The Year of His Redeemed–The Sign of the Day Vengeance

We are to study the sixty-third chapter of Isaiah. In this chapter we find recorded a prophetic conversation among three persons: the prophet the Lord and a person living at the time the prophecy of this chapter is fulfilled. The subjects of the conversation are Edom ancient Israel their deliverance from Egypt and the peoples redemption in the day this scripture is fulfilled. The part that should concern us most is to know the time. To gain this information I shall read verse 16. Doubtless Thou art our Father though Abraham be ignorant of us and Israel acknowledge us not: Thou O Lord art our Father our Redeemer Thy name is from everlasting. Isa. 63:16. -1TG43 11.1

The words of the person speaking in behalf of the people who are brought face to face with the revelation of this chapter reveal that he and his people are unknown to Abraham. Since Abraham well knew of the rise of ancient Israel but understood practically nothing of the rise of the Christians then the Christians must be the people of whom he is ignorant. The truth then stands out clearly that the chapter finds its fulfillment in the Christian era. Now to find whether it is concerning the early or latter day Christians we shall read verses 18 and 19 also Isaiah 64:10, 11, for the subject matter of chapter 64 is but a continuation of chapter 63: -1TG43 11.2

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The people of Thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down Thy sanctuary. We are thine: Thou never barest rule over them they were not called by Thy name. Isa. 63:18, 19. -1TG43 12.1

Thy holy cities are a wilderness Zion is a wilderness Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and our beautiful house where our fathers praised Thee is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste. Isa. 64:10, 11. -1TG43 12.2

Here is seen that the longing of the people is for the restoration of the temple and for their repossession of the promised land. Now the fact that the temple and the land are still in the hands of Arabs and unbelieving Jews (those who were never called by His name never called Christians) is proof positive that chapters 63 and 64 are fulfilled in the latter part of the Christian era the part in which the time of the Gentiles in the promised land is fulfilled. Moreover that these chapters are now unveiled to us and also the fact that the message for today has caused us to cry to the Lord for just such a deliverance the facts are that the time for the fulfillment of the prophecy that is in these chapters is already here. -1TG43 12.3

Since you now positively know that these chapters are concerning you and me we are ready to start the study of the chapters verse by verse– -1TG43 12.4

Isa 63:1 — Who is this that cometh from Edom with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in His apparel travelling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness mighty to save. -1TG43 12.5

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In vision the prophet saw someone with bloodstained garments hastily returning from Edom and Bozrah. To the prophets question Who is this that cometh from Edom with dyed garments from Bozrah? came the answer I that speak in righteousness mighty to save. -1TG43 13.1

Who else could this person be but the Lord Himself the Saviour of the world the Mighty One to save? -1TG43 13.2

Again the prophet asked -1TG43 13.3

Isa 63:2 — Wherefore art Thou red in Thine apparel and Thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? -1TG43 13.4

The answer to these questions introduces a series of solemn events the events recorded in -1TG43 13.5

Isa 63:3-5 — I have trodden the winepress alone and of the people there was none with Me: for I will tread them in Mine anger and trample them in My fury and their blood shall be sprinkled upon My garments and I will stain all My raiment. For the day of vengeance is in Mine heart and the year of My redeemed is come. And I looked and there was none to help and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore Mine Own arm brought salvation unto Me and My fury it upheld Me. -1TG43 13.6

The statements I have trodden the winepress alone I looked and there was none to help and I wondered that there was none to uphold (all in the past tense) show the Saviours zeal and determination to save His misled people at His first advent though there was no one with Him to help that is all the priests and religious leaders — the General Conference of His day (the Sanhedrin) were against Him instead of helping Him in His work. But the statements for I will tread them in Mine anger and trample them in My fury and their blood shall be sprinkled upon My garments and I will stain all My raiment for the day of vengeance is in Mine heart and the year of My redeemed is come and I looked and there was none to help and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore Mine Own arm brought salvation unto Me and My fury it upheld Me (all in future tense) — show the present churchs condition not only equally as bad as at His first coming but even much worse. How true that history repeats As the day of vengeance approaches those who are supposed to uphold and help in the work of redemption the ministers and religious leaders the antitypical Sanhedrin of today (the General Conference) are seen to be hindering standing in His way of reaching the people. Thus they incur His displeasure and necessarily He girds Himself to free His people from the hands of unfaithful shepherds. They cause Him to stain His garments with their blood as He tramples them in His fury. -1TG43 13.7

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Isa 63:6 — And I will tread down the people in Mine anger and make them drunk in My fury and I will bring down their strength to the earth. -1TG43 14.1

The Lords brief explanation of the situation is amplified by the prophet Ezekiel. Says He: -1TG43 14.2

