Bible Talks - Sunday Night Church
Longing for that day
Sunday, 08 August 2004
Isaiah 24 ESV or NIV
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1. Justice – a love/hate concern
Have you seen the movie ‘The Insider’?
It’s a powerful semi-true story of one man who blows the whistle on the rampant corruption in the tobacco industry in 1995. You get a strong feeling of injustice as one righteous man battles the mighty forces of the cigarette empires, TV corporations and millionaire lawyers.
Of course, this theme is common in Hollywood movies, and it works because it strikes a chord in each of us. We all have, however imperfect, a desire for justice to be done.
We see this regularly on the TV news and current affairs programs, don’t we? They will often pick up on a story of a court case where someone has been found guilty of a serious crime, and after the sentencing, the family and friends of the victim are always keen to say either how the felt justice had been done – or more commonly – how justice hasn’t been done and someone should do something about it!
Of course, this will always tend to be the case. Our justice system is severely flawed – like all human justice systems, and mistakes, errors will always happen, and limitations will always apply.
If you get burgled, if you get sacked unfairly, if someone is raped or murdered, we crave to see justice.
But this another area of life where people of the Word are highly qualified to enter the public debate on ‘justice’. And yet when the Bible or Christians do speak of a day of ‘judgement’, we cringe. It is just about the most unpopular thing about Christianity. Perhaps we would do better to redescribe this as a day of ‘justice’ – of ultimate justice – although somehow I suspect we would still be the underdogs in the debate, for reasons that I think will become apparent.
These four chapters of Isaiah form a key section of the Bible’s teaching on justice/judgement. Up to now, specific nations have been the target of various pronouncements by Isaiah, but here, the focus broadens out to take in the entire world (24:1)...
2. The story so far.
But let’s briefly backtrack and remind ourselves how we got here.
a) Who will you trust? (Chs 1-12; 2:22)
Right from the start, the big issue has been: ‘Who will God’s people trust?’ King Uzziah had done a fair job of trusting in the one true God, and leading the people in doing the same. But his successor, Ahaz, when threatened militarily by other nations, has turned his back on God and looked to others. In fact, the implication is that he never actually had a trust in God.
Remarkable, when you consider the history of God’s people and God’s ongoing, supernatural involvement in their affairs. But in many ways it’s no different now is it? The temptation is to trust in anything other than the promises of God, no matter how flawed and pathetic the alternatives may be (2:22).
b) Oracles of judgment (Chs 13-23)
And so Ahaz’s problem with God leads into chapters 13-23 which are regarded as the bulk of the second main section of the book.
In response to Ahaz’s distrust and unbelief, God turned away from the house of Ahaz. God is not with him. God promised to remove his protection and bring judgment on Judah. Note why this happens: It is not the vindictive actions of a punitive God who randomly decides to inflict suffering and misery on people. It is the clearly signalled response of a holy and mighty God who has been rejected by his creatures.
But he never totally abandons his people, and we read in chapters 13-23 Gods further warnings as he brings oracle upon oracle of judgment upon the nations, including Judah.
3. The big picture
Which brings us to Chapters 24-27, where Isaiah gathers up these ideas of judgment and presents a comprehensive picture that is totally terrifying. This section is sometimes known as the Isaiah Apocalypse – the word apocalypse means ‘an unveiling of the end’ – that looks towards the apocalypse that we know better as the book of Revelation.
So in the big picture sense, we can know the future. The Bible is crystal clear that the world as we know it will end at God’s hand. It will be a terrifying time as God’s righteous anger is unleashed against sin and evil, and the only way to survive it is to trust God. Trust in his love and graciousness shown to us in the Lord Jesus.
To better understand this unpopular idea, lets explore what chapter 24 has to say about the reasons for God’s judgement and the scope of that judgement.
a) The reasons for judgment (24:5, 20)
The biggest single issue lurking in the minds of many Christians is this:
If some one murders, rapes or steals and is then judged, then we say ‘fair enough’, they deserve it. The stories that ‘Today Tonight’ and ‘A Current Affair’ are all based on that simple premise. People who do something that we consider ‘bad’, and they should be punished. Sometimes we go through periods when certain behaviour is regarded as ‘extra bad’ and deserving of ‘extra punishment’ – at the moment in our culture it is child abuse, particularly child sexual abuse. In ten years time, it might be something different.
