January 28: LAST-DAY THEMES

You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways. You are indeed angry, for we have sinned — in these ways we continue; And we need to be saved. Isaiah 64:5

In this single verse is a back-to-back contrast. Isaiah loves the LORD above all else; he aspires and desires to be him who rejoices and does righteousness. Humbly, he includes himself — three times! — in the “we” of the second half of the verse. This inclusion points to the real possibility that Isaiah himself still had important things to learn. Such an attitude by all of us would swing open the door for the entrance of undiluted truth. Before Jesus returns, He will have a living church completely free of error in the presence of the sons of men.*

The final three chapters of Isaiah are literally swirling with last-day themes. A “flyover” reveals the human longing for God to interpose Himself in a visible way. From the viewpoint of His professed people, it is to show to the unbelievers His majesty and power. Elements of trust and humility are also exhibited. There are appeals to His mercy, along with remembrances of bygone times when His blessings were abundant.

From God’s viewpoint, we are shown that He is always ready to be found, but evidence points to the sad reality that no one is really looking for Him. In great gentleness, He bends down with His arms outstretched, yet His own people, despite His nearness, make a hideous display of their unholy ‘holiness’. He sees His people acting as though they are superior to others, while at the same time they are like the walking dead—proceeding through each day as zombies, dead in their sins: A people who provoke My anger continually to My face; who sacrifice in gardens, And burn incense on altars of brick; Who sit among the graves, And spend the night in the tombs; Who eat swine’s flesh, And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; Who say, “Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!” These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day (65:3-5).

The world is filled with suffering that increases by the day. From the point of view of stubborn humans, the idea that He would hold His peace as His people are severely afflicted is mentioned as an accusation against Him (64:12). But because of the changes that still need to occur among His own people, there is a call to learn that the hold[ing of] His peace is a double-edged blessing: that those who have yet to hear of Him will hear, and that His own people will overcome their stiff-necked tendencies and forsake the sin and error that are still cherished. Indeed, we need to be saved!

*Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! Psalm 31:19