We see a similar "judicial hardening" of men in the last days (during Daniel's Seventieth Week = the Tribulation), Paul describing the time when, that lawless one (Antichrist) will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming (Second Coming of Messiah), that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because (Here is the root cause of why God "hardens" hearts - His judicial hardening) they did not receive the love of the truth (They made a volitional choice to reject the only Truth that gives life Jn 14:6 and sets free Jn 8:31, 32) so as to be saved. the altar of sacrifice, which prefigured the Cross. At that time the divine hardening had run its course and Isaiah is able to issue an ultimatum (Isa 1:19, 20-note, one which Hezekiah apparently took to heart, resulting in the sparing of Jerusalem (see Isa 36-39) and cf. We see the "ultimate" faithful remnant in the time of the "terminal generation" of the Nation of Israel which is described by the prophet Zechariah who writes, It will come about in all the land, Declares the LORD, That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; But the third will be left (REMNANT) in it. In a vision, Isaiah saw God's holiness and glory, and he was utterly overwhelmed. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone. In Jn 8:58 He declared that He was "I Am", the name ascribed to God in Ex 3:14+. (This picture of the exalted Lord brings to mind Michael W Smith's song - Above All), The train - This describes the hem or fringe (cf Ex 28:33, 34) of His robe which appropriately filled the temple. The OT sacrifices never removed man's sin because it was "impossible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take away sins" (Heb 10:4-note). Then Solomon said, The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. Unclean lips - The words of one's lips reflect the state of one's heart, for as Jesus said "The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart." -Deut 32:15 (used twice); Neh 9:25; Isa 6:10; Jer 5:28. Lam 3:22, 23). God Himself tells us, 'Be still, and know that I am God' (Ps. He evidently came from a family of some rank, because he had easy access to the king (7:3) and intimacy with a priest (8:2). And clouds of smoke enwrapped the throne on high. Do you ponder your true helplessness and vulnerability apart from Christ? The Old Testament In this good news, Isaiah heard the gospel Isaiah also experienced both the deep conviction of his sin and the assurance of Gods gracious forgiveness. John MacArthur has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, since 1969. He was the One high and lifted up on the throne, and He was the One lifted up on the Cross. Faces covered, wings resplendent, Seraphim before Him bow! It is one thing to condemn the saints, it is quite another to take upon ourselves the confession of their sins as ours. (cp Nu 21:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, cp Jesus' teaching Jn 3:14, 15 , 2Co 5:21, cp destruction of the idol Israel had made from the bronze serpent 2Ki 18:4). When He judges sin, He is still perfectly just and righteous. On the latter issue, numerous portions of Isaiah support the position that God has not replaced ethnic Israel with an alleged new Israel. Isaiah has too much to say about Gods faithfulness to Israel, that He would not reject the people whom He has created and chosen (43:1). As an aside, this surely points to an amazing display of grace from God to man, that the man Isaiah would even be permitted to look upon such a sight without dying (cf Ex 33:20, Jn 1:18, 6:46, 14:9, Col 1:15-note, 1Ti 6:16), Thine angels adore Thee, 'Avon is is a twisting of the standard or deviation from it and thus refers to iniquity, guilt or punishment for guilt. It constantly foreshadowed the work of the Cross. But in the uncertainty that often surrounds faith comes the divine honoring of its presence and a calm voice that says, Dont be afraid. Grace is active. 1Ti 1:15 (63-66AD) It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. To be where God is will be glory. Damien Cook 10. The beaming forth of Christ's glory in the soul reveals its hidden evil; the knowledge of this evil lays the believer low before God with the confession, "I abhor myself. One cannot be dogmatic (in my opinion). On the one hand this is the fruit of their own depravity. NAS = cease(1), completely cut off(1), cut off(2), destroy(1), destroyed(1), perish(2), ruined(5), silenced(1), unceasingly*(1). The Apostle Paul entered into this when he spoke of being a sweet savor of CHRIST unto GOD both in them that are saved and in them that perish (2Co 2:15). Tradition has it that he met his death under King Manasseh (ca. Or to my knees will I fall? It is absolutely essential that He be lifted up, because He came down to this earth and became one of us that He might become " the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (Jn 1:29). And He said to them, "Follow (command) Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (See context in The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: Old Testament). Lofty (07311) (ruwm) is a primary root which conveys three ideas (1) literal height, (2) height symbolic of notions (glory, exaltation - Ps 34:3 exalt His name), and (3) height symbolic of negative notions (arrogance & pride). This is an encouraging truth! The call of God is not for the special few, it is for everyone. You should find someone upon whom you can depend. The Lord, however, did not intend to get rid of Simon Peter. Whenever the invisible God becomes visible, and whenever the omnipresence of God is localized, this is the Shechinah Glory. He said - Who? The New Testament 5:8). It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus. From his viewpoint he was right, and he won the match against them. Isaiah 6:10b reflects the people's attitude and might be paraphrased accordingly: "Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their mind, repent, and be restored, and they certainly wouldn't want that, would they?". Donna played a pivotal role in taking the disco, dance music, and R&B scene to new heights. