Isaiah 26

Isa’s Apocalypse (24-27)…24, Trib’s Devestation, 25, King’s Inaugaration, 26, people’s celebration. Set the scene, Isa 25:9

Isa 26:1-6 First, in that day, people will be celebrating God’s incredible supernatural security. When all has come to pass, we will find out that our salvation was never “in danger”. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. (Jn 10:27-29) He made the walls of His capital city out of salvation (Yeshua). This is that awesome heavenly existence that Abraham was holding out for. city referred to, By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hb 11:8-10). But, how did he live thru many trials? How can we survive when look around?

Isa 26:3… Can circumstances really make peace? Then the reverse must be true, they can never really make fear. Mt 14:29-31 When Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Was Peter ever in danger of drowning? Paul nearly repeats this vs in Phil 4:6-7. Folks, our salvation is guarded by God isn’t it? But what about our emotional welfare today? These 2 vss reveal a promise from God, that if we purposely set our mind on Him, His goodness, faithfulness and power, that we will have unshaken peace. No, this isn’t “understandable” to those outside. They think created some “fantasy land”, but Jesus has commanded. Jn 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (agitated/troubled or timid/afraid) The affect of following God and trusting Him according to the Bible is peace. This is one characteristic Christians should possess. It is so important to understand that the act of praying isn’t a religious duty, but the act of taking something out of your own hands and putting it into God’s. And prayer alone isn’t the key to peace. But, prayer w/ thanksgiving (trust). The battle for peace in your life is your own battle to believe God and be thankful.

Col 1:20 God has reconciled all things to Himself, by Jesus, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.…It is sad that are many, many who have peace w/ God that's been established through JC, but have never entered into the peace of God that guards their hearts in Phil 4:7.

26:7 1 Pt 1:13-19 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.…What quoting? Le 11:44 'For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Le 11:45 'For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. Le 20:26 'And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.

26:18 The result of all our efforts to save ourselves, to fix our troubles? NOTHING! Gave birth to the wind. Isaiah is speaking of all difficult times been through and how they expected to bring about the kingdom age. And yet it brought forth nothing. Many in the church today believe they are going to establish God's kingdom here on earth and then He will return. And yet the Scriptures speak of the opposite. It is Christ who will return and set up His kingdom not us. Known as "Dominion Theology", all their efforts will produce nothing! All my efforts to save myself will come to nothing. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Rv 20:12-15

26:19 OT had shadowy understanding of resurrection. Clearly believed it (oldest book Job (19:25-27) For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Daniel (12:2) And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. And verses like this one. But, Paul said (2 Tim 1:10) Jesus Christ, has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, The secrets of eternal life have been revealed by appearing of Jesus. Isa had a confident expectation of resurrection of the just either at his rising or this more likely refers to Lord’s dead body rising. Where dead go until then? Lk 16:19-31 Why? Heb 10:4, blood of animals insufficient. No one entered presence of God w/out JC sacrifice, Hb 11:39-40. Hades translated “hell” is not what cartoons portray, but place of waiting for dead where consciously awake and aware. Waiting 2 resurrections, Dn 12:2, everlasting life and contempt. Rv 20:5-6. JC went to hell (hades). Ac 2:27, heart of earth Mt 12:38-40, JC not ascend until after 3 days (Jn 20:17). JC called Hades “Paradise” so didn’t descend side awaiting judgment (Lk 23:43). Preached to everyone while there (1 Pt 3:18-20), when ascended emptied (Eph 4:8-10). Some “spilled” Mt 27:52-53. Now? 2 Cor 5:5-8, Philip 1:23. But the rest? Rev 20:11, 13-15.

I believe this particular verse is a prophecy referencing JC resurrection. That beginning of 1^st resurrection. Now, JC said, “Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (Choice must be made prior to death)

2 Cor 5:1-2 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,

The Bible teaches the real me is spirit, not body. The body is only a tent in which I dwell. It was originally formed from dirt. But I'm looking for the new body.

1 Cor 15:40-42 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. Turn there…No wonder I’m going to sing. One day…

26:21 When is this time when God’s people are hidden away, from a time of great indignation the Lord brings upon the earth dwellers? Seems clear the Trib… “the indignation”, “the inhabitants of earth” This can have a couple interpretations. It could refer church being caught up (1 Thess 4:16-17) or could refer to the nation Israel, who will flee from the antichrist during the Trib and will hide in the wilderness for 3.5 yrs (Rv 12:13-14). Either way, a “wall of salvation shall be established around God’s people during His wrath.