The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1917-07-27

The Bible is throughout forward
looking book. No matter how dark
the light it looks forward to the dawn
of 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.
]. The Invitation, wv. 1-9) In or
der to understand the fullness and
blessedness Of this invitation, we
should read in it's connection chapters
53 and 81. 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 a
picture of the Messiah as our leader
and Savior. In chapter 55 we have
the invitation and joyous welcome to
the beautiful city which he is estab-
fishing for us.
(f) Who Is Invited7 The word "Ho"
is perhaps an abbreviation of the
word "Hold," used to excite attention
This invitation is extended to every
enc: (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 a 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 "wine," a luxury, and
milk" staple necessity, without
money and without price. The cur
rency of the kingdom of Heaven is
grace ". y.
(2) Who Will Gomez ". 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. 1929. 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 it
is, IAN everlasting covenant" Liter
ally, an agreement with promises
which can never be broken, namely,
"the sure mercies of David" (See II
Sam. II 20; Cor. 1927; Ps. SO 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. True
satisfaction is in its right order, (Scc
w. 2, -. Christ is faithful witness,
the exalted one, ". 81 to this cove
nant.
(3) When to Come w. g.. While I
he may be found, and while he is
near, implying time when he-may
not be found and a time when he will
not be near. All of Gods promises are [
(4) The Way to Come ". y. For
sake open sin, turn from unrighteOus
thought, turn to the Lord and receive
MS multiplied pardon" Man is every
where depicted in the Scriptures as
away from the true God !
N continuing in sin. y
II. The Transformation wv. S-13). =
1od's promises have back of them all 9
he power of the universe and are as .
ertain as the process of the seasons.
n working out his transformation in
he character of man, we are to think ]
lis thoughts after him. We see and
now only very little of this spirit, C
ut God sees, knows and controls the
which is at his command.
I Cor. :13; Phil. 4:19). We are to
inter- into his ways, and his ways are
s the heavens, higher than those of tn
ne earth. Having entered into his W
'ays we are to bring his fruits (see tn
ohm 15). If the Divine seed ". III If
implanted within us, then we may ex- ne
ect to see the fruits of the kingdom Oy
God, which are born of the spirit. te
Gal. 5:22-26). This transformation sa
wolves service, for we are to have a du
ission, "go out to all the EARTH" be- Id
g led by the Messiah and thus re-
i've "joy and peace" As sure as
he rain cometh down and the snow
ON heaven and returneth not but 20
atereth the earth" so is the seed of ms
e Word in the hands of the sower, to
come bread to the eater. As we go
nth we have his promise ". I'D that,
/ shall not return void but shall &C ju:
mplish that which / please, and Il
all prosper In the thing Fhereto /