ISAIAH 51

Today in chapter 51 verses 1-11 is The faithful are called to courage. And verses 12-23 are The faithful are comforted. Isaiah 51 and verse 1 reads.

Isa.51:1] Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

He says, listen to me, those who seek after righteousness, our Rock is Jesus Christ. Let’s first go to Proverbs 15 and verse 9 reads.

Prov.15:9] The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Now let’s go to the New Testament, Romans 9 and verse 29 reads.

Rom.9:29] And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

This would be written in Isaiah 1:9.

Rom.9:30] What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Notice that righteousness is of faith, faith will play a big role in Isaiah 51, and salvation is promised also for the gentiles.

Rom.9:31] But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
[32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

This stumbling stone is Jesus Christ. It is a stumbling stone to those who follow the law, but do not accept that the Messiah has come.

Rom.9:33] As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

This would be written in Isaiah 28:16. So we can take away from these scriptures that Christ is a stumbling stone to Israel. Jesus was of the house of Judah, but they would not believe he was the Messiah that they have been waiting for. We see this today by those who call themselves Jewish, but who’s eyes are shut. Back to Isa.51 and verse 2 reads.

Isa.51:2] Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

The LORD called him out of his fathers house, Gen.12:1. And blessed Abraham with flocks and menservants, and blessed him with a child from Sarah in their old age. Gen.24:34-35. Let’s go to Romans 4 and verse 1 reads.

Rom.4:1] What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
[2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
[3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Let’s now go to the faith chapter, Hebrews 11 and verse 11 reads.

Heb.11:11] Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

Their faith is counted for righteousness. Back to Isa.51 and verse 3 reads.

Isa.51:3] For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Promised by God to us a Comforter from the beginning. Don’t forget to praise the LORD for all the comfort he has given us, the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

Isa.51:4] Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

The LORD says listen to me. Now, he sent us, proceed from me, a law, with this law he judges. This law is the Light, which is Jesus Christ, a stumbling block to those who are supposed to know the law.

Isa.51:5] My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.

We have here the two advents. Righteousness is near, is the second advent. His Salvation is gone forth is the first advent. We know this by what is said afterward. His arm shall judge the people, at the seventh trump. The nations shall wait, six comes before seven. And finishes with on mine arm shall we trust. We trust that the Word of God is true. Let’s go to Psa.102 and verse 13 reads.

Psa.102:13] Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.

Back to Isa.51 and verse 6 reads.

Isa.51:6] Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Unless you understand we have three heaven and earth ages this verse cannot make sense. Please find my study “3 heaven and earth ages” on our home page or in topical teachings for a better understanding on this. For now, let’s look closely at what was just said. It said, there will be another heaven and earth age, it comes after the millennium. All evil shall be burned in the fire (Heb.12:29 Our God is a consuming fire) but those with salvation shall live forever. His, GOD, righteousness shall not be abolished, put away. Let’s go to Psalms 102 and verse 26 reads.

Psa.102:26] They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

We shall all be changed into our spiritual bodies at the seventh trump. Let’s go to 1Cor.15 and verse 51 reads.

1Cor.15:51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Paul is teaching us a mystery here that we shall not all die. Meaning there will be some in the flesh at the seventh trump, and these shall be changed from their flesh bodies into their spiritual bodies. Those who are already dead shall return with Jesus, they are already in the spiritual body. Back to Isaiah 51 and verse 7 reads.

Isa.51:7] Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.

Listen to me mine Elect, don’t let their hatred for you bother you, for they hated me first.

Isa.51:8] For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

Those that hate him will receive they’re judgements. But those of us who love the LORD, we have our Salvation. Let’s go to Isa.66 and verse 24 reads.

Isa.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.

Back to Isa.51 and verse 9 reads.

Isa.51:9] Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?

We, his Elect, have fought for him once before in the first earth age. Let’s go to Psa.74 and verse 12 reads.

Psa.74:12] For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
[13] Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.

Satan fell and took a third of God’s children with him in the first earth age. This earth age (the second) is for Salvation for those who prove they love the LORD. Back to Isa.51 and verse 10 reads.

