Only A Remnant Will Be Redeemed

Isaiah 65:8-12: "This is what the Lord says: 'As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and men say, 'Don't destroy it, there is yet some good in it,' so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all. I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live . . . . But as for you who forsake the LORD and forget my holy mountain . . . . I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.'"


After the wonderful presentation of salvation through the sacrifice of the suffering Messiah (Isaiah 53) [which opens the doorway to the blessedness of eternity (Isaiah 54)], the Lord calls out repeatedly for mankind to respond to His offering of grace (Isaiah 55). What is quite profound is that humanity did not seek the Savior's deliverance; rather, God in His infinite love chose to reveal His grace to us in our rebellion (see Romans 8:5-8) in order that some would partake of the joy of His salvation (Isaiah 65:1). Tragically, many have continued to forsake God's offering of reconciliation . . . an offering which cost Him immense (and undeserved) pain, persecution, and death. The root problem with these reprobate is their own quest for lordship. In effect, they exclaim, "Keep away; don't come near me, for I am too sacred for you!" (Isaiah 65:5). They foolishly think to be a god unto themselves and therefore are in no need of God's grace. They find it repulsive to think that they must submit themselves to the authority of another. They would rather feast upon their own personal delights, even though such obstinacy is heaping up the full wrath of God, who "will pay back in full" (Isaiah 65:6).


Even with this prevalent demonstration of recalcitrance by humanity, still there will be a remnant who will yield to the convictions of the Holy Spirit and surrender themselves to the Lord thus receiving His mercy. These are not unlike the cluster of grapes mentioned above that are rescued from being destroyed, for though they seem unworthy of being harvested (as all in the vineyard truly are unworthy), the Harvester is able to find fruit worthy of redeeming. This does not suggest that our works are worthy of God's grace, for even the prophet Isaiah has rightly identified in chapter 64 that our "righteous acts are as filthy rags" (64:6); still, the obedient fruit of our lives reveals that God's initiatory work of grace has had great effect. God then sees that our lives are worthy of rescue, for we have responded to Him as Lord; we have savored His love offering of Himself for our sin debt (called expiation). To this remnant, the merciful Savior will usher them into the blessedness of His eternal dwelling, where they will "build houses and dwell in them (and) plant vineyards and eat their fruit . . . . they will not toil in vain" (65:21,23). To them, He too will give a new name (65:15). One such name will exclaim the eternal covenant marriage between the Lord and His remnant (Isaiah 62:4); so too, the Lord will impress His name upon their foreheads as a sign of the eternal covenant of salvation.


May we not neglect such an offering of grace (Hebrews 2:3); rather, may we respond to His love with submission to Him as our Lord. May we be found to be part of the remnant that is like the cluster of grapes that will be salvaged for harvest and not destroyed in the fire of God's judgment.