Isaiah 57 There Is No Peace Saith My God To The Wicked
When the righteous die, they go to paradise, a state of peace and rest. The wicked, on the other hand, know no peace. Isaiah 57:3â12refers to general wickedness and uses Israelâs faithlessness to God, described here and in other places as adultery, for an example . âI will declare thy righteousness, and thy works,â the Lord said, âfor they shall not profit theeâ . The book of Proverbs perhaps states it best: âTreasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from deathâ .
The Sign Of Deliverance Into Tribulation
In the Last Days, there will be an explosion of antagonism toward Gods people: Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My names sake . We are already seeing evidence of this today. Headlines carry stories about Christian business owners who are expected to set aside their beliefs in support of secular, progressive ideals. Universities and school boards admit to routinely passing over Christian faculty members for promotions. Everywhere we look, Christianity is under attack in America.
Globally, the situation is even more sobering. During the 2021 World Watch List reporting period, Open Doors recorded the following crimes against Gods people:
- More than 340 million Christians lived under high levels of persecution and discrimination
- 4,761 Christians were martyred
- 4,488 churches and other Christian-affiliated buildings were attacked
- 4,277 believers were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned4
As the Tribulation approaches, many more will pay a high price for living out their faith in our world.
The Olivet Discourse is one of the most comprehensive outlines of prophecy in Scripture. Jesus shared this information so that we could see and understand the times. In Matthew 24:6, He told His disciples, See to it that you are not troubled for all these things must come to pass.
A Powerful Religious Figure Leads A Religious Revival
One of the definite signs of the end times, which will herald the close of this present evil age, is the arrival on the scene of a great false religious leader, called in the Bible the false prophet . This religious leader will possess great charisma and will exercise a very powerful influence over a political powerthe soon-coming beast . He will be the long-prophesied, influential head of a great, militant church in Europe. Together, this combination of personal charisma and awesome power to influence others will have an enormous effect on the future of the nations of the Western world.
This coming false religious leadera leader who is prophesied to sit astride the end-time beast is described in Isaiah 47. Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon. Notice that this is a daughter of ancient Babylon. A modern sort of Babylon is to rise up! Sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate .
Who, then, is this lady mentioned in Isaiah 47? Scripture gives us a clear answer. Sit in silence, and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans for you shall no more be called the Lady of Kingdoms . This woman is called the Lady of Kingdoms because she has a fornicating political relationship with, and actually rules over, quite a number of different kingdoms or governments of this world.
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Calamities And Troubles Are Increasing In The Earth But There Is A Place Of Deliverance
Prophets in every age have warned their people against sin. These are the last days, the period just before the return of Jesus Christ to earth. Satan is making one final effort to lead people away from God. In June 1894 President Wilford Woodruff said: âWhen I have the vision of night opened continually before my eyes, and can see the mighty judgments that are about to be poured out upon this world, when I know these things are true, ⦠while I am holding this position before God and this world, can I withhold my voice from lifting up a warning to this people, and to the nations of the earth? ⦠And from this very day they shall be poured out. Calamities and troubles are increasing in the earth, and there is a meaning to these things. ⦠Read the scriptures and the revelations. They will tell you about these things.â
President Marion G. Romney, also citing the promise that peace would be taken from the earth , said:
âToday, more than 140 years since the foregoing words were spoken, peace has been taken from the earth. The devil now has power over his dominion, and the Lord has power over his saints. The day approaches when he will âcome down in judgment upon ⦠the worldâ and reign in the midst of his people.
âThe Lord foresaw the coming of these calamities and gave warning of them. He restored his gospel and re-established his church as a means of escape therefrom.â
The Surprising Truth About The Last Days In The Bible
Are we living in the last days? With all that going on in our world thats a fair question to ponder. The last days in the Bible are surely coming true, right?
Theres no shortage of opinions and pieces written about the end times. Many of them are a little crazy and not actually found in the Bible. To actually answer that question we need to ask another question, what does the Bible say about the last days?
Most of what you will read about the last days is not found in the Bible. They dont define the last days the same way that the Bible defines the last days. Many have their theology based out of their own personal definition thats then forced onto what the Bible says. And thats a very dangerous practice.
In this blog post we are going to look at what the Bible actually says about the last days. So, lets put aside what we think we know and look at the question, what does the Bible say about the last days?
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Pauls Charge To Timothy
10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystrabut the Lord rescued me from all of it.12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Footnotes
The Sign Of Disputes Among Nations
Jesus warned His disciples that the end of the age would be marked by wars and rumors of wars with nations rising against each other . As dissension escalates, we can view it as a sign of the times. The book of Revelation tells us that conflictceaseless, unending, terrible warwill fill the Tribulation period, and it will escalate until the entire world is involved.
