People Who Are in the Covenant of the Watchmen (Isaiah 62:1-7) 5/3/2020
The Answers of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd RUTC:
People Who Are in the Covenant of the Watchmen (Isaiah 62:1-7) 5/3/2020
It is said that there are only three ways to overcome the coronavirus. First, it is the method of protecting myself by social distancing to prevent contact with the virus. This is the most passive method and one that cannot be continued for long. Second, it is to develop a cure so that medication treatment can become possible. Third, it is for me to have an immune system strong enough to fight the virus to where my body produces antibodies. May you really go through renewal for your health during these times (refer to Pastor’s Column). For us who have the covenant, there is something above this that is more important. God must hold onto us. It said that although many disasters, diseases, and tribulations come in the end days, God will hold onto those who look upon Him (Revelation 7:3-4, Psalm 91:6-11). It is promised especially in Psalm 91:11 that “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” The same promise was given in verse 6 of today’s passage. “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night.” These angels were used when Peter was imprisoned while sharing the Gospel and even when Paul encountered a storm (Acts 12:7, 27:33).
- What is the reason? Find the absolute covenant in this.
Why are we given this covenant when many people are suffering from personal problems and dying from the virus? Whatever we do in life (studies, business, work, pastoral ministry), we must find the absolute reason inside God’s covenant.
1) It is because we know Christ and have been saved by His righteousness and power (Covenant of salvation in Christ).
“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch” (verse 1). The Zion in this is the people who have been saved by God’s righteousness and Christ’s grace. He says that the stronger the darkness, the light will shine brighter like a blazing torch. We are those who, by His blood, has been freed from all curses, Satan, and authority of hell. Who are angels? They are ministering spirits who were sent to serve the inheritors of God who have been saved (Hebrews 1:14).
2) It is because there is a conclusion God wants to make through us who have been saved (Covenant of the conclusion in Christ).
“The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory” (verse 2). God is saying that He will raise us, who are lacking and failing, as ones who will show evidence and God’s glory to the world. How do these works take place through those whose nation has perished and who have been taken as captives? That is God’s power and conclusion. This is the reason we need to change our pain and problems into evidence. He will raise us as people who will save the world.
3) For this, He has given us an identity that will enjoy God’s blessing (Covenant of the identity in Christ).
① It says, “You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God” (verse 3). Who can receive the crown of a king? His children. We have the identity of His children (John 1:12, Romans 8:15-17).
② It says, “you will be called Hephzibah (one who is in the Lord’s delight), and Beulah (land of the married)” (verse 4). We are within His absolute love. If there is a reason, it is only that He feels pity (compassion) for us (Romans 9:23). Furthermore, my life has become God’s possession. That is why everything must become a blessing and evidence.
- Now, what must we do?
“And give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth” (verse 7). It means that no matter what the problem is, God will work if we hold onto the covenant and pray. Pray a prayer of preparing three vessels.
1) A prayer of building spiritual strength in order to receive answers where you can save the church (preparation of the vessel of a spiritual summit).
① God has sworn with His right hand, by His mighty arm (verse 8). It means that God will show His power. It says that the enemy will never take the harvests of your labor. Continuously fight a spiritual battle with the power and authority of Christ. At last, you will have victory enter the courts of God’s Sanctuary (God’s church) and drink from the cup of that blessing (drink of celebration) (verse 9).
② This is the blessing the believers who have realized the fact that Jesus is the Christ will enjoy (Matthew 16:16-19).
He said that he will build His church on this rock (blessing of saving the church), gates of hades will not overcome (spiritual victory), and the keys of the kingdom of heaven will be given (fruits of prayer answers). Enjoy this blessing through prayer. Evangelism, revival, finances, and everything will be restored. You end up losing everything if you don’t have spiritual strength. May this be a time of enjoying life’s greatest deep prayer because of the coronavirus.
2) Pray so that I become a vessel where I inevitably do world evangelism in accordance with God’s conclusion (preparation of the vessel for world evangelism).
① It says to pass through the gates and prepare the way for the people (verse 10).
We must make a vessel that can understand and be considerate to all people in prayer. God will give you that heart. As we participate in online worship, we can understand those who regularly attend worship online, and I believe that the doors to 300 regional churches will open even faster.
② It says to build up the highway and remove the stones. It means to break my old frames (age, experience, race, culture) and prepare a new frame.
It is difficult to break this on my own. The Holy Spirit will change it when you sincerely pray. We need to experience this kind of working of the Holy Spirit. With that, we need to study about multi-cultures, multi-race, and multi-languages. Especially remnants, challenge with a commission to study at least two languages for world evangelism. Korea is being looked differently due to the coronavirus. It will become a large door for missions. China has ¼ of the world’s population. Spanish is spoken in the 33 countries in Central and South America and even in Europe. Southeast Asia and the 55 countries in Africa can be saved with English.
③Then it says to raise a banner for the nations. It means to devote to true missions.
To raise a banner means taking the lead upfront. The person who raises a banner (flag) in the front during a war is in more danger. It is a life-staking true devotion. The word “presbytery” means to “foresee and take the lead.” Train to devote like this while you are a remnant.
3) Pray to become a vessel that will devote itself to the Age of the Remnant and Age of RUTC (a vessel that prepares the future).
It says that salvation will come upon the Daughter Zion (restoration of all things lost) and says to proclaim that rewards and recompense accompanies is before him (verse 11).
① The Bible usually calls us who are children of God with the word sons, but here we are called daughters. It is an expression that has a meaning of deeper affectionate love towards the weak people of the Lord, and also includes a pity for the next generation.
② We do not only see our generation. We need to prepare the next generation before we go (son, daughter, grandson, and granddaughter generation).
Although David could not build the temple he desired so much, he made all the preparations so that the next generation could build it (1 Chronicles 29). This week is children’s Sunday. May all parents become the greatest prayer background for the posterity.
Conclusion – God says that He will raise watchmen for us. Our prayers will make works that will make those watchmen work with no rest. May the time that has been bound due to the coronavirus rather become a time of deep prayer to prepare the next 30 years.