WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:28.140 I took the one less travelled by. 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:29.980 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.679 Has made all the difference. 00:00:33.179 --> 00:00:37.840 Life often involves the choosing of two paths. 00:00:39.560 --> 00:00:40.620 Two ways. 00:00:41.480 --> 00:00:42.340 Two roads. 00:00:43.740 --> 00:00:47.579 And in some cases in our lives, we look back and when there's been that choice between 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:52.260 two paths, two ways, two roads, that choice has made all the difference. 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:57.980 And here in Isaiah chapter 34 and 35, two roads are presented to you. 00:00:57.979 --> 00:01:06.420 I'll change the image a little bit from the Robert Cross poem. 00:01:06.420 --> 00:01:16.240 There is a road that we are already on as human beings, or have been on, and that road is 00:01:16.240 --> 00:01:18.879 the default road in life. 00:01:18.879 --> 00:01:23.719 It's the road that you are on this morning, unless you've chosen to get off it. 00:01:24.959 --> 00:01:30.920 And then there is the road on which you have to consciously choose to travel on, if you're 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:32.219 ever going to get on to it. 00:01:32.219 --> 00:01:36.239 You never stumble onto this road or sleepwalk onto it. 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:37.719 You never just stray onto it. 00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:41.539 You never just find yourself on that second road. 00:01:41.540 --> 00:01:45.400 And the two roads are conveniently presented to us in these two chapters. 00:01:45.700 --> 00:01:49.580 The default road is chapter 34, and the road that you have to choose to go on is chapter 00:01:49.580 --> 00:01:50.240 35. 00:01:51.660 --> 00:01:57.780 And in terms of eternity, Isaiah shows us that whatever road you take, whether it's Isaiah 00:01:57.780 --> 00:02:01.800 34 or Isaiah 35, makes all the difference. 00:02:01.799 --> 00:02:08.020 Because the prophet takes you and I by the hands this morning, all the way to the brink of future 00:02:08.020 --> 00:02:11.560 history, where time merges with eternity. 00:02:12.539 --> 00:02:19.840 And he shows us the seamless connection between what you embrace now in your life, and what 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:20.719 you will have then. 00:02:21.960 --> 00:02:24.539 And which road you take in this life makes all the difference. 00:02:24.539 --> 00:02:31.840 And so I want us to see that these roads point to a destination that is here, and a destination 00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:32.819 that is there. 00:02:33.459 --> 00:02:36.340 And it's going to invite to you, well, choose which road you're on this morning. 00:02:37.239 --> 00:02:41.199 So chapter 34, as you saw me, as you and me read it, is a chapter of judgment. 00:02:41.479 --> 00:02:42.599 It's a road to judgment. 00:02:43.639 --> 00:02:45.299 Chapter 35 is the road to salvation. 00:02:46.239 --> 00:02:50.560 And to avoid the road to judgment, you have to choose the road of his salvation. 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:54.960 Chapter 34, I don't know whether you picked it up, is an incredibly heavy chapter. 00:02:56.340 --> 00:02:59.080 It is one of uninterrupted judgment. 00:03:00.900 --> 00:03:04.659 I confess that as I was working through this chapter, at times I felt nauseous. 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:06.120 I felt sick as I went through it. 00:03:06.420 --> 00:03:07.960 Look with me at verses 1 to 3. 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:14.340 Draw near, O nations, all the world, to hear, and give attention, O people of the world. 00:03:14.659 --> 00:03:15.980 Let the earth hear. 00:03:15.979 --> 00:03:21.699 It wants you to listen up this morning, wherever you're from, and all that fills the world and 00:03:21.699 --> 00:03:22.599 all that comes from it. 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:25.599 Verse 2, for the Lord is enraged against the nations. 00:03:25.699 --> 00:03:28.139 He's furious against their host. 00:03:29.099 --> 00:03:30.579 He's devoted them to destruction. 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:32.699 He's given them over for slaughter. 00:03:32.859 --> 00:03:34.839 Their slain shall be cast out. 00:03:35.139 --> 00:03:37.819 The stench of the corpses shall rise. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:41.759 Rotting bodies, the mountains shall flow with their blood. 00:03:43.699 --> 00:03:45.120 God has angered every nation. 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:49.000 God has angered everyone who has not trusted in him. 00:03:50.459 --> 00:03:54.539 Everyone who has opposed his people and his patience here has reached its end. 00:03:55.659 --> 00:03:58.060 God is more patient than you and I can ever fathom. 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:01.319 He's more patient than you or I ever would be. 00:04:01.439 --> 00:04:03.759 And yet here we see the patience of God is not infinite. 00:04:05.299 --> 00:04:06.519 God's patience has an end. 00:04:07.639 --> 00:04:10.859 And judgment is the natural outworking of God being a king. 00:04:10.859 --> 00:04:15.719 Now do you remember in chapter 33, last week we saw, because he is a king, 00:04:15.979 --> 00:04:16.920 he has to rule. 00:04:17.300 --> 00:04:19.259 And because he rules, he judges. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:25.319 And that means the rebellion at some point must finally be put down. 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:29.360 And here in chapter 34 the moment has come. 00:04:29.899 --> 00:04:31.800 And it's absolutely gruesome. 00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:33.500 And you need to feel the heaviness. 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:38.699 If you don't feel the heaviness of this chapter you're not understanding what Isaiah is saying. 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:45.659 Because divine judgment in this chapter is not theological abstraction that's somewhere out there. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:51.099 It's not something for academics or the intelligentsia to debate, whether it's true or not. 00:04:51.219 --> 00:04:52.259 It's slaughter. 00:04:53.860 --> 00:04:54.959 It's stench. 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:57.060 It's blood. 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:00.079 You might say, well it's just imagery. 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:07.519 Well if it's imagery, it's imagining something that is worse than the image. 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:15.519 Christians often say, God hates the sin but loves the sinner. 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:19.699 And yet that's fine for this world. 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:25.000 But what we see is at the end of time that breaks down, doesn't it? 00:05:26.439 --> 00:05:32.000 Because can you see at the end of this default road, at the destination of destruction in chapter 34, 00:05:32.620 --> 00:05:35.759 the sinner and the sin become inseparable. 00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:39.599 And there's no place left for love. 00:05:41.159 --> 00:05:46.480 The judgment here is not just of the sin, but of the sinner. 00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:50.480 And through the rest of the chapter there's absolutely no respite. 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:52.420 This God is going to judge us. 00:05:52.520 --> 00:05:53.439 We're told four things. 00:05:53.540 --> 00:05:56.680 We're told in verse 2 that he is enraged. 00:05:56.819 --> 00:05:59.020 He is raging against the nations. 00:06:00.700 --> 00:06:06.020 We're told in verses 5 to 6 that he has a sword that is bathed in blood. 00:06:08.340 --> 00:06:11.840 In verse 6 we are told that he has a sacrifice prepared. 00:06:12.220 --> 00:06:14.800 There is a sacrifice prepared for those who have rejected him. 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:21.620 And verse 8, there is a day of vengeance on behalf of those who belong to him. 00:06:22.960 --> 00:06:25.480 And you get to verses 9 and 10 and there is smoke. 00:06:26.860 --> 00:06:30.199 There is smoke rising from the ruins in Eden. 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:34.340 It's the language of Genesis chapter 11 and Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:06:35.819 --> 00:06:37.920 But do you notice, Eden here is not just one day. 00:06:37.980 --> 00:06:39.120 Shouldn't you remember verse 1? 00:06:39.220 --> 00:06:40.220 It's all the nations. 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:44.640 And that represents all the enemies of God's people. 