[0:00] Isaiah chapter 56, Isaiah chapter 56, just to do a quick recap, last Thursday we talked about how we are to come to the man that satisfies, Isaiah 55 shows us in verse 1 through 5, he says, come to the waters, come by ye eat, come by the milk and wine, he says, hearken unto me, in verse number 3, he says, incline your ear and come unto me, he's got something that's going to satisfy us, he has something that's going to satisfy us, so we have to come to him, then after that we saw, you know, we're just going to do a quick recap, he said the invitation was open for everyone, anyone that thirsteth, anybody that didn't have money, come to me and I'll take care of you, and our job was this, listen, hearken, hearken intently, listen diligently, come unto me, forsake your way, forsake your way and follow after me, come after me, seek me, that's what he says, and then in verses, well all throughout that chapter in Isaiah 55, he talks about what is it, what's it in it for us, there's delight, delight, there's good favor, there's everlasting mercy, there's a mercy, an unpardoning mercy, he says that man, we're going to give us stuff that satisfies, he's going to give us joy and peace, he says there's deliverance from the curse, and as we read through it, he kind of wonders, like, okay, that's pretty good, pretty good, but what does that really mean, and this passage is actually talking about a futuristic time, it's prophetic, he's talking about a thousand year reign, something that we know as the millennial reign that he's talking about, and this is all brought upon us because of Isaiah 53 and the suffering servant, these futuristic events, these prophetic events, was all possible, made possible by the suffering servant in Isaiah 53, now, just so you guys know what the thousand year reign millennial is, if you like to keep bullet points, or I give you a couple of quick bullet points, just to give you an overview of what the millennial reign is, it's this, it's Jesus Christ reigning here on earth as the son of David as king over Israel, Isaiah chapter 2 verses 1 through 4 says this, and the word of Isaiah the son of Amoz, Saul concerning Judah and Jerusalem, and it shall come to pass in the last 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 nations shall flow unto it, many people shall go and say, come ye, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in paths, for out of
[2:17] Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, and he shall judge, this is talking about Jesus, he shall judge among the nations, and he shall rebuke many people, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore, Daniel in Daniel 7 verse 14 he says this, and there was given him, talking about Jesus, our Lord and Savior Jesus, the suffering servant, that man after David's line, he says this, it was given him dominion, and glory, and the kingdom, that all people, and nations, and languages should serve him, his dominion was an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom, that which shall not be destroyed, during this thousand year time, we're going to be, we're going to see a king, and his name is Jesus Christ, and he's going to reign nations, they're going to flock to him, not only that, but the scriptures also tell us, that Israel will be restored, that little small nation there in the Middle East, it will be restored, Jeremiah chapter 23 verse 5 through 8, Israel will be restored, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and a king shall reign and prosper, and he shall execute judgment and justice in the earth, and in his day Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely, and this is his name, whereby he shall be called the Lord our righteousness, therefore behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that they shall no more say, the Lord liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, but the Lord liveth, which brought up, and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north countries, and from all countries, whither I have driven them, and they shall dwell in their own land, Israel will be restored in these thousand years, when Jesus sets up himself as king, they will be back in Israel, God will restore them, and you can see that all through these major prophets, but not only that, the spiritual life during these thousand years is going to be totally different, totally different, nothing like we've ever seen it before, you see Jeremiah chapter 31 verses 33 through 34, this is what he says, but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of
[4:29] Israel, after those days, saith the Lord, I will put, I will put in my law, in their inward parts, and right in their hearts, and will be their gods, and they shall be my people, and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least unto the greatest, saith the Lord, for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sins no more, widespread knowledge of scripture truth, as well as the truth about the person and the work of Jesus Christ, will be the amazing foundation of the spiritual life, the Holy Spirit will indwell all believers in this thousand year reign, this millennial kingdom, much as he does right now, Ezekiel chapter 36 verse 24 through 27 says this, for I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all the countries, and I will bring you Israel into your own land, then I will sprinkle and clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean from all filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you, and a new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put in you, and I will take away that stony heart, that rebellious heart, out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh, verse 27 he says this, and I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them, during this thousand year reign man, spiritual life's gonna be totally different, not only that, there will be a temple, there will be a center for people, for priestly rituals and offerings, we saw that in Ezekiel 40 chapter 40 through 46, lifestyles will be different, righteousness and justice will be featured, Isaiah chapter 11 verse three through four says this, and he shall make him a quick, of quick understanding, and the fear of the Lord, and he shall judge, not after the sight of eyes, neither reproof after the hearing of ears, but with righteousness, during these thousand year reign, Jesus will rule, and righteousness will be ruling as king, not corruption, we were at lunch today, and we were talking with a couple friends of mine, and they were talking about what is happening right now in their home country, and they're saying it's extremely corrupt, when Jesus reigns for a thousand years guys, we don't have to worry about corruption anymore, you don't have to worry about bribing, you don't have to worry about judges getting things wrong, Jesus will set everything right, he will judge, he will judge according to righteousness, it will be a prosperous time, the curse of Adam will be lifted, the curse of Adam will be lifted,