He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice saying Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. And behold six men came from the way of the higher gate which lieth toward the north and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand and one man among them was clothed with linen with a writers inkhorn by his side: and they went in and stood beside the brasen altar. And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub whereupon he was to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen which had the writers inkhorn by his side and the Lord said unto him Go through the midst of the city through the midst of Jerusalem and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing Go ye after him through the city and smite: let not your eye spare neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young both maids and little children and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. Ezek. 9:1-6. -1TG43 14.3

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Ezekiels prophecy plainly reveals that this cleansing work takes place in the church (in Jerusalem) in the time to separate the unfaithful from among the faithful the time to destroy the tares (Matt. 13:30) to cast out the bad fish (Matt. 13:47-49) to purify the church ( Testimonies Vol. 5, pg. 80) to purify the ministry (Mal. 3:1-3) to cleanse the sanctuary (Dan. 8:14) — the Judgment work for the Living. The Spirit of Prophecy in our day has this to say: -1TG43 15.1

…But the days of purification of the church are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. -1TG43 15.2

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The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that his fan is in his hand and he will thoroughly purge his floor…. -1TG43 16.1

Here we see that the church — the Lords sanctuary — was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of Gods power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief and they say The Lord will not do good neither will he do evil. He is too merciful to visit his people in judgment. Thus peace and safety is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show Gods people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men maidens and little children all perish together. — Testimonies Vol. 5, pp. 80, 211. -1TG43 16.2

And the apostle Peter adds: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 1 Pet. 4:17, 18. -1TG43 16.3

Since Gods people of today are not in the land of Edom south of Palestine but are scattered throughout the earth and since the Lord is to slay their enemies in order to free them the truth is obvious: These are antitypical Edom and Bozrah. -1TG43 16.4

After Esau of old sold his birthright for a mess of pottage he was called Edom and the name Bozrah means sheepfold. Plainly then the Edomites of Isaiah 63:1 are those who in our day have sold their birthright and who at the same time are persecuting (as did Esau persecute Jacob) those who have bought it so to speak. Thus it is that as Gods people had to be delivered from the Sanhedrin in Christs day they must now be delivered from the General Conference the antitypical Edomite brethren in order to be led into all Truth and into their fathers land. -1TG43 16.5

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The words the year of My redeemed is come and the day of vengeance is in Mine heart clearly says that the Lords strange work in Edom and Bozrah is the day of vengeance and a sign of antitypical Israels (the church purified) returning to the home land. -1TG43 17.1

Isa 63:7-10 — I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord and the praises of the Lord according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us and the great goodness toward the house of Israel which He hath bestowed on them according to His mercies and according to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses. For He said Surely they are My people children that will not lie: so He was their Saviour. In all their affliction He was afflicted and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them and He bare them and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled and vexed His holy Spirit: therefore He was turned to be their enemy and He fought against them. -1TG43 17.2

The testimony of this person reveals that a complete transformation has taken place in him that he has caught a vision of the Lords goodness of His longsuffering and of His tender mercy — he is convinced that the Lord will not acquit the guilty. From his testimony is also seen that the Lord is not a cruel brutish person seeking to kill and to destroy but that He is kind and merciful patient and just that He is worthy to be praised. This person endeavors to prove this to others by calling attention to the Lords dealings with His ancient people showing that He bore long with them that only for their own good did He punish them — to bring them back to Him and away from idolatry and eternal ruin. -1TG43 17.3

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Moreover the scripture plainly shows that the need of deliverance today is similar to that of Moses day. -1TG43 18.1

Isa 63:11-15 — Then he remembered the days of old Moses and his people saying Where is He that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of His flock? where is He that put His Holy Spirit within him? that led them by the right hand of Moses with His glorious arm dividing the water before them to make Himself an everlasting name? that led them through the deep as an horse in the wilderness that they should not stumble? As a beast goeth down into the valley the Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest: so didst Thou lead Thy people to make Thyself a glorious name. Look down from heaven and behold from the habitation of Thy holiness and of Thy glory: where is Thy zeal and Thy strength the sounding of Thy bowels and of Thy mercies toward me? are they restrained? -1TG43 18.2

Since there is in prophecy a cry for a similar deliverance as was seen in Moses time the facts are obvious: The church has been led into bondage and now needs to be delivered. Years ago Inspiration forewarned: -1TG43 18.3

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The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers who preach self instead of Christ would have it thus. The testimonies are unread and unappreciated. God has spoken to you. Light has been shining from his word and from the testimonies and both have been slighted and disregarded. The result is apparent in the lack of purity and devotion and earnest faith among us. — Testimonies Vol. 5, pg. 217. -1TG43 19.1

Isa 63:16, 17 — Doubtless Thou art our Father though Abraham be ignorant of us and Israel acknowledge us not: Thou O Lord art our Father our Redeemer Thy name is from everlasting. O Lord why hast Thou made us to err from Thy ways and hardened our heart from Thy fear? Return for Thy servants sake the tribes of thine inheritance. -1TG43 19.2