00:06:44.780 --> 00:06:48.160 So that now the fire and the brimstone of Genesis 11 is global. 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:51.680 And everything is coming apart. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:55.600 And one of the most chilling aspects of this scene is in verse 11. 00:06:57.020 --> 00:07:00.120 So can you see in verse 11, I just want you to look at the footnote. 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:04.740 It says in verse 11, for the hawk and the porcupine shall possess it. 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:06.100 The owl and the raven shall dwell. 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:07.280 That's how desolate it is. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:11.180 And he shall stretch the line of confusion over it. 00:07:11.480 --> 00:07:13.420 And the plumb line of emptiness. 00:07:16.939 --> 00:07:19.560 And so in verse 11 there is this confusion. 00:07:19.819 --> 00:07:20.920 There is this emptiness. 00:07:21.399 --> 00:07:23.060 None of it is haphazard. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:28.480 This is not God throwing up his arms in the air and saying, well to hell with the world. 00:07:29.280 --> 00:07:30.319 It's not like that. 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:31.800 There's precision here. 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:36.680 God will unmake his world. 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:39.959 The rebellious culture in which we now live in. 00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:42.079 There is precision. 00:07:42.340 --> 00:07:44.819 God is going to be absolutely just. 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:46.639 There will be nothing unfair. 00:07:47.840 --> 00:07:49.220 It's going to be painfully just. 00:07:49.220 --> 00:07:53.200 And so the picture is there, isn't it, in verse 11, of God as a construction worker. 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:57.900 More accurately, God is as a destruction worker. 00:07:58.580 --> 00:08:00.660 God has got his hard hat on. 00:08:01.520 --> 00:08:04.080 And he's bending over the society of men and women. 00:08:04.960 --> 00:08:08.340 Who are constructing or putting together a world without any reference to him. 00:08:08.580 --> 00:08:12.440 But instead of building up further, God reverses it to nothingness. 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:16.880 Do you see those words in verse 11? 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:23.019 If you look at the footnote in verse 11, the confusion can also mean formlessness. 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:23.719 The footnote. 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:24.540 That's very important. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:27.680 There is chaos, isn't there? 00:08:28.540 --> 00:08:29.639 There's confusion. 00:08:30.219 --> 00:08:31.579 And there is formlessness. 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:33.539 And there is emptiness. 00:08:33.820 --> 00:08:34.980 Now why is that important? 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:43.159 That's important because in Genesis chapter 1 and verse 2, it says the earth will be without form and void. 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:47.120 It will be formless and empty. 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:48.839 Genesis chapter 1 verse 2. 00:08:49.339 --> 00:08:52.019 And you see, Isaiah wants you and I to pick up on that. 00:08:52.319 --> 00:08:55.759 That God one day is going to hit the rewind button on creation. 00:08:57.079 --> 00:09:02.959 He's going to reverse into disorder the system that has so long been disordered the good order. 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:06.799 God is going to destroy it with precision. 00:09:08.539 --> 00:09:09.559 And he will overlook nothing. 00:09:09.559 --> 00:09:14.979 And through all of this, Isaiah looks you and I in the eye and reads our mind. 00:09:15.459 --> 00:09:18.699 And he says to you and I, don't think God will change his mind on this one. 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:21.959 Don't think that God is going to lose his nerve. 00:09:23.239 --> 00:09:24.559 Don't think there's a plan B. 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:30.559 You need to understand that God has his judgment planned down to the finest minute detail. 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:36.419 And if that doesn't send a chill through you, I don't know what will. 00:09:37.619 --> 00:09:44.539 This is the destination, Isaiah says, of the default road that every one of us is on unless we consciously get off it. 00:09:46.439 --> 00:09:49.459 Because every one of us, the Bible says, are rebels against God. 00:09:49.599 --> 00:09:51.719 Every one of us wants to do things our own way. 00:09:51.720 --> 00:09:57.200 And this is the end point. 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:02.680 This is the end point for all of us who are just left to ourselves. 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:06.460 Here's how Roy Ortland puts our predicament. 00:10:06.600 --> 00:10:08.720 He says, what if God leaves you to yourself? 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:12.800 What if God does not intervene to save you? 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:15.879 And Isaiah 34 is your final chapter. 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:23.919 What if that itching envy in your heart, that bitterness eating away inside you, that anger raging inside you, 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:27.460 your ungrateful self for whom nothing is ever good enough? 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:31.860 The you lurking in the fantasy twilight of lust. 00:10:32.179 --> 00:10:34.740 The you buried alive in the coffin of grief. 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:39.779 The you that is too sophisticated for childlike delight in God. 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:42.399 What if God does not save you? 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:49.699 The you that you are becoming now is what you will be forever unless God saves you. 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:54.759 You will eventually find that you cannot stop anymore. 00:10:55.039 --> 00:11:01.240 And the grumbling and the blaming and all the rest will take over and churn on forever like a machine. 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:03.360 And you won't be able to stop and rest. 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:11.559 That hell, when you become the photographic negative of what you were meant to be when God made you. 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:14.399 That's the road of judgment. 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:17.319 That's the default road. 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:26.659 Francis Schaeffer, who really founded our little denomination, used to say that if he had one hour to explain the gospel to someone, 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:30.220 he would spend the first 50 minutes on the bad news of judgment. 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:33.740 And the last 10 minutes on the good news of salvation. 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:37.740 Because without a context of judgment, you and I don't appreciate salvation. 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:46.620 And we are a city where the vast majority of churches have stopped preaching about judgment. 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:52.179 But we have not spent 50 minutes on chapter 34. 00:11:54.179 --> 00:12:01.720 But I hope the time we have spent on it makes you see how unbelievably and incredibly good and great the news is of chapter 35. 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:05.519 That's second issue, the road to salvation. 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:07.660 Look at chapter 35 verses 1 and 2. 00:12:07.659 --> 00:12:12.279 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad. 00:12:14.199 --> 00:12:18.159 The desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:23.259 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and sin. 00:12:23.339 --> 00:12:25.159 The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it. 00:12:25.199 --> 00:12:26.480 The majesty of Carmel and Sharon. 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:28.659 They shall see the glory of the Lord. 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:30.000 The majesty of our God. 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:34.039 And right away it's as if you don't have time to catch your breath. 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:36.200 After the awfulness of chapter 34. 