Wednesday: Royal Commission
Isa. 6:8
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa: 6:8).
Having been purified, Isaiah immediately responded to God’s call for a representative whom He could send out on His behalf. In New Testament terms, Isaiah would have been called an apostle; that is, “one who is sent.”
Image © Rolf Jansson at Goodsalt.com
Interestingly enough, the book of Isaiah does not begin, as do some other prophetic books, with the prophet describing his prophetic call (compare Jer: 1:4-10, Ezekiel 1:1-3:27). In other words, he must have already been called to be a prophet, even before the events of chapter 6. The Bible does show that a divine encounter can encourage a prophet even after the ministry began (Moses: Exodus 34:1-35; Elijah: 1 Kings 19:1-21). In contrast to other examples, too, where God tells people they are to be prophets, in Isaiah 6:1-13 the prophet volunteers for a special mission. It appears that chapters 1-5 of Isaiah represent conditions at the time when Isaiah was first called, after which God jump-started his ministry by encouraging him at the temple and reconfirming his commission as God’s prophetic spokesman.
God encouraged Isaiah at His temple. Is there evidence elsewhere in the Bible that God’s sanctuary is a place of encouragement? Psalm 73 (see Ps: 73:17), Heb: 4:14-16, Heb: 10:19-23, Rev: 5:1-14. What do these texts tell us?
Not only does God’s sanctuary throb with awesome power; it’s a place where weak and faulty people such as we can find refuge. We can be reassured by knowing that God is working to rescue us through Christ, our High Priest.
John also saw Christ represented as a sacrificial lamb that had just been slaughtered, its throat slit (Rev: 5:6). This was not a pretty sight. The description makes the point that although Christ was raised from the dead and has ascended to heaven, He continually carries the Cross event with Him. He is still lifted up in order to draw all people to Himself at His altar.
| How have you found encouragement by entering God’s heavenly temple, by faith, in prayer? Hebrews 4:16 invites you to approach God’s throne boldly to “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (NRSV). If someone were to ask you how you have found grace and mercy in your time of need, how would you respond? |
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I have experienced a number of people who feel they have been called by God to right the wrongs in the church. And currently there are any number of Internet sites labelled as Seventh-day Adventist in some form or other, claiming that the church has apostatised and that they have a clear message of God and are going to hit the issues head on! They often quote a lot of Scripture and large slabs of text from Ellen White. Clearly some of these folk are "leading" others, and in some cases are even getting financial support.
How do we know whether or not these folk have been touched by live coal from the altar of God? Or do they just have a loud voice and make a religious sounding noise?
Here is a marker I have found that helps me decide.
Often, websites that are trying to lead us in this way have criticism as their main theme. They do not offer encouragement. They want to tear down rather than build up. They focus on the wrongs rather than leading to a better way.
Take a big picture view of Isaiah. He is critical of the the current situation in the Kingdoms of Judah an Israel, but at the same time he points to the hope of the Messiah.
When we feel that the Church leadership needs criticism, before we open our mouths or touch our keyboards, do we ask ourselves the question, how do we point to Christ in all of this?
This thought should be central to our criticism:
This is what I have been trying to explain to someone I know. He has been binge watching one of these channels like you described, and the main theme is criticism of the General Conference and church leadership. Plus this particular man has made claims that did not come to pass. When people mix truth with criticism and error, it is easy for people who already disagree with certain things to fall down the rabbit hole and be led astray. I will read your comment to my husband tonight and I pray for him and all those who are following false prophets to return to the truth.
Am I alone in feeling like being God's representative is too great a responsibility?
A sweet story and a painful story. Sweet - I heard of a cashier working the early morning shift in a large discount store who was so cheerful and kind. Her name tag said MARY-N-GOD. When asked if she and God were doing the job together she beamed, "Yes!", and added that she and God shared the most wonderful life together and that she couldn't do anything without Him.
Painful - A horrific murder happened in the town I grew up in when I was young. It was so awful that the town tore down the apartment building after. A couple burned their child in the oven saying that God had told them to do it and adding that they were reading their Bible while the child screamed.
We are part of a throng who call Jesus Lord. Some have a true walk of faith with Him and reveal His healing grace even in difficult circumstances. Others are demon-possessed and as written in the gospel stories also call Jesus the "Holy One of God" (Mark 1:24).
In the former case, I pray, "Oh Lord, I am not that centered on You to be cheerful and gracious when feeling personal discomfort! When sharing about You I talk too much rather than listening and letting You speak to the other person's heart. Please help me."
In the latter case, I pray, "Oh Lord, I and those who love You know of Satan's identity theft, how he's stolen your name and credit rating and misrepresented You to the world (Rom 2:24; 2 Peter 2:2-3). Thank you for endangering Your own reputation to adopt me into Your family. Please use me to help set the account of Your character straight. May my new life 'make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.' (Titus 2:10 NLT) May I take on this serious obligation of representing you not with a long face, but instead showing the real joy of living with You and for You."
Mr. Maurice, agreed, if we don't serve, what will emerge is a spirit of criticism.
The Sabbath day in several congregations that we have met in Indonesia has become a bit boring for some people who are present because they just gather, they don't talk about the services they have been doing for the past 6 days because indeed there was no evangelism that was done or was reluctant to visit on the Sabbath (before covid 19).
Maybe someone says, "In you there is faith, and in me there are works", I will answer him, "Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my deeds." James 2:18
Please pray also in your prayers.
How do I know if - a request from a family member to fly across country in the middle of a pandemic to babysit for three weeks or a tearfilled what's app request from a neighbour to help buy stationery for kids to start the new school year - is a call from the LORD to be his hands and feet or someone taking advantage of my kind nature? Should I say here am I send me or let them sort out their own lives, like someone told me? Does it matter if it is a once off request or a regular occurrence, what if the neighbour continually asks for money for this or that every week?
