Who is Israel-16

We have just begun to look at how few are actually saved versus lost by their following their own lusts or the deceitful teaching of false teachers. Regardless of the reason, they stand guilty before a holy God. How does this relate to who is Israel? Let us continue.

Isaiah 29:15  Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, "Who sees us?" or "Who knows us?" 29:16  You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, That what is made would say to its maker, "He did not make me"; Or what is formed say to him who formed it, "He has no understanding"? 

This is a world wide problem of immense importance. They don’t believe God knows them or even sees them sinning! Clearly, their lack of biblical understanding or absolute rejection of the Bible will be their eternal ruin. The Potter theme is often used.

Isiah 45:9  "Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker—An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'? 45:10  "Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' Or to a woman, 'To what are you giving birth?'" 45:11  Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: "Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, And you shall commit to Me the work of My hands. 45:12  "It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands And I ordained all their host. 

God is declaring the utter nonsense of anyone blaming God for their sin or disbelief. Arguing with God or believing you can negotiate with God is foolishness.

Jeremiah 18:1  The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD saying, 18:2  "Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will announce My words to you." 18:3  Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. 

18:4  But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. 

18:5  Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, 18:6  "Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.  18:7  "At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; 18:8  if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. 18:9  "Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; 18:10  if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it. 

18:11  "So now then, speak to the men of Judah and against the inhabitants of Jerusalem saying, 'Thus says the LORD, "Behold, I am fashioning calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh turn back, each of you from his evil way, and reform your ways and your deeds."' 18:12  "But they will say, 'It's hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.' 

Many will use this same argument, we will follow our own plans without giving God a second thought. So can God really condemn and judge them?

Timothy 2:16  But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 2:17  and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 2:18  men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. 2:19  Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." 

2:20  Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 2:21  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 

Everyone was created or born in the very image of God, yet He will condemn the many to Hell. As the supreme potter, He has made some for honor and some to dishonor. Just let that sink in for a moment. Yet He holds everyone personally responsible for their final eternal destination!

We will continue this theme next Saturday.