00:12:36.980 --> 00:12:40.360 The beam of light comes shooting through the realm of darkness. 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:45.360 And right away, right away there's talk of gladness, isn't there? 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:47.080 And new life and joy. 00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:51.240 In fact the joy and the rejoicing are repeated. 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:56.799 Three times the word that's translated kind of bursts into it. 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:57.720 It's joy. 00:12:57.820 --> 00:12:59.399 The wilderness will be joyful. 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.639 The dry land will be joyful. 00:13:00.959 --> 00:13:02.639 The crocus will be joyful. 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:04.000 Verse 2. 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.500 It'll blossom with joy. 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:11.139 Isaiah is trying as hard as he can to use words. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:13.840 For you and I to see the contrast. 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.220 The wilderness. 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:16.860 The desert. 00:13:18.079 --> 00:13:18.600 Joy. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:20.100 Gladness. 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:21.799 You'd never put those three things together. 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.779 But here they are. 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:26.980 See, see the echoes of Exodus. 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:32.080 In verse 6 he talks about waters breaking forth in the wilderness. 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:33.519 And streams in the desert. 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:37.340 So he's picking up on the scenes of the life of Moses. 00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:41.340 But what you have in chapter 35 is much bigger than the book of Exodus. 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:44.580 Because here is a world that is transformed. 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:52.580 Here is a world where the curse of the fall that you and I live under has been completely reversed. 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:55.680 And where everything is restored. 00:13:55.680 --> 00:13:57.879 And so there is a new world. 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:03.120 And everything, everything, everything is flowing with life. 00:14:04.020 --> 00:14:05.879 And it's brimming with vitality. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:07.720 But Isaiah says. 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:12.659 It's not even the beauty of creation. 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:16.019 It's not going to be the beauty of creation. 00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:18.039 And flowers and all those wonderful things. 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:19.799 That is the ultimate joy. 00:14:20.200 --> 00:14:24.000 Because the great beauty and splendour of the creator himself. 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:25.519 He is to focus that. 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:29.639 It's not just the world around us that's going to be transformed. 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:30.740 As wonderful as that will be. 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:32.480 It's you and I will be transformed. 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.360 Those who are in Christ. 00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:34.480 Chapter 5 and 6. 00:14:34.699 --> 00:14:36.100 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened. 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:38.579 The ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:41.799 And then shall the lame man leap like a deer. 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:43.399 And the ten of the moots sing for joy. 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.679 Isaiah says, doesn't it? 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:49.039 In this future world. 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:53.340 And ability will replace disability. 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:57.659 The present weaknesses. 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.379 The things that ache. 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.860 And make life so difficult at times. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:04.980 All of them will be gone. 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:09.779 All the physical weaknesses that are so discouraging. 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:13.600 And what is now only a dream. 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:16.240 One day you and I will actually experience. 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:22.059 I know that some of you go through incredible physical pain. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:22.960 Day in. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.460 And day out. 00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:27.539 And it seems to you doesn't it? 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:28.480 Like a dream. 00:15:28.579 --> 00:15:30.480 That you could ever be free from it. 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:33.659 That you could ever have a body that does not ache. 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:36.519 But Isaiah says there is a day. 00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:38.939 There is a day coming. 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:43.279 And note the physicalness. 00:15:43.819 --> 00:15:45.019 Of Isaiah 34. 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:50.879 It's not that we are just going to be mere spirits. 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:52.860 We are not going to be. 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.539 Kind of. 00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:58.079 Spiritual beings floating around. 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.220 We are going to have eyes. 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.299 And ears. 00:16:00.579 --> 00:16:01.559 And legs. 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:02.919 To leap on. 00:16:03.079 --> 00:16:04.360 And tongues to shout. 00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:07.220 Because we will have bodies. 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:11.399 And God is going to redeem our bodies. 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:15.420 Because this future world that God is creating. 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:17.560 Is not less physical. 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:19.960 Than the world that we live in now. 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:21.779 But it's more physical. 00:16:23.060 --> 00:16:24.620 And all disability. 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:27.720 Will be replaced by ability. 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:33.379 I have heard this sermon on Monday. 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:37.180 Before the news of Betty Simpson's death. 00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:38.160 Those of you who don't. 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.920 Betty was in a wheelchair certainly for the last. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:41.600 Kind of ten years of her life. 00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:43.340 And on Monday morning. 00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:45.500 I read of Johnny Erickson Tarder. 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:48.200 Johnny Erickson Tarder is a hero of mine. 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:49.660 She is now in her late 60s. 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:52.220 But she was in a diving accident. 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:53.360 Back in 1967. 00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:55.220 Which left her paralyzed. 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.320 From the neck down. 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.860 And since that point. 00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.840 She has made. 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:01.899 Well she has written some remarkable books. 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.940 She starred in a terrible film. 