[6:58] Isaiah chapter 35 verses one through two, in the wilderness, and in the solitary place, shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose, and it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy, and singing, the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Caramel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of God, verses five through seven says this, then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped, then shall the lame man leap as a harp, and the tongue of the dumb will sing, and the wilderness shall break, the the wilderness shall waters break out, and the deserts, and streams in the deserts, and the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water, and the habitations of dragons which, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes, man it's gonna be a great time, at the end of Isaiah chapter 55, he talked about how those thorns and thistles will no longer grow up on those trees, how the mountains will shout and sing, and how the trees will clap their hands, why, because there's a new king running the world, there is something to be happy over, that's what's gonna happen in this thousand year reigns, now, got that done, okay, we're on Isaiah chapter 56, this is what the scripture says, we're gonna go through verse eight, thus saith the Lord, keep ye judgment, and do justice for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed, blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it, and keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil, neither let any, neither let the son of the stranger that hath joined himself to the Lord speak, saying, the Lord hath utterly separated me from his people, neither let the eunuch say, behold, I'm a dry tree, for thus saith the Lord unto the eunuch, keep my Sabbath, and choose the right things that please me, and take hold my covenants, even unto them which I give mine house, and within mine walls a place, and a name better than the sons and daughters, I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off, the sons of the stranger shall join themselves to the Lord to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, everyone that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, take hold of my covenant, even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in the house, in my house of prayer, their burnt offerings, that's what's gonna happen, burnt offerings gonna happen again, their burnt offerings, and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar, and mine house shall be called a house of prayer, for the Lord God which shall gather out the outcasts of Israel saith, yet I will gather others to him besides those that are gathered unto him, Heavenly Father, thank you for this day, Lord, please help me, help us to get this truth in our mind and heart, and glorify you, and live it out, in Jesus name, amen, okay, that's a lot of stuff, and I was talking really fast, I don't know if you got it, but I hope to make sense of it, okay, several times in this chapter, God tells, speaks through Isaiah, and he says these words, keep, do my statutes, now I was reading, man, I was trying to, I was trying to figure out what's going on here, and I read one guy, he's like talking about how we need to keep the Sabbath, that's not what he's talking about here, that's not what he's talking about here, but he is talking to a strange people, he is talking to eunuchs, people that weren't allowed to worship God according to the law, and he is commanding them to do and keep his word, and he gives them reasons in this chapter, in these first eight verses, why we keep and do God's word, and I think they're very practical for our life today, so I'd like to give you three reasons, three reasons from the scriptures, why we keep and why we do God's word, why do we keep justice, why do we seek to do righteous acts, why do we seek to do what God commands in his statutes and judgments, well the first thing is, I see this is this, because salvation is near, look what he says in verse one, thus saith the Lord, this is a command, keep, do, why am I going to keep and do, look what he says, for my salvation is near to come,
[11:04] underline, circle that four, and put another word for because, why am I supposed to keep, why am I supposed to do, why am I supposed to obey God's word, because salvation is near to come, what does that mean, what does that mean, because the Lord brings salvation to those who believe, they should act justly in this present age, that's the job, that's what he's telling these people in the future, do and keep, why, because salvation is near, because salvation is near, I started to thinking, I started to wonder, like why in the world, what is God talking about here, and then I started thinking through the scriptures, when Joshua takes all the children of Israel, he brings them together, and in Joshua chapter four, this is what Joshua says to the people, he answered and said in Joshua chapter 24 verses 16, this is what he said, the people answered and says, God forbid that we should sake and serve the gods, serve other gods, for the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up, and our fathers, out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did great signs in our sights, and preserved us all the way wherein we went, and went out, and among all the people went, and all the people whom we passed, and the Lord drove out from before us, all the people, even the Amorites, which dwelt in the land, therefore we will serve the Lord, for he is our God, verse 24, this is what they say, and the people said to Joshua, the Lord our God, we will serve, his voice, we will obey, before they take claim of the land, well they're already taking claim, they're out there, they've already won, the people get together, and Joshua makes this thing, he says, don't you guys realize what God did in your life, don't you realize he saved you out of Egypt, he led you through the wilderness, he took care of you, don't you realize what God did, he delivered you out of bondage, people are like, God, you delivered us, you saved us, and because of that, we will obey you, why is it that we obey, and keep God's word, other than this, he saved us, he delivered us, that's what God's saying, in Isaiah chapter 56, that's what he's saying, when he talked to Israel, can I tell you, that's what he tells us today, that's what he tells us today, look what it says in the scriptures, if you don't believe me, take it and turn with Titus chapter 2, verse 11 through 15, for the grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men, that grace, that wonderful salvation, and deliverance, has appeared to all men, and what does that grace do, it teaches us that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, righteous acts, justice, and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, that