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Book of Isaiah
Chapter 65

Chapter 58-66 give God’s gracious Promises of hope. Isaiah’s powerful message of hope shines out so clearly from the reminders to the wicked. Almighty God demands contrite hearts, renewed lives and personal faith in Him from those who sincerely want salvation. If anyone is easily turned away from the LORD by His continual reminders to put away sin, then that person most likely will never be able to continue to read on to the hope that is so beautifully revealed to us in the later Passages. In the last section of Isaiah (chapters 58-66), reform and repentance is mentioned far less, while the idea of hope in God's salvation seems to throb in our heart. 

This section has another interruption (or detour). In the middle of chapters 58-66 lies (Isa.63:7 to Isa.64:12) describing an Israelite’s personal confession and pleading. Before and after this, God speaks through the prophet Isaiah in different prophecies. But, this sincere pleading of a godly Israelite’s pleading is placed here, in the middle, and is like the smell of sweet incense drifting up to God in the middle of a sacrifice to Him, which can be seen as a sense of balance between God’s sovereignty and man’s will, for as God predicts the future, man pleads with the LORD to fulfill the mighty acts of redemption. It is a wonderful song of praise, cry of hope and humble confession all rolled together . . . and stands as a tribute day and night, pleading to God for help. The Israelites deserve to be abandoned, just as we do. Their sin (and ours) totally fits like a glove for God’s judgment. They are far worse than their enemies because they betray the One and Only TRUE God.  These two chapters become a firm monument calling the godly ones to hope in this faithful God and to remind God there are a few who really care.

The Hope of the Contrite
Chapter 58, exposes religious sins and extolls righteousness.
Chapter 59, convinces us of His desire to help us, even when it cost Him dearly.
Chapter 60, God gives the people a tremendous vision of the future.
Chapter 61, God calls the Servant to insure the peoples’ righteousness.
Chapter 62, God explains the participation of the people in realizing the vision.
Chapter 63:1-6, God uses the Servant to bring salvation to His people.
Chapter 63:7-64, helps us understand our sin and His grace.
Chapter 65, discovering the riches of His grace.
Chapter 66, confirming and expanding their (and our) hope.

Ch.40-48: Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked. (KJV)  
Ch.49-57: Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. (KJV)   
Ch.58-66: Isaiah 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. (KJV)  

All three of these last sections end with the same idea . . . there shall be no peace, to the wicked. The Messiah brings peace, but any and all who reject Him will NEVER know peace. Turning TO idols is turning AWAY from the Messiah. As we have seen, this section has majored in a condemnation and rebuke of idolatry. Idolatry is a road that leads to Babylon. The LORD, in the Book of Isaiah, is traveling the lonely road to Calvary. BEWARE!!! ALL idolatry and witchcraft are an abomination to the LORD: (Deut.27:15; 1 Ki.11:7; 23:13; Isa.44:19; Jer.32:35; Eze.18:12; Dan.12:11; Mal.2:11; Rev.21:27)         

ISAIAH 65 parallels with the little Book of JUDE. We see both in Isaiah 65 and in Jude, the vast wickedness of religious mankind and the wickedness of satanic forces described; also the victories of Christ's Second Coming.

This chapter contains an answer to the prayer which started back in Isaiah 63:15, and continued through Chapter 64. Reasons are given by the LORD for suffering such calamities as are before mentioned to come upon Israel; especially their rejection of the Gospel as preached by Christ and His apostles, and cleaving to the traditions of the fathers and to their own righteousness. Their disobedience and rebellion are aggravated by the Gentiles quick reception of the Gospel, as soon as it was preached to them (vs.1) and also their idolatry of their fathers which they continued, their impurity and breaking of the God’s laws (vs.3), in addition as their own pride, hypocrisy, and self-confidence (vs.5), all which was witnessed by the LORD and really provoked Him. He was determined to recompense into their bosoms their own sins, and the sins of their fathers, whose measure they filled up (vs.6), however He would have a respect to a remnant among them, in whom the true grace of God would be found, and who should have a name and a place in the Gospel church, and be preserved from the general destruction (vs.8). But as for the unbelieving Jews, they would be punished with the sword, famine, disgrace, distress and a curse. The TRUE servants of the LORD that would not forsake Him, would have food, joy, honor and peace, dedicating themselves to Him and willingly serving Him (vs.11). The chapter ends with Promises of a new and happy state to the Jews upon their conversion in the last days, which will be attended with great spiritual joy, with abundance of happiness, with great safety and security, and with the Presence of God (vs.17).

Theme: The Redeemer's reason for rejecting Israel; reserving a remnant; revelation of the new heavens and the new earth.

Chapter 64 showed us the passionate prayer of Isaiah and the people pleading with the LORD to break through all barriers and come to the Earth (Isa.64:1). Chapters 65 and 66 contain God's answer to that prayer. God makes it very clear that it was their sins and their unfaithfulness to Him that were are responsible for His wrath to come down on them in judgment. But since the LORD is a merciful God, their sins have not frustrated His Promises and purposes concerning the Coming Kingdom. He has preserved a remnant through which He will fulfill ALL of His prophecies and Promises. Isaiah again gives us a vision of the Kingdom and a view of the eternal position of Israel in the new heavens and new earth, which brings us to the end of the Book of Isaiah which ends with the LORD in total command and in a blaze of glory.

Redeemer's Reason for Rejecting the Nation (65:1-7)

Isaiah 65:1  I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. (KJV)   

I am sought of them that asked not for me . . . there is no doubt that this is a prophecy of the calling and conversion of the Gentiles, because the Apostle Paul quoted it, and applied it to that event. Romans 10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. (KJV) . . . The Gentiles are described as those that asked not for Christ, but as soon as He was revealed to them, they accepted Him and He was made manifest in them and in their hearts by His Spirit.
I am found of them that sought me not . . . the Gentiles had not searched for Christ before the Gospel came to them; they had searched only for what the world had to offer,  for after all these things do the Gentiles seek (Mat.6:32), but after the Gentiles heard the Gospel, Christ was found by them that sought me not before.
I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name . . . this still describes the Gentiles, who before were not called the people of God, but who now are.
Hosea 2:23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. (KJV) . . . The wonderful prophetic message here from God includes the Gentiles (non-Jews) as His children as recorded also in Rom.9:25 and 1 Pet.2:10. Gentiles were not originally “God’s people,” but through His mercy and grace, He has provided Jesus Christ (Jn.3:16-18; 14:6; 1 Jn.5:10-12), and by faith in Him we are grafted into the tree of His people (Rom.11:11-18). This is an amazing Truth about the Church, one that is called a mystery because before Christ, God’s people were considered to be the Jews alone. When Christ came, the Jews were temporarily blinded until the full number of the Gentiles has come in (Rom.11:25). Mystery: (Isa.52:15; Mk.4:11; 12:11; Rom.16:25; 1 Cor.2:7; Eph.1:9; 3:4,9; 5:32; 6:19; Col.1:26-27; 2:2; 4:3; 1 Tim.3:9,16; Heb.5:11; 1 Pet.1:10; Rev.10:7). This verse shows us the casting off of the Jews for their many evil sins (2 Ki.17:7-17; Isa.47:9; Jer.29:23; Amos 5:12; Mat.10:33; 2 Tim.2:12-13), and the coming in of the Gentiles. 

*****Isaiah speaks of the Gentiles to whom the Gospel has now come. Our ancestors were heathens. They did not want to hear the Truth. It is the same in today’s world . . . the heathen (unbelievers) are NOT searching for the Gospel . . . very few desire to hear the Truth. If a preacher brings a sermon on sin, judgment or God’s wrath, the people will not come back . . . so he preaches only what they want to hear: God is a God of love, everyone will go to Heaven. Dear one, everyone will NOT go to Heaven. http://hisservants.org/f_pluralism_universalism.htm
http://www.godcannotlie.org/1_promises_alternative_doctrines_of%20_hell.htm
http://lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_f_d%20_christian_universalism.htm

God has in the past responded to people who did not even call upon Him, and He has not changed. He loves ALL people and He wants all to be His children . . . but even though He gives everyone a chance to be His TRUE child through Christ Jesus . . . His patience will wear thin when people keep turning their back on Him. The Gospel today can be found worldwide and in over 100 languages, so NO one has an excuse! BEWARE!!!

Isaiah 65:2  I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; (KJV)

I have spread out mine hands all the day unto a rebellious people . . . meaning Israel, as the apostle states: Romans 10:21  But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. (KJV) . . . Even though Jesus was right before their very eyes, bringing the Truth that would save them . . . they did NOT believe in Christ, but instead they denied Him, they rejected His claim to be the Messiah . . . they did NOT obey His Gospel, but instead contradicted, opposed and blasphemed it. They openly rebelled against Him, refused to have Him to reign over them, would not submit to His ordinances, even though He so lovingly invited them. Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (KJV) . . . The Jews remained stubborn and inflexible all through the ministry of Jesus and His apostles; so He ordered the Gospel to be preached to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46). 
Which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts . . .  the Jews in their own way, of their own planning and choosing, which was a wicked way; after their own inventions, and the traditions of the elders . . . the doctrines and commandments of men (Mat.15:9); and after a righteousness of their own, which they thought they could get by the works of the law, and so they did NOT submit to, but rejected the righteousness of Christ.

*****Here Isaiah speaks to the Jew, the nation Israel. God first gave the Gospel to the Jews, it was always given to the Jew first (Rom.1:16; 2:9-10). But, all day long have I stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people (Rom.10:21). God rejected Israel only AFTER they rejected Him. That is the way it all came about. In other words, if Jerusalem refuses the Gospel, someone else will receive it. The marvelous flood of God's grace will spill over somewhere else in this world when it is refused by a chosen one. Thank God for that.

Isaiah 65:3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; (KJV)

A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face . . . Isaiah describes in detail in what ways the Jews had rebelled against God. They had forsaken the command of God, and had polluted themselves by various delusions. He had said a little before (Isa.63:17), that the Jews had estranged themselves from God, because they wandered after their creations; and now he points to the fruit of that immorality. By provoke, he means the bold rudeness of the people, who deliberately aggravated God, and had absolutely NO reverence for His magnificence, so they refused to submit to His rightful authority. Isaiah worsens the description by saying, to my face . . . for since God may be said to be present and actually seen or felt by those whom He warns by His Word, these sin worse, and are guilty of greater impertinence and rebellion, than those who never heard the Word. They committed their sins openly, without any fear of the divine Being, and in defiance of Him. They were NOT at all fearful by His omniscience (all knowing) nor His omnipresence (all present). They committed their sins in the streets, and even in the Temple, which was the place of His Divine Residence . . . and these they did constantly, which provoked Him to rage and wrath against them; especially the following sins:
That sacrificeth in gardens . . . Isaiah mentions the gardens which they had consecrated to their idols, and says that they angered Him by them (Isa.66:17). They placed their idols in their gardens, as well as under every green tree; or in groves . . . places where idols were worshipped. Some think this refers to their having their tombs in their gardens, where they consulted the dead (Lev.19:31; 1 Sam.28:3, 7-9; Isa.8:19). Familiar spirits are mediums who supposedly consult the dead, which is called necromancy. ALL forms of occult and witchcraft are forbidden in the Bible! (Ex.22:18; Lev.19:26-28; 20:6; Deut.18:9-14; Isa.8:19; Mal.3:5).             
And burneth incense on altars of brick . . . or upon bricks, when they made bricks, they put on them incense for idols. Incense should only have been burnt upon the golden altar erected for that purpose (Ex.30:1). This seems to mean that the altars which they had built for idols were imitations of the altar which God had prescribed . . . yet God hated it because it opposed His Word. Bricks are artificial, synthetic, non-natural as compared to stone or rock (Gen.11:3; Isa. 9:10).

*****The reason that blessings were withheld from Israel was that they stubbornly continued in their idolatry, which was disobedience and rebellion against God. This could well apply to people in our day, because idolatry is rampant in today’s world. ANYTHING you put before God is an idol!   http://www.hisservants.org/books_idolatry.html
Colossians 3:5-6 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: (KJV)

Isaiah 65:4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; (KJV)

Which remain among the graves . . . they practiced necromancy, which is familiar spirits who consult the dead, where they thought demons and departed spirits haunted, and of whom they thought they might get knowledge of future things (Isa.8:19; 29:4). Isaiah tells of numerous kinds of their superstitions. Remain among the graves . . . necromancy (familiar spirits) was generally practiced among heathen nations, the Jews also consulted demons in graves and deserts, instead of consulting God alone, which they should have done. How solemnly the LORD had forbidden it, appears very clearly from: Deut.18:10-12  There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11  Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12  For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. (KJV) . . . We have seen something of this kind in Isaiah 8:19. I think this all states a simple truth . . . that being, God demands nothing more of them and us than obedience. The LORD much prefers our obedience to slain beasts and sacrifices (1 Sam.15:22). Hebrews 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (KJV)
And lodge in the monuments . . . they spent whole nights for the same reason. It seems they slept in the tombstones, in order to get dreams, so they might be able to foretell things to come.
Which eat swine's flesh . . . which was forbidden by the law (Lev.11:7). The flesh of swine was apparently also forbidden, because that animal was sacrificed in the festivals of Tammuz (Eze.8:14).  

http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/T/TAMMUZ/
http://www.hisservants.org/easter_h_s.htm
And broth of abominable things is in their vessels . . . or pots of broth made of swine's flesh, and of other kinds of meat which were unclean by the law (Lev.11). Broth of abominable things . .  . this seems to indicate sacrificial feasts of unclean meats, and therefore was a direct violation of the Mosaic law.

Isaiah 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. (KJV)

Which say, Stand by thyself . . . the most godless people are usually the most proud, as they have wandered so far from God, that they have a most exalted idea of their own goodness. This was a characteristic of a large part of Israel, especially the Pharisees (Mat.23), thinking they were self-righteous and proud. They wander around in the dark, or among the graves; there they supposedly speak with evil spirits; and there pretend to receive information about the future. 
Come not near to me . . . these Jews were therefore rightly rejected by God; necromancers, idolaters, gross hypocrites, who were full of pride and contempt of others; such were the Pharisees (Lk.7:38-39). BEWARE!!! Keep at a safe distance, as unworthy of such company.
For I am holier than thou . . . this is what a self-righteous man would say, or a Pharisee that strictly observed the rituals of the law; and it rightly describes many who lived in the times of Christ; and agrees with the characters of the Jews, who not only would have no dealings with the Samaritans, but washed themselves when they came from market, or any public place, lest they should be defiled with the common people of their own nation; and, even with religious persons, they would not stand near them while praying; but despised them (Lk.18:9, 11; Jn.4:9).
If the Pharisees touched the clothes of the common people, they felt they were defiled as if they had touched an obscene person, and were obliged to wash themselves all over.
These are a smoke in my nose . . . meaning it was very offensive to the LORD, as smoke is to the eyes and nostrils; their behavior was very repulsive to Him; for their proud and vain conduct raised anger in Him, and kindled the fire of His wrath. There is probably a reference here to their sacrifices to their idols. The smoke of their sacrifices constantly ascending was unpleasant and provoking to God.
A fire that burneth all the day . . . the idea probably is, that their conduct kindled a fire of resentment that was continually breathed out upon them (Deut.32:22; Pro.10:26). Some think Isaiah means their burning and sacrificing in their gardens and groves. This is just a partial list of the reasons for Israel's rejection. They were breaking the commandments God gave to them.

Isaiah 65:6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom, (KJV)

Behold, it is written before me . . . Isaiah refers to the ordinary custom of judges, who keep before them in books the procedures regarding any matter, along with the testimonies, acts and everything necessary, in order for them to make correct decisions. The LORD therefore testifies the things they did have been written; and although for a time He may pass over them in silence, but in the end, the wicked shall NOT escape unpunished, but shall one day know that He is a Righteous Judge. http://judgmentcoming.org/judgment_day.htm
God keeps an account of their sins (and ours); for what they did was in His sight and a constant remembrance, and punishment for them was determined by Him. Book of remembrance: (Ps.56:8; 139:16; Dan.7:10; Mal.3:16; Rev.20:12). Judgment shall be according to works:  (Ps.62:12; Pro.24:12,29; Isa.59:18; Jer.21:14; 25:14; 32:19; Lam.3:64; Eze.7:8-9; 18:30; Hos.12:2; Zec.1:6; Mat.16:27; Rom.2:6; 2 Tim.4:14; Rev.2:23; 18:6; 20:12-13; 22:12).
I will not keep silence . . . I will not neglect to punish them, even though for a while I have seemed to delayed it, for some wise reasons which are known only unto Himself (Ps.50:21).
But will recompense, even recompense into their bosom . . . my punishment of them shall be severe and sure, but it shall be just and right, giving them what they deserve because they are loathsome to my justice (Deut.7:10; Jer.32:18); like the payment of an ox for an ox (Ex.21:36), for they have been froward against me and I will show myself froward against them (Ps.18:26).
Froward = contrary, difficult to deal with.

***** God's complaint against them was that they grieved and provoked Him. They vexed His Holy Spirit, as if He were their enemy. They provoked God continually to His Face, not caring that they insulted their Creator, even though their every sin was in His sight and remembered by Him. Everything that they did and said was continually in downright contempt of His authority and in defiance of His justice; and this had been their way ever since they were a people in the day of temptation in the wilderness.   
So many people think either that their sins are hidden from God, or that they will not be called to account for them, so they continue on in unbridled lust, or blame someone else, trying to drive fear far from them (Jer.32:18-19). Because of this, the LORD threatens that He will recompense into their bosom, that they may consider WHO the Judge is, and with WHOM they have to deal.

Isaiah 65:7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom. (KJV)

Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD . . . when the LORD deals with them, He will punish them, not only for their personal sins, but for the sins of their parents, which they have borne witness of, by their approval of continuing in them, and so made them their own sin as well, for they were a sinful imitation, meaning that the punishment both the father and the son, that were committed by one generation after another, until the measure was filled up (Isa.30:1; Rom.2:5; Rev.15:1); and then the recompense of reward is given for all of them together at once: because they all have burned incense on the mountains, and they all have blasphemed Him on the hills; where they offered incense and other sacrifices to idols, which was interpreted by the LORD as a blaspheming and reproaching of Him.
Which have burnt incense upon the mountains . . . their fathers burnt incense upon the mountains, paying honor and reverence to idols . . . that honor which belonged only to God.
And blasphemed me upon the hills . . . so instead of blessing the LORD, they instead blasphemed Him on the hills. Blasphemed = instead of speaking well, they spoke ill of Him and His Name, they reproached or dishonored Him. The prophet Ezekiel also spoke of this: Ezekiel 20:18 But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols: (KJV) . . .  
Therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom . . . because of their former sins as well as their latter ones, the LORD will punish them for both together in a just and right manner (Ps.79:12; Mat.7:2; Lk.6:38; Jam.2:13). He shall render to ALL their due by measure, giving measure for measure, and weight for weight only they must expect that He would not only punish the late sins that have committed of this nature, but the former sins of this kind which those in this nation, that went before this present generation, did commit, and He will recompense their iniquity and their sin double, the present age had continued in the guilt of (Isa.40:2; Jer.16:18; 17:18; Rev.18:6).

*****Verses 6-7 tell us that Israel walked in pride. They practiced a God-given religion, but their hearts were far from God, for they practiced idolatry and iniquity just as easily as they practiced the rituals of religion, and in so doing, they blasphemed, dishonored and insulted the Almighty God . . . and anyone then or in today’s world who do this, bring on the Holy wrath of God! BEWARE!!!

Reservation of a Remnant (65:8-14)

A remnant is reserved through which all of God's Promises are to be fulfilled. God has always reserved a remnant of the Jews.

Isaiah 65:8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. (KJV)

Thus saith the LORD, as the new wine is found in the cluster . . . I think that this verse is intended to keep their minds from utter despair, and to assure them that they would not be utterly destroyed. As the new wine (Isa.24:7). Some say this could refer to Noah being found pure in the generation of the flood (Gen.6:5; 7:5-24), when God said He would not destroy them, that He might rise up a generation from him, so would He do in this account . . . He would not destroy all, but save a remnant. Is found in the cluster . . . there are different interpretations of this Passage. What it seems to mean is that the true image is taken from collecting grapes, when a large part of them were in some way damaged or spoiled, either by the quality of the vine, or by a bad season, or by remaining too long in a heap. In such a case the vine-dresser would be ready to throw them away. But in that bulk he would find a few (Mat.7:13-14) that were ripe and good. So too, with the Jews. That bulk or mass was corrupt, and was to be cut off, but still a part would be good and left. This seems to agree in every way with the doctrine everywhere occurring in Isaiah and elsewhere in the Scriptures, that the whole Jewish nation would NOT be cut off, but that a remnant would be preserved (Isa.1:9; 4:3; 6:13; 10:20-22; 11:11-16; 37:4, 31-32; 44:28).
And one saith, Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it . . . one that stands by, perhaps the owner of the vine, seeing it, says to his servant, spare the vine, do not cut it down; or do not cut off the branch on which the cluster is, for there is life and sap in it, and it may grow, and bring forth much fruit: For a blessing . . . that which is regarded as a blessing; that is wine (Judg.9:13).
So will I do for my servants' sake, that I may not destroy them all . . . So will I do the whole nation would not be cut off, but a remnant shall be kept and saved, as He formerly spared Noah at the Flood . . . Noah and his family were indeed a remnant saved . . . 8 people out of many!

*****In spite of their sins, God would not totally exterminate the Jews because of the believing remnant. The remnant is here compared to a cluster of good grapes that has been passed over in the vineyard. This is illustrated by the apostle Paul: Romans 11:1-5 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2  God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3  Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4  But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (KJV) . . . Had God cast away His people? No, for at that time there was a remnant according to the election of grace. This prophecy refers to that remarkable remnant.

When that hypocritical nation is to be destroyed, God will separate and set aside to Himself, those from among them, the Jews that embraced the Christian faith, those who believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and they shall be added to the church, and so shall be saved. Our Saviour has told us that for the sake of these elect the days of the destruction of the Jews would be shortened, and a stop put to the desolation, which otherwise it would have proceeded to such an extent that no flesh would be saved (Mat.24:22).
 
I believe that verse 8 illustrates this by a comparison. When a vine is so blasted, blighted and withered, that there seems to be no sap nor life in it, the dresser of the vineyard is likely to cut it down, but if there was a cluster of grapes, fit to make new wine, he would not destroy it for a blessing is in it; there is life in the root, and hope that it may yet become good for something. Good people are blessings to the places where they live; and sometimes God spares whole cities and nations for the sake of a few such in them. How we should strive for this honor, not just to be set apart from others, but that we might serve our God and His people.