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.819 But she was an incredible witness. 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:08.019 To God's grace. 00:17:08.100 --> 00:17:08.660 She still is. 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.420 And in particular. 00:17:10.620 --> 00:17:11.559 I think what she has done. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.200 So wonderfully. 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:13.220 Is she has pointed us. 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.559 To the hope of a future world. 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.039 A hope. 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:18.160 Of a total redemption of our bodies. 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:20.579 She is paralyzed from the neck down. 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:21.480 In the book. 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.440 She wrote about heaven. 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:23.460 She says. 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.339 When on one occasion. 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:25.720 I was attending a conference. 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.660 And at the end of one of the sessions. 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:29.759 The speaker invited the 500 people. 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.600 In the audience. 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:32.079 If they were able to kneel. 00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:33.039 In front of their seats. 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:34.819 As they closed the session in prayer. 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:38.240 Johnny watched everyone around her kneel. 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.600 And as she watched. 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:41.220 She couldn't stop the tears. 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:43.759 But she wasn't crying out of self pity. 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.539 Here is what she said. 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:46.579 What was going on in her head. 00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:47.500 Sitting there. 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.180 I was reminded. 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:48.839 That in heaven. 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.680 I will be free. 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.480 To jump up. 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:51.900 Dance. 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:52.980 And do aerobics. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:54.900 And though I am sure. 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.980 That Jesus will be delighted. 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:57.660 To see me rise on tiptoe. 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:59.600 There is something I plan to do. 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:00.560 That may please him more. 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.300 If possible. 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:04.220 Sometime before the party gets going. 00:18:04.380 --> 00:18:05.740 Sometime before the guests. 00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:07.660 Are called to the banquet table. 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:09.060 Of the wedding feast of the lamb. 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:10.920 The first thing I plan to do. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.420 On resurrected legs. 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:16.700 Is to drop on grateful. 00:18:17.060 --> 00:18:17.860 Glorified knees. 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:20.299 And I shall quietly kneel. 00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:21.199 At the feet of Jesus. 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:22.819 Because the day. 00:18:23.139 --> 00:18:24.079 Is drawing near. 00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:26.259 When I will be able to kneel again. 00:18:28.659 --> 00:18:29.779 It is a beautiful picture. 00:18:29.939 --> 00:18:30.979 Of a future reality. 00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:31.979 A reality. 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:38.000 Up to this point. 00:18:38.139 --> 00:18:38.939 In Isaiah 35. 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:40.279 There has been little to tell us. 00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:42.419 Who are the inhabitants of this world. 00:18:42.479 --> 00:18:43.199 Who is going to be there. 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:45.619 Isaiah actually. 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.359 Has not told us. 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:47.039 Who the identity. 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:48.599 Of those. 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:49.399 Of them are. 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.839 So in verses 8 to 10. 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:52.180 We find out who they are. 00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.659 And it is actually. 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:55.319 A group of people. 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.500 That have turned off. 00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:57.480 The default road. 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.619 Do you remember the two roads. 00:18:58.720 --> 00:19:00.440 There is one you just go on automatically. 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.980 But there is a turning. 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.480 And it is those. 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.359 Who have turned off. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:06.000 The default road. 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.960 And they have taken a road. 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:08.839 On which we are told. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.440 Welcome to the highway of holiness. 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:11.279 That is the first page. 00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:13.859 And a highway shall be there. 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.519 And it shall be called. 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:15.279 The way of holiness. 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:18.420 And the unclean shall not pass over it. 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:20.519 It shall belong to those who walk on the way. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:22.099 And even if they are fools. 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:23.200 They shall not go astray. 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:24.339 No mountain shall be there. 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:26.960 Nor shall any ravenous beast come upon it. 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.599 They shall not be found there. 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:30.119 But the redeemed shall walk there. 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:32.480 And the ransom of the Lord shall return. 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:34.399 And come to Zion with singing. 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:36.519 Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:38.180 And they shall obtain gladness and joy. 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:39.259 And sorrow and sorrow. 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.259 And Zion shall flee away. 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:43.839 There is a highway. 00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:50.500 It is raised above the surrounding countryside. 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:52.059 It is no kind of B road. 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.339 That you will easily miss. 00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:54.200 In the middle of nowhere. 00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:56.180 And you might happen to find yourself on. 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.079 No. 00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:58.220 This road is situated. 00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.579 So that you cannot miss it. 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.539 And we are told. 