Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-07-26


The Bible is throughout a forward
book. No matter how dark
the light it looks forward to the dawn,
of a new and better day. Whenever
written, the prophet looks forward to-
ward the end of the Babylonian exile. |
Isaiah died about 142 years before that
event That scene is laid in Baby
lonia. Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem !
I. The Invitation, (vv. 1-S) In or |
der to understand the fullnesS and |
blessedness of this invitation, we |
should read in it's connection chapters
So and "a. In chapter So we have a
prophecy and vision of the Messiah,
making his atonement for sins,
wounded for our transgressions-"
Again We have in this connection
picture of the Messiah as our leader
and Savior. In chapter 90 we have
the invitation and joyous welcome to
the beautiful city which he is estaD-
fishing for US.
90 Who Is Invited? The word "Ho'
is perhaps an authorization OF the
word "HoId," used to excite attention.
This invitation is extended to every
one: (a) the Thirsty" to those who
are needy; (b) the poor and the rich;
those without money" and the supply
is abundant, even as the water. Every
one is invited without limitation or
distinction The greatness of mans
spirit is measured by the numbers of
his desires and thirsts, by their quail
tiles and by his capacities or the in
| tensity of his thirst. Those invited
were to have 'swine,'' a luxury, and
"milk," a staple necessity, without
money and without price. The cur
rency of the kingdom of Heaven is
| grace ". ID
(2) Who Will Come? ". 81. Only
those who are listening and who are
attentive. Many fail of eternal life
because they do not pay attention to
the claims of religion. Come unto
me-" Matt. IL :2S). We go to God
for salvation and help, and we find
life. Life is more than mere exist
ence 1t is the natural, harmonious,
joyous activity of every part of our
being. The result of coming is, ''your
soul shall live" and the surety of ii
is, ian everlasting covenant" Liter
ally, an agreement with promises
which can never be broken, namely
.'the sure mercies of David" (See L
Sam. II 30; Cor. II 1927; Ps. 80 IA
also Luke 20 Al, Az. We are bought
but we did not pay the price. The
mercies of David are the antitype Of
our Savior; the mercy of grace Tru'
satisfaction is in its right order, (Se'
w. 2, 81. Christ is q faithful witness
the exalted one, ". 81 to this cove
nant.
, (3) When to Come ". g.. Whil'
, he may be found, and while he
; near. implying a time when he ma
: not be found and a time when he vii
! | not be near. All of Gods promises ar
> conditional.
: (4) The Way to Come ". -. Fol
2 sake open sin, turn from unr1ghteou
D thought, turn to the Lord and receiv
a his multiplied pardon" Man is ever,
b where depicted in the Scriptures q
: wandering away from the true Go
d and there is no salvation if we insis
f on continuing in sin.
t III. The Transformation wv. S-13
e Gods promises have back of them a
e the power of the universe and are 6
e certain as the process of the season
; In working out his transformation
l. the character of man, we are to thin
his thoughts after him. We see ar
know only very little of this spiri
r but God sees, knows and controls Il
a universe, winch Is Ut HIS ColAAusiii
q Il Cor 10 rs; Phil. :19). We are
v enter into his ways, and his ways a
u as the heavens, higher than those
q the earth. Having entered into b
n ways we are to bring his fruits Isl
John 15). If the Divine seed ". L
~ is implanted within us, then we may e
E pect to see the fruits of the kingdo
ID of God, which are born of the spir
r (Gal. :22-26). This transformati'
= involves service, for we are to have
q mission, 'go out to all the EARTH.
AZ ing led by the Messiah and thus i
u ceive 10y and peace" As sure
III "the rain cometh down and the snt
I'D from heaven and returneth not b
ie watereth the EARTH" SO is the seed
VI the Word in the hands of the sower,
become bread to the eater. As we
forth we have his promise ". 11) tn
lit shall not return void but shall
10 complish that which 1 please, and
ey shall prosper in the thing whereto
IL sent it,
oo As result the "'thorns" (ev
IN shall be displaced by Zig tree
IN (good). Gods word bears fruit in i
er' planted lives. (John 6 :33; James i
nR I Peter L :23). God calls this wo
: which is spoken of by the prophet, -
loi word" What the prophet says, G
ne says. What an inspired man says. G
ny inspires him to say. Gods prom
No will be consummated in redeeming
i | eiety no we'll aS refleemlpg creati