Isa.51:10] Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?

With his mighty hand the LORD did this. Let’s go to Exodus 14 and verse 21 reads.

Exo.14:21] And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
[22] And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Notice it was the LORD that did this. Back to Isa.51 and verse 11 reads.

Isa.51:11] Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

That great army that returns with him at the seventh trump. Let’s go to Rev.7 and verse 9 reads.

Rev.7:9] After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
[10] And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

And I say “Come LORD Jesus, come.” Back to Isa.51 and verses 12-23 is titled The faithful are comforted. Verse 12 reads.

Isa.51:12] I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;

Twice for great emphasis. God only is our Comforter. Be afraid of no man. Jer.17:5-7 teaches us; cursed is he that trusts in man and blessed is he that puts his trust in God. Let’s go to 2Cor.1 and verse 3 reads.

2Cor.1:3] Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
[4] Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

We are to show others that it is God who comforts all of his children in tribulation. Pretty much a commandment here for us in these end times. Back to Isa.51 and verse 13 reads.

Isa.51:13] And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?

How easily his children forget him, maker should have been translated Creator. Notice the multiple earth ages above. The oppressor is Satan, the antichrist. He will be turned to ashes from within at the end of the millennium, Ezekiel 28:18.

Isa.51:14] The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.

This verse could be easily misunderstood if you haven’t read Zechariah chapter 9. Let’s go to Zec.9 and begin with verse 9 the first advent, and it reads.

Zec.9:9] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

That was the first advent.

Zec.9:10] And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from river even to the ends of the earth.

That was the prophesying of the second advent which has not yet come, but we wait for. Now, the reason we came here, listen very closely.

Zec.9:11] As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

By the blood of his covenant, Jesus on the cross, we have salvation of those who don’t overcome in the flesh. They will have the millennium for their salvation as promised here in the Old Testament. God is fair, and loves all his children. We need to go to 2Pet.3 and verse 9 reads.

2Pet.3:9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The promise of Salvation given in the Old Testament and sent by God in the New Testament will be finalized in the Millennium. God’s perfect plan from the beginning, written for our Comfort here in the flesh. Back to Isa.51 and verse 15 reads.

Isa.51:15] But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.
[16] And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.

The LORD speaking to Jesus here, Jesus Christ is the LORD’s power. Let’s go to John 3 and verse 34 reads.

John 3:34] For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
[35] The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
[36] He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Back to Isa.51 and verse 17 reads.

Isa.51:17] Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.

The wrath of the LORD will be poured out on those who do not believe the Son of God. Jesus would pray for this cup to pass, but knew it was for the Father to decide. Let’s go to Mat.26 and verse 39 reads.

Mat.26:39] And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Jesus knew this would hurt, but through his compassion, he asked. Back to Isa.51 and verse 18 reads.

Isa.51:18] There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.

Jerusalem is in confusion. There is none to guide her, meaning there is none to comfort or lead her. We are obviously speaking of the sixth trump, a time of confusion, the antichrist is here.

Isa.51:19] These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?

Desolation and destruction are Abaddon and Apollyon, we find them in Revelation 9 and verse 11 reads.

Rev.9:11] And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

Verse 19 also brings up the famine and the sword, then says in Whom shall he comfort them. We learn in Amos 8:11 “The famine in the end times is for hearing the Word of the LORD.” And in Rev.1:15-16 the sword of the LORD is the tongue of the Lord, meaning his Word. Now, by putting it all together, it is Jesus Christ by whom he will comfort us. Back to Isa.51 and verse 20 reads.

Isa.51:20] Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.
[21] Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:

He is speaking to those who have repented, and have seen their sins washed by the blood of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Isa.51:22] Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

Saved by his blood on the cross, the LORD has compassion on his children, and has given his Word for our comfort.

Isa.51:23] But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.

They have walked on us for the last time, and will afflict us no more. Their end is the lake of fire, and ours is life everlasting. Amen, praise the LORD for he has comforted us in the flesh with his Word. Let’s go to his throne.

Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.

KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible