In parts 1 and 2 of this series we studied God’s Words of condemnation directed toward the religious establishment within the nation of Judah which was comprised of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi. He reminded them of their sins and the numerous curses He had poured out on them because of their sins. But His words of condemnation were not as devastating as what followed. Beginning in verse 11, He reveals to them His attitude toward their religious observances, ALL OF WHICH HE HAD COMMANDED THEM TO OBSERVE. His condemnation of their religiosity did not involve the activities themselves, but rather THE ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE AS THEY PERFORMED THEM.

This segment contains powerful information relative to God’s attitude toward people within the Catholic/Protestant Church System today who, as did their ancient ancestors, have turned their backs on God. Two thousand years ago Jesus asked those who claimed to embrace Him why they went through the motions of religiosity but refused to obey Him, why they said to Him, “Lord, Lord,” while their hearts were “far from Him” (Lk. 6:46). His message to them rings true to their religious descendants today.

Let us return now to Isaiah 1 where we read what He said to those who called Him their Lord but did not obey His Word. As we read His condemning words to them, recall that He had commanded them to do the very things He was now condemning. The message of Isaiah 1 is from Jesus to the counterfeit church in today’s world. His message to “the church” is that her religiosity is in vain because she does not obey Him. In James 2:10 we are told that to break even one of the Ten Commandments is to break all of them. Recall also that Jesus told the rich man that he would not receive eternal life because of “one thing.” That “one thing” was his refusal to obey commandment #10 (Lk. 18:22). Recall also that Jesus said that not one jot or tittle (smallest gramatical marks) could be removed from the Law (Mat. 5:18), that heaven and earth would pass away, but His Word (Law/ Truth) would not pass away (Mat. 24:35). These are inconvenient Truths that modern churchman refuses to believe, though they were spoken by the very One they claim has saved them. Truly, Satan has deceived the whole world, including the worldly church (Rev. 12:9)–his most prized prey.

In verse 11 God makes it clear that the Israelite’s meat sacrifices and oblations to Him had lost their meanings due to the sins of the people. In verses 12 and 13 He tells them that He rejected their congregating together in honor of Him. He rejected their burning of incense. He rejected their observing the new moons and the Sabbaths and the calling of their solemn meetings. In verse 14 He again rejected their new moons and their feasts which, He said, He HATED. People of that time used the moon for marking time. It was by the new moon that they knew when each month began. It was from the appearance of the new moon that they calculated the times of their holy days, festivals and sabbaths. In Hebrew, the word “moon” means “month.” In verse 14 He told them that He neither heard their prayers nor received their worship. God hated their religious activities, ALL OF WHICH HE HAD COMMANDED THEM TO DO because of their disobedience of, rebellion against and distain for His Law. In the eyes of God, to turn from Him automatically signaled a turning to Satan. Nothing has changed.

In verses 16 through 19 He tells them to get their spiritual houses in order and keep it in order by obeying Him. If they did so He would welcome them back as His people. If they refused they would be “devoured by the sword” (vs. 20).

This lesson is indeed intended for “us upon whom the ends of the world have come”–the modern Catholic/Protestant Church System. He is telling the world’s churches that their religious activities are all in vain, including her worship of Him. In Matthew 15:7-9 He speaks to the modern day church: “You hypocrites, I spoke Truth when I prophesied about you in Isaiah, saying, ‘These people draw near to Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.’ These people worship Me in vain because they teach their own commandments rather than My doctrines (commandments).”

Indeed, Isaiah 1 contains a powerful message for that two-headed, multi-bodied, Law-rejecting religious sewer that calls itself “the church.” God’s message to her is the same message He gave to the Jews of old: I HATE YOUR SABBATHS, YOUR PREACHING, YOUR PRAYERS, YOUR SINGING, YOUR BIBLE STUDY, YOUR SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS, YOUR TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMS, YOUR BOOKS, YOUR MOVIES, YOUR PERVERTED GOSPEL AND YOUR SALVATION., YOUR FALSE CHRIST AND YOUR FALSE ME. YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU CLAIM TO BE. YOU ARE NOT WHO YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE. WHEN YOU APPEAR BEFORE ME I WILL SAY TO YOU: “I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME YOU WHO WORK INIQUITY” (LAWLESSNESS)–Matthew 7:23.

Why is this loud and clear message rejected by those who call themselves God’s people? Why do the masses of church people, having God’s Truth in hand, refuse to believe and obey it? Because they have ignored Christ’s warning in Matthew 24:4 and 5. They have been deceived by the great deceiver, just as did their original parents. They are the Lord’s most dangerous enemies because they have convinced billions of salvation seekers that to join them in their false religion. L.J.