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:02.220 This highway has a name. 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.440 And it has a name. 00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:06.660 Of a road that can get you to the future. 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:10.380 And you have to turn off this default road. 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:11.460 Onto the way of holiness. 00:20:11.620 --> 00:20:12.560 But there is a problem isn't there. 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:13.759 There is a dilemma here. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:17.500 Because at the entrance to this highway. 00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:19.180 Isaiah says there is a checkpoint. 00:20:20.800 --> 00:20:23.080 There is a checkpoint at the entrance to the road. 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:24.680 Where they check your visa. 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:30.480 Because not everyone can proceed onto this road. 00:20:33.320 --> 00:20:34.860 In fact it says. 00:20:35.040 --> 00:20:35.400 Doesn't it. 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:36.900 That the unclean. 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:37.840 Verse 8. 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.720 Will not pass on it. 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:43.440 What is the visa requirement. 00:20:43.780 --> 00:20:45.240 Needed for this road. 00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:48.420 It's that you are clean. 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:55.019 It's that you belong to the Lord's redeemed. 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:58.400 At least that doesn't clarify it very much for me. 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.500 I don't really understand. 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:01.160 What does it mean unclean. 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:02.860 I don't understand what you mean by redeemed. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.480 What do you mean? 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:07.220 And again Isaiah uses the language of Exodus. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.220 To help us. 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:10.640 Because back in Exodus. 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.400 Chapter 6. 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.039 In verse 6. 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:13.620 God makes this promise to his people. 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:14.980 Who were slaves at the time of Egypt. 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:15.759 He says. 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.640 I am the Lord. 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.519 And I will bring you out. 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:19.559 From under the yoke. 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:20.779 The burden of slavery. 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:23.879 I will free you from being slaves to the Egyptians. 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:26.000 And I will redeem you with an outstretched arm. 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:27.339 And with mighty acts of judgment. 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:30.059 God promised to redeem his people. 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.220 To rescue them. 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:33.059 To rescue them from slavery. 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:36.579 And you read through the early chapters of Exodus. 00:21:36.679 --> 00:21:37.480 How did he do that? 00:21:37.659 --> 00:21:40.779 When he does that by sending plague upon plague on Egypt as punishment. 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:43.259 And Pharaoh refuses. 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:43.720 Doesn't he. 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:45.259 To let the Israelites go and worship him. 00:21:46.419 --> 00:21:47.639 And the plague's climax. 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:49.079 After plague upon plague. 00:21:49.179 --> 00:21:51.980 Was the death of the firstborn son in every family. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:55.419 That God would send an angel of death. 00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:56.779 Through the land of Egypt. 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:59.720 To kill every firstborn son in the land. 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:01.240 But God says. 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:03.299 There's a way for your firstborn son. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.519 To be spared. 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:10.039 He says your son does not have to die. 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:12.420 He says you take a lamb. 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.259 A little sheep. 00:22:14.399 --> 00:22:15.160 You take a lamb. 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.160 A spotless lamb. 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:17.480 And you sacrifice it. 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:19.279 And you take the blood of the lamb. 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:21.779 And you put it on the door frame of the house. 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:24.139 And then the angel of the Lord will pass over. 00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:27.580 And your firstborn son will be saved. 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:30.020 And God would redeem the firstborn son. 00:22:30.560 --> 00:22:31.820 Redeem the family. 00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:33.500 By the blood of the lamb. 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:38.280 The lamb pays the ransom price for the child. 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:38.780 And you say. 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:40.140 Well what has that got to do with me today? 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:44.020 Well here's how the New Testament takes that up. 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:46.540 And the Apostle Peter writes to the Christians. 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:48.300 In chapter 1 verses 18 to 19. 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:48.840 And he says. 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:50.980 Knowing that you were ransomed. 00:22:51.320 --> 00:22:53.980 You were redeemed from a futile foolish way. 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:56.780 Inherited from your forefathers. 00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:58.140 Not with perishable things. 00:22:58.420 --> 00:23:00.680 You weren't redeemed with silver or gold. 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:03.460 But with the precious blood of Christ. 00:23:03.780 --> 00:23:05.160 Like that of a lamb. 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.780 Without blemish or spot. 00:23:09.020 --> 00:23:10.280 And you see the visa requirement. 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.720 To enter this highway. 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.200 To enter the way of holiness. 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:15.740 Is that stamped on your passport. 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:17.160 Needs to be the words. 00:23:17.800 --> 00:23:19.360 Redeemed by the blood of the lamb. 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:24.779 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:25.919 Would say similar words. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.479 To those. 00:23:28.679 --> 00:23:30.859 Whose people were in Egypt. 00:23:30.959 --> 00:23:32.679 Almost hundreds of years ago. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.740 What would they say? 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.500 They would say. 00:23:34.699 --> 00:23:34.939 Isn't it? 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:35.779 We would say. 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:37.459 The only reason I am alive. 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.159 They would have said. 00:23:38.219 --> 00:23:39.279 The only reason I am alive. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:40.859 Is because a lamb died in my place. 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:43.819 The only reason I am alive today. 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:45.339 Is because a lamb died in my place. 