I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God . Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God , the new Jerusalem , which is coming down out of heaven from my God ; and I will also write on him my new name . 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:11-13
Although you should know the good tree from its good fruit, I am presenting you with some bible verses to let you know if the reminder is he who claims to be. This section is not necessary for those who already know, through the reminder’s words, that the reminder is not deceiving people.
Those who still have doubt about The Reminded Way and what the reminder has given them from the bible, are invited to keep reading.
Please go to Isaiah 41:25
25 “I have stirred up one from the north , and he comes one from the rising sun who calls on my name . He treads on rulers as if they were mortar, as if he were a potter treading the clay.
Your teachers have told you that all these verses that talk about a man who rises from the east are about Cyrus the Great. This is not true in some verses although, in some others, it does refer to Cyrus.
The above verse is one of them. This verse does not introduce Cyrus. This verse is about a man who calls on God’s name . Cyrus, however, did not acknowledge God although he helped the Jews as predicted. Apparently, Cyrus did not go to war as God’s messenger.
Isaiah 45:4: For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you (Cyrus) by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me.
This verse refers to Cyrus. He gets the title of honor for what he does for the Jews, yet he does not acknowledge God. So, he cannot be the righteous one who has called on God’s name.
Now, turn with me to Isaiah 42:1-4
1 “Here is my servant , whom I uphold , my chosen one in whom I delight ; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations . 2 He will not shout or cry out , or raise his voice in the streets . 3 A bruised reed he will not break , and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out . In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope. “
Who are these verses about?
The following verses in Isaiah are related to one another : 41:25, 42:1-4, 42:10-13, 42:14-17, 42:18-20, 43:1-7, 43:8-11.
Now, let us see who the bible is talking about in the above verses (42:1-4).
For sure, he is not Cyrus. Why?
Because,
1- Bible is talking about a servant on whom God has put His spirit.
As we saw earlier, Cyrus does not acknowledge God. God did His will through a man called Cyrus at some points in history. This, however, does not mean that Cyrus was His anointed servant. How could it be that a person who had the spirit of God and was God’s chosen one did not acknowledge God? So, God chose Cyrus as a tool to fulfill His mission, not as an anointed messenger.
2- As you see in the verse 3, he is a person who does not break a bruised reed.
Cyrus was a king who expanded his kingdom from Persia to several other countries. Can a king like Cyrus expand his territory without the power of swords and soldiers and without breaking even a bruised reed (in an absolute peaceful way)? If you read history, you would see that Cyrus attacked other nations to take them under his control. Therefore, the person in the above verses could not be Cyrus.
If it is not Cyrus, who is it then?
The bible teachers should find a name for this person. Since their knowledge is limited and since they should defend their congregation, they introduce Jesus here.
Unfortunately (for these teachers), these verses are not about Jesus either. Why?
As you see in verse 2, this person does not raise his voice in streets; he does not shout in carrying out his mission.
Jesus spent his three years of ministry outside in streets, in marketplaces, or in temples raising his voice to carry out his mission since it was his only weapon of communication on those days. He went from town to town and delivered speeches to introduce himself and to bring love to people. So, these verses are not about Jesus either.
Question 1:
How can a person establish justice and do his God-given mission without raising his voice or without attacking other nations? How can he bring hope to the islands in an absolute peaceful way?
To reach people, you have to go out and deliver speeches to let them know you. You have to raise your voice. Otherwise, you cannot fulfill your mission. But Isaiah says that this servant will not raise his voice in streets. Also, he will not use force (A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out).
So, how this could be possible?
Something really interesting is predicted by the prophet Isaiah thousands of years ago even though he was not aware of this at that time.
Isaiah has predicted internet. You are laughing, but this is true. It is through internet that you can reach people of nations without raising your voice in streets.
The reminder is the person who is talking to wide variety of people from across the globe without raising his voice in streets and without attacking other nations to expand his territory. This is an absolute peaceful way to accomplish a God-given mission. Is it not amazing?
Question 2:
Who are the islands that have put their hope in this justice?
To answer to this question, we need to know the characteristics of islands?
The main feature of islands is that they are all surrounded by water. In one sea, the same water that connects different islands separates them also. In short, islands live in water. Islands are connected by the water. Islands are separated by the same water.
As you see, islands are different religions that are connected in God and are separated by different names or different understandings of the same God. This is the main problem of different religions. Although they are connected in root, they are separated at surface.
Your bible teachers try to find some black spots on ancient maps to convince you that this is the island that such and such verse in the bible is talking about. However, this is not true in most cases. In many verses in the bible, islands refer to different religions.
Please turn with me to Isaiah 42:10
10 Sing to the LORD a new song , his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands , and all who live in them.
As you see, God is inviting the islands (religions) to sing a new song. What is this new song? A new name in a new city is singing a new song which gathers all under one name brotherly.
Also,
Isaiah 42:12
12 Let them give glory to the LORD and proclaim his praise in the islands.
The glory belongs to God. Give God what belongs to Him. A day will come when people of all religions will focus on one God only. On that day, that will certainly come, people will no more stand against one another because of their religions. They will not live as islanders. They will give God what belongs to God. On that day, no one will ask his neighbor what is your religion?’ On that day, all heads are towards the most high in a harmony. People will no more focus on messengers.
