ISAIAH 56 - Salvation for others 

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** The Word of God states that sexual violators will not inherit the kingdom of God, despite the media and popular culture’s blessing on sexual promiscuity today

• Sexual promiscuity has been around since the beginning of time

• Contrary to the opposing arguments, there is no genetic excuse for sinful behavior and people have a choice whether they want to give in to temptation

• God's law is unchangeable opposing this sin

• God will bring about judgment as He did with Sodom and in the days of Noah

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NIV

[9] Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men [10] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

THE LAW OF GOD exposes those practicing immorality...

1 Timothy 1:9 NIV

[9] We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers

Deuteronomy 22:5 NIV

[5] A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this.

Leviticus 18:22-25 NIV

[22] “ 'Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable. [23] “ 'Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion. [24] “ 'Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. [25] Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.

Isaiah 56:3 NIV

[3] Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” And let no eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.”

Isaiah 3:9 NIV

[9] The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.

Romans 1:32 NIV

[32] Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

THERE IS HOPE for those caught in sin...

• If Christians are to show love, we must confront them and let them know they are opposing God's design and judgment awaits if they don’t change their behavior

• Violators can become 'former violators' when they repent and start a new life

• Redeemed violators become sanctified (changed, separated) by the Spirit of God

• God's forgiveness and grace allows them to be able to start again!

1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV

[11] And that is what some of you WERE. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Psalm 107:10-13 NIV

[10] Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, [11] because they rebelled against God's commands and despised the plans of the Most High. [12] So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. [13] Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

** Animal blood sacrifices will be done in the Millennium  <P168>

• The most extensive details of Millennial sacrifices -- who, what, when -- are in Ezekiel 43:18 - 46:24

• Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice was so great -- that the creator God of the universe loved us so much that He sent His only Son as a sacrifice to save us -- and He wants the world to never forget!

Isaiah 56:7 NIV

[7] these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. ”

** House of prayer 'for all nations' refers to a future temple not just for Jews, but Gentiles

Isaiah 56:7 NIV

[7] these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. ”

** Old Testament prophets were called to be watchmen, warning people of their sin and God’s impending wrath

• They were specifically held accountable if others died in their sin and the prophets did not warn them

Ezekiel 3:17-19 NIV

[17] “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. [18] When I say to a wicked person, 'You will surely die, ' and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. [19] But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.

• Israel’s spiritual watchmen bore a heavy responsibility before the Lord

• If a prophet failed to warn others as God had appointed him to do, his own life was in danger, and he would be held accountable for the people’s sin

Ezekiel 33:2-6 NIV

[2] “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: 'When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, [3] and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, [4] then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. [5] Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. [6] But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone's life, that person's life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.'

• A watchman who was blind or disobedient to the Lord’s Word left the people he was called to protect open to danger and suffering

• Obedience is the only course of action for a true watchman

Isaiah 56:10 NIV

[10] Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep.

Ezekiel 33:9 NIV

[9] But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.

• The role of spiritual watchman continues in the New Testament in the form of church leaders

Hebrews 13:17 NIV

[17] Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

• In another sense, God calls not just leaders, but all Christians to be watchmen

• Jesus told His disciples to “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38)

• We should be ready and waiting for the Lord’s return  <G72>

Luke 12:35-40 NIV

[35] “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, [36] like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. [37] It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. [38] It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. [39] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. [40] You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

** The Lord reserved His harshest criticism for Israel, the nation which was the direct recipient of His revelation; the consequences are serious, not only for the individual but also for their nation  <D497>

Isaiah 56:10 NIV

[10] Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep.

** Beware of false teachers! The devil has his ministers, as well as Christ!

Matthew 7:15 NIV

[15] “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Isaiah 56:11 NIV

[11] They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain.

False teachers:

• Do not feed the flock--but fleece the flock!

• Do not convert--but pervert!

• Do not purify--but poison!

• Do not edify for salvation--but destroy for damnation!

• Instead of curing souls--they kill souls!

• Just so long as they pilfer the people's money they care not, though the devil has their souls!

They are dogs and wolves combining together to massacre the flock of Christ! Oh! therefore keep yourselves from Babylon's merchants, who make merchandise of the souls of men.  <D42>

** The Lord has devastating things to say about cowardly selfish leaders claiming to stand for God yet leading others astray  

Isaiah 56:10-12 NIV

[10] Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. [11] They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain. [12] “Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.”