Isaiah's Vision of the Lord
On April 7, 1974, Brother Stephen delivered a ministry focusing on Isaiah 6, where Isaiah experiences a profound vision of the Lord following the death of King Uzziah. This moment marks a critical turning point in Isaiah's life, as he seeks God in the temple amidst a personal crisis. Isaiah sees the Lord high and lifted up, surrounded by seraphim proclaiming His holiness. This vision reveals God's sovereignty and control over all circumstances, providing comfort to Isaiah in a time of uncertainty. Stephen emphasizes that crises in life can lead to spiritual awakening and deeper understanding of God's presence. Isaiah's recognition of his unclean lips symbolizes the need for purification, which is granted through God's grace. After being cleansed, Isaiah hears God's call to be a prophet, illustrating the importance of seeing the Lord before responding to His call. Stephen concludes that true hope lies not in ourselves or the world, but solely in Christ, urging believers to seek God in times of crisis and to be vessels for His message.
Outline of Main Points
Introduction to Isaiah's vision in the temple.
The significance of King Uzziah's death in Isaiah's life.
Isaiah's vision of God's sovereignty and holiness.
The importance of seeking God during crises.
Isaiah's recognition of his unclean lips and need for purification.
God's call to Isaiah after his cleansing.
The message of hope in Christ amidst hopelessness.
1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, 12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. 13 But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