But most people aren’t like that. Most people don’t murder, rapes or abuse children. In these terms, we then regard most people as being basically good. And so we have problems with the idea of God judging them.
But this is not the heart of the problem. V5 makes it abundantly clear. We have broken the everlasting covenant – turned our backs upon our relationship with God. V20 also makes this very clear. We have to shift our thinking about what we regard as worthy of God’s judgement, and realise that our value judgements are usually seriously flawed. We have become rebels.
Do you recall the Fijian coup in 2000? When George Speight rejected the ruling Fijian government, decided that he knew better how to run the country and ousted the government by force. Everyone has done this to God. We dress it up in different ways to disguise it’s true nature, but Scripture is crystal clear: all of us are guilty of being rebels against God, and therefore worthy of his judgement.
b) The scope of judgment t(24:1-3,17-22)
So if we accept that we are guilty as charged under God’s law – the biggest step in all of this – it should therefore follow that God will call everyone, indeed the whole world, to account. Look at 24:1-3. It doesn’t matter who you are – Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, George Bush or the Pope; you, me, everybody will be called to account.
There is a common idea that floats around in Christian circles that if we are followers of Jesus, trusting in him for our eternal life, that we will be exempt from being called to account.
Not so. As v17-22 make clear, if there is to be ultimate justice, then everyone and every situation must come under scrutiny. (v18) No one will escape. Our relationship with Jesus does count – but we will be held to account for our lives, make no mistake!
c) The goal of judgment (24:14-16, 23)
But is all this still sounding a bit like a cranky school principal, handing out canings just because he has the authority too?
One aspect of ‘justice’ the way it’s portrayed in the media, is how it gets confused with revenge. When we see the victims family outside the courthouse after a sentencing, complaining how inadequate the punishment is, aren’t they often really saying that the perpetrator should be made to suffer more? And isn’t that in reality, often an expression of revenge rather than a desire for genuine justice?
It’s helpful to pause and ask ourselves “What is the point of judgement, what is it’s goal?”
For example, we would often say that the goal of punishing a child is to modify that child’s behaviour, so that he or she will behave in a safer or more acceptable manner.
But God’s judgement is not punishment – at least not in the sense we normally mean it. And in chapter 24 there are a couple of interludes in this depressing catalogue of judgment and they highlight the purpose of judgment. This is so often overlooked, that many equate judgement with punishment.
The truth might surprise you. Look at 24:16. It starts: “From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One. ...”
The goal of God’s judgement is to bring glory to God.
That God may be shown to have done what is right. Songs of praise to the “Righteous One”!
If we long for justice we will see it on that day, and people will praise God. And God will be shown to be gracious as people whom he has rescued in Jesus are with him on that day declaring his praise!
The key question is this: Do we long for God’s justice?
We may accept it’s reality, we may acknowledge God’s right to do it. But do we long for it as an expression of God doing the right thing?
My guess is generally not.
Life for the vast majority of us here is pretty comfortable, and as long as we are not threatened in any significant way by the injustices of this sinful world, then we are pretty happy to just motor on contentedly, comfortable in our own sin and isolating ourselves as best we can from the sin of the world around us. But that’s dangerously close to the sin that Judah has been accused of in the opening chapters of Isaiah. Comfortable, wealthy people sitting on our hands, and not really wanting anything to upset the status quo – including God’s Day of Justice!
We need to ask God’s forgiveness for our selfishness, and learn again to long for His justice to be put in place. A sign that we really mean that is when we start acting like it’s true...
4. Looking forward to that day.
As we move into chapter 25, you’ll see what I mean... and this section has much to encourage us to long for that day.
a) Justice for all (25:4-5)
Look at 25:4-5. If we really want justice for all, then this will be a great day! The needy and distressed will find refuge and the ruthless will sing no longer.
