Monday, June 23, 2014

Isaiah 21:5

Copyright Ó 2014 J. Neely
Isaiah 21:5ues

5 Prepare [`arak] the table [shulchan], watch [tsaphah] in the watchtower [tsaphiyth], eat ['akal], drink [shathah]: arise [quwm], ye princes [sar], and anoint [mashach] the shield [magen].   KJV-Interlinear

5 They set the table, they spread out the cloth, they eat, they drink; "Rise up, captains, oil the shields,"   NASB

Jesus Christ controls history.  People disregard history.  Jesus Christ is truth.  People disregard truth.  Jesus Christ wants you to be prepared.  People resist preparation.  Jesus Christ gives commands.  People ignore them.  What then would you expect from a society that is indifferent to life, except for that which entices?

The preparation of the table, is the preparation of a feast, a celebration, a party.  This is done behind fortified walls.  Walls that provide a false sense of security.

Outside the walls, are the threats of the world.  Threats that are obvious, but are ignored.

The command is to set the watch in the watchtower.  While the many are partying, the few, very few, are on watch.

Eat and drink, describes the activity of the party, and the attitude of the masses, even in the midst of the storm.

And so Isaiah leaves his description of the destruction of the city of Babylon, which is symbolic for the entire world, and now describes the attitude of the residents of the city, the world.

The entire world, in the last days, which you recall is the Tribulation, which is that seven year period of unimaginable suffering, will be in a state of indifference. 

The world in the first three-and-a-half years will see destruction and chaos, crime and tyranny that will take literally, the lives of half of the worlds population.  That is a lot of death, a lot of disasters, a lot of services that no longer exist.

And what is everyone doing?  They are not taking it seriously.  They are not on watch, meaning they are not paying attention to God, to Christ, to doctrine, to anything except their own selfish interests.  They party as though there is no danger, no emergency, nothing to be concerned about.

And then what happens? 

Then a sudden call to arms.  Arise, prepare your shields, make ready for a fight or for danger. But what is the danger?  How can you defend against Gods judgment?  How can you correct your own lack of preparation?  How can you do in an instant, that which takes years to prepare?

And you can imagine the outcome.

This prophecy was made a very long time ago.  Do people listen?  Do people pay attention?  Do people actually read their daily studies?  Do people even know what they need to be doing?  Do they care?

In this world there are very few who will take life seriously and actually prepare themselves spiritually. That preparation is so simple.  Just a daily study is all that it takes to get your soul into shape.

This is not a hoarding of water or amo or food or gold.  This is a preparation of the soul.

But, most people in this world, the vast majority, do not see the seriousness of their situation.  They live in the false sense of security of their own false beliefs, their own works, their own do-it-yourself preparation, if even that.  

They do not set up a watch.  Alertness of living in fellowship.

They do to hoard for the hard times.  Spiritual provision from God as a result of doctrine in the soul.

They do not consider the warnings or signs of the times.  The discernment of doctrine in the soul.

Why does the bible constantly call for preparation?  Why does the bible constantly warn against the lack of preparation?  Why does God give humanity so much time? And yet…

So, which are you?