FROM ASHES TO BEAUTY (part one) Introduction You are a rare individual indeed if you can say I have lived a charmed and trouble free life. On occasions I have heard a few Christian couples say, “We have never had an argument, nor has a harsh word ever passed between us”. If you fit into that category then read no further, because this effort has little to offer you, nor might I add will much of the Bible. However for redeemed mortals such as myself, who in spite of being saved, I often found myself struggling with the consequences of ill-conceived hasty decisions, there is much benefit. Regardless of whether those decisions were self-inflicted, or were made by others for us (before or after our conversion) makes little difference, for they are equally painful. Isaiah is filled with hope and inspiration for the weary soul. There are more prophecies in Isaiah concerning the church than all of the prophetic books combined; therefore this book is extremely important, and of particular interest to each one of us. Prophecy concerns itself with the present, as well as the future. A prophet speaks on behalf of another. Isaiah was such a one. He was an Oracle sent by God to declare what he had received by direct revelation from Him. The marvellous theme of this book. Isaiah is the Bible in miniature. It has 66 chapters that numerically correspond to the 66 books of the Bible. It is divided into two parts. The first section (39 chapters) deals with law and judgment, and corresponds to the 39 books of the O.T. The second section, (the last 27 chapters) correspond to the 27 books of the N.T. The message it brings is one of comfort and deliverance through Christ. The theme of the first section (like Jeremiah 200 years later) predicts the coming judgment and captivity of Israel, because of sin and apostasy; while the theme of the last section is one of compassion, mercy, and the final restoration of all His people in the last days. There’s no attempt in this short treatise to deal with its authorship or examine the chapters in the first division, but what we shall seek to do is confine most of our remarks to the second half of this marvellous book. There are many similarities to be seen in this wonderful work. Isaiah was married Isaiah 7:3 and had two sons Shear-jashub (A remnant shall return) and Maher-shalal-hash-baz (Hurrying to the spoil), their names were prophetic. Isaiah’s wife also prophesied; Isaiah 8:3. read it. The second 27 chapters are not historical but prophetically written some two hundred years before the events began to take place, with the emphasis on before. It refers to Cyrus the Persian King who was named 200 years before he was born. This prophecy speaks of the Messiah, redemption, restoration, and the ultimate consummation of God’s great plan for His people. The chapters are entwined around the ever-recurring theme of the coming of Christ into the world, not just to His people, but also for His people. The central message is the supreme Lordship of Jehovah, as our only Saviour. The central chapter of the last division is Isaiah 53 which is devoted to a lengthy description that fits only one figure in all human history, and when we reflect that it was written 700 years beforehand one finds it hard to imagine that any sane person would question the Bible’s inspiration. To be continued www.kingdomline.com .