Continuing the exposition of the Immanuel prophecy, we find a word of judgment against Ahaz, Jerusalem, and Judah. Refuge has been sought in Assyria, instead of the promises of God. Now, Assyria will be your oppressor. In fact, the calamity to come will be remembered on par with the days when the United Kingdom split in two. The message is that there is great folly in unbelief, a folly which is self-destructive.

In preparation for the evening Lessons and Carols service, we want to look at the culminating text, John 1:1-14. Here, John reveals the mystery of the incarnation.

Continuing through Isaiah's prophecy, we come to the 7th chapter and the promise of the advent of Christ. Here, we see King Ahaz, and the nation of Judah, in a time of crisis as they fear an invasion from Israel and Syria. To whom will they turn? Will they trust in the Lord or in Assyria? God offers King Ahaz a sign, but he refuses it. So God gives a sign to the House of David that a virgin shall conceive and bring forth a son and shall call His name Immanuel.

Continuing through the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we come to one of the most important passages in the Scriptures- Isaiah's vision, calling, and mission. Here, we see the holiness of our God and that His reign is without comparison. We also see the need for justification if we are to stand before our holy God. Finally, we will consider the mission which is given to this great prophet and that it comports with the revelation of the first five chapters of this Book.

Continuing the warning of the disappointing vineyard, Isaiah explains the types of sour grapes which the vineyard has brought forth. He finds the fruit of greed, self-indulgence, wickedness, perversion, foolishness, and corruption. Such a harvest is ripe for judgment, thus there is offered here a word of woe to the grapes of wrath.

Isaiah addresses Judah and Jerusalem through a parable and song, singing of His Beloved and His Beloved's Vineyard. This incredible song calls upon the people of Jerusalem to assess judgment upon the vineyard detailed in the song. In doing so, they ultimately pass judgment on themselves.

After speaking of a great judgment about to befall Jerusalem and Judah, there is a word of hope. God promises a future day pictured in a holy Jerusalem, wherein all the people there are declared righteous by the grace of God. This is to be a word of comfort in the face of judgment, for God's promises will not fail to stand!

Continuing through the early chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we see the consequences for Judah's sin. God is sending judgment against the nation, and against the city of Jerusalem. What will this judgment look like? This question is critical if we are to discern the signs of a nation under judgment. Join us as we look at this great chapter of Scripture, which explains God's means of judging a nation.

Having contrasted the Jerusalem that now is from the Jerusalem that one day shall be, the prophet Isaiah continues to lay charges against Judah. Though set-apart, they have desired to be like the nations. Though called to worship the Lord, they have dishonored Him. Now judgment shall befall them. Isaiah speaks of this judgment as a near and coming reality for the people of Judah, and as a foretaste of that great day of judgment that awaits all who are not found in Christ!

Approaching the end of chapter 1, we more charges levied against Jerusalem. God has found His people to be unjust, violent, and engaged in harlotry. Therefore the Lord shall come against them in judgment. Still, there is found great grace. God promises to use the judgment according to the promise, restoring His people. Further, at the beginning of the 2nd chapter, God reveals a vision for the Jerusalem that will be. It is a glorious picture of a Kingdom which draws the nations to the worship of God.