Isaiah 65:9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. (KJV)

And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob . . . most understand this to be Christ; and who also is called the seed of the woman (Gen.3:15), the seed of Abraham (Gen.22:17-18), the seed of David (Ps.89:3-4), and sprang from Jacob or Israel, and came out of the tribe of Judah (Rev.5:5); and may be rightly indicated by the cluster, in which new wine and a blessing were. The seed here explains that since the cluster is of all divine perfections, is of all the blessings of grace, and is of all the Promises of it, are in Him: and since He is that Seed in Whom all the nations of the Earth are blessed (Gen.12:3), and with Whom the covenant of grace was made (Gal.3:16-17). Not all agree with this, for others understand it of the apostles; and it seems to mean the first that believed in Christ, who were of the Jewish nation, the apostles and others; for although the majority of Israel rejected the Messiah, there were a few (Mat.7:13-14), that believed in Him, a remnant according to the election of grace (Rom.11:5), whom the apostle Paul calls a seed, that the LORD left among them, and reserved for Himself (Rom.9:29; 11:4), and those who received the seed of the Word (Mat.13) into their hearts, and were born again of incorruptible seed, and which remained in them; these were set apart by the grace of God from the rest of the people, and were called and brought forth from among them.  
And out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains . . . and out of Judah the Heir of My mountains. Isaiah gives the title of heirs of my mountains to those who, having returned from captivity, shall again inhabit their native land. Judea is a mountainous country. He again explains what might have seemed to be somewhat unclear. This also is true of Christ Jesus, who not only came out of the tribe of Judah, as was foretold that He would (Gen.49:10. Lk.3:33; Rev.5:5), and as it is clear that He did; He is called the Lion of that tribe (Rev.5:5); but He is also an Heir or Inheritor of the mountains of God, for He is indeed Heir of all things (Heb.1:2), as He is the Son of God, He is Heir by nature of ALL the Father has; and, as Mediator, He is Heir by appointment of ALL persons and things; and He has all persons for His inheritance, and in His possession, and His chosen people are joint heirs with Him (Rom.8:17), and who may be meant here; for they are the seed of the LORD, they are sons and heirs; they are heirs of God, being the sons of God; heirs of His covenant, the blessings and Promises of it.
And mine elect shall inherit it . . . Christ is God's first and chief Elect, and His people are chosen in Him through grace (Eph.2:8-9) to glory; and these are the seed and heirs that do inherit grace, and they shall inherit glory.
And my servants shall dwell there . . . my righteous servants are the same as the seed, the inheritor, and the elect, who become the servants of God, through the power of His grace, and serve Him cheerfully, willingly and without any selfish motives. And my servants shall possess it by inheritance. He means that the Jews shall return to their original condition, that they may enjoy that country as their own inheritance, from which they had been driven out. Judea was soon afterwards reduced to the extreme desolation. They shall possess it by the right of inheritance. Even although they were long in captivity, the word inheritance should arouse them to cherish the hope that they would in time regain the possession of it. But it should be observed that this grace is confined to the elect and TRUE worshippers of God, and that NO one can apply it to himself.

*****A seed out of Jacob could refer to the LORD Jesus Christ, and in one sense I think it does, but more especially it refers to the remnant out of Israel that is to be saved. For the sake of this remnant God will make good His Promises, for He cannot lie (Tit.1:2).

Isaiah 65:10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me. (KJV)

And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks . . . Sharon was a region south of Mount Carmel, along the coast of the Mediterranean, extending from Caesarea to Joppa. In the Bible, this is a well-known name meaning extraordinary beauty and fertility (Song 2:1; Isa.33:9; 35:2). This was a country that was rich in pastures for herds and flocks (1 Chron.27:29), and it seems to be a prophecy of the conversion of some in those parts, which had its success in the times of the apostles (Acts 9:35). It must have been a true delight when Solomon reigned in Jerusalem, and sang of the roses of Sharon (Song 2:1).
And the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in. . . the valley of Achor was a valley near Jericho, and was well-known as the place where Achan was put to death by stoning (Josh.7:24-25; 15:7; Hosea 2:15). Achor means causing affliction, and the name was probably given to that valley from the trouble or affliction which was there caused to the Israelites from the sin of Achan. And the sense here probably is, that which had been to Israel a source of calamity would become a source of blessing; as that valley had been a source of great trouble on their first entering into the land of Canaan, so it would become a place of great joy, exultation and peace, on their return from their exile.
For my people that have sought me . . . with their whole hearts, being first sought and found by Him (vs.1); meaning those that had worshipped Him in Truth, agreeing to His way; and not the worship of idols.

*****It is indicated that they shall recover the possession of the whole land, that they shall have the animals with which to stock it all, and that they shall enjoy peace, where none shall disturb them nor make them afraid. Gospel-ordinances are the fields and valleys where the sheep of Christ shall go in and out and find pasture (Jn.10:9), and where they are made to lie down in green pastures and are led to still waters (Ps.23:2), as Israel's herds in the valley of Achor (Hos.2:15).

Isaiah 65:11 But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. (KJV)

But ye are they that forsake the LORD . . . here the LORD returns to the main body of the people again, the unbelievers and rejecters of the Messiah, who turned away from Him, who would NOT hear His doctrine, nor submit to His ordinances. They forsook the worship of the LORD, even some that professed to be His disciples, and followed Him for a while, left Him, and walked no more with Him (Jn.6:60-66).
That forget my holy mountain . . . God’s holy mountain is Mount Zion, and the city of the living God, is the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb.12:22). The Gospel church, to which the seed, heirs, the chosen of God and the servants of the LORD among the Jews, came, and enjoyed the protections of it, and worshipped the LORD there; but these men forgot it, and either never came, or, if any of them did, they soon forsook the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of many was.
That prepare a table for that troop . . . for that army; there different translations of this. This may have been adopted with some reference to: Gen. 49:19  Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last. (KJV) . . . Here the word Gad has some resemblance to the word rendered troop . . . but, the word Gad itself, never means troop, and clearly should not be so rendered here. It was usual to set food and drink before idols, believing that the gods consumed what was thus placed before them. The meaning here could be, that the Jews had united with the pagans in preparing a table, that is, setting it before the idols referred to, and placing food on it for them.
And fill an oblation to the number . . . to fill may be taken in two ways; (1) either that they supplied everything largely and bountifully for the worship of idols; because superstition has no limit or measure, and they who are despicable in the worship of God very cheerfully spend all that they have for the sake of idols; or (2) that they passed by no idol to which they did not render their worship. Idolaters do not think that they have done enough, if they do not give honor to each of their ‘gods’ whom they have honored, they think that they will have better luck with many rather than one or two. By number Isaiah means the same thing as he meant by troop or army, for repetition is very customary among Hebrew writers. So, I think he may mean that a table is prepared, a sacrifice is offered, not to just a single idol, but to a great number of idols; in order to show clearly how serious the punishments are which they deserve.

Isaiah 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not. (KJV)

Therefore I will number you to the sword . . . this refers to the number of the gods; and the LORD states that He will easily determine how many they are, for He will count them to the sword. And we see that Isaiah, in the preceding verse, does not speak of the two planets, Jupiter and Mercury, as some think, but means that they were not satisfied with one God, and collected for themselves many different idols. The plan of Isaiah is evident, who states that the people shall be numbered to the sword, because they delighted in a vast number of gods, and did not choose to rely on the One and Only TRUE God. There is a graceful style in the expression, referring to that number, they furnished a drink offering for, or trusted in; and since they did, God would appoint a number of them to the sword, suffering them to be slain in great numbers, even from one end of their land to another (Jer.12:12).
And ye shall all bow down to the slaughter . . . this is plainly strong, insulting language, meaning that a large portion of the nation would be cut off by the sword. I think, the reference here could be to the slaughter of the Jewish people in the invasion of the Chaldeans. The evil of idolatry prevailed, in the time of Isaiah, under the reign of Manasseh; and in the time of Zedekiah it had increased so much even in Jerusalem, that it was said, all the chief priests and the people transgressed very much after all the abominations of the pagan; and polluted the House of the LORD which He had hallowed in Jerusalem. They mocked the messengers of God, and despised His Words, and abused and killed His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy (2 Chron.36:16). It is possible that this is intended to express a general truth, and to indicate that when God’s people forsake Him He will punish them. God’s prophets killed: (1 Ki.18:4, 13; 19:2, 10, 14; 2 Ki.6:31-32; 9:7; Neh.9:26; Jer.2:29-30; 11:21; 38:4-6, 16; Mat.21:35; 22:6; 23:30-31, 36-37; Mk.12:3-8; Lk.13:34; Acts 7:52; Rom.11:3; 1 Thes.2:15; Rev.16:6).
Because, when I called, ye did not answer . . . when I called, Isaiah intensifies the extent and wickedness of their disloyalty. The Jews sinned through deliberate, hateful malice, on purpose. What they did was NOT through ignorance, because they had often been instructed and warned, but had disrespectfully rejected all His warnings to them, and so they were not excusable.
When I spake, ye did not hear. . . Isaiah describes the manner of which God called them; that being, that He encouraged the people by His prophets; for he twice repeats the same thing . . . called and spoke,  as was the custom of Hebrew writers. To hear the LORD, means to obey His Word! If we heard or read the Word of God and did NOT submit to it, we would be foolish indeed (Acts.28:27). We must be wise and NOT turn a deaf ear to the Word of God! Proverbs 1:24-26  Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25  But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26  I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; (KJV) . . . BEWARE!!!
But did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not . . . before mine eyes is of the same as to my face (vs.3). ALL people without a doubt, sin before the eyes of the LORD, for NONE can withdraw or hide from His omnipresence (being present everywhere). TRUE believers (children of God, 1 Jn.3:10) are said to sin before his eyes, when we have been called by Him, for we do not dread nor fear His Presence; and He comes nearer to those whom He calls, and it seems that He reveals Himself as being there with them. While on the other hand, unbelievers (children of the devil, 1 Jn.3:10), are also said to sin before his eyes, for ALL they say or do is recorded by God in a book (Dan.7:10; Rev.20:12), that shall be opened on Judgment Day.  It seems that believers also are written in a book: (Dan.12:2; Mal.3:16; Lk.10:20; Phil.4:3; Heb.12:23; Rev.3:5; 20:15; 21:27)

*****Verses 11-12 tell us that the remainder of the nation Israel refused to heed the Word of God, and for them there remains nothing but punishment. It is strange indeed how intelligent people who believed in the existence of an Almighty God, can fail to realize that there shall one day come a Judgment Day when this awesome God’s wrath will be brought to a head, and each shall be punished accordingly! If they (and we) continue on in sin, they (and we) will be judged, just as surely as God judged the bulk of the nation Israel in the past. The last days get closer and closer, with each passing day. BEWARE!!!
http://www.hisservants.org/judgment_h_s.htm
http://www.hisservants.org/a_jesus_judgment_according_to_works.htm
http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_judgment_coming.1.htm
http://judgmentcoming.org/j_c_hell_is_it_there.htm . . . YES!!! There IS a HELL!!!

