We are studying the Book of Isaiah. What I hope I can impress on you is God's faithfulness and see some things in chapter 26 that I think are relevant to the time in which we live.
Isaiah 26:19. See if this reminds you of any other passage you may have read. "Your dead shall live together with my dead body." Sounds like 1st Corinthians 15; sounds like 1st Thessalonians 4 sounds like John 14. What did Jesus say? "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me. In My father's house are many mansions. I'm going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again."
That's a promise. "... So that where I am, you may be also." He's preparing a place for us right now. We'll look at what Isaiah says. "Together with my dead body. They will rise awake and sing. You who dwell in the dust. For your dew is like to dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead."
Isaiah 26:20 "Come, my people, enter into your chambers, shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment until the indignation is passed." What is the indignation? The indignation, of course, is the tribulation judgments. I call your attention to the little word "until" it's very important. In relation to the history of Israel.
There are three "until's" in the Bible that have been given only to the nation of Israel.
1) Matthew 23:39. "You will not see me until you say, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
2) Luke 21:24 "Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
3) Romans 11:25, "I would not have you ignorant," Paul says, "that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."
What is the fullness of the Gentiles? What is the coming in? Well, the fullness of the Gentiles refers to the harvest of the Gentile church. And the coming in, I believe, coincides with the invitation here come and hide yourself, for a little while.
Isaiah 26:21, "For the Lord is coming out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain."
You and I have a bright future. Our world is not. The future for this world is grim. God is faithful. Ten areas God is faithful to you and I:
1) He is faithful to forgive our sins. First John 1:9. Thank God for that one.
It's not just once for all. It's as often as we come and confess.
2) God is faithful to keep us safe. 2nd Timothy 2:13 "Even if we're unfaithful, as Paul says, "He remains faithful."
3) God is faithful to deliver us through our temptations. 1st Corinthians 10:13.
4) God is faithful to keep his promises to us. Hebrews 10:23.
5) God is faithful to us in times of suffering. 1st Peter 4:19
6) God is faithful in fulfilling his plan for us. This, of course, requires our cooperation. 1st Thessalonians 5:24
7) God is faithful to strengthen us in times of trial. 2nd Thessalonians 3:3
8) God is faithful as a partner to us in our union with Christ. 1st Corinthians 1:9.
9) Jesus Christ is a faithful and merciful high priest to us. Hebrews 2:17.
10) Last but not least, Jesus Christ is the synonym for faithfulness. Revelation 19:11, "I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse. I can't wait. When we come back with him, we're going to be riding on white horses. Don't worry if you've never ridden. There will be riding classes during the tribulation, but.
My friend, if I've done nothing for you today, that planted in your mind, and I hope that it's burned there indelibly. When you're struggling, when you're hurting, when you're overburdened, when your soul is aching. When you're lonely. When the world looks dark. When you can do nothing but cry. When you can't even lift up your head and look up. I want you to remember God is faithful. He always has been. He always will be. Trust him because he can only prove that faithfulness as you and I come to him with simple, childlike faith. Don't let the devil lie to you about who you are. Let God tell you who you are in Christ, and it'll make all the difference in the world.