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press), Isaiah is an excellent OT illustration of the powerful principle taught in 1John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. For example, at the completion of Solomons Temple (note) in Jerusalem, It happened that when the priests came from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. A. This revelation of God as the absolute Lord ruling over the affairs of people caused the prophet to lament over his own sinfulness. Series: The Gospel According to God. Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God's Word, John MacArthur is a popular author and conference speaker. 38) until 686 B.C. Isaiah 6), but also to the great Suffering Servant prophecy of Isaiah 53 (v. 38). McGee -Isaiah heard God's call for the first time and responded to it, as a cleansed individual will do. Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs. 2 Peter Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8. Despite her best efforts to find help, her terrible condition worsened and she desperately sought Jesus (Mk 5:26, 27). John and his wife, Patricia, have four married children and fifteen grandchildren. A burning coal - The Seraphim are themselves "burning ones" and here bring a "burning coal". TODAY IN THE WORD - Have you ever accidentally burned yourself? 750731 B.C.) In this prophecy God says those who reject His Word of Truth have gone too far and cannot return. Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! During the reign of Uzziah, Judah was politically and militarily at her height, but chapters 15 show that her spiritual, moral, and social ills had reached the crisis state. He makes himself as we have said, visible to men, and God in him. Kaphar - 101x in 93v in the NAS - appease(1), appease*(1), atone(3), atoned(2), atonement is made(1), atonement shall be made(1), atonement was made(1), atoning(1), canceled(1), expiation can be made(1), forgave(1), forgive(4), forgiven(5), made atonement(3), make atonement(71), makes atonement(2), making atonement(1), pardon(1). Him who called out - One seraphim calling out to another. The shrinking Jeremiah, ordained from before his birth to be a prophet, answers the call to service by saying, somewhat like Moses: "Ah, Adonai Jehovah! This was Isaiah's response to a vision of the Thrice Holy God! The future exaltation of Jerusalem will be on earth, not in heaven. There is no task laid upon us by the Lord which we shall not have power from Him to fulfill, when everything that would hinder our communion with Him has been removed. John MacArthur For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Holy, holy, holy! Isaiah 9:6 Isaiah 9:6 may be the most familiar Old Testament prophecy about the birth of Christ. Keep on listening do not perceive keep on looking do not understand - Can you imagine Isaiah's first reaction upon hearing these words he was to speak to the people of Judah - to say they are not seeker friendly would be an understatement! Unfortunately, as Dr. Tony Evans points out, this "hurry up and get it" mentality has invaded the church. Woe! It is not exhaustive because no one can see God and live. 1 Samuel Hezekiah became very ill with a life-threatening disease, but he prayed and God graciously extended his life for 15 years (2 Kin. (Notes from My Bible, p. 85). Consider placing a link on this page to allow visitors to this site to enter the name, address of a pastor they know along with a $5 donation to have you send the booklet and cover letter to that pastor or pastors (if you can afford to send it to multiple pastors for a $5 donation). Man can only see God as He has revealed Himself. Woe is me, for I am ruined! and continued for 29 years to ca. The mission is to catch persons alive. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? Whenever you read in the Old Testament that any man saw the Lord, understand it of the Second Person of the Divine Trinity, the Lord Jesus Christ. It seems to demand some reflection. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point MacArthur New Testament Commentary Ser. For I am undone." This suggests that their utterances were antiphonal, though not in song. There are too many people today who are asked to do something in the church who first of all ought to get cleansed and straightened out with the Lord. (cf Ex. FOR SALE! All veiling their sight, With two they covered their feet, in acknowledgment of the lowliness of their glorious service. God knew Isaiahs need. Although I was an unregenerate teenager, this hymn always seemed to strike a peculiar chord in my heart, until one day at age 39 after studying the Minor Prophets, the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah, came to take up residence within my heart and "Holy, Holy, Holy" became even more meaningful (My Testimony to God's Grace).