Many countries live at peace today, but there is a growing sense of instability in international affairs. It has been reported that fifty percent of all research scientists are involved in arms development. There is at least one military weapon and four thousand pounds of explosives for every man, woman, and child on earth. In 2019, global military expenditures grew to an astonishing 1.92 trillion U.S. dollars.1 As shocking as this may seem, long ago the Bible predicted an escalation of conflict, border skirmishes, race wars, and national battles during the End Times.
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Live Putting Hope In God
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment
Living in the end times means putting our hope in God, rather than looking to achieve and attain our rewards on earth according to the worlds standards. As Ephesians 6:8 explains, the Lord will reward each of us for whatever good we do.
During the end times we can live hopeful knowing God is our provider and has much for us. Jesus says in Revelation 22:12, Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
Isaiah 5: 18 Who Are The Son Of The Stranger And The Eunuch What Is Their Significance
To understand Isaiahâs meaning in 56:1â8, one must understand the significance of three words and their meaning to ancient Israel. The words are Sabbath, strangers, and eunuchs.
Sabbath. Modern readers think only of Sunday, or the Lordâs day, as the Sabbath, but for ancient Israel Sabbath had a wider meaning. The weekly sabbath was only one of several days called the Sabbath. All of the feast days, including Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles, and the day of Atonement, were also called sabbaths Thus, to âkeep my sabbaths â implied a keeping of the whole law of Moses, since the various feasts covered many aspects of the Israelitesâ commitment to God. Also, by revelation, the Lord told Moses that keeping the Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between Israel and God . When Isaiah talked about polluting the Sabbath, he meant far more than simply working or playing on Sunday .
Strangers. âA stranger in the Mosaic law, and in the Old Testament generally, means one not of Israelitish descent dwelling with the Hebrews, as distinguished from a foreigner temporarily visiting the land . The stranger was not a full citizen, yet he had recognized rights and duties. He was under the protection of God, and the Israelites were charged to treat him kindly .â
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People Of The Last Days
10. What traits foretold at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 do you see in people today?
10 Aside from identifying certain world developments, the Bible foretold that the last days would be marked by a change in human society. The apostle Paul described what people in general would be like. We are told: In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. Paul said that people would be
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lovers of themselves
Isaiah : 12 Darkness Shall Cover The Earth
The Light of Zion is the Lord Himself, and these verses refer to conditions of the latter days when Zion shines forth but darkness covers the earth. Elder Orson Pratt wrote: âThe Zion that is here spoken of is called to âarise and shine, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.â There is no one thing more fully revealed in the Scriptures of eternal truth, than the rise of the Zion of our God in the latter days, clothed upon with the glory of God from the heavensâa Zion that will attract the attention of all the nations and kindreds of the whole earth. It will not be something that takes place in a corner on some distant island of the sea, or away among some obscure people but it will be something that will call forth the attention of all people and nations upon the face of the whole earth.â
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False Teachers Seek To Gain Control Over People
Captivate weak women can also be translated gain control over gullible women . Be careful when you see too much power given to a spiritual leader. These teachers often gain control over peoples money, marriages, and future. As seen in cults, spiritual abuse is common.
Remember Jesus said he came to serve and not be served. Servant leadership should be the model in our churches . Be careful of abusive ministries and ministers.
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Does The Bible Predict The End Of The World
Yes!
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.
The old heaven and earth will be replaced with Gods new heaven and earth of unimaginable beauty and glory, where there will be no sin, sickness, death, or sadness.
45. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
46. Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
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Last Days In The Bible = Acts : 16
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. Its only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:14-17
Acts 2 records what has become known as Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came and dwelled in his people. In the moment theres some confusion, so Peter stands up to clear the air and explain whats happening.
Peter turns to an Old Testament prophet that the mostly Jewish crowd would have been familiar with, Joel.
Joel is a short book that prophesied about something that was coming that would literally change all of creation. He was describing Jesus resurrection and the coming Holy Spirit. Peter points back to Joel and tells his audience, today is that day.
While a fascinating book, what we are really after is how does Acts define the last days. In context, Peter is saying that we are living in the last days now. In other words, Peter is claiming the last days are not some date in the future, they are the present reality almost 2,000 years ago.
Lets look at another time Peter uses the term in the last days.
Last Days In The Bible = James : 1
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you. James 5:1-6
This verse contains an inditement about those who hoard wealth in the last days. But remember this was written to a real group of people. So how could he indite them on something they have not done?
Unless they were hoarding their wealth and they were living in the last days at the time of writing.
In other words, James is saying that we are living in the last days starting with the time his words were penned.
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The Dangers Of The Last Days
3 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.3 They will be unloving and unforgiving they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
6 They are the kind who work their way into peoples homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires.7 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith.9 But they wont get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.