A Church That Bears the Fruit of the Three Courtyards (Isaiah 55:3–5) 1/1/2026
A Church That Bears the Fruit of the Three Courtyards (Isaiah 55:3–5) 1/1/2026
The book of Isaiah is often called the Gospel of the Old Testament. It most clearly prophesies the core message of Scripture and the three central covenants and blessings God has promised us. What are these three blessings? First, it is the covenant and blessing of Christ, who comes as the eternal answer to our lives (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 53:5; 60:1–2). Second, it is the covenant and blessing of the remnant—those who remain and are used by God with that answer (Isaiah 6:13; 10:21–22; 49:6).
Third, it is the blessing of saving all nations through them—the blessing of world evangelization (Isaiah 55:3–5; 60:3–5; 61:8–9).
Through these three blessings, what is the final blessing God intends to complete? (This is God’s absolute conclusion and the Bible’s ultimate conclusion).
In the Old Testament, this blessing is explained through the tabernacle and the temple. In the New Testament, it is explained as the blessing of the church.
What do the tabernacle, temple, and church represent? First, God allows us to worship Him in the sanctuary and the temple and to enjoy all the blessings He has prepared. This is why worship is so important. Sunday worship is worship given as we begin the new week. The New Year worship services close one year and prepare for the new year God allows. If we can begin each day, even briefly, with personal worship, our lives will surely change.
Then, are the tabernacle, temple, and church merely places of worship? The individual who worships is the tabernacle, the temple, and the church (1 Corinthians 3:16). All of us together who worship are the tabernacle, the temple, and the church (Matthew 18:19–20). Finally, the day will come when the tabernacle, temple, and church are eternally completed—the New Jerusalem church (the eternal church) descending upon the new heaven and new earth, completed by Christ at His return.
This is the conclusion of Isaiah (Isaiah 56:7; 60:7; 66:22) and the conclusion of the Bible (Revelation 21:1–5; 22:16). Each person who has been saved becomes a holy tabernacle, temple, and church, and on that day the church will fully restore the glory of the Triune God.
Israel failed, collapsed, and was taken into captivity because they lost hold of this blessing. This is also why God chose and saved the Jews first—yet when they lost the three covenants and the meaning of the tabernacle, temple, and church, they were ultimately defeated by Satan. This is the blessing that our church and each individual must continue to restore in the new year. We are called to be witnesses of this blessing.
- The ministry of the three courtyards is a blessing that must be restored in the tabernacle, the temple, and the church
The key to all ministry in the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place is Christ. Each year, the high priest sacrificed a lamb and sprinkled blood, and each day the priests offered sacrifices—this all points to the salvation work Christ accomplished for us. As our Savior, Redeemer, and Mediator, Christ finished every problem on the cross (John 19:30) and even now intercedes for us (Romans 8:34).
The issue comes after that. In the courtyard of the temple, there were three groups of people whom the saved were required to care for. These are the people we often refer to today as the marginalized, blind spots, and disaster zones. Who were they?
1) Gentiles who had not yet received salvation (multicultural ministry, 237 nations and 5,000 tribes).
① As people who were saved first, the Jews despised them, amd they later suffered destruction and hardship. They knew nothing of missions except the reluctant Jonah, and they turned the Court of the Gentiles into a marketplace (John 2:13–17).
② This year as well, we must focus on multicultural ministry and missions to the 237 nations and 5,000 tribes. We must discern what God truly desires. This is also why this year the small group system was reorganized so that all ethnicities are integrated by region.
2) The sick who could not enter the temple (healing ministry).
① In the Old Testament, the sick could not enter the temple. Rooms were prepared in the court of healing where they could stay, worship, and receive prayers for healing through the priests. This is why messages of healing continue to be proclaimed from the pulpit.
② This is also why, following medical missions, we established free weekend clinics. Through the gospel of Christ alone, we heal, evangelize, and do missions among those who suffer. Though it may seem small, it is what pleases God.
3) Children (remnants) preparing for the future.
① In Old Testament times, women and children were not allowed into the sanctuary or the temple. Rooms were therefore prepared in the courtyard for them. This is the meaning behind Jesus’ words, “Let the little children come to Me” (Matthew 19:14).
② Now, as four language groups gather and the Saturday Summit School—especially the preschool—continues to grow, we are lacking rooms. That is why we are preparing to build a new education building and mission center. Commit yourselves with the resolve that this may be the final work of your life.
- God promised how he would bless each of us for the ministry of the three courtyards
No matter how inadequate we may be, God has promised to bless us. This is why David is given as our model. God called him from the sheepfold (Psalm 78:70), and though he experienced many hardships and failures, God used him to the very end (1 Chronicles 29:28).
1) God established David as a witness to the nations. Hold onto the covenant, pray, and challenge yourself so that your studies, workplace, and industry may become testimony to all peoples. Hold onto the covenant, pray, and challenge yourself so that even your pain, shame, and tears become testimony. God says He will use even the wicked and the unrighteous if they return (v.7), for His thoughts and ways are different than ours (v.9). Turn your weakness, pain, failure, and shame into opportunities for healing and stepping stones for God’s work.
2) God established David as a leader for all peoples. Train leadership that saves and leads people. Establish spiritual foundations through prayer and the covenant (spirituality).
Develop character that embraces, yields, forgives, and helps others. This is why God allows problems and conflicts. Even Christ humbled Himself and obeyed to fulfill the Father’s will (Philippians 2:7–8). With this attitude, challenge yourself in study, work, and industry, relying on the power and grace of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). God will make your life a masterpiece.
3) God established David as a commander for the sake of all peoples.
① Learn to know spiritual realities and engage in spiritual warfare so that even one soul may be saved. This is why we continually pray over evangelism targets, breaking the powers of darkness behind them. Even those we evangelize may be attacked by Satan at any time—this is why we must serve as constant prayer watchmen.
② Missions are spiritual deployments overseas. This is why short-term missionaries pray and train together for at least forty days. David established watchtowers throughout the land, placing swords, shields, and watchmen there (Song of Songs 4:4). This is the ministry of the local church. God promised that when we hold onto the covenant (the covenant of 7-7-7) and pray, He will send His heavenly hosts and angels to work tirelessly on our behalf (Isaiah 62:6–7).
Then we will see the blessings of 3,000 disciples, 300 local churches, and 30 nations.
Conclusion – The year 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of our church. Until now, God has led us to the true blessings of the tabernacle, the temple, the church, and the Three Courtyards. This blessing is called an eternal covenant (v.3). It is a blessing we must enjoy in this age and continue to enjoy until the Lord returns. May the new year be a year in which the flowers of the Three Courtyards bloom and bear abundant fruit.