A Calm Spirit and a Fiery Message
Good morning. I hope you’re ready to dive deeper into Isaiah. Today we’re reading chapters 22–25.

I’ve never been a prosperity preacher, and I detest the “God is love only” type of preaching. I respect the old fire-and-brimstone preachers, though I’ve never had that kind of passion either. My wife jokes that my happiness is a well-kept secret, hidden behind a calm facade. That wasn’t always true. I used to be hotheaded. I believe this calmness is Christ shining through me.

Today’s message calls for tough preaching.
The Valley of Vision and the Blindness of Prosperity
God had provided everything the Israelites needed, and they rebelled. He chastised them, so they repented. Then they rebelled again. He let them become slaves, then delivered them. And again—they rebelled. It’s the ongoing story of humanity. Not just the Jewish people, but each of us.

I’ve wandered. I realized I was fighting a losing cause, reached out to God, and God delivered me—only to stray again later.

In chapter 22, Jerusalem—called the Valley of Vision (v. 22:1)—is bustling with energy. But an enemy is approaching, likely the Assyrians under Sennacherib. Watchmen are on the rooftops warning the people, but they’re too consumed with prosperity to pay attention. They hurry about, ignoring the warning until it’s too late.

This resembles our modern lives. Most followers of Christ know in their hearts that we, as a nation and world, have a major sin problem. We feel remorse when we see people celebrating sin. News channels show us hatred, and we’ve become numb. We’ve accepted that people die on sidewalks with hypodermic needles in their arms—and it doesn’t even affect us.
Will we even notice when he returns?
I wonder when word comes that Jesus has returned, will people respond? Will they notice the rapture of their Christian friends? Sadly, I think some churches will still be quite full of people the rapture left behind.

Isaiah warns of a coming Day of the Lord, when God will pour out his wrath. A day of “tumult and trampling and terror” (v. 22:5). God called them to lament (v. 22:12), but they partied, saying, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” (v. 22:13).

I know many people who live “alternative” lifestyles with the same “who cares?” attitude. I had it myself in my partying days. Even some Christians carry it, thinking that placing faith in Jesus gives them license to sin. But Paul is clear:
“Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? God forbid.” (Rom. 6:15) ¹
They’ve placed their faith in a god of their own making—not the Jesus of Scripture. That won’t hold them. Isaiah warns of this in v. 22:25.
The Day of Devastation
In Chapter 24, Isaiah warns of a day of utter destruction. Some churches won’t even notice the rapture, because “for priest as for people” (v. 24:2)—no one is exempt.

Money, power, position—none will save you. If you’re still here on that day, you’ll experience devastation because “they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant” (v. 24:5).

We’ve confirmed Isaiah’s prophecies are trustworthy, yet we ignore this warning. Somewhere along the way, we prayed a prayer and decided we could live however we wanted. But Isaiah’s message is clear: a day of reckoning is approaching, and we must prepare.

Knowing the Lord and walking with the Lord are two different things.
The Joy of the Redeemed
Only by following His commands and obeying His laws can we be among those who say,
“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name.” (v. 25:1)
Though Isaiah sees the city reduced to rubble, he also sees people rejoicing—because they are God’s, and He is theirs.

When Jesus took our sins and died for them, He defeated death (v. 25:8). In the day of calamity,
“He will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace.” (v. 25:8)
Examine Your Faith
Examine your life—and more so, your faith. Are you walking in the light of the Savior or merely in His shadow?

We are not saved by our works (Eph. 2:8–9), but make sure you are in Christ. Then you will say:
“Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord; we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” (v. 25:9)
Tomorrow, we will read Isaiah 26-29.

Citations (Chicago Style)

Holy Bible, King James Version.

Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.