Isaiah 65:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: (KJV)

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD . . . this shows the contrast between those that believed in Christ, and those that rejected Him.
Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry . . . Isaiah more clearly makes a distinction between hypocrites (Mat.23), who were in the Church, and the TRUE children of God.
http://www.godcannotlie.org/true_children_of_god.htm
Although all without distinction were called children (as is in today’s world), Isaiah reveals that many shall be disowned as NOT belonging to the family of God through the righteousness of Christ Jesus (Mat.7:21). There are many, then and now, who proudly and arrogantly exalt themselves, under the name of the people of God (Christian, today), but shall be totally disappointed in their hope, which is utterly vain and false. We all must carefully consider the definite contrast between the servants of God, and those who falsely and dishonestly PRETEND to His Name. Isaiah shows that empty titles, false boasting or vain confidence, shall get them nowhere with the LORD!  Shall eat, by these words Isaiah means a happy and prosperous condition of life. I think that the LORD is promising to His servants something different from what He actually bestows, because there are times in our lives when we are hungry and thirsty, (1 Cor. 4:11) while the wicked abound in enjoyments of every kind. It should be observed, that the Kingdom of Christ is here described by symbols; or else we could not understand it. So, Isaiah compares earthly kingdoms, in which, when the people abound in wealth and enjoy comforts of every kind, there is a visible display of the blessing of God from which we may judge of His Fatherly love.
Behold, my servants shall drink, and ye shall be thirsty . . . this is the same sense as before, the same thing in different words. This is especially true of believers in Christ, who drink of His Blood by FAITH (Jn.6:53-56), which is drink indeed; and of the grace of Christ, which is the water of life (Jn.4:14; Rev.21:6; 22:1, 17), of which they may drink freely; and of the Gospel of Christ, which is as wine and milk (Isa.55:1), and as cold water to a thirsty soul (Pro.25:25) and of the love of Christ (Eph.3:19) which is better than wine (Song 1:2); and they shall drink wine with Him in the Kingdom of His Father (Mat.26:29); while the wicked shall thirst after their sins and lusts now, and have no satisfaction in them, and after this will want a drop of water to cool their tongues (Lk.16:24).
Behold, my servants shall rejoice . . . rejoice in Christ, in His Person, His grace, His fullness; and in His righteousness and salvation; and in hope of the glory of God by Him (Rom.5:1-2; Col.1:27).
But ye shall be ashamed . . . unbelievers, children of the devil (1 Jn.3:10), the wicked shall be ashamed of their vain confidence; of their trust in their own righteousness, in their idolatrous temple, and in the service of it; in their troops and numbers (vs.11), especially when taken and carried captive; and more specifically this will be their case on Judgment Day in the last days, when they shall clearly SEE Him whom they have pierced. Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (KJV) . . . There shall be great mourning in Jerusalem that day, when the Jews SEE their rejected Messiah Face to face, and SEE the scars in His Hands, feet and side . . . scars that came from His being condemned by them to the cross. Matthew 27:22-23  Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.  23  And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. (KJV)  
 
*****Dear one, I would humbly ask that you pray for the Jews, that they stop denying Jesus and rejecting Him as the One and Only Redeemer and Saviour. I feel great pain for Israel and her rejecting Christ as their Messiah.

Isaiah 65:14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. (KJV)

Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart . . . they who serve the LORD shall have many occasions to rejoice. Believers shall sing because their hearts overflow with joy.
But ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit . . . on the other hand . . . unbelievers, children of the devil (1 Jn.3:10), the wicked shall howl and shriek under the anguish and distress that shall come upon then, under the stinging judgments of God upon them. The sword and famine, during the siege of Jerusalem, and when wrath came upon them to the uttermost, in the destruction of their city, Temple and nation, and they fell into the hands of the Romans and still yet more to come in the last days  . . . and finally on Judgment Day when the wicked will be condemned to an eternal Hell (Jn.3:18), where is nothing but weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth (Mat.13:42,50; 22:13; 25:30). Vexation of their spirit shall be broken and crushed under the weight of the calamities that shall come upon them.

*****Just as God made a distinction between the nation as a whole and the remnant, He also makes the same distinction in the present-day church. The church is an immense organization with a very bloated membership, meaning that it is filled with many hypocrites and unbelievers. Will this church go through the Great Tribulation period? I say YES! The bloated, hypocritical church will indeed be present in this horrible time (Mat.24:21-22)! I am referring to the whore church in Revelation 17!

The TRUE Gospel church shall be removed at the Rapture BEFORE the Tribulation Period starts (1 Thes.4:13-18; 1 Cor.15:50-55). We shall all be changed at that time: Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (KJV) . . . I believe that TRUE believers shall be kept from the Great Tribulation Period: (1 Thes.1:10; 5:9; Phil.3:20; Rev.3:10)

The FALSE church (whore) will go through the Great Tribulation. This so-called ‘church’ is an organization that does NOT belong to Christ Jesus. Only the TRUE Gospel church is the bride of Christ (Rev.19:7-9). We need to SEE that there is a definite difference between TRUE servants of God and hypocrites . . . and a definite difference between the TRUE Gospel church which is genuine, and the FALSE whore church which is just an outward show.

Isaiah 65:15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: (KJV)

And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen . . . Isaiah continues the same doctrine, teaching that God will one day separate hypocrites from the TRUE servants. We should not wonder why the prophet dwells so much on this point; because there is nothing that is harder to do than to convince hypocrites, who are puffed up with pride, that they deceive and blind themselves. Isaiah says that their name (the hypocritical Jews) shall be a curse, and the name of Jew has indeed been a curse to all around her (Deut.11:28; Isa.43:28; 65:15; Jer. 24:9; 25:18; 26:6; 29:18,22; 44:8,12,22; Mal.2:2; 3:9; 4:6). But . . . even though Israel is a curse today . . . in the last days, the LORD will be on her side. Zechariah 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. (KJV) . . . Dear one, just one with God = the majority! God always wins! And one other thing many people do not know is, that no matter who thinks they can destroy Israel, no matter how powerful they are, they will NEVER annihilate Israel! Jeremiah 31:35-37 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: 36  If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. 37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD. (KJV) . . . Israel is here to stay!
For the Lord GOD shall slay them . . . by the sword of the Romans and by His judgments, which continue to be upon them because of their sin, and His judgment shall be: Condemned to the lake of fire (Rev.20:15). The lake of fire (Rev.20:15) is the second death (Rev.2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8), which is Hell, and which Almighty God considers is the just wages of sin. BEWARE!!!
http://judgmentcoming.org/j_c_hell_is_it_there.htm . . . YES!!! There IS a HELL!!! It IS real, it does exist!! It is an eternal, horrible lake of fire, with NO exit doors! GOD says so!!!
And call his servants by another name . . . God’s TRUE servants will be called by a new name (Isa.62:2; Rev.2:17; 3:12). It will be the name of the people of God, which the Gentiles were not called by; but now ALL that believe in Christ, be they Jews or Gentiles, are His people (Gal.3:26-29); they will be the sons of God (        Hos.1:10; Jn.1:12; Rom.8:14,19; Phil.2:15; 1 Jn.3:1-2), and Christians (Acts 11:26).  

*****Consider the wide difference that Christ makes to the soul. The children of God are secured against the evils which visit all others. They eat; they drink; they rejoice; they sing; they are called by another name (vs.13-15), while hypocrites and the wicked shall pray that the mountains and rocks fall on them: Rev 6:15 -17 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (KJV) . . . Grandeur, riches, valor, nor strength, will NOT be able to support ANY man at this time! People shall know that it is God sitting on His Throne that has caused this catastrophe. ALL human beings, great and small, will be terrified! They will beg the mountains to fall on them so they don’t have to face the judgment of the Lamb. This will be the most pathetic and tragic prayer meeting ever! They will pray for death that will not come!
This vivid picture is NOT intended to frighten believers. For them, the Lamb is a Gentle Saviour and Shepherd. But, ALL those generals, emperors, kings, well known celebrities, AND common folk, who previously showed NO fear of God and blatantly flaunted their unbelief and rejection of Christ will KNOW they were wrong (Isa.45:22-23; Phil.2:10-11), and that they will have to face God's wrath. NO ONE who has ever rejected God can survive the day of His wrath, but those who belong to Christ will receive a reward rather than punishment. Do you belong to Christ??? . . . You do NOT want to feel God's wrath. http://www.hisservants.org/god%27s_holy_wrath_h_s.htm

Isaiah 65:16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. (KJV)

That he who blesseth himself in the earth . . . if any man bless himself, or bless another, it should be in the God of Truth. Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (KJV) . . . Amen is a Name given to Christ, and here being applied to God. Many think this is proof of the Godhead of Christ . . . the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. Others understand this to mean God who shows Himself true and faithful in His Promises.
Shall bless himself in the God of truth . . . God of truth or God of Amen. Those who return to the land will call only upon the One and Only TRUE God. They shall recognize God as the God of Truth in contrast to their false gods (2 Cor.1:20; Rev.3:14). We should pray to the God of Truth for things we need, and give Him credit for what He has already done for us, and always praise and thank Him, and always give Him the glory in all things. This is in direct opposition to idols, the fictional gods of the Gentiles, the lying vanities (Ps.31:6; Jn.2:8), which were NOT gods by nature, and to whom the God of Truth, the One and Only TRUE God is infuriated.
And he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth . . . any time that an oath is necessary for some reason, the proper One to appeal to is the Supreme Being for the Truth. It should be done in the Name of Christ; for He, who is the Amen and faithful witness (Rev.3:14), is to be appealed unto, who is God omniscient (all-knowing), and the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb.4:12). And I believe it is very wise, when praying to God the Father, to pray in the Name of Jesus (Jn.15:16; 16:23). Sweareth . . . only God alone should be appealed to in oaths (Deut.6:13; Isa.19:18; Ps.63:11). His Name should never be taken in vain (Ex.20:7; Jer.4:1.2), in blasphemy, in cursing!
Because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes . . . they shall see what God Promised is fulfilled, the troubles of His people are nearing an end, which is to be understood not of afflictions and persecutions for the sake of Christ and His Gospel, for these, especially in the first times of it, were very great; but in the last days they will cease, for it is to this time that this prophecy extends. The idolatry and superstition of the Gentile world, which was so troublesome and offensive to God, but now removed by the clear light of the Gospel, and so forgotten by Him, and hidden from His Eyes.

*****The blessedness of those that serve God, and the woeful condition of those that rebel against Him, are contrasted by Isaiah. The memory of the just is and shall be blessed, but the name of the wicked shall worsen. The name of the idolaters and unbelievers shall be a curse, full of shame and disgrace. It shall be as a curse to God's chosen, for a warning to them; for they shall be afraid of falling under the curse upon the Jewish nation, and perishing after their example of unbelief. The curse of those whom God rejects should make His chosen ones stand in awe and respect. The LORD God can easily slay those who bring down the wrath of God on themselves, whereas the name of God's chosen shall become a blessing, and He shall call His TRUE servants by another name.

The children of the covenant shall no longer be called Jews, but Christians, along with Gentile believers (Acts 11:26); and to them, under that name, ALL the Promises and privileges of the new covenant (Jer.31:31; Heb.8:8,13; 12:24), shall be secured. This new name shall be an honorable name; not be confined to one nation, but with it men shall bless themselves all the world over. God shall have servants out of ALL nations who shall all be exalted with this new name. They shall bless themselves in the God of Truth. They shall give honor to God in all they do, in their prayers for His favor, in their happiness and their appeals to His justice as their Judge. This is just a small part of the respect and reverence that we owe to God. We must bless ourselves in Him, that is to say, we must consider that we have enough to make us happy, that we need no more, and should not lust for more, because when we own Him for our God, He shall supply ALL our needs (Phil..4:19).  

Worldly people bless themselves in the abundance they have of this world's goods (Ps.49:16-19; Lk.12:16-21); while God's TRUE servants bless themselves in Him, because He is a God all-sufficient for them. He is their Crown of Glory, their all in all (1 Cor.12:6; 15:28; Eph.1:23; Col. 3:11) and their strength and portion. By Him alone shall they swear, and never by any creature or false god. They shall give honor to Him alone as the God of Truth.

