June 29
Isaiah 1:21-5:30
Outside the United Nations building in NYC, is the Isaiah wall, gifted by the USSR in 1959, which states: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares. And their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation. Neither shall they learn war any more”. This is a portion of a beautiful passage in Isaiah 2:4, but, when taken out of context it is a false statement. This is the problem with biblical illiteracy which is rampant in the United States, and for that matter, worldwide. When a portion is purposely omitted it leads to a wrong conclusion. This beautiful portion of Scripture refers to the time that God sets up His kingdom on the earth with King Jesus on the throne of the Millennial Kingdom, just after a very brutal period of history, called the Tribulation. This beautiful promise will not be ushered in by man, and certainly not by the United Nations, which does nothing to lift up the One true God.
We read the full context in Isaiah 2:2-4, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter 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 all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.” This beautiful portion of Scripture clearly points to a time when war will end because peace is brought forth by God. This is our hope. Jesus is our living Hope as we can read more about His literal reign in Revelation 20:4-6.
Sadly, when you read of God’s rebuke at the people of Judah, for their godless behavior and rebellious spirit, in Isaiah 1, it could just as easily be said against the people of our nation and our world today. We, as a nation, are utterly clueless when it comes to biblical truth and biblical prophecy. Oddly, we deem ourselves good, yet almost everything we now stand for is directly opposed to God’s Word. We consider ourselves His friend, when we have placed ourselves in the position of His enemy. We are a people and a nation lifted up in pride, yet we read in 2 Corinthians 10:17, “But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”” Yes, it has always been about Him, and it always will be. He gets the glory, no one else does. Prideful, self-righteousness is a stench in God’s nostrils. If you have not yet done so, become a student of the entirety of God’s word. This doesn’t require seminary or any special title. It simply requires time and a heart that yearns for Him. He will communicate to you through His Word, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: