In the Book of Isaiah chapters 1:2-4 and 2:5,6 we find the Lord speaking through the prophet and addressing the 12 tribes of Israel whom He calls “My people” (a single nation) and “a (singular) sinful nation.” In 1:4 God calls Himself the “Holy One of (all) Israel.” It is important that we remember that though Isaiah was writing directly to the House of Judah–the Jews of the Holy Land–at that time (792-722 B.C.), His message was also to go to the globally scattered House of Israel at the end of the age. Some 700 years after Isaiah and Jeremiah wrote their letters to the scattered 10 northern tribes the Lord Jesus would send His 12 Apostles to find those tribes, whom He called the “Lost (scattered) Sheep of the House of Israel” (Mat. 10:6), and to tell them that their Messiah had come and would return to establish the Kingdom of God in their previous homeland (Mat. 24:14). He called the message they were to give to the lost Israelites His “… gospel of the kingdom” which He referred to as His “witness.” He also noted that when that gospel had been thoroughly preached throughout all the world “… then shall the end (of the world) come.” As a result of the apostles’ efforts, Isaiah and Jeremiah’s Words are today being read and heard by the “Lost Sheep of the House of Israel.” Those with eyes to see and ears to hear are seeing and hearing what the Lord had written to them through His holy prophets. Their Words were recorded and preserved in order to serve as instructions for the New Covenant Church (1 Cor. 10:11). Ephesians 2:20 reminds us that the modern church was founded on the writings of both the prophets and the apostles. The Lord called the prophets “… holy men of old” who spoke and wrote as they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21). We must not lose sight of the fact that “ALL Scripture” is inspired by God and to be used for rebuke, for correction and for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:14-16). And we must not forget the Words of the Lord Jesus Himself who identified His spiritual brethren as those who “… obey the Words of My Father in heaven” (Mat. 12:46-50). We must study (and obey) those Words to prove ourselves to the Father (2 Tim. 2:15). In order to be saved we must gain God’s approval by obeying His Word in letter and spirit. Jesus summarized the above in John 8:31 by telling His chosen disciples: “IF (they had a choice) YOU (disciples) obey My commandments (then and only then) you will be My disciples INDEED (not in name only).” If the original disciples had to obey God’s Word in order to be Christ’s spiritual brethren, surely anyone else seeking salvation must obey them. His warning to those who call themselves His brethren but who do not obey His Words is found in numerous Scriptures. In Luke 6:46 He asks such people: “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not what I say?” “Then I will say unto them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me (Mat. 7:23). In Matthew 15:8,9 we find Him aptly describing the modern day church: “These people draw near unto Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips but their heart is far from Me. They worship Me in vain by rejecting My doctrines while teaching the commandments of men.” L.J.