During the Sunday service, Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled ‘The Worship Continues’. Her main text was taken from the Book of Isaiah 6:1-8. King Uzziah was a good king in the Southern Kingdom. He became king at the age of 16. He ruled on his throne for 52 years. He became wealthy, having lands and livestock. He built many structures, towers, wells. He fought against the Philistines and conquered new territories for Judah.  He had a big well-trained army. He designed new weapons of war. His fame spread far and wide.  “He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper” (2Chr 26:5, NKJ). Lesson: Seek God and God will prosper you! The word ‘seek’ means to search patiently, tirelessly, until you find the promised treasure. This seeking God is an act of worship. The word ‘prosper’ means to have the power to push forth until the breakthrough manifests! You will have the expected victory, and the promised success. Isaiah’s ministry was done during King Uzziah’s time. They were friends. King and prophet cooperated to bring glory of God. But after the king died, Isaiah became depressed and discouraged. It was during that time that God opened Isaiah’s eyes to see Jesus, the King of kings. He saw the Lord Jesus 700 years before He came to earth to die for sinners.

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1). The word ‘high’ means to actively rise eternally, higher, and higher. The word ‘lifted up’ means to be exalted and to carry many others in His arms. Our Lord said: “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John 12:32; NKJ). Lesson: as you worship the Lord Jesus, He will carry you, and your family, higher, closer to Him, so that you worship Him even more. The vision changed Isaiah completely. It ordained him for ministry. It resurrected his spirit! He became the greatest OT prophet. It helped him to focus only on the King of kings. This gave Isaiah the anointing, power, and wisdom to be a man of God! Lesson: when your spiritual life is stagnant, with no fruits, no miracles, all you need is to see Jesus, “high and lifted up”! A man with experience is not at the mercy of a man with an opinion. You need to experience the power from on high! You need to be baptized with the fire of God! Then revival will come!

What did Isaiah saw and experienced?

1-Isaiah saw that God is in charge of everything!

This reminds us of the doctrine of the sovereignty of God: God created the universe. He rules overall. His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. God can never lose! God can never fail! He not only knows your future, but He designs your future. This is the doctrine of election: before the foundation of the world, God has chosen some people to be saved thru Christ’ sacrifice. The natural man is too proud, and he hates this doctrine. But the Bible says that God has foreknown and predestined us to be saved and to go to heaven (Romans 8:28-30). That is why we are sure ‘to make heaven’. Isaiah saw Jesus on His throne. The fear of God came on him. All who see Christ in heaven fall before Him in worship. To many Christians, Jesus is too friendly. They think that they can control or manipulate Him. But Jesus is God! He reigns forever! The train of His robe filled the temple. The robe went down on every corner, on every chair. That robe is the power of God!!! When Jesus seats on His throne, no man (even the priests) could enter to perform their ministry. The train of His robe (like the hem of His garment) brings healing to those who worship and believe. Just have faith! This is the testimony of the woman with the issue of blood, “She said (and kept saying) to herself: “If I only touch His garment, I will be made well… She came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped” (Matthew 9:21; Luke 8:44). You too, stop complaining! Start to speak words of faith to yourself; encourage yourself! Stretch your hand of faith and touch His robe. You too shall be healed!  

Above the throne stood angels called seraphim flying in the air. Each one had six wings. With two they covered their faces (even after an eternity of staying in God’s presence, they never become overfamiliar with God!!). Lesson: no matter how much you know the Bible, and how much God has blessed you, please, never take God for granted! Fear God! Worship God! They cry one to another Holy! Holy! Holy! They worship the Trinity. They did not say Love! Love! Love! Or Power! Power! Power! For the holiness of God is His greatest attribute. The doors shook and smoke filled the temple! The smoke of incense rises to heaven as we worship Jesus on earth! Moses wanted to see God’s glory. God answered and displayed His goodness. The goodness of God carries His glory! (Ex 33:18, 19). Lesson: you must believe that God is good all the time! That is how you give Him all the glory!  The names of God in this vision are Adonai (The Master and the Controller of the Universe) and Jehovah Sabaoth (The Captain of the armies of heaven, the One who can never lose a battle). The angels were concerned about the glory of God in heaven and even on earth, with all the sin found here. They see this earth prophetically. The glory must cover the earth (even Warri/Effurun and Nigeria) like the waters cover the sea. Amen!

2-Isaiah saw that without God he is nothing!

Isaiah is a born-again Christian, a major prophet of God, not a thief or fornicator. But in the light of God he saw himself as a sinner. Only in the light of God you can see the truth about yourself and be able to repent. He shouted: ‘Woe!’ This is the shout of an unworthy, dying man. In the presence of God all pride dies! It is the purity and holiness of Christ that reveals our impurity and sins. Each man who saw the King of kings seated on His throne, fell on his face as dead. It was an unconditional worship (Job 42:5, 6; Joshua 5:13-15; Revelation 1:17, 18). Glory!

3-Thru fire, God commissions Isaiah for ministry and for a greater level of worship!

Finally, Isaiah experienced mercy and grace from the altar and is commissioned for ministry. When Isaiah was at his lowest, humbled, and broken hearted for his loss and for his sins, the angel brings fire from the altar in heaven. Jesus is our ‘Altar’ (Heb 13:10).  The fire cleanses Isaiah’s lips. The Blood of Jesus was shed to cleanse your heart, your conscience, and your lips. His ears were cleansed too for he heard the voice of Trinity speaking: ‘Who will go for Us?’ In His presence, shut up your mouth and listen! God speaks! Isaiah is willing to serve God in the day of His power (Psalm 110:3). God gives you anointing fire and power from above for your ministry. Men cannot give this treasure to you and money cannot buy it. Thru the touch of Spirit’s fire, guilt and shame are taken away. With blistered lips, Isaiah unconditionally surrender; no more arguments; no more questions; no more excuses. He acknowledges that Jesus has all authority, and all power, in heaven and on earth! The Lamb upon the throne alone is worthy! He reigns forever more! Holy! Holy! Holy! Jesus is Lord! The worship continues…