In Isaiah 5:1-5 the Lord, speaking through the Prophet Isaiah, is addressing the people of Judah concerning their failure to obey His commandments. Here he reminds them of how much He had done for them and how little they had done for Him, thereby revealing their lack of gratitude toward Him. He compares the unappreciative Jews to a vineyard which He had planted and nurtured, and from which He expected good grapes. Instead, He had received only “worthless grapes.” Because of their sins the Lord was telling them what He was going do to the “vineyard” known as the nation of Judah, which was composed of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, known as Judahites, whom the King James translators nicknamed “Jews.” God said to them: “Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard. I will remove its HEDGE (sukka–protective barrier) and it (His vineyard) will be consumed; I will tear down its WALL, and it will be trampled.”

God’s erects a spiritual HEDGE around the hearts (minds) of those who obey His Law (Genesis to Revelation), which He condensed into Ten Commandments. Always remember that what God did to and for Israel, which included Judah, He will do to and for the world’s “Christian nations,” specifically the leader of those nations, America. Read 2 Corinthians 10:11 to see how ancient Israel and modern-day America are spiritually one in the eyes of God. Read Who and Where is Israel Today? Key word–Today.

In this series we will identify that HEDGE (WALL) that the Lord places around His true saints who are a part of the world-encompassing group He calls “my people who are called by My name.” In Matthew 7:13,14 and 22:14 we learn that this group is tiny compared to those who make up the rest of the group which God calls His people. Though the groups share the same identity, they are as different as light and darkness. This is brought out in Revelation chapters two and three in which Jesus tells the Apostle John to write letters to the seven churches that were in existence at that time (about 100 A.D.). Note that He calls them HIS CHURCHES among whom HE STANDS (Rev. 1:10-20). But notice that only one of the seven churches gains His approval–the church at Philadelphia. Only the true Philadelphians were protected by His HEDGE. The Philadelphia church era was in existence from the early 1930′ until the late 1980’s when the church left the Lord and the Laodicean era came into being. That era is in existence at this time and will continue until the one-world church absorbs all religions and the Great Tribulation begins. Read The Ingathering. Key word–Ingathering.

In this series we will identify the spiritual “stones” in the Lord’s spiritual HEDGE and define exactly how that the WALL is “constructed.” We will also determine Scripturally what the HEDGE is designed to protect relative to God’s Very Elect saints who are continuously under attack by God’s spiritual enemies–Satan and his millions, possibly billions of fallen angels which are Biblically known as devils, commonly known as demons in the present world. The word “demon” comes from the Greek word “daimonion” meaning those angels that took Lucifer’s side in his attempt to dethrone God and take over the universe. Satan does most of his work through his demons, which is why casting them out is a major part of God’s ministry today.

One Biblical expression characterizes all of Satan’s attacks on the human species. It is found in Ephesians 6:16 where the Apostle Paul calls his attacks “FIERY DARTS.” Satan attacks man normally by offering him what he (man) wants. This is his favorite weapon of mass destruction as Jesus points out in Matthew 16 beginning with verse 21. Here we find the Lord telling His disciples that He would soon go to Jerusalem where He would suffer greatly and be put to death. However, Peter was having none of it. He rebuked Jesus, telling Him that He was NOT GOING TO DIE. In so doing He was saying that Jesus was either lying or mistaken. So where did Peter get such a notion? Jesus identifies the source in His words TO PETER: “Get behind Me SATAN, you are an offense to Me, for you do not value the things of God, but rather the THINGS OF MAN.” The scheme worked with Adam and Eve and is still working today.

Notice that Jesus was not speaking to Peter who was proclaiming what he (Peter) wanted to be the truth. This “fiery dart” was so powerful that it caused him to rebuke Jesus Whom he had earlier praised . Beginning with verse 13 we find Jesus asking the disciples whom the people were claiming Him (Jesus) to be. Some said He was John the Baptist, others said He was Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Then Jesus asked His disciples who they said He was. Peter spoke for all of them, saying: “You are the Christ (anointed One), the Son of the living God.” Now notice what Jesus said to Peter: “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you. My Father in heaven revealed that Truth to you.” Note that Peter had heard, recognized and proclaimed the Words of God, which were words that he (Peter) wanted to hear. However, upon hearing Christ’s Words, a “fiery dart” from Satan entered Peter’s mind and immediately exited through his mouth because the words were what he (Peter) wanted to hear and repeat. Peter, having not yet been converted (read Luke 22:32), and therefore not having a HEDGE to protect him, heard the devil’s “fiery dart” of rebellion, liked what he heard, believed it and spoke it. Fiery dart indeed.

An explanation is in order concerning the spiritual condition of the disciples BEFORE CHRIST’S DEATH AND RESURRECTION. The disciples had not received the Holy Spirit which is awarded only after true justification followed by true conversion. Notice in Acts 1:1-8 where Jesus, having returned to earth from heaven, told the disciples to remain in Jerusalem where they were to wait for “the promise” of God (the Holy Spirit) which would be awarded them. In verse eight He tells them that they would RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME UPON THEM.” That power would enter their hearts (minds) and would enable them to serve the Lord with Words, signs, wonders and miracles. It would also provide for them a HEDGE that would ENABLE THEM to ward off the “fiery darts” of temptation coming from Satan. And most importantly, THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD ENABLE THEM TO WALK HOLY BEFORE THE LORD THEIR GOD which they, and we, must do in order to receive salvation upon His return to earth. Read Hope and Salvation and Born Again. Key words–Hope and Born respectively.

That Jesus’ disciples did not have the Spirit-constructed HEDGE of protection against Satan is evidenced in John 6:59-66 where we find Jesus speaking to a group of Jews and saying some rather drastic things– things that offended most of his disciples. For this cause the offended ones left Him and returned to the world. This did not surprise Him because He knew who were true believers, as well as the one who would eventually betray Him. In Luke 10:1 we find Jesus sending out 70 disciples to minister in His name. In verse 17 we find them returning, proclaiming that “even the devils are subject unto us.” Most of them would later leave Him as recorded in John 6:59-66

I want to make it clear that, in the spiritual realm, “all that glitters is not gold.” Read All That Glitters.” Key word–Glitters. The vast majority (I believe 99%) of those preaching today, some of whom have miracle ministries and pastor mega-churches, ARE NOT GOD’S MESSENGERS, nor are those who believe what they are being told by them. These are they who make up the 99% I referred to earlier who are called God’s people. The Lord said in Jeremiah 14:14,15; 23:21,32;27:15; 29:9 concerning those ministers who were (and are) leading the people astray, “I DID NOT SEND THEM.” I have first-hand experience in that spiritual arena because I was once one of them. I was preaching, healing the sick and casting out demons. I once raised a man from the dead. I had answered God’s call to His ministry. However, I had, not answered His call to holiness, righteousness and godliness. Later, having embraced God’s Gospel Truth, I was truly converted, received the Holy Spirit into my heart, and embraces Jesus as my LORD. Not long afterwards He put me on the internet through a man I had never met. L.J.