Jeremiah, Isaiah & John

Texts: Isaiah 6:1–3, Revelation 4:1–8, Jeremiah 1:4–10

I. Isaiah & John: Same Place, Same Time?

There is no more remarkable place to meet God than around His throne. This is where Isaiah and John both experienced their encounters with the Lord.

Isaiah’s vision:

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’”
— Isaiah 6:1–3

John’s vision:

“After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’”
— Revelation 4:1–8

Isaiah’s vision occurred around 740 BC, while John recorded Revelation about 95 AD—roughly 835 years apart. Yet in heaven, time is not the same. God created time for His creation, but He Himself is not bound by it. Could it be that Isaiah and John were witnessing the same worship in heaven?

Paul also spoke of being “caught up to the third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12). These are the mysteries of God—mysteries that will one day be revealed when we enter His glory.

II. Jeremiah: Called & Commissioned

When Jeremiah received his call in chapter 1, he was about 20 years old. From that point on, he served God faithfully for over 40 years. Let’s look at four elements of Jeremiah’s calling.

A. God’s Call (vv. 4–5)

“The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’”

Notice what God declares:

1. He formed Jeremiah before birth.

2. He knew him in the womb.

3. He set him apart.

4. He appointed him as prophet.

God formed Jeremiah—He knew him better than Jeremiah knew himself. And the same is true for us. God formed each one of us with a purpose. How much time do we spend seeking that purpose? He made you. He has a purpose for you.

B. Our Excuses (v. 6)

“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

Like Jeremiah, we often respond with excuses when God calls. Moses did the same. What excuse do you use? And are those excuses really legitimate?

C. Do Not Neglect the Call (vv. 7–8)

“But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am too young.” You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord.”

God reassures Jeremiah—and us:

1. Don’t use excuses.

2. Do as I say.

3. Don’t be afraid.

4. I am with you.

5. I will rescue you.

God equips and strengthens those He calls.

D. God Empowers Us (vv. 9–10)

“Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ‘I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.’”

1. God gave Jeremiah the skills (He touched his mouth).

2. God gave him the authority (appointed over nations and kingdoms).

Jeremiah wasn’t elected to gain authority. He didn’t have armies to enforce it. His authority came from God alone.

When God calls you, He will also give you the skills and authority to do what He has called you to do. Our responsibility? Obedience.

Today we have a couple with us who have answered God’s call in their lives.
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