00:23:46.639 --> 00:23:47.899 That's what Isaiah means. 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.119 In Isaiah 35. 00:23:51.959 --> 00:23:53.899 That it was the death on the cross. 00:23:54.199 --> 00:23:55.019 Of the Lord Jesus. 00:23:55.159 --> 00:23:56.740 That makes the unclean clean. 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:59.719 It's the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.319 On the cross. 00:24:00.399 --> 00:24:02.000 That makes those who are far off. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:03.319 To be brought near to God. 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:06.419 And that fits for the new heavens. 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.039 And the new earth. 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:07.419 Doesn't it? 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:09.420 That the death of Christ. 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:11.300 Renders you and I holy. 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.539 And nothing else can do that. 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.860 That you may think. 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:17.019 You can cleanse yourself up. 00:24:17.060 --> 00:24:18.320 And God might accept you. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:20.160 That he'll look at your life. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.080 And look at your good points. 00:24:21.100 --> 00:24:21.800 And your bad points. 00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:22.940 And God will weigh them up. 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.019 And your good points. 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:25.920 Will just somehow tip the scales. 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:27.240 That you're okay. 00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:28.160 And Isaiah says. 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:28.420 No. 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:30.220 That could not be further from the truth. 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:32.160 You are unclean. 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.500 And the only way. 00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:35.759 That you're going to be made clean. 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:37.039 Is through the blood of the lamb. 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:37.360 The Lord. 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:38.080 Jesus Christ. 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:42.019 It actually stands to perfect reason. 00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:44.279 That it is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:24:44.340 --> 00:24:45.720 That gets us onto the highway. 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:49.000 Because this whole new world. 00:24:50.060 --> 00:24:51.320 This whole new world. 00:24:51.320 --> 00:24:52.880 That's portrayed for you and I. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.539 Is only possible because of him. 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.900 It's why when John the Baptist. 00:24:58.120 --> 00:25:00.300 Sends that message to Jesus. 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.720 And John the Baptist. 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:02.920 Is having second guess. 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:03.960 Second thoughts. 00:25:04.060 --> 00:25:04.500 He wonders. 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:06.539 Is Jesus really the Messiah? 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:08.799 Is he really the promised redeemer? 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:11.940 And Jesus sends back a message to John. 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.039 And he says. 00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:14.220 Go and tell John. 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.559 What you hear. 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.819 And what you receive. 00:25:17.659 --> 00:25:18.279 What you hear. 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:18.899 And what you see. 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.720 And what you hear. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.319 And what you see. 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.480 You see Isaiah 35. 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:23.819 The blind receive sight. 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:25.180 The lame walk. 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.880 Those of leprosy are cured. 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:28.099 The death cure. 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.319 The dead are raised. 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:32.480 The good news is preached to the poor. 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.740 Jesus is saying. 00:25:35.919 --> 00:25:37.659 I am the fulfillment of Isaiah 35. 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:40.619 I am the one who is bringing in. 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:42.220 Ashering in this new world. 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.399 And in his first coming. 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.859 That is recorded in the gospels. 00:25:45.139 --> 00:25:47.059 You get a taste of what heaven will be like. 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:51.899 What it will be like when he comes again. 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:55.340 But permission for entrance. 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:56.700 Onto that road. 00:25:56.820 --> 00:25:57.680 To the new world. 00:25:57.840 --> 00:25:58.340 Is simple. 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.100 But it is hard. 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.580 Because it means. 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.140 Doesn't it? 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.519 Entrance onto that road. 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:05.180 Is a humble way. 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:08.060 It means saying. 00:26:08.280 --> 00:26:09.000 The only way. 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:10.700 That I can get into this new world. 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.240 That you promise. 00:26:11.340 --> 00:26:12.380 Is by trusting in the one. 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.320 Who died in my place. 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.780 The lamb. 00:26:14.840 --> 00:26:15.840 Who shed his blood. 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.940 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.660 And him alone. 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:21.820 I think as you read through Isaiah 35. 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.980 It is heavy stuff. 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.640 You read it. 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.620 And you think deep down. 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.940 This is what I am looking for. 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.960 And yet it almost seems to finish. 00:26:29.040 --> 00:26:29.320 Doesn't it? 00:26:29.320 --> 00:26:31.320 At the end of chapter 35. 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:33.100 With a multi-climax. 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:36.259 Because the final words. 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:36.820 In verse 10. 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:38.600 Our sorrow and sighing. 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.980 Shall flee away. 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.700 It is good news. 00:26:42.800 --> 00:26:44.580 That is put in a negative way. 00:26:44.579 --> 00:26:48.980 After all the heady language. 00:26:49.179 --> 00:26:50.460 Of the earlier part of the chapter. 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:53.619 It finishes with a negative expression. 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.899 But there is good reason for that. 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:56.419 Why is there good reason for that? 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.919 Because Isaiah knew. 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:00.259 That the present reality. 00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:01.899 Of life on this earth. 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.220 For the Israelites. 