The people that are crying deliverance are those whom Abraham did not know and whom Israel of today (the Denomination) does not acknowledge. That is as pointed out at the beginning of our study Abraham was ignorant of the Christians and the people that cry out for deliverance at the fulfillment of this prophecy are not by antitypical Israel (the Denomination) acknowledged as such. Thus it is that though Abraham of old does not know us and though the Denomination does not acknowledge us yet we know that God has given us a message and that a change has taken place in us: that we are no longer satisfied lukewarm and that we are no longer unconscious of our Laodicean wretchedness misery poverty blindness and nakedness. We know that this is the work of God in our hearts that we are truly being born again born through the Holy Spirit — that we are now better Seventh-day Adventists than we were before. We can therefore with confidence say: Doubtless Thou are our Father our Redeemer Thy name is everlasting though we are constantly and sarcastically told by our brethren No you are not Seventh-day Adventists. -1TG43 19.3

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Isa 63:18, 19 — The people of Thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down Thy sanctuary. We are thine: Thou never barest rule over them they were not called by Thy name. -1TG43 20.1

True our ancestors were in the land and enjoyed the sanctuary service for a number of years yet considering that they were to possess it forever then the statement The people of Thy holiness have possessed it but a little while is altogether true. Arabs and unconverted Jews who now possess the land are not Christians they are not called by Christs name and never have been. -1TG43 20.2

Isa 63:17 — O Lord why hast Thou made us to err from Thy ways and hardened our heart from Thy fear? Return for Thy servants sake the tribes of Thine inheritance. -1TG43 20.3

Here is one who recognizes that the people of God are in error — not following Gods ways and that they do not fear Him. The messengers plea is therefore for God to return to them not to forsake them forever. -1TG43 20.4

The prayer of chapter sixty-three continues throughout chapter sixty-four and gives a good example as to what our prayers should be about at this very time. Let us read it through. -1TG43 20.5

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Isa 64:1-12 — Oh that Thou wouldest rend the heavens that Thou wouldest come down that the mountains might flow down at Thy presence as when the melting fire burneth the fire causeth the waters to boil to make Thy name known to Thine adversaries that the nations may tremble at Thy presence When Thou didst terrible things which we looked not for Thou camest down the mountains flowed down at Thy presence. -1TG43 21.1

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear neither hath the eye seen O God beside Thee what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him. Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness those that remember Thee in Thy ways: behold Thou art wroth for we have sinned: in those is continuance and we shall be saved. -1TG43 21.2

But we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags and we all do fade as a leaf and our iniquities like the wind have taken us away. And there is none that calleth upon Thy name that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee: for Thou hast hid Thy face from us and hast consumed us because of our iniquities. -1TG43 21.3

But now O Lord Thou art our Father we are the clay and Thou our Potter and we all are the work of Thy hand. Be not wroth very sore O Lord neither remember iniquity for ever: behold see we beseech Thee we are all Thy people. Thy holy cities are a wilderness Zion is a wilderness Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and our beautiful house where our fathers praised Thee is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste. Wilt Thou refrain Thyself for these things O Lord? wilt Thou hold Thy peace and afflict us very sore? -1TG43 21.4

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Now is our opportunity now is our privilege to make this prayer personally our own. Now we can intelligently say Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. Now we can wholeheartedly exclaim: How shall we sing the Lords song in a strange land? If I forget thee O Jerusalem let My right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee let My tongue cleave to the roof of My mouth if I prefer not Jerusalem above My chief joy. Remember O Lord the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem who said Rase it rase it even to the foundation thereof. Psa. 137:4-7. -1TG43 22.1

Now that you plainly see the signs and the time of our redemption and of the day of Gods vengeance against unrepented sinners fast approaching you are urged to make ready to sigh and cry against the abominations to receive the mark of deliverance to be among the firstfruits. Now you can happily and understandingly seek the Kingdom of Heaven and Its righteousness and assuredly know that the material things of life should not predominate over the spiritual that they shall be added unto you (Matt. 6:25- 34). Heaven therefore expects you without delay to definitely and openly take your stand on the side of Truth. Now that the year of His redeemed is come that the signs of the day of vengeance are here now is the opportune moment to make your decision. You cannot afford to procrastinate for says the Spirit of all Truth: Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith To day if ye will hear His voice harden not your hearts as in the provocation in the day of temptation in the wilderness: when your fathers tempted Me proved Me and saw My works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation and said They do alway err in their heart and they have not known My ways. So I sware in My wrath They shall not enter into My rest.) Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily while it is called To day [not yesterday not the day of Miller or of White] lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end while it is said To day if ye will hear His voice harden not your hearts as in the provocation. For some when they had heard did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was He grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware He that they should not enter into His rest but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Heb. 3:7-19. -1TG43 22.2

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