Today is the eighth message in our series: Timeless - Truth For Today. We are covering the entire Bible in a 3 month period.
So far we've covered the first 22 books of the Old Testament.
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs (Solomon)

As we study the next 17 prophetic books of the Bible (which includes Lamentations), they are usually divided into two categories - major and minor prophets. These categories refer more to the length of the books than their importance.
The MAJOR Prophet section is made up of the following 5 books:
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
The MINOR Prophet section contains the final 12 books of the Old Testament:
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
These prophets are sometimes called "the writing prophets" because they wrote or recorded their utterances.

Four observations about prophets in general that communicate some great lessons:

1. The prophets raised their voices in loud protest against the idolatry, corruption, and blindness of their times. They called certain people and their nation back to God.
Their role was twofold:
First: to be a "forthteller" - bearing a message from God for his own generation
Second: to be a "foreteller" - one who presented a message regarding future events; either regarding Israel or the coming Messiah.

2. The prophets often failed to understand all of their own prophecies, because the messages they delivered sometimes had a double fulfillment.
-an initial and partial fulfillment close to the time the words were uttered
-and a later, more complete fulfillment, somewhere in the future

3. The political and religious conditions of the world were constantly reflected in the writings of the prophets. Both Jews and Gentiles were mentioned as to how they were part of God's overall plan.
The empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia overshadowed the whole prophetic era, along with several smaller kingdoms. Even the great future kingdoms of Greece and Rome were predicted.

4. The validity of a prophet's message was determined by the accuracy of their message.
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 [The Message]
There are a number of prophecies, spanning 500 years, concerning the betrayal, trial, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
What are the odds of these 8 prophecies about Jesus being fulfilled?

The book of Isaiah is the 5th longest book in the Old Testament with 66 chapters, 1292 verses, 37,044 words and it will take you about 5 hours to read it.
No other book in the Bible has more to say about the captivity of God's people and the promise of freedom and restoration than the book of Isaiah.
Today we'll look at a big picture overview of Isaiah that will shed some light on our reading and provide lessons we can apply to our lives.

1. The MAN
Isaiah's name means "God is salvation." He is called the "Prince of Prophets" and he shines above all the other writers and prophets of Scripture.
Why?
-his mastery of both written and verbal communication
-his rich and vast vocabulary
-his poetic skills
-introduction to him in Isaiah 1:1
-a Jewish tradition says that when the name of a prophet's father is given, the father was also a prophet
-he was a member of the royal family and King Uzziah is his 1st cousin
-resided in Jerusalem, was married to a woman referred to as a prophetess and had 2 sons
-a true patriot who loved his country and his people in the midst of tough times that they were facing
-the people of the time could have been rescued by his words but there was little positive response from his listeners
-strong tradition says that Isaiah died a martyr's death under the reign of King Manasseh

Take Home:
In some ways, life gets more difficult after we come to Christ. The world, the flesh, the devil just don't go away because we've stepped into a relationship with Christ. The struggle against sin and temptations are never ending.
Each of us has one life to live. Our life will be remembered by our response to the tough times we encountered and where we stood with God at the end.

2. The MINISTRY
Isaiah was called to be a prophet during a time of national crisis.
Isaiah 6:1
That year he saw an earthly throne vacated after 52 years and a heavenly throne occupied for all eternity.
Isaiah sees...
-the glory of God (Isaiah 6:2-4)
-becomes aware of his own sinfulness (6:5)
-experiences the mercy of forgiveness (6:6-7)
-hears God's call to ministry (6:8a)
-responds to that call (6:8b)

From then on, Isaiah ministered about 60 years in the midst of a stormy era during the reign of several kings in both Israel and Judah.

Take Home:
God has created us, placed us into a specific setting, saved us from our sins, cared for us, called us to serve Him, and promised to be with us to the very end. Where are you at in your life right now? Are you in calm waters or stormy waters? What sin are you stuck in? Where has He called you to serve? How will you respond?

3. The MESSAGE
The book of Isaiah is often referred to as "The Book of Salvation" and "The Fifth Gospel."
When speaking to a Jewish person, Isaiah is an excellent witnessing tool, especially Isaiah 53, "The Suffering Servant."
The "suffering servant" has been long understood by historical rabbis of Judaism to speak of the redeemer or individual who will one day come to Zion. Modern rabbis of Judaism believe the "suffering servant" of Isaiah 53 refers to perhaps Israel, Isaiah himself, Moses, or another Jewish prophet.

More than any other book in the Old Testament, Isaiah focuses on the salvation that will come through the Messiah.
A few highlights:
-The Messiah will one day rule in justice and righteousness (Isaiah 9:7; 32:1)
-The reign of the Messiah will bring peace and safety to Israel (Isaiah 11:6-9)
-Through the Messiah, Israel will be a light to all the nations (Isaiah 42:6; 55:4-5)
-The Messiah's kingdom on earth is the goal towards which all of the book of Isaiah points (Isaiah 65-66)

Jesus shared these Messianic messages in His home town of Nazareth in Luke 4:16-21 by quoting from Isaiah 61:1-2.

Take Home:
The book of Isaiah presents our sinful situation and God's Savior solution in detail.
We have only a few short years on earth to come to Christ and embrace the salvation only He offers. There are no second chances and eternity in hell is forever.
Hebrews 9:27
Are you prepared to meet God someday?
Our sin separates us from God. The Bible says that Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life.
If you aren't prepared, it's as easy as saying your ABC's.
A - Admit you are a sinner and separated from God
B - Believe that Jesus paid the penalty for your sin by dying on the cross
C - Choose the free gift of salvation by asking Christ to forgive you of your sins and come into your life

Isaiah's desire was that those who heard and read his words would be convicted to turn from wickedness and turn to God for forgiveness and healing.

Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!

Sunday, February 19th - Jeff Burpee
Monday, February 20th - Monique Scott, Heather Reurink
Wednesday, February 22nd - Karmen Binkowski