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.240 And God knows. 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:05.379 That the present reality. 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.159 For your life. 00:27:06.159 --> 00:27:06.659 And for mine. 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.279 He knows. 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:09.399 That there is a lot of sorrow. 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:12.639 And there is a lot of sighing. 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:16.119 And there is a lot of feeling. 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:18.460 Absolutely beaten up by this world. 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:19.359 Which is why. 00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:22.559 Near the beginning of this chapter. 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:26.240 Are these words in verse 3. 00:27:26.399 --> 00:27:26.919 Can you see them? 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.960 Strengthen the weak hands. 00:27:32.199 --> 00:27:34.019 Make firm the feeble knees. 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:37.119 Say to those of an anxious heart. 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.699 Be strong and do not fear. 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:41.600 Behold your God. 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.160 Your God. 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.400 He will come with vengeance. 00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:45.440 And with recompense. 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:47.519 And he will come and save you. 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.819 You see this future world. 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.880 Is just that. 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.220 Isn't it? 00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:58.360 It is a future world. 00:28:00.360 --> 00:28:01.600 It's not come yet. 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:04.379 And we are still waiting. 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:05.339 For that hope. 00:28:06.939 --> 00:28:07.939 But the encouragement. 00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:08.659 To you and I. 00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:09.240 Now. 00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:11.559 To those who literally. 00:28:11.679 --> 00:28:12.839 Isaiah says. 00:28:13.159 --> 00:28:14.519 Well they have anxious hearts. 00:28:14.639 --> 00:28:15.439 Hasty hearts. 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:18.759 Hearts that by default. 00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:19.740 Jump to fear. 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:22.919 Our hearts are fear factories. 00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:24.480 We are always afraid of something. 00:28:24.919 --> 00:28:26.159 And the antidote to that. 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:28.399 The encouragement for those with hasty hearts. 00:28:28.599 --> 00:28:30.319 Is set this hope before you. 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.119 Literally. 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:32.639 Behold your God. 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:35.500 Because your God will come. 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:38.179 He will come. 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:41.000 It doesn't say that he might come. 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.559 It says he will come. 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.639 And he will come. 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.679 And he will put all things right. 00:28:47.919 --> 00:28:49.700 And he's going to usher in a new world. 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:50.599 The sure hope. 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:52.419 Of a certain future reality. 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:54.519 And that is what he says. 00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:55.339 Keeps you going. 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:57.179 In the midst of all your discouragements. 00:28:58.179 --> 00:29:00.299 And that is where you have to keep your focus. 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:01.679 Behold your God. 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:04.139 Your God who is going to come. 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:04.960 You and I. 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:07.139 You are so consumed with present reality. 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:09.639 That we don't know how to find encouragement. 00:29:09.639 --> 00:29:10.460 When our hearts. 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:12.339 Are racing around all over the place. 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:14.619 Because we don't think of the hope. 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.740 That is before us. 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:19.200 Isaiah says. 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.259 Here is where you get encouragement. 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.659 You look forward to that day. 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:25.180 In 1947. 00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:25.259 In 1947. 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:26.860 The author of the civil rights campaign. 00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:28.560 Howard Thurman. 00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:29.660 He gave a lecture at Harvard. 00:29:30.320 --> 00:29:31.900 On the meaning of Negro. 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:33.440 Spiritual Negro music. 00:29:34.860 --> 00:29:35.720 And he was responding. 00:29:35.840 --> 00:29:36.840 That there was loads of criticism. 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:39.620 Of kind of African American spiritualists. 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:39.900 You know. 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:40.800 Swim Lows who charge. 00:29:41.040 --> 00:29:41.680 That sort of stuff. 00:29:43.040 --> 00:29:45.640 The criticism was how otherworldly they were. 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:47.860 It says that. 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:50.440 The slave songs were filled with all references. 00:29:50.580 --> 00:29:51.700 To heaven and salvation. 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:52.660 And judgment day. 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.380 And crowns. 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.040 And robes. 00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:54.680 And thrones. 00:29:55.280 --> 00:29:56.200 And the argument was. 00:29:56.280 --> 00:29:57.180 That all those songs. 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.380 About heaven and resurrection. 00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.860 And judgment day. 00:30:00.020 --> 00:30:01.980 It made the slaves docile. 00:30:03.140 --> 00:30:04.900 And they were more submissive. 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.180 And they would have been better. 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:07.940 Without those songs looking forward. 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:11.100 Thurman responds in this way. 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:13.240 The facts have made it clear. 00:30:13.379 --> 00:30:14.099 That this faith. 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:15.259 This sung faith. 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:17.439 Served to deepen the capacity. 00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:18.899 Of the slaves for endurance. 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:21.059 And for their ability. 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:22.480 To absorb their suffering. 00:30:22.919 --> 00:30:23.679 It taught people. 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:25.279 How to ride high in life. 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:27.219 How to look squarely in the face. 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.579 Those facts that argue. 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.539 Most dramatically. 00:30:29.719 --> 00:30:30.659 Against all hope. 00:30:31.159 --> 00:30:32.500 And to use those facts. 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:34.019 The raw material. 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:35.959 Out of which they fashioned a hope. 00:30:37.159 --> 00:30:37.959 Their environment. 