We should thank the Father for causing Isaiah to prophesy what is guaranteed in the key verse of this message. We want to remain in Zion, the Church of Christ on Earth. We rejoice in the declaration that the Lord will call us saints, because we strive with all our strength to remain faithful to the One who called us by His grace and goodness. We are no better than anyone else, but we have converted to Christ. Hallelujah!

Remaining in the eternal City, the stage for events that have changed history many times and will change it many more times, is a source of satisfaction; after all, we have been called holy children of God: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.  (Roman 8.1-2).

Is there any greater pleasure than knowing that we have been set apart for God, to the point of being called saints? There is no condemnation for those who are born again, because such people have been recreated in Christ and, therefore, have also received the fullness of the Holy Spirit. So, with the same power given to the Son of God, we can walk with our heads held high before the Father. No matter how hard the enemy tries, we will never be cast aside. We are God's chosen generation!

         We cannot fail to learn in the house of the Lord what He teaches the saved. The rebellious will see that their attitudes do not qualify them to remain in the church, so they live in pursuit of blessings, but never obtain anything. Moses' advice to the Israelites when they were about to cross the Red Sea applies to us: The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace (Exodus 14:14). Only those who love God with all their hearts can remain in Zion.

         The promise of being called holy by God is for those who remain in the church, having resisted the lies and proposals of the devil; therefore, they will also remain in Jerusalem and be enrolled among the living in the Holy City. There are dead people in Jerusalem; so examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are disqualified.  (2 Corinthians 13.5).

         How have you been before God? Remember: your actions demonstrate whether you are alive or dead before Him. 2,700 years ago, the Lord spoke about this through Isaiah; now, He invites us to examine ourselves and set out to live confidently. However, never let yourself be deceived by the enemy. If you have done things that shame the Lord and include you on the list of renegades, because you are no longer in the church, repent immediately and turn to God with sincerity.

         If your heart accuses you of something, or does not give you the assurance to confess that Heaven will be your Home, pray and ask the Lord for forgiveness. Open your heart to Him, asking that the truth about your eternal future be revealed to you. Certainly, God, who takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, also takes no pleasure in your condemnation (Ezekiel 33:11). How about praying right now?

           In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares.