At 3,000. men Israel's army was pitifully small. Only one third of these were with Jonathan, yet he courageously defeats a Philistine garrison at Geba for which Saul instantly claims the credit. The enraged enemy mass a huge army to crush the first sign of any resistance and march to Michmash for revenge striking terror into Saul's men, who have began to scatter. Samuel had asked Saul to wait 7 days until he comes and offers the sacrifices. As his forces continue to shrink Saul's patience fails and to embolden the remnants of his men he slays the offerings himself. No sooner has Saul done this than Samuel arrives to admonish Saul for his foolishness and his failure to trust the charge given to him. Saul seeks to justify his actions and Samuel tells him that the consequences of his folly would be the giving of the kingdom to another. Saul's army had shrunk to one fifth its size. Nonetheless, with courage he faces and defeats a vastly numerically superior foe possessing but two swords with his group; he and Jonathan alone had them.
Isaiah 56 teaches us that God always intended to include foreigners ie non Jews in his plan of salvation. This was a great shock to the Jewish people who thought that the LORD was only interested in His people - Israel. Verses 1-8 speak of Yahweh giving His family NAME of the LORD to foreigners who chose to follow His ways. The eunuchs are particularly mentioned and this would prove a powerful motivation to the eunuch of Acts 8. God's house would as Jesus quoted on his cleansing of the temple be a "house of prayer for all nations" - Matthew 21 verses 12-13. The Sabbath principle of ceasing from one's own works and working the works of God Is clearly expressed in this chapter and will be expanded on in chapter 58. The remainder of the chapter in verses 9-12 denounces Israel's corrupt and self serving leaders.
Isaiah 57 contrasts the futility of idolatry with our Sovereign's true contrite and humble supplicants. These alone know the secret of the LORD and of those with whom He can harmoniously dwell: within their hearts. Isaiah 57 verses14-15 - see also Isaiah 66 verses 1-2; James 4 verses 5-8; 1 Peter 5 verses5-6. By contrast the wicked can never find rest. Isaiah 57 verses :20-21. This completes the second section of Isaiah's prophecy.
Revelation 21 provides a glimpse of the perfect state of the earth at the end of the kingdom age. The first 8 verses we see new heavens and earth since there is no longer any mortal population - no nations exist, as there is no more sea. As there is no more death it means there is no more sin. Finally, the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5 verse 8). No man can see God and live Moses was told; this is not the case for the immortals. God's people, Jews and Gentiles, will dwell with Him as the prophet Hosea had said. The sorrows of their struggles before attaining to the Divine nature have been forgotten with the tender scene of their loving Father wiping away all tears. Everything upon earth has been renewed and perfected. The One declaring these things is the Alpha - the first and increate - and as the Omega (the final letter of the 24 lettered Greek alphabet) the bringer to finality of all things; "God all in all" 1 Corinthians 15 verse28. Nothing that is morally corrupt is allowed in this perfected world. The vision of the new Jerusalem coming from God to earth is revealed in verses 9-27. It is described as a cube - perfect in each dimension. It is the 144,000 with the Lamb - 12 squared times 10 cubed. The Israel of God with admission gained via the 12 Apostolic gates each one based on a rare and precious gem. The transparent glass sea is indicative that there is no wickedness; only the tranquil calmness of full fellowship with the Almighty and His Son. This means there is no need of a priesthood, or Temple. No artificial light is required as the earth is full of the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh (Habakkuk 2:14). Revelation 22 backtracks to a vision of the kingdom age. There is seen a "wood (Greek "xulon"), or forest, of life on both sides of the pure river issuing from Messiah's sanctuary. These trees bore 12 different types of fruits; and their leaves were the medicine for the healing of the nations - today 90% of medicines are derived from plants. As in Revelation 14 the faithful have their minds sealed by the Father's Word. In addition to this encouraging vision verses 8-21 tell the faithful disciples that the coming of Jesus Christ is near and certain. The witnesses must faithfully guard the message from Messiah. John sought to worship the one - an angel - revealing that message to him, but was forbidden. Steadfastness in virtue must be maintained to receive the reward the Lamb will bring. The tree of Life from which Adam and Eve were separated after sinning is now open to the redeemed servants of Christ. Verse 15 exhorts us as disciples to practice truth and righteousness - there cannot be the Truth without individuals governing their lives by truth (Zechariah 8:16). Jesus describes himself as the root (origin, or source Micah 5 verse 2) and offspring (descendant) of David. Verses 17-19 are a final call for the thirsty seekers of immortality to respond (cp Isaiah 55verses 1-4). The Lord Jesus Christ says in verse 20 I am coming speedily; and John responds together in verse 21 with ourselves, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen (let it be so)".
Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org
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