GRACE GAZETTE
Volume VIIIssue 27
Published occasionally for Zion’s mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

A FEAST OF FAT THINGS

And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. Isaiah 25:6

One might conclude that a “feast of fat things” is an apt description of the folks who can generally be seen around the local buffet counter. But the “fat things” described here is not the eaters but the food which is spread in great abundance. This feast that is spread by the LORD is a rich one indeed for those who have been given a taste for it but it is totally undesirable for those whose mind and heart is stayed upon the things of this world. The LORD told HIS disciples “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” (John 4:32). In this same fashion and according to this same principle the LORD has given HIS people a hunger and appetite for spiritual food that the world in general knows nothing of.

The prophet here says that this feast is spread in “this mountain”. He first makes allusion to this “mountain” in chapter 2 saying, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.” (Isa 2:2) He mentions it again in chapter 11, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa 11:9)

I think that it is safe to conclude that he is not referring to a large rise in the topography of earth’s surface but is clearly describing the establishment of CHRIST’s kingdom in the earth. Now there are many would be teachers and dispensers of prophecy who tell us that the kingdom of CHRIST in the earth is yet to be unfolded at a future time. It seems clear enough to us that the LORD has already instituted HIS kingdom here and now.

Only those with eyes to see it can rejoice in its establishment or take delight in the law of it. The Pharisees demanded that the LORD should show them the time when the kingdom of GOD would come in the earth. HE said, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luk 17:20-21) HE pointed out that there was no future time when this kingdom would come but rather it was already in their very midst. In fact, they were standing in the midst of it but could not see, taste, or hear it.

The woman at the well is typical of those who cling to their traditions of religion as she sought to justify herself before HIM. “The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:19-24)

Those who would be detractors of the general teachings of Christianity sometimes characterize its teachings as being about “a pie in the sky by and by.” If one listens to the rank and file of those who claim to be teaching the tenets of Christianity in our day you could probably reach that conclusion honestly. The basic message that one hears today which purports to be the gospel, is that of a formula derived by GOD which man is supposed to fulfill and thereby gain a place in heaven based on the actions of his free will to choose salvation.

In this scheme of things, once a man supplies the necessary will and belief, then he has gained an entrance into heaven and immortal glory. It is rather optional as to whether or not he “allows” the LORD to bless him in his life by adding a certain level (which he chooses) of faithfulness and obedience to HIS precepts.

Needless to say such teaching is a farce and has no foundation at all in the scriptures. Nor can such a message as this be of any comfort or help to the man who has been convinced by the HOLY GHOST of his lost condition and worthiness of destruction. Such a man as this is stripped of all confidence in his flesh and knows that he cannot supply anything that would effect his rescue from this awful condition. He can only repeat the words of the publican who said, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13) and that of the father of the demon possessed child, “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

The glorious truth of the gospel and the unfolding of the kingdom of GOD which Isaiah wrote about is that GOD supplies everything that is necessary for the salvation of HIS people. This is a feast of fat things with well refined wine, and is a meal to which the elect are called to partake in the present hour. Though they shall indeed drink more deeply of that wine and suck the marrow from the bones in the ages to come, yet even now that salvation which has been prepared for them is theirs to enjoy as the SPIRIT of GOD comforts them and leads them into all truth. They are not waiting for HIS kingdom to be established but are basking in the glory of it even now.

This is a feast with four courses and is totally suited to the need of those for whom it is spread, nothing is needed that is not supplied by the LORD of the feast.

The first course is the fact that before the foundation of the world GOD chose a people in JESUS CHRIST and declared HIS love upon them. This choice was made without regard to any good or evil done in them and preceded their creation. They were determined to be the objects of HIS mercy and HE created the world in which to display the glory of HIS grace in their redemption.

The second course is that JESUS CHRIST, the eternal and only begotten SON of GOD did come into this world, born of a woman, and made in the likeness of sinful flesh. In that body HE bore the sins of HIS people, being tempted in all points as they are, and yet without sin. HE was taken and by cruel hands was slain according to the eternal purpose of GOD so that HE laid down HIS life as a sin substitute for every one of those elect sons which were given to HIM in that eternal covenant of redemption. On the third day HE arose from the dead and became the firstfruits of them that sleep in HIM. HE ascended back to the FATHER where HE ever lives to make intercession for them as they come to GOD by HIM. In all of this HE has forever justified HIS children and delivered them from all condemnation.

The third course is that HE has sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to quicken his children and give them faith to believe the gospel. HE then abides with and in HIS children to lead them into all truth and to minister comfort and peace to them in a fashion that the world cannot comprehend. HE works in them both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure and even though HE is pleased to bring them into great trials from time to time, HE is constantly working all things together for their good. They have their greatest delight in HIM.

The fourth and final course is the dessert, the icing on the cake, when JESUS CHRIST the REDEEMER takes possession of that Church which HE purchased with HIS own blood. Thru the ages to come HE shall rejoice in HIS bride and she shall glorify HIS name and enjoy HIM forever. Even so come LORD JESUS!

mam