Is God’s plan to include people from all nations who may worship Him anywhere? Let’s look at Isaiah 56.
Was Sabbath important under the Old Covenant? Why did Jesus only command us to rest in Him, not Sabbath or Sunday?
Yahweh says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is near and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” (Isa 56:1-2 WEB)
Does God include immigrants and eunuchs or exclude them?
Don’t let the immigrant who has joined with the Lord say, “The Lord will exclude me from the people.” And don’t let the eunuch say, “I’m just a dry tree.” (Isa 56:3 CEB)
If Sabbath was the sign of the Old Covenant, are the Lord’s Supper, Baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit signs of the New Covenant?
To them, I, the Lord, say: Respect the Sabbath, obey me completely, and keep our agreement. Then you will be like monuments in my temple with your names written on them. This will be much better than having children, because these monuments will stand there forever. (Isa 56:4-5 CEV)
What blessings did God guarantee to foreigners who join themselves to Him? How does the New Testament address that?
“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.” (Isa 56:6-8 ESV)
Who had religious leaders failed, acting more like dogs instead of discerning shepherds?
All you animals of the field and forest, come and eat! Israel’s watchmen are blind, all of them, they know nothing; all of them are mute dogs, they cannot bark; they dream, lie down, and love to sleep. These dogs have fierce appetites; they never have enough. And they are shepherds who have no discernment; all of them turn to their own way, every last one for his own gain. “Come, let me get some wine, let’s guzzle some beer; and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!” (Isa 56:9-12 HCSB)
How did Jesus quote Isaiah regarding the Temple when merchants had abused it?
Then he began to teach them: “It is written, is it not, ‘My house is to be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you’ve turned it into a hideout for bandits!” (Mark 11:17 ISV)
Though Jesus not once commanded the Sabbath for the new covenant, did He transform it into the Spirit of the law?
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28 KJV)
With the Sabbath transformed, is temple worship in Jerusalem also transformed into worshiping God anywhere?
But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24 LSB)
Is God’s plan to include people from all nations who may worship Him anywhere? You decide!