He that is blessed in the Earth shall be blessed in the One and Only TRUE God, for Christ is indeed the TRUE God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (KJV) . . . And it was promised long ago that in Him all the families of the Earth would be blessed. Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (KJV)

Revelation of the New Heavens and the New Earth (65:17-25)

Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (KJV)

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth . . . this is understood in different ways. Some Jews and Christians think it is literal. God shall change the state of the atmosphere, and render the Earth more fruitful. Some think it refers to the Millennium; others, to the re-creation of the Earth after it shall have been destroyed by fire. Some think this prophecy began to be fulfilled in the first times of the Gospel, when through its preaching, there was a new face of things that appeared in Judea and in the Gentile world, so that the whole looked like a new world. Some think that this Passage is not meant to be understood literally. I wonder, could it possibly refer to the full conversion of the Jews in the last days? For, behold, I create new heavens, the plural is applied because there is more than one heaven: The First Heaven is the Earth’s atmosphere that surrounds the Earth, the immediate sky, where the fowls of the heaven are (Gen.2:19; 7:3,23; Ps.8:8; Lam.4:19). The Second Heaven where the sun, moon, and stars are fixed in orbit (Gen.1:17; Deut.17:3; Ps.19:1, 4, 6; Jer.8:2; Mat.24:29). The Third Heaven is where God and the holy angels and creatures (Eze.1:5,13-15, 19; 3:13) and spirits of just men dwell. It is called the heaven of heavens (Deut.10:14; 1 Ki.8:27; Ps.115:16; 148:4). The third heaven (2 Cor.12:2) is FAR beyond the space and stars, where NO man has seen by telescope or ever will! The Third Heaven is the dwelling-place of Almighty God, to which Paul was taken  and whose wonders he was permitted to see this magnificent region where God dwells. 2 Cor. 12:2-4  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)  4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. (KJV) . . . It is specifically named the Third Heaven by the apostle Paul, where he speaks of being caught up into paradise. The word paradise (Lk.23:43; 2 Cor.12:4; Rev.2:7), describes a different feature of the Third Heaven. It is probably like the Garden of Eden (Gen.2:15; 3:23-24) was before the fall of Adam and Eve.                 
And the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind . . . meaning the old heavens and earth, which shall pass away. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (KJV) . . .  Judgment Day is here called the day of the Lord, and the great day (Jude 1:6), and the great day of God Almighty (Rev.16:14), and the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 1:8; 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 1:6, 10). Jesus will not continue to wait for ever. Jesus said that people would not know when He would return (Luke 12:39-40). People do not expect a thief to come suddenly to their house in the middle of the night. When Jesus does return to the Earth (Zec.14:1-5; Rev.19:11-21) God will not give people any more time to obey Him, that is why we must be careful to live a life that pleases Him. With His return, Jesus will bring judgment.
In the which the heavens . . . the heaven that is visible, where the stars are, NOT the dwelling place of God. Shall pass away . . . totally, cease to be; or possibly their present being and condition shall cease to be what they now are, and to give place to the new heaven (Rev. 21:1). With a great noise . . . such a noise is usually caused by a violent and speedy motion. Shall melt with fervent heat . . . (2 Pet. 3:12), properly means melting, or being on fire, burning, shall be dissolved or destroyed. The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

*****Here the creation of the new heavens and the new earth seem to precede the setting up of the Millennial Kingdom. I think that the remnant has already been judged and are allowed access into the Kingdom. Others have been judged and do not enter the Kingdom (Rev.20:15). The LORD Jesus made this clear: Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (KJV) . . . The others were to be cast into the lake of fire (Mat.25:41; Rev.20:15) and would not enter the Millennial Kingdom.
http://hisservants.org/end_times_events_h_s.htm
http://hisservants.org/rapture,_second_coming_h_s.htm
http://www.judgmentcoming.org/noah_millennium_after_tribulation.html
http://www.godcannotlie.org/booklet_unfilled_prophecies.htm
http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_judgment_what's_in_store.htm
After the Rapture (1 Thes.4:13-18), and during the Millennium some marvelous changes in the Earth will be made. The desert is going to blossom as the rose (Isa.27:6; 29:17; 32:15-16; 35:1-2; 55:12-13; Eze.36:35; Hos.14:5-6). I believe that at the end of the Millennial Kingdom . . . that is, at the end of the 1000 year reign of Christ on the Earth, and after that final rebellion (Rev.20:7-10), the creation of the new heavens and new earth shall take place.  

In the new heavens and the new earth, there will no more sea (Rev.21:1), no more barren wilderness or desert (Isa.35:6; 41:18-19; 43:19-20; 51:3). It will be a new Earth, made new by the Amazing Creator! John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (KJV)

There is one world that was . . . that which was destroyed by God with the waters of the Flood in Noah’s day (Gen.6:5-7; 7:20-23). There is the present day world . . . which shall be destroyed by fire (Mat.24:35; 2 Pet.3:7-12). And in the last days, there shall come into existence a new world, the new heavens and the new earth (Isa.65:17; 66:22; Heb.12:26-29; 2 Pet.3:13; Rev.21;1).      

Isaiah 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. (KJV)

But be you glad, and rejoice for ever in that which I create . . . this may refer to persons converted, both at the beginning of the Gospel, and in the last days, be they Jews or Gentiles, for all God’s TRUE children are new creatures (2 Cor.5:17; Gal.6:15), being made new men (Eph.2:15; 4:24; Col.3:10); having new hearts and spirits given them (Eze.11:19; 18:31; 36:26), and created within them new principles of life, grace and holiness, which are the sole produce of the Almighty God and His awesome creating power.
For, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy . . . Jerusalem today is not a place of rejoicing . . . but in the last days, this shall change! He shall do that for Israel, through the mighty power of His amazing grace, and will bring joy to them and their city, and to all others that are renewed. The conversion of the Jews will be matter of great joy to the Gentiles; because that shall bring in of the fulness of the Gentiles (Rom.11:12, 25), as well as the utter destruction of the satanic Antichrist, and the destruction of mystical Babylon (Rome) which will bring a joyful new face of things in the world, and shall be matter of joy to the entire church (Rev. Chapter 18).

*****Isaiah is absolutely speaking of the Millennial blessings as well as eternal blessings. The Millennial Kingdom is a part of the eternal Kingdom in the last days . . . but it is also in reality, a time of judgment. A new heaven and a new earth cannot be brought in UNTIL God's program of judgment is completed. But when judgment is over, then the LORD is ready for all things to be made new. I think that during the Millennium, there is something wonderful in store for the children of God (1 Jn.3:10). Man's potential will be greatly increased. Jerusalem will be a city of joy, which it is not in today’s time. I think the Wailing Wall will be gone, and may be it will be replaced with a Rejoicing Wall! The Millennium will be a time of joy.
http://lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_1000_years.htm
http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_millennial_kingdom.htm

Isaiah 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. (KJV)

And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people . . . this will be in the last days when the LORD manifests His love to them, and rejoices over them that do good. The voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her nor the voice of crying (Rev.21:4). The Father Himself rejoices in His people, for He considers them to be in Christ . . .as He has from all eternity, and so He does at the conversion of them. I think that the Old Testament people looked forward to salvation in Christ. (Rom.4:3-8; Gal.3:6-10; Jam.2:23). Gen.15:6  And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.(KJV) Gal 3:6  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (KJV) . . . FAITH in Christ is the ONLY way to become children of God (Jn.1:12-13; 3:3-8).
And the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying . . .  this kind of Promises are to be found in (Isa.30:19; 35:10; 51:3, 11; 60:20; 61:3; 65:18-19; Jer.31:13; Rev.21:4). The tears over the misery of this earthly life shall be dried up in the merciful light of God's glory (Rev.21:11, 23; 22:5).

Isaiah 65:20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. (KJV)

There shall be no more thence an infant of days . . . there shall be no untimely or premature deaths, no more infants and children who do not grow up to be old, who do not live out the full term of life. Some interpret the words of Isaiah in this way . . . whether they are children or old men, they shall live to a mature age and they will always be active and energetic, like persons in the prime of life . . . for it is because of our sins that we grow old and lose our strength (Ps.90:7-10).
Nor an old man that hath not filled his days . . . even though he may be said to be old, yet he has not arrived to the full term of man's life, threescore years and ten, or more; for it seems, by what follows, that if the term of human life will be lengthened, this will be in the last days; in the new heaven and new earth (Rev.21:1) in which there will be no more death (Rev.21:4). Some think that the life of man in Millennium, will be as long as they were before the Flood (Gen.5:4, 1, 14, 17, 20, 27, 31; 7:6; 9:29; 11:11), as the Jewish interpreters imagine.
For the child shall die an hundred years old . . . but the child that is then born, shall live to the age of a hundred years, and not die before.
Though the sinner, being an hundred years old; shall be accursed . . . for although this shall be common in this state to good and bad men, to live a hundred years, yet their death will NOT be the same. The good man will be blessed, and enter into a happy state of joy and peace . . . but the wicked man, though he lives as long as the other in this world, shall be accursed (cursed, condemned, doomed) at death, and for all eternity (Ecc.8:12-13; Rev.20:15).

*****We all should be wise and consider that blessings either of soul or body are found ONLY in Christ . . . for apart from Him, there is nothing but a curse and condemnation! So, it follows that all who have no share in the Kingdom of Christ are wretched and unhappy; and no matter how active and vigorous they may seem to be, they are in the sight of God, rotten and stinking corpses. Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (KJV)

The longevity of life that preceded the patriarchs will be one of the features of the Kingdom. People will live a long time. There will be no need for assistant living or rest homes, because there will not be any senior citizens. All of us will be young!

Isaiah 65:21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. (KJV)

And they shall build houses, and inhabit them . . . in Jerusalem, and other parts of Judea; although this is not limited just to the Jews, but must be considered as reaching to all the LORD'S people, the Gentiles also (Gal.3:26-29); who will have no fear of enemies, or ever be disturbed by them, but shall dwell in their own houses peaceably and quietly. There will be no need to lock your doors, for no one will break in!
And they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them . . . this expression is used throughout the Old Testament of meaning undisturbed happiness. They shall eat the fruit of the vineyards; they shall both live to dwell in their houses when built, and their vineyards will bring forth fruit, that they shall eat of them (Isa.62:8-9; Jer.31:5; Am.9:14; Mic.4:4; Zec.3:10). They shall be safe from enemies breaking in upon them, and destroying their homesteads.

*****They will not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat the fruit: for God’s people shall enjoy the work of their hands (vs.22). There will be permanence, safety and stability.

Isaiah 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. (KJV)

They shall not build, and another inhabit . . . (vs.9, 15), as the Canaanites did, whose houses the Israelites inhabited; but they shall inhabit the houses they have built, and shall not be dispossessed by an enemy.
They shall not plant, and another eat . . . the fruit of the vines, olives, fig trees, or others, planted by them, shall be eaten by them.  
For as the days of a tree are the days of my people . . . not like a leaf which falls every year, but  as of a tree that last long, as oaks, cedars (Ps.92:12-14), although possibly a fruit bearing tree is meant; and the sense is, that the LORD'S people should live as long as the trees planted by them, and that they should eat the fruit from them, and not have others partake of  their work. The reference may be to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden (Gen.2:9), and may express the long life of good men (Gen.5:5, 27), as the Tree of Life represents Christ, who is a Tree of Life to them that lay hold of Him, and may mean the eternal life His people have by Him. Trees . . . of all natural objects, trees have the closest fellowship with man. When trees grow together in a dense forest, they shut out the LORD’S Presence, but in the open spaces around homes, trees are regarded with a sentiment almost like affection. God first talked with man under the shadow of trees (Gen.3:8). Our hearts have some of its best memories, as we remember the morning light filtering through our favorite tree.
And mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands . . . mine elect (Isa.42:1; 45:4; 65:9, 22; Mat.24:24, 31; Mk.13:22, 27; Lk.18:7; Rom.8:33; Col.3:12; Tit.:1; 1 Pet.1:2; 2:6), shall long enjoy the work of their hands . . . what they have built and planted; they shall live a long time in their houses, and partake of the fruit of their vineyards. The blessing of long life is carried on with Promises of happiness and peace.