00:30:38.159 --> 00:30:39.219 With all this cruelty. 00:30:39.459 --> 00:30:40.419 Could not crush. 00:30:41.099 --> 00:30:42.599 This enabled them. 00:30:42.699 --> 00:30:44.439 To reject annihilation. 00:30:45.199 --> 00:30:45.899 And affirm. 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:47.819 A terrible right to live. 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.859 Because they believed. 00:30:49.939 --> 00:30:50.779 In a new heavens. 00:30:50.939 --> 00:30:51.819 And a new earth. 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.219 They believed. 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.599 In a historical Jesus. 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:58.199 Who came once. 00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:59.259 And is coming again. 00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.740 And who is going to usher in. 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:02.599 A new world. 00:31:02.699 --> 00:31:03.619 Because they believed. 00:31:03.699 --> 00:31:04.480 In God's justice. 00:31:05.159 --> 00:31:05.939 Which means. 00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.980 That all wrong. 00:31:07.179 --> 00:31:07.980 Would be judged. 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:10.079 And salvation. 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:10.759 Would be brought. 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:12.180 For those who trusted in God. 00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:14.099 And even though. 00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:14.640 They lived. 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.619 In a horribly. 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:16.680 Cruel world. 00:31:16.859 --> 00:31:17.240 Even though. 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:18.379 They were in an environment. 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:19.980 That had hopelessness. 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.859 And despair. 00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:22.420 Written all over it. 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:22.799 They said. 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.000 No. 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:24.019 That is not the reality. 00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:24.740 Of where I'm going. 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.500 That's got to be. 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:28.240 Where our hope is. 00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:31.099 And it allowed them. 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:32.140 To fashion our hope. 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:34.480 So that their environment. 00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:35.280 Wouldn't crush them. 00:31:37.560 --> 00:31:38.940 And as you hold out. 00:31:39.020 --> 00:31:40.080 On to this hope. 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:41.400 Of a future world. 00:31:41.520 --> 00:31:42.560 It will enable you. 00:31:42.560 --> 00:31:43.500 To face. 00:31:43.620 --> 00:31:44.480 Whatever environment. 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.160 You are in. 00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:47.220 That feels crushing. 00:31:47.360 --> 00:31:48.140 To you right now. 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:51.060 As Isaiah says. 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:51.920 They could be strong. 00:31:52.060 --> 00:31:52.660 And not fear. 00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:53.800 Because they could behold. 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:54.400 Their God. 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.580 Their God who will come. 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:58.000 To God who will come. 00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:58.659 With vengeance. 00:31:58.859 --> 00:32:00.099 And with divine retribution. 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:00.779 But he will come. 00:32:00.859 --> 00:32:01.519 To save. 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.199 And I find it hard. 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.519 To believe. 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:06.199 That there's anyone. 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:06.899 Here this morning. 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.839 Who would not look. 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:08.359 At the future. 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.279 And say in some way. 00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:09.639 Whether you. 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:10.699 Believe. 00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:11.399 Whether you're a Christian. 00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:11.839 Or not. 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.939 Whether you consider yourself. 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:13.779 An agnostic. 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:14.559 Or an atheist. 00:32:16.879 --> 00:32:17.799 There's got to be. 00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:18.419 Something at you. 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:19.899 That reads Isaiah 35. 00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:20.299 And says. 00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:21.099 I want this. 00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:23.939 But I think Isaiah. 00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:25.199 Puts into. 00:32:25.579 --> 00:32:26.139 Words. 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:26.839 The yearning. 00:32:26.919 --> 00:32:28.179 Of every single human heart. 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.839 But you are not. 00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.839 Going to get here. 00:32:31.919 --> 00:32:32.599 By default. 00:32:34.399 --> 00:32:35.399 Chapter 34. 00:32:36.399 --> 00:32:36.980 That is where. 00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:38.179 The default road lies. 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:38.819 That is what. 00:32:38.939 --> 00:32:40.259 Unclean lives lead to. 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:41.500 It's where sinful hearts. 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.500 And rebellious attitudes. 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:43.599 It's where people. 00:32:43.699 --> 00:32:44.759 Who want to live for themselves. 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.639 Will end up. 00:32:46.339 --> 00:32:47.240 Who want God. 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:48.259 To leave them alone. 00:32:49.679 --> 00:32:50.639 That's where it goes. 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.839 But here is. 00:32:52.639 --> 00:32:53.399 An invitation. 00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:54.379 To take the road. 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.179 Less traveled. 00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:57.779 Here is. 00:32:57.899 --> 00:32:58.480 An invitation. 00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.480 On to the highway. 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:01.279 On to the way of holiness. 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:04.179 That leads to the world. 00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:05.299 You've been dreaming of. 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.460 Here is an invitation. 00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:08.579 To trust in the one. 00:33:08.639 --> 00:33:10.199 Whose blood has redeemed us. 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:11.019 From our sin. 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:13.919 Who opens up. 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:14.639 The highway. 00:33:15.639 --> 00:33:17.220 To a brave new world. 00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:21.460 And the consequences. 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.440 Of your response. 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.440 To this invitation. 00:33:24.839 --> 00:33:25.799 Will go with you. 00:33:25.860 --> 00:33:26.360 For eternity. 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:29.519 Let us pray. 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:29.960 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:29.960 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.099 To a brave new. 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.099 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.599 Okay.