glorious appearing, of that great God, on our Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us, from all iniquity, to purify himself, a peculiar people, zealous of good works, why is it that we keep, and do God's word, is it that we might find favor, in God's sight, no, we keep, and do God's word, is because he's delivered us, from that, that's what he's trying to say, I saved you, from that, I took care of you, my grace, came to you, and it teaches you, don't do this wicked stuff, why would you obey God, because he delivered you, he saved you, his salvation, has come there to you, that's why we serve, and keep, that's why we do, and keep, not to earn, but we serve, and keep, because this, it's by grace, that we're saved, through faith, and it wasn't of ourselves, it was a gift of God, it was in the works, because we can't boast, but this is what the scripture says, we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, unto good works, which means we're going to do, and keep, what God wants, because he saved us, to make us, a different type of people, does that make sense, we don't do, and keep, to be, but rather, we do, and keep, because we be, does that make sense, that's what God's saying, in Isaiah chapter
[15:07] 56 verse 1, keep my commandments, keep my judgments, do justice, because salvation is nigh come unto you, that's the first reason, the second reason is this, look what it says in verse number 2, he said, blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it, and keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil, why do we keep, and do God's commands, first reason is because of salvation, second reason is this, because we're happy when we do it, is it not true, is it not true, look what he says in verse 2, blessed, you know the word for blessed, happy, happy is he that doeth this, happy is the man that doeth justice, happy is the man that keeps God's commandments, that's what happens when we do God's word, we become happy, we become blessed, that's what happens, it's pretty simple, we do and keep because there's happiness in doing it, makes sense to me, but look what Isaiah says, blessed is the man that doeth this, this judgment and justice, and the son of Adam, that's what he's saying, the son of man, the son of Adam will lay hold on it, what does that mean, that lay hold, that lay hold is also used in the word, when Pharaoh hardened his heart, you get that, does that give you a little bit of insight, what type of person that gets blessed, it's those stubborn people, those stubborn people that say,
[16:33] I'm going to do it, no matter what, just like Pharaoh says, I'm not letting you go, I don't care if you come at me with different plagues, I'm not letting you go, I'm hardening my heart, blessed is the man who doesn't say, I'm not going to trust you God, I'm not going to obey you God, but blessed is the man that says, God, I'm going to do whatever you say, and it doesn't matter what anyone else says, it doesn't matter what happens to me, I'm going to do your word, that's what he's saying, I think about the time when Moses gave the Israelites, it's right before Moses lets over the Israelites, and they're right before the Israel goes into the promised land, in Deuteronomy chapter 28 verses 1 through 2, and it shall come to pass, he says this, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments, which I command you this day, that the Lord of God will set thee on high above all nations, verse 2, and all these, what, blessings shall come on thee, what happens when we keep and do God's word, we're blessed, we get blessed, whether you realize it or not, you're like, how in the world do you say it, you just only said
[17:37] Old Testament verses, let's go to James chapter 1 verses 25, let's just see what the scripture says in the New Testament, James says this, but whoever looketh, but whoso looketh in the perfect law of liberty, and continue therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a what, a doer, one that keeps and does his word, what is he, this man shall be blessed in his deed, he will be happy, he will be happy, Jesus told his disciples after he's doing the servant thing there in John chapter 13, he says, if you know these things, happy are ye if you do them, he says this in 1 John chapter 5 verses 3, for this is the love of God that we keep his commandments, and his commandments aren't grievous, they aren't weighty, they're not heavy, they're not weightier, they truly make us blessed people when we follow his word, you guys get that, why do we have to be told that we need to obey God's word, because it makes us happy, you know why you're not happy, because you cease to do what he commands you to do, do God's word, do the righteousness, and they will make you happy, closing up right now, Isaiah 56 verses 4 through 5, for thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs, thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs, read verse 3, we gotta get context, idea, get this, neither let the son of the stranger, don't let the Gentile people say this, who have joined himself to the Lord, don't let them speak this saying, the Lord has separated me from his people, I am different than Israel during this thousand year reign, don't let the Gentiles say, I'm not Israel, I don't have to keep God's covenant,
[19:25] I don't have to keep his commandments, don't let them say that, verse number 4, does that make sense, you guys see that, you guys see that, you guys see that, okay good, I got at least, I got David DuBois to shake his head, so I think we're on the right track, for thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs, that keep my Sabbath, and choose, choose the things, he does the things that what, he does the things that please me, to take hold of my covenant, even to him will I give him my house, and within my walls a place, and a name that is better than the sons and the daughters, I will give them an everlasting name, and they shall not be cut off, the sons of the strangers that join themselves to me, they'll serve me, they'll love the name of the Lord, they'll be my servants, everyone that keepeth my Sabbath, and they don't pollute it, they keep my commandments, that's what he's saying, and they take hold of my covenant, even them, I will bring them into my holy hill, my holy mountain, I will make them joyful in my house of prayer, and their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar, for mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people, strangers and people like the eunuchs that don't belong with God's people, are now choosing to do and keep God's word and his covenants, and why do we ask? Because God gives them an everlasting name,
[20:45] I will bring them into my holy mountain, to be my temple, to offer sacrifices on my altar, they can be part of my holy house, my house, and it's for all people, who wouldn't want to keep and do judgments and righteous acts for a God like that?
