Lesson 8 for May 21, 2011

Isaiah received a prophetic call in a moment of national apostasy. When Isaiah watched how the train of God’s robe filled the Temple and the seraphs worshipped the Almighty, he understood God’s holiness and his own sinfulness. That’s why he feared for his own life.

An angel touched Isaiah’s lips with a live coal in that vision. That symbolizes forgiveness of sins. Now, with that security, Isaiah was ready to answer the divine call: “Here I am. Send me!” What will our answer to God’s call be when our sins are forgiven and we are converted?

We find a tough message in the first chapters of the book of Isaiah. God sent that message to the misdirected people of Israel through prophet Isaiah. Isaiah, 3: NIV “In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, the ear-rings and bracelets and veils, the head-dresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles, and charms, the signet rings and nose rings, the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses and mirrors and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls”

Banqueting (Isaiah, 5:12) Idolatry (Isaiah, 2:8) Calling evil good (Isaiah, 5:20) Murders (Isaiah, 1:21) Bribes (Isaiah, 1:23) Social injustice (Isaiah, 3:14-15) Haughtiness and arrogance (Isaiah, 2:11, 17) Vanity clothing, showing-off (Isaiah, 3:16-23) Alcoholism (Isaiah, 5:11, 22) Religious formalism (Isaiah, 1:11-15) Those garments of vanity tried to hide serious moral problems in those who wore them.

Isaiah shows us which will be the end of those who want to keep clothing garments of vanity. “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, And those who dwell in it will die in like manner… For the moth will eat them up like a garment, And the worm will eat them like wool…” (Isaiah, 51: 6-8 NKJ) Anyone who persists in embracing this world and not accepting salvation through Christ will perish as moth-eaten garments.

Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion. For this is what the LORD says: "You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed."” (Isaiah, 52: 1-3 NIV) The garments of splendor are the garments of righteousness, the covering that all have who are surrendered to the Lord and who live by faith and obedience to His commandments. “Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.

“See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him- his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness- so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.” (Isaiah, 52: NIV) Isaiah explains how we can clothe in those garments of splendor. Only through Christ’s life and death, and all that they involve, could humanity be saved from the ruin brought by sin. It is only by God’s grace that we are saved, a grace revealed through the incredible sacrifice made for us on the cross.

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.” (Isaiah, 52: 7-8 NIV) Those who receive the garments of splendor have a mission: Proclaiming the everlasting Gospel and the Second Coming of Christ.

Anyone who stays clothing garments of vanity will end with moth-eaten garments (eternal death) “… But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished. Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults… But My righteousness will be forever, And My salvation from generation to generation.” Isaiah, 51: 6-8 Anyone who clothes garments of splendor will receive garments of salvation (eternal life)

All those who accept the garments of splendor offered by God will obtain garments of Salvation and will become brides and bridegrooms of Jesus. “The provision made is complete, and the eternal righteousness of Christ is placed to the account of every believing soul. The costly, spotless robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has been provided for the repenting, believing sinner, and he may say: “‘I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness., as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” (Isaiah, 61: 10) ” (E.G.W. MS 1, pg. 461)