A Vision of the Lord in the Temple - 22 October 2008

Entering God’s presence is risky because He’s GOD, but if we dare to stand before him we will be changed.  Today we enter the presence of God with Isaiah who had a vision of God in the temple attended by angels, or flaming creatures.  Notice as you read that even the angels cover their faces and bodies in the presence of the Holy God - like Moses they dare not look at God. The angels are tireless in their praise, which is very noisy!

In the year that King Uzziah died, I had a vision of the LORD. He was on his throne high above, and his robe filled the temple. Flaming creatures with six wings each were flying over him. They covered their faces with two of their wings and their bodies with two more. They used the other two wings for flying, as they shouted,

"Holy, holy, holy, LORD All-Powerful!

 The earth is filled with your glory."

    As they shouted, the doorposts of the temple shook, and the temple was filled with smoke.

Then I cried out, "I'm doomed! Everything I say is sinful, and so are the words of everyone around me. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD All-Powerful."

    One of the flaming creatures flew over to me with a burning coal that it had taken from the altar with a pair of metal tongs. It touched my lips with the hot coal and said, "This has touched your lips. Your sins are forgiven, and you are no longer guilty."

    After this, I heard the LORD ask, "Is there anyone I can send? Will someone go for us?"

   "I'll go," I answered. "Send me!"

Isaiah 6:1-8 [CEV]

How would you feel if you were standing in Isaiah’s place? Isaiah is overcome by his unworthiness - “I’m doomed!”, he cries.  It is difficult to understand the significance of the burning coal, but for me the altar implies sacrifice, which points to Jesus. 

Pray this passage back to God, especially the words of worship - out loud if you can. Build a picture in your mind and then join in with the seraphim shouting HOLY! HOLY! HOLY! 

As you become aware of your sins, start to confess - imagine the angel touching you with the burning coal and accept forgiveness through Jesus.

After being forgiven the Lord asks Isaiah,”Whom will I send?”.  What is the Lord asking of you?

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever.  Amen.

(By clicking on the link you will be able to read the passage in different versions and hear the it read to you if you prefer. Isaiah 6)