25 Dec 2015, Isaiah 35 以赛亚书 35, The Ransomed Shall Return 赎民必归

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 35

Theme                  : The Ransomed Shall Return

Contrary to the desolation of the nations, when Jesus returns the wilderness of Israel will become a fertile land. Curses will be removed. Both the environment and the people will sing because God will renew both people and land. Those who are physically deformed will be cured. The mute will talk, the blind will see. A highway (a fast track) will lead to Jerusalem, where King Jesus will be. The ransomed Jews, those who have been bought by the blood of Jesus, will use the highway to return to Jerusalem from the nations, where they will have been exiled and enslaved. At that time, sorrow and sighing will disappear, being replaced by gladness and joy.


Praying the Scripture

It is amazing how much OT prophets talk about the Messianic Kingdom. This is why when Jesus came into the world He preached, “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 3:2). All believers’ hope is set on this eternal kingdom, not on this temporal age. This eternal kingdom is described in many concrete details so that we will look forward to our final destination and look with contempt at the mud-pies of this world. Pray that you will believe in the promises of God offered in this eternal kingdom. Some OT saints were so focused on this eternal kingdom that they were willing to suffer even more so that they could have a better resurrected in this eternal kingdom (Heb. 11:35). Pray that the Messianic Kingdom will grip you like it gripped that saints.

经文:以赛亚书35

主题:赎民必归

 

与列国的荒废相对,当耶稣再来时,荒凉的以色列要成丰盛。诅咒将被除去。地与民都要欢唱,因为神会更新人民与土地。肉身残缺的将得医治;哑巴能说话,瞎子得看见。那里将有通往耶路撒冷的大道,而君王耶稣就在那儿。得赎的犹太人,即借耶稣宝血得赎的,将从流亡被掳的列国使用大道归回耶路撒冷。那时不再有忧愁叹息,乃由欢喜快乐取代。


用经文祷告

旧约先知谈论弥赛亚国度的次数是十分惊人的。这就是为何当耶稣降世时,祂传:“天国近了,你们应当悔改!”(太3:2)。信徒的盼望就是建立在这个永恒国度中,不是在此短暂的时代。圣经对永恒国度的叙述包含许多具体细节,所以我们能向往我们最后的终点,轻看世界的虚荣。祷告你会信靠神对这个永恒国度的应许。有些旧约圣徒如此专注这个永恒国度,以致甘愿加倍受苦,叫他们能在永恒国度中有更好的复活生命(来11:35)。祷告你会被弥赛亚国度如此吸引,像那些圣徒被吸引一样。