What a vast difference is found in the minds of men under the word! To some, how blessed; to others, how uninteresting! Reader! do not forget who it is that maketh men to differ, 1 Corinthians 4:7 . read more
Brethren, the Idumeans, &c., or the Jews, who would not believe in Christ. read more
5-14 The prophet turns to those that trembled at God's word, to comfort and encourage them. The Lord will appear, to the joy of the humble believer, and to the confusion of hypocrites and persecutors. When the Spirit was poured out, and the gospel went forth from Zion, multitudes were converted in a little time. The word of God, especially his promises, and ordinances, are the consolations of the church. The true happiness of all Christians is increased by every convert brought to Christ. The... read more
The Abominations of a Dead Worship and The Birth of the New Church v. 1. Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool, a majestic declaration of His almighty power and rule; where is the house that ye build unto Me, and where is the place of My rest? The Lord desires neither the Temple nor the worship of such as have forsaken Him; they are an abomination in His sight. v. 2. For all those things hath Mine hand made, everything that men might offer to Him was His... read more
5. THE NEW LIFE IN ITS INWARD RELATIONSIsaiah 66:1-3 a.1 Thus saith the Lord,The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool:1 Where is the house that ye build unto me?And 2 where is the place of my rest?2 For all those things hath mine hand made,And all those things 3have been, saith the Lord:But to this man will I look,Even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit,And trembleth at my word.3 aHe that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man;He that sacrificeth a 4lamb,... read more
God’s People Made a Blessing Isaiah 66:1-14 The prophet forecasts the advent of a new day, when places and rites would be comparatively unimportant compared with the condition of the heart, Isaiah 66:1-4 . The opening words were quoted by Stephen, when announcing the substitution of spiritual worship for the effete system which it superseded. See Acts 7:48-49 . What is the outward rite to God, when the spirit has fled? It was all one to Him, whether a man killed a lamb in the Temple, or... read more
This last chapter is confessedly difficult of interpretation. In it the prophet seems to look beyond all that he has previously described, and to deal with destiny. He first announces anew the fact of the established government of God, and then proceeds to show how that for those who had chosen their own ways He will choose delusions, and that because when He called they did not answer. Those who had trembled at His word He will deliver, in spite of all difficulties. In the final message the... read more
THE COMING OF THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH (Isaiah 65:13 to Isaiah 66:24 ). The final vision of Isaiah centres on the fact that there will be a new heaven and a new earth. Old things will pass away and all things will become new, just as he has constantly promised. read more
In Contrast Are Those Whose Offerings and Sacrifices Are Merely Formal And Debased And Not From The Heart (Isaiah 66:3-5 ). Isaiah 66:3 “He who kills an ox is as he who slays a man, He who sacrifices a lamb as he who breaks a dogs neck, He who offers an oblation as he who offers swine’s blood, He who burns frankincense as he who blesses an idol, Yes, they have chosen their own ways, And their inner being delights in their abomination.” This is where we began in Isaiah 1:10-17. There are those... read more
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James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Isaiah 66:1-24
MEETING OF THE AGES We are drawing to the end of the present, and the opening of the Millennial age. The prophet’s eye rests on the time when Israel is back in her land, the majority still unconverted to Christ and worshiping in a restored temple. There is a faithful remnant waiting for Him, though enduring the persecution of the false christ. This persecution may often be felt at the hands of their own brethren after the flesh. These facts must be assumed in the interpretation of these... read more