In that day the Lord of hosts will be For a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty
To the remnant of His people, For a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment,
And for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. Isaiah 28:5-6
The remnant of His people receive a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty. Psalm 149:4-5 gives assurance to His people — For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. Let all the people of God praise Him for the strength that He gives to us, so we can turn back the battle at the gate. The gates of hell shall not prevail against His church.
The message that the prophet gives to the people of God, from the mouth of God is quite encouraging. The remnant of His people who were small in number because of failed leadership, is lifted up by the God who called them. A spirit of justice has been released over us because the Lord is responding to the cries of the remnant in the earth who are crying out to Him day and night. Yet all around the remnant the majority have gone astray and so the message to the wayward is quite different in Isaiah 28:7-8; But they also have erred through wine, And through intoxicating drink are out of the way; The priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, They are swallowed up by wine, They are out of the way through intoxicating drink; They err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filth; No place is clean.
The message is clear that they have defiled themselves and no place is clean. The priest and prophet became a poor example for the people who are also given to riotous living. There vision is unclear and they stumble in judgment— their judgment is impaired due to intoxication. Can you see why God sends a message to the remnant of His people? Lest you say that all leadership is in error, note that God can still trust Isaiah with His word. The remnant of His people includes leadership, who are not intoxicated nor stumbling at judgment. The prophet paints a picture of spiritual bankruptcy.
We are kept by the power of God. His power and deliverance endures as long as His mercy does — forever. To the remnant of His people I say, be encouraged because the Lord has come to strengthen you for the battle. Although evil surrounds us, He holds our hand so that we are able to stand. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. The outward appearance is the manifestation of wayward behavior that is guided by spiritual wickedness is high places. Most people who are in bondage are not even aware that they are bound.
What is the role of the remnant of His people in this generation? The role of the remnant throughout scripture is to be vessels through whom God can workout His plan of redemption in the earth. The remnant is peculiar as they are called from within the fold to faithfully live out the divine nature. Whereas, ministers of the gospel are called out, the remnant of His people are from within. They are obedient witnesses of the holiness of God when others in the faith fall into apostasy — which is to fall away from God and His truth.
To the remnant of His people I say arise and receive your crown of glory and diadem of beauty. May you be strengthened with might in your innermost being, so that you can win every battle and turn the enemy back at the gate.
Maranatha
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