[21:04] What do I mean by that? I've got to close. Ephesians chapter 1 verses 4, According he hath chosen, he hath chosen us in him.
[21:20] Ephesians 1 verse 6, Wherein he hath abounded towards us all wisdom and prudence, he gives us wisdom and prudence, he's made us chosen ones. Ephesians 1 verse 8, Wherein he hath abounded towards us, he hath abounded towards us, I'm sorry, Ephesians 1 verse 9, And having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to the good, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself, we will be the praise of his glory.
[21:46] Ephesians 1 verse 12 says this, That we should be the praise unto his glory who first trusted him. He made known to us his will in verse 9. Chapter 2 verses 10, He made us his workmanship.
[21:57] Chapter 2 verses 13, We were far off, but now we've been made nigh. And as you go through Ephesians, you see this wonderful thing that God begins to do for his people. And then, in Ephesians chapter 4, he says this, Therefore, the prisoner of the Lord beseechs you that you walk worthy of your vocation wherein you call.
[22:17] Why is it we keep and do what God says? What is it that he's done for you? What is it that he's made you?
[22:29] You were against him. You were a child of disobedience. Now he adopted you. He chose you. You weren't supposed to know his will, and he's revealed it to you. At the end of the ages, he's going to bring this, not just this church, but the church, like the people who are in Christ, it will bring them all out, Jews and Gentiles together, and we will be transformed into something glorious, kind of like the Mount of Transfiguration.
[22:53] And he will bring us together, and people from all around the world, and all angels will look and say, Wow, God, you did that with that? No way. How in the world would you do something like that with those type of people?
[23:05] And we will be praised unto God. You know why I want to keep and do his word? Because I think about what he's done in my life. I think about what he's made me.
[23:16] I think about what he's going to make me. And in Isaiah 56, he says, Keep, do, keep, do, lay hold on it. Do his words. Do his statutes. We're like, why, why? Why do I do that for such a, because we're a bunch of Americans, right?
[23:28] We're always wondering, why, why, why? He says, I'll tell you why. I gave you salvation. I make it happy whenever you do my words. And guess what? I'm going to make you into something. I'm going to give you something that everyone will glorify and look and say, No way.
[23:42] No way. So you're sitting here today and you're like, God, I know what you told me to do. I don't want to do it. I don't even want to read my Bible. Don't be like that.
[23:55] Think about these reasons. Think about his salvation. Think about how blessed you can be. Get this. Think about how blessed you can be when you keep and do his words.
[24:07] Think about how happy you can be. And think about this. What has he done in your life? Who has he made you to be? Think about my story sometimes.
[24:20] My parents' story. And I think when I was in Peru, it was my first missions trip. I was in a little church, a new church plant on the outskirts of Atiquipa. And we were sitting there and there was this little demon child.
[24:32] David was, you know, strumming on the guitar and he was trying to lead music and he was preaching. And this little kid was like running around the church and he was screaming. And I knew David was getting angry because anybody knows when David's getting angry.
[24:43] But anyways, but we were driving out and I was just quiet. And David said, what did you think about the service? I said, I don't know.
[24:54] He's like, did you see the kid? Like, I didn't have a chance to step. You know what I mean? He's like interrupting my, but he asked me a question and then he interrupted. He's like, did you see that devil kid, that little kid full of demon? I mean, I could not do anything. I was trying to serve God. I was trying to sing.
[25:04] He just interrupted me. You know the whole time I was thinking, what makes me different than that kid? Why would God put me in a family where I would hear his gospel from the time I was born on?
[25:23] Why would God do so much in my life? What is my response to that? What do you want me to do? What do you want me to keep? I'm going to do it.
[25:34] I really like that.