Isaiah 65:23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. (KJV)

They shall not labour in vain . . . (Isa.49:4; 55:2; 61:9; Lev.26:3-10), as they had done before, they built houses, and enemies came and chased them out, and lived in the houses. They planted vineyards, and sowed their fields, and strangers came and devoured them; or the crops were smitten with blasting and mildew (Deut.28:38-42; Fos.9:11-14; Hag.1:6; 2:19).
Nor bring forth for trouble . . . for trouble or for a curse, the idea is, they shall not bring forth children that shall immediately die by some illness or another, or die by famine, sword or plague, bringing great grief and trouble for the parents . . . but these children shall live, and outlive their parents, so that their death will never be a trouble to them (Rev.21:4).
For they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them . . . or they are a seed, the blessed of the LORD are a seed whom the LORD hath blessed, a spiritual seed of the Gospel church, a seed raised up to serve the LORD, whom He blesses with temporal and spiritual blessings; and also their offspring, for they being made a spiritual seed by the grace of God (Eph.2:8-9), which succeeded them in the church, and walked in their steps.

Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (KJV)

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer . . . there are SO many remarkable Promises in the Word of God . . . but this is one that ranks up near the top for me. We all want to have our prayers heard and answered, for we want to have fellowship with the God, and to have it in our power to draw near to Him with freedom and boldness (Rom.5:1-2). Even though we are surrounded by countless distresses and disasters, we do not have to stay miserable as long as we are at liberty to approach His Throne of grace. In these few marvelous words, the LORD Promises His children that we shall NOT pray in vain. I believe that this refers mainly to the Kingdom of Christ, through Whom we are heard and have access to God the Father (Eph.2:18). There is no other way in which the Father will hear us, except through Christ (Jn.10:7, 9; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Rom.5:1-2); but we must consider that the DOOR is narrow and might be said to one day be shut (Gen.6:3; Isa.63:10; Acts 7:51; 1 Thes.5:9), while now it has been opened wide. Thus we are granted admission into Heaven through Christ (Heb.4:16).  
And while they are yet speaking, I will hear . . . while they are still praying to Him, He hears and answers, and grants their requests, just as He did for Daniel (Dan.9:20-23; 10:12). This reveals the willingness of the LORD to help and assist His people in any time of trouble, or when they may fear an enemy; and it is indeed a great encouragement for us to attend His Throne of grace continually.

*****Christ Jesus is the ONLY Door to God! John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV) . . . Dear one, the Father is in Heaven! IF you want to go there, you must go through JESUS! Jesus is not only true, but Truth itself! He is the true God, and eternal life (1 Jn.5:20). No man cometh unto the Father but by me  . . . Christ is the ONLY Way of access to the Father. There is absolutely NO coming to God the Father except through His only begotten Son. Christ Jesus is the ONLY Mediator between God and man!  (Acts 4:12). So many in this present day world refuse to believe this Fact! A person very near and dear to me once told me: Your way is not the only way. My way is NOT my way! It is GOD’S Way, meaning Jesus alone can save us. So many say this WAY is far too narrow. Dear one, it is wide enough for the whole world IF they would simply accept it.
 Isaiah tells us in verse 24 that ALL prayer will be heard. “And it will come to pass: before they call, I will answer; they are still speaking, and I already hear.” The will of the New Jerusalem Church will be so perfectly joined with the will of God, that He will hear the slightest sensation of prayer in the heart, that He will fulfill it at once (Isa.30:19).
Consider the following:
<> How great His love and concern for us are expressed in these few words.
<> The Almighty LORD of Heaven and Earth represents Himself as watching the hearts and consciences of His sinful creatures.
<> Whether, in the midst of the daily cares and business of life, our minds should habitually be lifted up to our God and Saviour, and our hearts with Him constantly dwell.
<> If we will not look to God as our Spiritual Father, what other hope do we have? Who else but our gracious LORD could we possibly depend on? Who else could we trust?

Isaiah 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD. (KJV)

The wolf and the lamb shall feed together . . . (Isa.11:6), it shall be as if the wolf and the lamb were one of the same kind and nature, and lived on the same food. The people of God are compared to lambs (Isa.40:11; Lk.10:3; Jn.1:29, 36; 21:15), for their harmlessness and innocence; and wicked men to wolves (Eze.22:27; Zep.3:3; Mat.7:15; 10:16; Lk.10:3; Jn.10;12; Acts 20:29), for their fierceness and cruelty; but by the grace of God, in the last days, wolves shall become as mild and gentle as a lamb . . . both human and animal. Those who have been persecutors of the church shall now become members of it; as there were in the first times of the Gospel, so there shall be in the last days.  
http://www.godcannotlie.org/book_of_isaiah_ch.11.htm
And the lions shall eat straw like the bullock . . . (Isa.11:7) bullock or ox; to which creature the ministers of the Gospel are compared for their hard work, and wicked persecutors are compared to lions. There have been times when a lion has been so changed by the grace of God, as to become preachers of the Gospel, as Saul was (Acts 9), and probably many will be in the future. But, there will be no persecution of the church after the last days; wolves and lions will have their nature changed, and be in fellowship with the saints, and be more active than before when persecuting them.  
And dust shall be the serpent's meat . . . (Isa.11:8), there shall be absolutely NO fear or danger of poisonous snakes (false prophets, false teachers, wicked oppressors). A child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den . . . and suffer NO damage. This is to be understood of regenerate persons, both new born babes, and those who are weaned and live by faith in Christ, who shall NOT be hurt by the poison of false teachers, nor by the force of violent persecutors, who in the Millennium shall be NO more. A cockatrice is an unusual serpent, supposedly hatched from the egg of a cock. Some say it is a kind of adder, more venomous than the asp, which was thought to poison even with its breath. The serpent’s meat (dust) shall be as threatened (Gen.3:14), to which he shall now be confined. He shall not be able to bite the saints, being bruised under their feet; he shall only have power over carnal, worldly, earthly minded men; and shall not be able to give the church any trouble, by instigating men to persecute it.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD . . . (Isa.11:9, my holy mountain is Zion (Jerusalem). The seat of government and of Messiah's Throne is put for the whole Earth (Jer.3:17). The holy hill of Zion in the last days, after the destruction of the Antichrist, will mean no more persecution of the saints; there will be no more injury no more harassment by wicked men, compared to the above mentioned creatures, either for their cruelty or cunning. The Kingdom of Christ shall extend over the entire Earth, and His reign shall be eternal. Extent of His reign: (Isa.11:9; Ps.72:8; Hab.2:14; Mic.4:1; Dan.7:13-14; Zec.14:9; 16:21; Rev.11:15; 20:1-10).

Isaiah 65:17-25 tells of Israel's condition in the time of the prophet, and is contrasted with conditions in the New Jerusalem, the Kingdom of the Messiah. That Kingdom is NOT an improved version of the old Israelite kingdom, but is something totally new. It is a new creation, where the quality of life will be different from that of the present world. Sorrow will be replaced by rejoicing. Life will not be cut short except where God acts in judgment (vs.17-20). In the new creation people will have complete fulfilment and happiness. They will not experience the sufferings and frustrations that result from sin, but will enjoy life as God intended them to enjoy it (vs.21-23). The absence of sin will mean that, above all, they will live in perfect fellowship with God. The world of nature also will benefit in this new era of genuine peace and harmony (vs.24-25). Rev. 22:20-21  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (KJV)

*****Isaiah 11:6-9 describes the wonderful peace of the Messiah's Kingdom (the Millennium, Rev.20). All wild and tame creatures shall live together, with savage beasts (wolf, lion) that once killed tame creatures (lambs, calves), then will lie peacefully next to them. It will be a time of the restitution of all things; when things shall be like it was in the Garden of Eden before sin showed its ugly head (Gen.2:8-9; Isa.35:1-2, 7-10; 41:18-19; 51:3). The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb also speaks symbolically of people, compared to wild creatures, who through the power of divine grace, and with the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached, shall become tame, mild, meek and humble . . . who had once been as ravenous wolves, having worried Christ's sheep (Jn.10:7-14), causing devastation of them, breathing out slaughter and threatenings against them, as Saul did (Acts 9:1), yet through converting grace of God, would become as gentle and harmless as a baby lamb.
And the leopard shall lie down with the kid . . . those people who are like the leopard, for the fierceness of his nature and many spots; who can no more change their hearts and their actions, than that creature can change its nature or its spots, shall be changed by the power of God’s amazing grace, as to lay aside their rage against the saints, alter their course of life, and join in the Gospel and ordinances.  

This is not what happens today. If the wolf and the lamb lie down together, the wolf will feed on the lamb. But in the last days, they will be together, and the lion will eat straw. The One who created the lion will change him so that he will eat straw. There will be NOTHING anywhere in the whole world, to hurt or harm or make any of mankind or animals afraid anymore!

Special Comments

The Prophecy of Isaiah 65:

Three Predictions . . . Fulfilled:
1. I am sought of them that asked not for Me (vs.1).
2. I am found of them that sought Me not (vs.1).
3. I said, Behold Me, to a nation that was not called by My Name (vs.1).

Forty Predictions . . . Not Fulfilled:
1. I will not keep silence, but will recompense into their bosom (vs.6).
2. I will measure their former work into their bosom (vs.7).  
3. I will not destroy them all (vs.8).  
4. I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob (vs.9).
5. I will bring out of Judah an inheritor of My mountains (vs.9).
6. My elect will inherit it (vs.9).
7. My servants will dwell therein (vs.9).
8. Sharon shall be a fold of flocks (vs.10).
9. The valley of Achor will be a place for herds to lie down in, a place for My people who have sought Me (vs.10).
10. I will number you to the sword and you will bow to the slaughter (vs.12).
11. My servants will eat; you will be hungry (vs.13).
12. They will drink; you will be thirsty (vs.13).
13. My servants will rejoice, but you will be ashamed (vs.13).
14. My servants will sing for joy, but you will cry for sorrow of heart, and howl for vexation of spirit (vs.14).
15. Your name will be left for a curse to My chosen, for God will slay you and call His servants by another name (vs.15).
16. He that blesses himself in the earth will bless himself in God (vs.16).
17. He that swears in the earth will swear by God (vs.16).
18. Former troubles will be forgotten and hid from My eyes (vs.16).
19. I create new heavens and a new earth (vs.17).
20. The former will not be remembered, nor come into mind (vs.17).
21. I will create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy (vs.18).
22. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people (vs.19).
23. The voice of weeping or crying will be heard in Jerusalem no more (vs.19).
24. There will be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days (vs.20).
25. A child will die a hundred years old (vs.20).
26. A sinner being a hundred years old will be accursed (vs.20).
27. They will build houses, and inhabit them (vs.21).
28. They will plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them (vs.21).
29. They will not build, and another inhabit (vs.22).
30. They will not plant, and another eat (vs.22).
31. As the days of a tree so will the days of My people be (vs.22).
32. My elect will long enjoy the work of their hands (vs.22).
33. They will not labor in vain (vs.23).
34. They will not bring forth for trouble (vs.23).
35. They will be the seed of the blessed by the Lord and their children with them (vs.23).
36. Before they call, I will answer (vs.24).
37. While they are yet speaking I will hear (vs.24).
38. The wolf and the lamb will feed together (vs.25).
39. The lion will eat straw like the bullock (vs.25).
40. Dust will be the serpent's meat (vs.25).