Is it easier to get a call to tell people their behavior and doctrines are wrong or for the widow to give her last cup of flour and oil to feed a stranger?
It is not a matter of one call is more important, or harder or easier than the other, it is where do I fit in the LORD's overall plan of salvation, what is His will for me today? Am I walking close enough to the LORD so that I recognize His voice when He calls or am I waiting for a glorious vision or the still small voice in my ear?
Shirley- to be connected to Christ is a wonderful thing. As one is connected to Christ he leads us all the way and we have a speaking relationship.
My experiences are ongoing but started some years ago. Where I work/the culture where I do work, the people like to eat. I tried being a part of the culture in selected ways. They say I am antisocial in many ways(because I dont go to the bars/clubs, sabbath fun raising walks/marathons with them) etc. At times they will say we all have to bring something to eat during holidays or special days in the month. When I make something or buy something and place it together with their food, they will eat the minimum of mine or none and I will eat mine, take back the rest or throw it away.
One time it got so bad that I told the Lord, this is it. I am not taking anything back to no get together with them. I was angry. During the night the Lord said to me that I need to take something for the get together. I was wondering why would the Lord want me to still carry things to eat when he sees how they were treating me.
It took a while but I understood it. This battle is not about them but about me and he is just using them to straighten, strengthen and prepare me for his kingdom.
My prayer daily is to be like Jesus- becoming like Jesus in his character is daily dying to self. I must die to self so Christ must live in me.
Have you tried moving a vehicle with flat tire? It takes much more effort then a vehicle filled with air.
Our evangelism efforts are such with out being filled with Holy Spirit.
We have to be repented and purified before we share the message.
Being filled wkth the Holy Spirit must be our daily experience if we want to have divine encounter.
Although we are living in critical times, God has been amazing in saving us from evil. Even our difficulties become ways for God to confirm His care for us. As Isaiah, we need to be available in order to fulfill His plans for us.
With so many claims made concerning prophets and prophetic work today, I agree it’s so important to note the attitudes and spirit in which those who make such claims speak. Does the message edify, is it encouraging us to do God’s will or simply divisive and prideful.
Ezekiel 14:7-11, God addressed the problem which we still have today.
“ For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
and I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.”
Idols set up in the heart, a refusal to repent, which led to inquiring of false prophets who were deceived. The same thing happens today. Some seem to look for a “prophet” to support acts that aren’t according to God’s will.
With so many claims being made, it’s vital to have a connection with God that transcends our feelings. A relationship that transforms us by the power of God’s Spirit making us wise unto salvation. As human beings we we can and will be deceived without it.
2 Timothy 3:13-15 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Jeremiah 17:9-10
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.“
We have safety in Christ and His Word.
God is infinitely more powerful than our enemy. We can lean on Him, trust Him and ask Him anything. Even whether He sent someone to speak for Him or not. His Word is our safety.
As Isaiah 8:20 says:
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
We have been and are being purified by the actively lived acceptance of the work of Salvation through Grace by Faith, and so fully equipped to engage our new nature, our new personality to live the Gospel Light as we walk this Way by Faith.
Rev.19:8KJV – “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white(bright): for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." We cannot *not* engage in these acts of righteousness, because our new life consists of them! Should these be missing from our lives, we need to seek councel from the Holy Spirit.
Everyone who believes in Christ Jesus and His testimony has been given a new, unique disposition and environment in which to share this life with others. The new environment has now two aspects – the physical and the spiritual. The core essence of this new life has been transformed by God’s Love for man, and our gratitude and love for Him in return is evident in all things/communication/interaction we share with others.
I believe that the seemingly insignificant acts of love matter just as much, if not more, than great accomplishments. As we are called to live God’s Will, His Faith and Love should always be the main ingredient when engaging to do His good works - Eph.2:10KJV.
Reading Rev.21:22KJV, it occurred to me how completely the fusion with God will be when we live our new life in the “great city, the New Jerusalem”. “And I saw no temple therein; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” I understand this to mean that the Father and His children are united again in His Spirit presence – existing again in HIS spiritual Rest.
First, God’s spiritual presence with man was in Eden, then it was the earthly tabernacle in the Wilderness, then at His Temple-home in Jerusalem. When the Savior Christ Jesus became the believer’s High Priest, God the Father moved His Home into the new heart to always be present with the believer; and in the end, in the new life, we will live indwelled and surrounded by the continuous presence of God the Father and the Lamb, our Savior Christ Jesus.
Praise be to God our long-suffering, just, merciful, compassioned Heavenly Father and His Son, our Savior Christ Jesus, for ever and ever! Amen!
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more that they that be with them. 2 Kings 6:16.
Royal Commission
When the disciples were called and sent, Jesus reminded them that they should not be afraid because He is with them/us all the time.
Being called to be a prophet in olden days appeared to be a death sentence from those who you were sent to gave the message. The good messages were accepted about blessings, encouragement, praise, honor, power, destroying the enemy,
and to hear the Lord is with us although we are doing wrong etc. The messages that pointed directly at the King and the other leaders to root men/women out of their sins were refused. Those involved tried to get rid of the messages and the messengers in gruesome ways. Heb 11:34-39.
Which leaders, or how many leaders today, now in the SDA church will choose those method to be killed, or to die? Many if asked, how do we want to die? Many will say, in the hospital with all the the necessary medical staff around us or at home with all our families peacefully surrounding us.
How many of us see ourselves as fighting a spiritually battle with human and our death might not be normal?