have betrayed, with betrayal the traitors have betrayed.” Isaiah 24:16

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 9, Day 1, the focus is on Isaiah 24, where we see God's judgement on the whole earth.  The scope of the judgement is clear as the word "earth" appears eighteen times in this chapter - we are to understand at least two things: (1) Sin has spread throughout the earth and all of its inhabitants, (2) God reigns over all the universe, including earth and all of its inhabitants.  Believers should keenly understand that as we are surrounded by sin on all sides, we should not seek comfort or refuge in anything earthly because earth is not our home, and ultimately we will all be in Heaven. 

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21

 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You reign and You are saving a place in Heaven for me - my true home. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God and such a blessing, among the MANY blessings You pour out for me.  I am not deserving.  I have sin...daily...and it is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Who has purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth? The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth.

Isaiah 19-23

Who has purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth? The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth. Isaiah 23:8-9

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 8, Day 5, the focus is on Isaiah 23, where we see judgement on Tyre, a maritime city in modern-day Lebanon that had grown very prosperous and wealthy. My commentary refers us also to Ezekiel 28 for a similar prophecy against Tyre (and Sidon). Idol worship of wealth and power are key sins of Tyre as is pride. My commentary notes as applications to "live boldly free from materialism in this present evil age; to be generous with our money, storing up treasure in heaven; to be suspicious of our flesh’s desire for the next new electronic device. It is for us to see Satan’s hidden presence behind the economic ebbs and flows of human history and to understand that God will judge it finally in the end (Revelation 18). It is for us to heed the warnings against worldliness in James 4:4 and 1 John 2:15-17, and to use the things of this world while not being addicted to them (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)." 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, every good and perfect gift comes from You - You alone provide for all of our needs, physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Help me remember this always and be grateful and not love the world nor conform to the patterns of this world by loving the world.  You have blessed me - I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues.  Help me overcome and turn from this sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In that day the Lord God of hosts called for weeping and mourning, for baldness and wearing sackcloth[.]

Isaiah 19-23

In that day the Lord God of hosts called for weeping and mourning, for baldness and wearing sackcloth[.] Isaiah 22:12

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 8, Day 4, the focus is on Isaiah 22, where my commentary states that "God calls on the citizens of Jerusalem to fast and repent; instead, they party and die."  We see how Judah saw an impending invasion - God's wrath to be poured out on them for their unfaithfulness - but instead of going to God in prayer and for guidance - instead relied on its own powers and then had a feast (v8-13)!  God sought for Judah to mourn and repent for its sin (v12) but they did not. God's response is harsh, where in v14 He says 'Surely this iniquity will not be atoned for you until you die.' My commentary summarizes the key takeaway to be for "the people of God to learn how to mourn for sin and how to trust fully in Christ. Mourning for sin is never easy, but it is truly part of the Holy Spirit’s work in us as we continue to struggle with sin....Ask God to search you and know you and show you if there is any deep-seated sin pattern that is destroying your life. When the Spirit reveals it to you, do not go too quickly on to happy feelings. Ultimately, trust in Jesus, the firm foundation for your life. Hang everything on him, and he will never let you go." We are encourage to also refer to James 4:9-10 and other verses where God hates sin and we share a disdain of sin in our own lives.

Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:10

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are an awesome God and You provide a way out of sin - Yourself!  You give us victory over sin and death and true freedom!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings...my sin continues...daily.  Please help me see my sin, and please forgive me Jesus for my sin and help me overcome and turn from my sin - towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply You message for me today and every day.

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Revelation 12-14

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Revelation 12:9

I continue with my D-Group's study of Revelation using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide.  For this week, the study looks at Revelation 12-14, which according to my commentary looks at "the spiritual reality behind and beneath [the] conflict [arising both within and without the church].  For today, I look at the extent to which Satan is the great deceiver.  My commentary notes that "Satan attempts to deceive the world by imitating God," and points out several striking similarities between Satan and God in Revelation 12-14, including: 

• God exists as the Triune God or Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; in Revelation we see the dragon, the beast from the land and the beast from the sea
• the Lamb was killed and raised to life (Jesus); in Revelation 13 we see the beast from the sea "seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast."
• God seals His saints by writing His name on their foreheads; the beast from the land marks his servants (Revelation 13:16-17)
•  the church is clothed in white; world kingdoms in the Bible are represented with purple and scarlet
  

The commentary also points to 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 for an additional scripture warning from Paul about how Satan imitates God:

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who is full of love for me...giving me protection from Satan - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  My sin is great, it continues, and it is daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach an d Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Revelation 12-14

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 12:10-11

I continued with my D-Group's study of Revelation using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide.  For this week, the study looks at Revelation 12-14, which according to my commentary looks at "the spiritual reality behind and beneath [the] conflict [arising both within and without the church].  For today, I focus on the "Gospel Glimpses" section of the commentary for this week. The first passage of this section emphasizes one of the most critical aspects of the Gospel and how believers truly have freedom because "no accusation will stand" once Jesus died on the cross for us. I know this but like many other blessings, I often forget and perhaps even take for granted.  Today, I am starkly reminded of this truth and greatly encouraged by it. The commentary states: [b]efore the cross and resurrection of Jesus, Satan could accuse God’s people by arguing that their sin hadn’t been atoned for, since the blood of bulls and goats wasn’t sufficient for the task and God had simply “passed over” the sins of his people, that is, taken no action of any kind with regard to them (see Rom. 3:25). But through Jesus’ death, God made full atonement for the sins of his people. After the cross, Satan’s grounds for accusation are demonstrably invalid."  I am also reminded of Romans 8:1-2:

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who died in my place so that I could have freedom from the sting of sin and death - the greatest gift of all time!  Of course I am not deserving.  Please forgive me for my sins of worry, etc.  Help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Revelation 12-14

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. Revelation 14:12

I flipped back to my D-Group's study of Revelation using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide.  For this week, the study looks at Revelation 12-14, which according to my commentary looks at "the spiritual reality behind and beneath [the] conflict [arising both within and without the church]. Chapters 12–14 identify the main enemies of Christians: the devil, the beast from the sea, the beast from the earth, and Babylon.*"  Revelation focuses on the end times and Christ's ultimate and final defeat of Satan, and believers of today should gain peace and confidence that Christ has already defeated sin and death and He gives us that victory.  Of course our time here on earth promises trials and difficulties, but God wants us to endure (see also John 16:33). In Revelation 12-14 we see an enormous struggle play out between Christ, Satan and the forces of this world.  Spoiler alert - God wins...and He wants us to hang on, have faith, and endure!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and You give me tremendous confidence and peace in knowing that You have already defeated sin and death....for me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a blessing.  My sin continues - sloth, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

*Witmer, Stephen. Revelation (Knowing the Bible) (p. 25). Crossway. Kindle Edition.