 Who are the Wicked

The character and misery of the wicked. WHO are the wicked? They are the people who have never undergone a change of heart, by believing and accepting what God says about His Son and salvation. The wicked are those who are outwardly immoral and profane, those who seem to be lost to every standard of virtue and religion and have absolutely no fear of God. They are unmoved by the criticism of their fellow-creatures. The wicked are all those whose hearts have not been renewed by the Holy Spirit.
The Wicked:  
#1. Some are totally unaware of the plain and crucial doctrines of the Gospel of Christ, even though they are in the midst the best position to gain knowledge of them.
http://www.hisservants.org/books_crucial_and_important_doctrines_in_romans.htm
#2. Some freely and willingly break out into open acts of wickedness.
http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_books_a_loving_god-would_not_send_me_to_hell.html 
#3. Some, are free from gross immoralities, yet are wicked, because they neglect the duties of religion (Mat.28:19-20). There are sins of commission, and there are sins of omission. All God’s children must Go ye therefore!
#4. Some approve of dangerous doctrines, and argue, either that the Scripture is not true, or that some great doctrines, as generally taught, are not contained in the Bible (Mat.15:9).
#5. To the wicked, God’s servants must rank as hypocrites (Mat.23).
#6. The wicked do not tolerate any restraint or reprimand.

In what ways is there is no peace to the wicked?
#1. There is no peace to them with God as they live here on Earth. Wicked people simply wage war with God in Heaven, causing the Almighty King to be angry with them.
#2. There is no peace in their own conscience.
#3. There is no peace to the wicked in their dying hour. It’s possible that they may have thoughts about being condemned to Hell (Jn.3:18).
#4. There is no peace to the wicked after death. They enjoyed the common bounties of the Providence of God while here on Earth, and in these alone they placed their only happiness; but when life is over, they shall be tormented (Lk.16:25, 28).

No comfort for the wicked
The wicked would not be healed by the grace of God, and therefore shall not be healed by His comforts.
No peace to the wicked
#1. The man who makes a habit of sinning has no real comfort of mind from the pleasures of this world.
#2. He wants all the effective support of the many evils and calamities of life.
#3. He is troubled with the rebukes of his conscience.
#4. He can’t get rid of unwanted thoughts of death and Hell.

Scriptures Contrasting the Righteous with the Wicked:
Psalm 11:5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. (KJV)  
Psalm 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. (KJV)  
Psalm 37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. (KJV)  
Psalm 75:10 All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted. (KJV)  
Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. (KJV)  
Proverbs 29:16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. (KJV)  
Isaiah 65:14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. (KJV)  
Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (KJV)  
Matthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (KJV)  
Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (KJV)  
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (KJV)  
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (KJV)  
Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (KJV)
Revelation 22:14-15 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (KJV)  

See our Book on Wicked People described: http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_books_wicked_people_described.html

Names of Pagan/False gods.

Name of false god            Worshipped by                     Bible Reference
Adrammelech, sun-god         Sepharvites                             2 Kings 17:31      
Amon, Amun, wind-god        Thebes in Egypt                      Jer. 46:25
Anammelech, moon-goddess   Sepharvites                            2 Kings 17:31
Asherah (Asherim)           Canaan                                Judges 6:25, 26, 28, 30
Ashima                                 Hammath In Syria                     2 Kings 17:30
Ashtoreth (Ashtaroth) love     Syria/Phoenicia/Canaan          1 Kings 11:5,33
Baal, main god                  Syria/Phoenicia/Canaan 2 Kings 10:18-23, 25-28
Baal-Peor                                 Moabites                                 Num. 25:3,5
Baalzebub                          Ekron In Philistine                  2 Kings 1:2,3, 6, 16
Bel (possibly same as Baal) Babylonians  Isa. 46:1 Jer. 50:2, Jer. 51:44
Castor/Pollux (Twin Brothers)      Greeks                                  Acts 28:11
Chemosh                                  Moabites                             1 Kings 11:7,33
Dagon, grain-god                     Philistines                              1 Sam 5:2-5,7
Diana/Artemis, moon-goddess   Ephesus In Greece    Acts 19:24, 27-28, 34-35
Golden Calf                             Israel                                           Ex. 32
Jupiter/Zeus                         Greek                                        Acts 14:12-13
Mercury                              Greek                                   Acts 14:12
Merodach                              Babylonians                            Jer. 50:2
Milcom                                  Ammonites                            1 Kings 11:5, 33
Molech (Moloch)                    Ammonites                             Lev. 20:2-5
Nebo, arts-god                        Babylon                                 Isa. 46:1
Nehushtan                               Israel                                    2 Kings 18:4
Nergal                                      Cuth                                    2 Kings 17:30
Nibhaz                                     Avites                                  2 Kings 17:31
Nisroch                                    Assyrians                2 Kings 19:37; Isa. 37:38
Queen Of Heaven (Ishtar)        Assyria/Babylon      Jer. 7:18; 44:17; 18,19, 25
Rimmon, weather-god             Syria                                      2 Kings 5:18
Sikkuth                                 Babylonians                                Amos 5:26
Succothbenoth                      Babylonians                            2 Kings 17:30
Tammuz                       Babylonians/Samarians              Eze. 8:14
Tartak                               Avvites                                   2 Kings 17:31

FALSE GODS of idolaters:
Adonis; Adrammelech; Amon; Apis; Asherah; Ashtoreth; Astarte; Baal; Baal-berith;
Baal-peor; Calf; Golden calf; Dagon; Diana; Host of heaven; Image of Jealousy; Ishtar (Easter);
Malcam (Malkam, Malcham, Milkowm, Milcom); Meni; Milcom (Malcam, Malkam, Malcham, Milkowm); Moloch (Molech, Milcom, Malcham); Moon; Nebo; Nibhaz; Nisroch; Rimmon;
Satyr; Serpent; Stars; Sun; Tammuz (Dumuzi/Adonis);

Idols (false gods) to which children were sacrificed:
Adrammelech and Anammelech        2 Kings 17:31
Baal                                                Jer.19:4-5; 32:35
Molech                           Lev.18:21; 20:2-5; 2 Kings 23:10; Jer.32:35

Middle East Wars to Come
The Bible describes how the increasing political partiality of western nations, and the increasing violence of Arab-Muslim nations shall finally lead to a major war against Israel. Since prophecy here is not at all detailed or exact, some think there shall be several major wars just before the close of this age and the Second Coming of Christ. http://www.godcannotlie.org/zec_ch14.htm
Zechariah 14:2-9 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3  Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4  And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5  And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. 6  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: 7  But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. 8  And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 9  And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. (KJV)
Revelation 19:11-21 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12   His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17  And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18  That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19  And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21  And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (KJV)

Summary of the main points in Bible prophecy:
The Bible tells us clearly that any major future hostility against Israel, including violent invasions, shall be defeated by the LORD God of Israel, and the nation of Israel will survive into the Millennial Age.
Key prophecies to this are: (Ps.83: Isa. 17 & 43; Jer.49; Eze.38 & 39; Zec.12 & 14; Joel 3; Mal.4; Mat.24; Mk.13; Rev.16 & 19 & 20).
Psalm 83 speaks of an alliance of invading nations (mainly an Arab-Islamic alliance), and Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49 speak of the destruction of one precise city, Damascus.

Zechariah 12 & 14, Joel 3, Revelation 16 & 19, seem to describe the final ‘all-nation’ invasion (the Battle of Armageddon) which shall be defeated at Christ's Second Coming. This time is referred to as the Great Tribulation (Mat.24:21), the Day of the Lord (Isa.2:12; 13:6, 9), Jacob’s Trouble (Jer.30:7), and Daniel’s 70th Week (Dan.9:26-27).          

The prophecies of Ezekiel 38 & 39 are rather hard to interpret and have led to much argument. Some say it is a single invasion, others say it is two separate invasions. If it is separate invasions, Ezekiel 39 may refer to the final, ‘all-nation’ invasion (Armageddon) or to an Arab-Islamic invasion prior to Armageddon. And Ezekiel 38 may refer to the post-Millennial Gog-Magog invasion of Israel in Revelation 20.

If Ezekiel 38 & 39 refer to the same invasion, they may refer to an Arab-Islamic invasion prior to the final invasion (Armageddon). If this is the case, that peace treaty to be signed with Israel (Dan.9:27) could be signed in the very near future, and Jesus could come in the clouds at the Rapture, to take the church home (1 Thes.4:13-18).

The weapons referred to in the above prophecies were familiar to ancient Israel. I think they will be actual end-time weapons, symbolic of well-equipped armies using weapons of today. Zechariah 14 seem to describe how the invaders in the final conflicts will perish, and may refer to nuclear war and the use of neutron bombs.

What about Syria? If Israel is to be invaded from the north, then, if only from a geographic viewpoint, Syria must be involved. This largely Arabic country is 88% Islamic and is already Israel's enemy. Damascus, the capital, is claimed to be the world's oldest, continuously inhabited city. While it has suffered attack (2 Ki.16:9), it has never been totally destroyed . . . yet. Prophecy states that one day soon it will be totally destroyed: Isaiah 17:1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. (KJV) Jer. 49:27 And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad. (KJV)

Eze. 38:11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, (KJV) . . . This may refer to the peace treaty signed prior to the invasion. This may be the 7 year peace treaty signed between Antichrist, the world dictator, and Israel at the start of Daniel's 70th week (Dan 9:27). After the defeat of the invasion, Israel will set about burying the dead for seven months (Eze.39:12).
Possibly the most important result of this invasion is that the supernatural intervention by the God of Israel forces the nations (including Israel) to recognize Him (Eze.38:16; 39:21-29).

What about America? All nations seems to mean exactly that, not just Middle East nations close to Israel, if it is to be in agreement with (Zec.14:9). The LORD cannot be King over just a part of the Earth! IF ALL world leaders attack Israel, this point to a change of policy in America, or possibly the total absence of America on the world scene! Bear in mind that the nations will be under the One World Government, which will be violently anti-Christian and anti-Jewish. The leader of this invasion is the little horn (Antichrist) of Daniel 7.20, the abominator (Dan.9:27; Mat.24:15), the king (Dan.11:36), the king of the north (Dan.11:40), the man of sin (2 Thes.2:3), the lawless one (2 Thes.2:8), the beast (Rev.13:1-8), the conqueror (Rev.6:2), and the beast (Rev.19:19). The satanic Antichrist is the end time World Dictator who many believe will arise from a Revived Roman Empire in Europe.

The Battle of Armageddon is the last gathering of forces that is very important. When the 6th vial (bowl) is poured out, demonic spirits seduce the leaders of the nations to gather for battle  (Rev. 16.12-16). The armies gather at a place called Armageddon (Rev.16:16). Megiddo is located in northern Israel in the valley or plain of Jezreel, near Mount Carmel. It is an ideal place to amass large armies (Judg.5:19; 2 Ki.23:29-30; Zec.12:11). It will most likely be the location of the last war between human armies. We do know that it is the gathering place for the world's armies as they prepare for the final war against Jerusalem and in particular for war against Christ and His armies (Zec.12:2-9; Rev.19:19).

