June 24, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“‘As they go forth, they will see the corpses of those who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all humankind.‘ says the LORD.”

(Isaiah 66.24)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD TO US:

This “eternal life.” As glorious is the promise which God makes for the legacy of the believer where their praise shall never die and the generations of believers live on and on, there is the stark reminder of the “other side of the coin,” so to speak. Verse 24 is that stark reminder. Regardless of the witness of works, miracles, powerful and transformative words from God and God’s people, there are those who will refuse to choose “the way, the truth and the life” which is Jesus Christ. They receive an “eternal life” as well but not one you would think any would choose for themselves. And yet “they” do and they will. What is it that is so unappealing about believing in Yahweh Elohim that living a literally and figuratively rotting life would be the better choice? Further, why would God allow such a place to exist in His sight when the conflict between good and evil is resolved, concluded and “laid to rest.” Is there still a need for reminder of what was? Or is it a sign of God’s justice and the evidence of His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. This is the stark contrast which exists between Isaiah’s “revelation” and The Revelation of Jesus Christ given to John. Where the New Testament Revelation concludes with the glorious dwelling place forever new, Isaiah’s revelation speaks to life as it was in the present. Isaiah is shown the world before the cross where John is shown the Kingdom of God after the cross. The perspectives are stark reminders (yes, I know I am repeating that phrase often and it is for effect) of God’s truth. He is sovereign. His will is Law. There will be no appeal left for those who choose poorly and fatally. It serves as a reminder, mighty ones of God, to our own present-day reality. We see those who will make the same choice for their own lives and the suffering caused by it. It is not the picture of temporary consequences for making wrong choices. There is still forgiveness, mercy and grace which is God’s justice in blessing. The world is full of such moments in life and their challenges. What is presented at the end of Isaiah’s prophetic revelation is the reminder to those who still have an opportunity to relent and repent. If they do not, then God’s justice has provided a place of consequence which cannot be undone. God will not undo it lest His justice be undone itself.

Let us be witnesses to this truth, this awful truth. We dare not turn our eyes away from it for as long as we are in this world. We must see the fruit of the enemy’s work and know that it is sadly real. It is also not apart from the authority of God. It is an inescapable reality which we truly cannot imagine. But it exists and will continue to exist in its terror and despair forever.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works leading others to call Jesus Lord in faith, hope and love. AMEN.