What does God think about the state of the apostate church? What will God do? In the ending verses of the first chapter of Isaiah, God tells us the answers to these questions.
Of course, many will still say, that was all about Israel and their sinful practices. What about our sinful practices? Will God not care about how we worship? Will He not judge us?
Isaiah 1:21-23 How the faithful city has become a harlot, She who was full of justice! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers. Your silver has become dross, Your drink diluted with water. Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, Nor does the widow's plea come before them.
These are serious charges and gross violations of God’s statutes and commandments. Everyone is out only for themselves. Even the rulers, who often claim the contrary, are just in it for the money, power, and fame. Unfortunately, most will follow them for the promises they make, but never really provide.
1:24-25 Therefore the Lord GOD of hosts, The Mighty One of Israel, declares, "Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries And avenge Myself on My foes. "I will also turn My hand against you, And will smelt away your dross as with lye And will remove all your alloy.
A refining, purifying fire is a fearful thing to contemplate. Fire is both a refining image but also a judgment image, neither are without pain and sorrow. The difference is that Hell’s pain is without end, as is also the sorrow of all who will spend eternity there. It is better to be refined than confined.
Deuteronomy 4:23-24 "So watch yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a graven image in the form of anything against which the LORD your God has commanded you. "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Heb 12:28-29 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.
God will restore what He has destroyed, but it will come at the end of this world’s history.
1:26-27 "Then I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the city of righteousness, A faithful city." Zion will be redeemed with justice And her repentant ones with righteousness.
God’s justice and wrath are just as holy and righteous as His mercy, patience(ie. long suffering), and love.
1:28-31 But transgressors and sinners will be crushed together, And those who forsake the LORD will come to an end. Surely you will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, And you will be embarrassed at the gardens which you have chosen.
For you will be like an oak whose leaf fades away Or as a garden that has no water. The strong man will become tinder, His work also a spark. Thus they shall both burn together And there will be none to quench them.
Many don’t like these types of passages, as they contain convicting and condemning truth. Certainly their god of love would never act in this manner.
Their gods would not, but The God will.