The Battle of Armageddon is described in detail in Revelation 19.11-21 and Zechariah 14. Consider the following:
#1. Half of the city of Jerusalem is captured (Zec.14:2).
#2. The LORD Himself fights against the world's armies (Zec.14:3), and He shall be King over all the Earth (Zec.14:9).
#3. When Jesus’ Feet touch the Mount of Olives, it shall break in two, with a valley between (Zec.14:4).
#4. There shall be a plague to all the people who have come up against Jerusalem, that shall consume their flesh as they stand (Zec.14:12).
#5. The tribe of Judah will also fight the attacking armies (Zec.14:14).
#6. Out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations, Christ shall be KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Rev.19:15-16).
#7. An angel summons the birds of the heavens to the coming feast on the flesh of mighty men (Rev.19:17-18).
#8. Antichrist and the kings of the Earth make war against the One on the white horse (Rev.19:19).
#9. The beast and false prophet both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone (Rev.19:20).
#10. All the rest of the armies were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, and all the fowls were filled with their flesh (Rev.19:21). .
http://www.godcannotlie.org/zec_ch14.htm
http://www.godcannotlie.org/rev_ch19.htm
http://hisservants.org/tribulation_what_h_s.htm
http://hisservants.org/tribulation_why_h_s.htm
http://hisservants.org/armageddon_h_s.htm

WHAT are the Effects for YOU and ME?
There are SO many end time prophecies that are being fulfilled right before our eyes. The rise of a One World Government (Ecumenism) looms, all the trouble with Israel (Zec.12:2-3), the appearance of electronic ID’s in pets and livestock are here! It will NOT be long before you will not be able to do anything unless you have some sort of ID on your hand or forehead. It seems to me it could very likely be the tiny chip used in pets. BEWARE!!! Do NOT accept it! (Rev.13:15-17; 14:9-11; 16:2; 19:20).   
http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_ec_one_world_government.1.htm
http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_ec_one_world_government.2.html
http://worldlychaos.org/w_c_victory_ecumenism_yoking_with_satan.html                        
People are being suckered into a godless and potentially brutal World Government or New World Order. It will not be long before this system will demand you to receive an ultimate electronic ID, in order to buy or sell anything anywhere! BEWARE!!! Do NOT accept it! And because of its hatred towards the God of the Bible, Christians and Jews, this world system will work together against Israel. The turmoil in the Middle East and the anger against Israel are signs that an invasion will take place in the very near future. Within just 100 years Israel has gone from insignificance to the turmoil of the world.

The important thing is that when the invasion starts, the LORD Jesus will return to Earth. I believe that there is strong Biblical support that TRUE Christians (believers in Christ) will be taken from the Earth BEFORE the appearance of the Antichrist and those coming world wars.
Rev.3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (KJV)
2 Pet. 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (KJV)  
http://hisservants.org/end_times_events_h_s.htm
http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_signs_rapture.htm
http://hisservants.org/rapture,_second_coming_h_s.htm
http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_ec_one_world_government.2.html
http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_ec_ecumenism.htm
http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_hand_in_hand_bible_vs_ecumenism.htm

WITCHCRAFT IS AN ABOMINATION TO ALMIGHTY GOD

Are YOU connected with witchcraft???

Many misled people say that you can still be a Christian and practice witchcraft. That is NOT true! It is so sad that now there is witchcraft in the church and so-called men of God are allowing this to happen. Witchcraft all throughout Scripture is condemned! Witchcraft is from the devil and anyone who messes with it will not enter into Heaven. Witchcraft of any kind is an utter abomination to Almighty God! (Lev.19:26, 31; 20:6; Deut.18:10-11; 1 Sam.28:3, 8; 1 Chron.10:13; 2 Chron.33:6; Isa.8:19; 19:3).
When you start to play around with witchcraft, you open yourself up to demons and demonic influences which will indeed harm you. Satan is very crafty and we must never let him take control of our lives. If you know anyone who is involved in witchcraft in any way, try to help them to get out of there! But, if they refuse to listen to you, STAY AWAY from that person.
Even though Christians need not fear it, Satan is very powerful so we must stay away from all evil and all things of the occult.
The only way someone can read all the Scriptures below and still think that witchcraft is OK, is if they did not read them at all. BEWARE!!! Repent! Throw away all occult items! Christ Jesus can break any bondage to witchcraft that you may have! Trust Him!

NO one who practices witchcraft will enter into Heaven.

Mal. 3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. (KJV)
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (KJV)  
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (KJV)
Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (KJV)

What does the Bible say?

Leviticus 19:26 Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times. (KJV)  
Deut.18:10-13 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11  Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12  For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13  Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. (KJV)  
1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (KJV)  
Isaiah 47:12-14 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. 13  Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. 14  Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. (KJV)
Micah 3:7 Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God. (KJV)  
Micah 5:11-12 And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds:
12  And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers: (KJV)
Revelation 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. (KJV)  

Trust God Instead

Isaiah 8:19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? (KJV) . . . Do NOT listen to anyone trying to seduce you into witchcraft! Seek guidance from the TRUE and Living God because you will NEVER receive guidance from the dead?

Old Testament people put to death for the sin of witchcraft

Leviticus 20:26-27 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. 27  A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them. (KJV)
1 Chronicles 10:13-14 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; 14  And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. (KJV)

Familiar Spirit = Necromancy

A familiar spirit is the spirit of a dead person which a medium, in the form of witchcraft known as necromancy, claims to summon to consult (Deut.18:11). Necromancy is where the dead are supposedly consulted about the future. It was believed that either aa evil spirit dwelt in the consulting medium (Ex.22:18; Lev19:31; 20:6, 27; Deut.18:10-12; 1 Sam.28:7-9), who was most commonly a woman, or that the medium had fellowship with a spirit from whom she could receive information. Mediums seem to have deceived their inquirers by speaking in a low, weak, whispered voice, as though it came from the ground or from a bottle (Ias.8:19; 29:4).
King Saul put away the mediums early in his reign, but, greatly worried about the outcome of his last battle, he consulted the witch of Endor and asked to speak to the prophet Samuel (1 Dam.28:3, 7-9; 1 Chron.10:13-14).
It seems that King Manasseh also fell into the sin of consulting mediums; but his grandson Josiah put them out of the land (2 Ki.23:24-25)..
Belief in the possibility of communing with the spirit of the dead was common in ancient heathendom. The apostle Paul spoke of a slave girl who was a medium and brought her owners much gain by her divination (Acts 16:16-18).

IDOLATRY
The ritual killing of the first born child in each family

Idols (false gods) to which children were sacrificed:

ADRAMMELECH and ANAMMELECH: . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                                     
2 Kings 17:31 (KJV)  And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.

BAAL:
Jeremiah 19:4-5 Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents; 5  They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind: (KJV)
Jeremiah 32:35 And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. (KJV)  

MOLECH:
Leviticus 18:21 And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. (KJV)  
Leviticus 20:2-5 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
3  And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
4  And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not: 5  Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people. (KJV)  
2 Kings 23:10 And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech. (KJV)  

Jeremiah 32:35 And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. (KJV)  

The reference to children passing through the fire has historically been understood as the ritual killing of the first born child in each family. Tribes surrounding the Israelites were believed to engage in this practice. Many people believed that Pagans in ancient times engaged in child sacrifice.
Interpreting Deuteronomy 18 in terms of modern-day practice, it is apparent that the following things are strictly prohibited:
<> The New Age practice of channeling in which a person attempts to contact a spirit in order to gain knowledge.
<> Spiritualism, in which a medium contacts the dead.
<> Casting stones or sticks and predicting the future by their position (e.g. I Ching, and perhaps runes, or Tarot cards).
<> Foretelling the future by looking for signs in nature (predicting the harshness of a winter by looking at moss on trees, or fur thickness on animals in the wild, or whether the groundhog sees his shadow on Feb.2.)
<> Snake charming.
<> Casting (presumably evil) spells while tying knots.
<> Reciting evil spoken spells to injure others.
<> Any other method of contacting the dead.

What was the Old Testament way of salvation?

How people were saved during the Old Testament time is confusing to some. We know that, in the New Testament, salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Jn.1:12-13; 3:3-8; Eph.2:8-9). Jesus is Way (Jn.14:6; Acts 4:12) . . .but, before Christ, what was the way?
Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (KJV)  
Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (KJV)  
Salvation by faith, apart from the Law was an Old Testament principle. Paul taught that the purpose of the Law was to serve as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Gal.3:24).
Romans 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (KJV) . . . The Law was never intended to save anyone; the purpose of the Law was to make us conscious of sin.

If the Old Testament way of salvation was not keeping the Law, HOW were people saved? The answer to that is in the Bible. In Romans chapter 4, the apostle Paul makes it very clear that the Old Testament way of salvation was the same as the New Testament way, which is by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (KJV)  
Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. (KJV) . . . Abraham could not have been saved by keeping the Law, because he lived over 400 years before the Law was given!

Romans 4:6-8 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (KJV)  
Psalm 32:1-2 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2  Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (KJV)  . . . The Old Testament way of salvation was through faith alone. The words unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, were written not for David alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit to us the righteousness of Jesus (1 Cor.1:30) . . . for those of us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our LORD from the dead. The righteousness of Jesus is imputed, or credited to all those who have faith in God . . . Abraham, David, all the Old Testament saints, and we today, all share the same way of salvation.

Romans 4:23-24 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (KJV)  

Much of Romans and Galatians speaks of the fact that there is only one way of salvation and only one TRUE Gospel message. Many people have tried to pervert the gospel by adding human works to it, insisting that certain things had to be done to earn salvation. That is a LIE! Jesus paid it all for, us when He died on the cross. Eternal salvation = Christ plus nothing!
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of ALL the symbols and predictions of the Old Testament (Lk.24:44; Rom.3:21-22; Heb.1:1-3).

Day after day every Jewish priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can NEVER take away sins. But when this Man, Jesus had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God because by that one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
http://www.godcannotlie.org/book_of_hebrews_ch10.htm

Book of Isaiah . . Isaiah's Mini-Bible

Isaiah Ch.1 . . Isaiah Ch.2 . . Isaiah Ch.3 . . Isaiah Ch.4 . . Isaiah Ch.5 . . Isaiah Ch.6 . . Isaiah Ch.7 . . Isaiah Ch.8 . . Isaiah Ch.9 . . Isa.Ch.10 . . Isa.Ch.11 . . Isa.Ch12 . . Home Page

JUDGMENT ON THE NATIONS . . . . . Isaiah Ch.13 . . Isaiah Ch.14 . . Isaiah Ch.15 . . Isaiah Ch.16 . . Isaiah Ch.17 . . Isaiah Ch.18 . . Isaiah Ch.19 . . Isaiah Ch.20 . . Isaiah Ch.21 . . Isaiah Ch.22 . . Isaiah Ch.23 . . Home Page

ISAIAH’S APOCALYPSE . . . . . Isaiah Ch.24 . . Isaiah Ch.25 . . Isaiah Ch.26 . . Isaiah Ch.27 . . Home Page

ISAIAH'S SIX WOES . . . Isaiah Ch.28 . . Isaiah Ch.29 . . Isaiah Ch.30 . . Isaiah Ch.31 . . Isaiah Ch.32 . . Isaiah Ch.33 . . Isaiah Ch.34 . . Isaiah Ch.35 . . Home Page

Isaiah's Historic Part . . Isaiah Ch.36 . . Isaiah Ch.37 . . Isaiah Ch.38 . . Isaiah Ch.39 . . Home Page

Isaiah Speaks of Messiah's Incarnation. . Isaiah Ch.40 . . Isaiah Ch.41 . . Isaiah Ch.42 . . Isaiah Ch.43 . . Isaiah Ch.44 . . Isaiah Ch.45 . . Isaiah Ch.46 . . Isaiah Ch.47 . . Isaiah Ch.48 . . Home Page

Isaiah's Introduction to the Suffering Servant

Isaiah's Suffering Servant Prophecy. . . Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Isaiah's Redemption Through the Suffering Servant . . . Isaiah Ch.49 . . Isaiah Ch.50 . . Isaiah Ch.51 . . Isaiah Ch.52 . . Isaiah Ch.53 . . Isaiah Ch.54 . . Isaiah Ch.55 . . Isaiah Ch.56 . . Isaiah Ch.57 . . Home Page

Isaiah's Vision of the Dispersion . . . Isaiah Ch.58 . . Isaiah Ch59 . . Isaiah Ch.60 . . Isaiah Ch.61 . . Isaiah Ch.62 . . Isaiah Ch.63 . . Isaiah Ch.64 . . Isaiah Ch.65 . . Isaiah Ch.66 . . Home Page