I think the reason we need to work hard at this is because we are not physically needy or in distress in the sense meant here! But we live in a world where literally millions are. Far too many for our human systems to ever address, even if they sought to.
We should look forward to that day because finally, the balance that all godly people should yearn for will be in place! If we are in any way aligning ourselves with the God of the Bible, then we must see this as the wonderful, logical outworking of who God is – and rejoice that He will bring it about as part of his re-creation of the world..
b) The ultimate party (25:6)
But now there'In the midst of these chapters of judgement and woe is, of all things, a party! Look at 25:6 “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.” This should give us all the clues we need as to how we should see this day! The day is pictured as a great feast – the best of food and wine! And all this is what God has in store for his followers. God’s desire and plan is to put all things right so that people might enjoy him and all his blessings.
If you want to enjoy the absolute best of God’s creation, then this will be a great day.
c) Lifting the cloud (25:7-8; 26:19)
But perhaps the most compelling reason to look forward to this day is in 25:7-8 and 26:19. If you want an end to pain and suffering and even death, then this will be a great day (25:7,8). These verses echo those poignant words in Revelation 21:4... They are powerful words because they directly address the subject that all humans fear the most – death.
The bottom line is that for most people – Christian or not – death is a brick wall.
We can attempt to rationalise it, saying that beyond death there is nothing. We can sentimentalise it by never referring directly to it, but instead using softer sounding euphemisms such as ‘passed away’, and ‘passed on’.
We can attempt to gloss over it with lavish funerals, where the person’s life is only ever remembered in the kindest of terms.
We can remove it from our immediate surroundings by preferring to have loved ones die in hospitals and nursing homes.
But we can’t escape it’s cold, hard reality.
I know that many of you have faced it when a loved one has died. I have a sense of what you have experienced. When Robyn was diagnosed with her present condition, she was literally just a few days away from death. Together, we faced what we thought was the inevitable. But through the grief that we were both experiencing the truth of Scripture cut like the sword that it is, and we both knew, deeply and powerfully that God had all this – that we couldn’t control – well and truly under his control.
But get this, not only will people no longer die, but the dead will be raised (26:19).
But were we guilty of sentimental escapism? What was it that made this so real to us? I mean, why would you believe what the Bible says about death? The answer of course, is JESUS. He has paved the way for us. Not just by speaking about it. Not by proposing a theological theory about it. Not by saying nice things about it. He paved the way by conquering death once and for all in his own body! That is the guarantee that we have that for all who belong to Jesus.
So if you are looking for a certain hope beyond this mortal life, then this will be a great day.
d) Make it a great day (25:1, 9)
But, there is a catch.
The reality is that this will not be a great day for all. God will bring an end to rebellion and if we continue to rebel against God, then this will be a day of dreadful judgment. But, if we will turn and place our trust in the God who offers to save (25:9), the this will be the very best of days. The outcome of that day all depends on the response we choose to make to God now.
5. How are you looking?
So, in the light of this day, there are two ways of looking at life now.
a) Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die (22:13; 1 Cor 15:32)
God warned his people of this day, but they refused to listen. Instead they lived each day for its own pleasures. It makes sense really, and still does, if this life is all there is (1 Cor 15:32). If there is no resurrection, then make the most of life now. Live it up.
b) Let us serve God for tomorrow we eat and drink (25:6-8; 1 Cor 15:3-8,54-58)
But, if death is not the end, if there is resurrection and judgment, and a heavenly feast awaiting all who trust in God (6-7), then we had better take note.
Jesus Christ has been raised (1 Cor 15:3ff) and it makes a massive difference to life now and in the future. (1 Cor 15:54-58). It has taken all the discussion about death out of the realms of fiction and fantasy, and rooted it in solid, historical fact! You cannot say that you believe in the resurrection and not live a radically changed life. Resurrection makes sense of life now. While everyone one else is running around trying to postpone the inevitable, we can boldly declare by how we live and what we say, that we know the answer to human beings biggest conundrum.
So let us live for Jesus, serving him, labouring for him, knowing that this is what will truly matter in the end.