Also,
Isaiah 42:7
8 ” I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.
Focus on Him and do not replace your father’s idols with your messengers. This is what the bible is telling you if you have an ear to hear. This is the new song for the islanders. People of different religions should gather peacefully under one name and that name is the one God.
We call the ancient people idolaters’ yet we do not know that we ourselves are walking on the same paths as they did. Our problem is that we call a carved piece of wood or stone an idol. Open your eyes. Anything could be an idol. People of different religions have made their messengers an idol. All religions of the world are idolaters yet they do not want to know this. They are focused on a person. They are worshiping their messenger, which is idolatry. How painful it is!
Also,
Isaiah 42:15
15 I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools.
The ground under God’s name is flat. All people are equal. There is no monopoly, there is no favoritism.
The religious teachers’ pools’ and vegetations’ will dry up. What the teachers of religions are making will bring no fruit at the end. The people of different islands will be freed from the dogmatic ideas of their teachers. People will be united under one name and that name is the one God. He will put an end to such religious differences and chaos. He will lay waste the mountains and hills.
Also,
Isaiah 42:16
16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
This is the way that you have not known although you have been living in religions for thousands of years. The path seems unfamiliar and strange to you; yet, it will open your eyes and will bring you light in peace. Rough brains will come to know the truth eventually for God is not going to leave His mission unaccomplished.
Also,
Isaiah 42:17
17 But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.
What a tragic picture! What a tragic loss!
Also,
Isaiah 42:18-19
18 “Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! 19 Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the LORD?
We claim to be committed believers. Let us open up our eyes to see. Let us open up our ears and we will hear. Bible says that it is possible for even His committed ones to lead a blind life in ignorance. To know the truth could be painful, but what is more painful is to keep on walking blindly on the blind path and forget about the fact that you have come to know that you were wrong.
Also,
Isaiah 42:20-23
20 You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing.” 21 It pleased the LORD for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious. 22 But this is a people plundered and looted, all of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. They have become plunder, with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, “Send them back.” 23 Which of you will listen to this or pay close attention in time to come?
We have seen many things but we have paid no attention. The victims are people who are looted. Their world is destroyed in hatred and their spirituality is gone because of false teachings. They are caught in the prisons made of false preaches. Is it not the right time to set them free?
Jesus says, (Mathew 23:13-15), [you travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as mush a son of hell as you are. You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s face. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.]
Who are those whom Jesus is talking about? Is it not about you the teachers? Read it again!
Also,
Isaiah 41:5-7
5 The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward; 6 each helps the other and says to his brother, “Be strong!” 7 The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who smoothes with the hammer spurs on him who strikes the anvil. He says of the welding, “It is good.” He nails down the idol so it will not topple.
Many may stand firmly together hand in hand against God’s will. They will take actions in whatsoever way they can to keep people in ignorance. They feel scared when they hear someone telling people the truth. Let them try if they want to but, for sure, they will fail. People will come to know the truth eventually. God will not forsake His people. God will not forget His way. He will not give up. Otherwise, he is not a true God. He can tremble the ends of the earth. When tongues are swords you could surely tremble many.
Also,
Isaiah 41:8-11
8 “But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, 9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 11 “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
Why Abraham is so important in many religions? Because he invited people to focus on one God and to avoid worshipping the idols. Abraham came when everybody was busy worshipping his idols. Spiritually, The Reminded Way is the offspring of Abraham. This way is inviting peoples of the world to focus on one God as their only God and savior.
Also,
Isaiah 43:10-13
10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior . 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. 13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Also,
Isaiah 43:1-9
1 But now, this is what the LORD says he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth- 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” 8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. 9 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of them foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
I have given you some references to study. There are a lot of such verses in bible. Try it from now if you are looking for a change. I am not responsible for what you are doing.
Please let me end this biblical study with a word of prayer.
Dear God
Let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found.
Holy God
Let your unfailing love surround us for we have put our trust in you.
Forgive the guilt of our sins and do not count our sins against us for we obediently confess our transgressions. We confess that we are all sinners.
In you, o God, we have taken refuge; let us never be put to shame. Deliver us, o God, in your righteousness.
Our times are in your hands. Deliver us from our enemies.
Let us do to others what we would like others do to us. Let us rejoice in you and be glad. Let us live together peacefully under your eternal name. Let us sing to you a new song. Let the islands put their hope and trust in you. Let them see that you are the One who shaped everything. You are the One who guide the blinds in the ways they have never thought of. You are the One who is greater than what man could ever imagine. Let us wash our robes and put the new wine into new wineskins.
Holy God
I am praying for the day when each person is a hand for his neighbor. I am praying for the day when peoples of nations will gather peacefully under your own name. You know how powerful the human being would become when they are brotherly walking under your name hands in hands!
Dear God
For the sake of those who sacrificed themselves for your will, I pray and ask you to let us all witness the day when nobody will ask his neighbor what his religion is.
Do not forsake us, o God, and let your unconditional love surround us for we have put only you in control of everything.
December 17, 2004 – August 2005