eschatology, the Beautiful Branch (Is.3-4)

The next description of the Tribulation and what will happen to the unbeliever/s is found in Isaiah 3.  Interestingly, the following scriptures focus on women...

 (Isaiah 3:16-26)  Moreover, the Lord said, “Because the daughters of Zion are proud
And walk with heads held high and seductive eyes,
And go along with mincing steps
And tinkle the bangles on their feet,
17 Therefore the Lord will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs,
And the Lord will make their foreheads bare.”

18 In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, headbands, crescent ornaments, 19 dangling earrings, bracelets, veils, 20 headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume boxes, amulets, 21 finger rings, nose rings, 22 festal robes, outer tunics, cloaks, money purses, 23 hand mirrors, undergarments, turbans and veils.

24 Now it will come about that instead of sweet perfume there will be putrefaction;
Instead of a belt, a rope;
Instead of well-set hair, a plucked-out scalp;
Instead of fine clothes, a donning of sackcloth;
And branding instead of beauty.
25 Your men will fall by the sword
And your mighty ones in battle.
26 And her gates will lament and mourn,
And deserted she will sit on the ground.

Those who repent will be saved.  If they die within those seven years, of course - they enter heaven!  And for those who are alive at the end of the Tribulation - they will enter the Millennium...

(Isaiah 4:2-6)  2 In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel. 3 It will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem. 4 When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and purged the bloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning, 5 then the Lord will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy. 6 There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.

Today's takeaway:  the ultimate climate control!  okay, just KIND OF kidding.  But that's exactly what God gave the Israelites when they wandered the wilderness for 40 years.  This just shows how compassionate and considerate God is, though.  He even regards our physical comfort.  And as a woman going through menopause, I can REALLY appreciate this!!!

NOW - a little more seriously...  and this even addresses some of what we read yesterday.  I see a trend where people (rightfully) start to fight for equality - but eventually begin to fight for superiority.  We are all equal.  And in Christ, we are all equal... 

(Romans 3:21-24)  But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus

Now, for some reason, God ordained that things be a certain way, but it does not make us less equal.  Also, some of this could be as a result of sin - the consequences of eating that fruit!  Nonetheless, a wife is to respect her husband.  This is the love-language that men desire and respond to.  Women's love-language is different, so husbands are told to step up and be ultimately responsible for the well-being of his family.  He is to lead by example and be Christ-like... sacrificial loving, caring, sharing, being compassionate, treating others as he would like to be treated, considering others more important than himself... Jesus even told His disciples...

(Matthew 20:25-28)  Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

As a woman, I also need to apply these traits.  Trust me - I'm no wilting-flower-type!  I have a very strong personality.  I've even been called "tenacious".  So, back when I was single, I waited for the right man to come along who would be able to match my intensity, in personality as well as in his walk with God.  So the personal message for myself (the verses that popped into my head as I read the passages above) is...

(1 Peter 3:1-4)  In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

(2 Corinthians 4:16)  Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

(1 Samuel 16:7)  ...the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”