Isaiah 1:11-16 is often used by the Institutional Church as “proof” that all Old Testament commands were done away with upon the death of Jesus. This is understandable when people fail to study, learn, believe and obey “… every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God” as Jesus Himself said all must do in order to spend eternity with Him. In John 14:10 we find Him saying that He Himself had to obey God’s Word in order to abide in His love. Yet in Isaiah 1:11-16 it appears to Bible sceptics that God is condemning the Israelites for doing exact what He had commanded them to do. By refusing to study all of the Bible Catholics and Protestants never understand why the Lord was condemning the Israelite’s religious practices, ALL OF WHICH HE HAD COMMANDED THEM TO OBSERVE. We find God condemning their sacrifices to Him, their burnt offerings, their blood offerings, their Sabbath observances, their new moons, their feasts, their prayers which He refused to answer, etc. Question: If the people were obeying His commands, why was He condemning them for doing so? Answer: God was not condemning them for following His commands, He was condemning them because, while they were doing all He had commanded them to do, THEY WERE LIVING IN SIN. The lesson God is teaching in this segment is that no matter how religious one is, if he has sin in his life HIS WORSHIP, SERVICE, CHURCHINESS, ETC. IS ALL IN VAIN.

This would be brought out many generations later when that same God (the Word–the God of the Old Testament Who became Jesus of Nazareth) said about those who followed Him during His time on earth: “In vain do they worship Me ….” Their worship of Him was in vain because they had chosen to obey man’s words rather than His words (Mat. 15:9). While the disciples of His day were claiming Him as their Savior they were refusing to accept Him as their Lord (Master/Ruler). NOTHING HAS CHANGED. The Catholic/Protestant Satan-empowered, man-dominated church system is following in the their spiritual ancestors’ deadly footsteps. Unfortunately for both groups, they will learn the hard way that in order for Jesus to be their Savior in the next life they must take Him as their Lord in this life. This website delivers this message repeatedly.

In Isaiah 1:21-23 the prophet writes that Jerusalem had once been faithful to the Lord. She had been a city filled with righteousness and right judgment. But of late she had become filled with rebellious killers, thieves and pleasure seekers who refuse to help those Jews who were in need. Remember that Isaiah’s letter was also to be delivered to the lost tribes of the House of Israel who had been scattered throughout the world. Isaiah’s words are as relevant to modern day Israel (Britain, the United States and so-called Israel) as they were to the Jews then.

The Judahites of old set a moral standard that their modern day descendants (Catholics and Protestants) still embrace today. The modern church’s “sinners saved by grace” believe that they have an unbreakable bond with God. Their ancestors of old believed that, because they were the children of Abraham, the fix was in for them. The modern church believes that the fix is in for them because they are “saved.” Both will realized the error of their thinking when they face the Lord. Revelation 12:9 still holds true: “Satan has deceived the whole world,” including the worldly religious groups who call themselves God’s people. See Born Again along with Hope and Salvation for more Biblical information concerning this deadly fallacy. L.J.