“To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.”
– Isaiah 8:20 (LSB)
Main Thought: The ministry of Isaiah the prophet was a time for the most part when the kings of Israel were evil and the Hebrew people had departed from worshiping the true God, instead worshiping the false gods of the surrounding pagan nations. God did raise up true prophets during this time, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and many of the minor prophets, who spoke the truth of God, but for the most part, they were ignored and persecuted for speaking the truth. God is speaking here and His testimony is that when a prophet speaks and it is not according to the truth of God, not according to His revealed Word, and according to the prophets such as Isaiah, it is because there is spiritual darkness within them; there is no dawn. These words also have application for us in this day as a warning concerning what preachers and teachers we are to heed. Those who have no dawn, no spiritual light within them, will be evident by what they speak. Paul speaks of this in 2 Corinthians 11:13, warning that there will be “false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” He also spoke of this in Galatians 1:6-9 when he warns of deceitful preachers speaking “another gospel” and not the true gospel of grace through Christ, but a gospel adding works and other requirements. In 1 Timothy 6:3-5 he speaks of those who supposedly teach the Word of God but deny the personal godliness that Christ taught is the lifestyle of the Christian, instead saying even that godliness is a way of gaining great wealth. Peter adds to these warnings of false teachers who have no spiritual light in them, by saying that “there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master (Lord) who bought them…many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed” (2 Pet. 2:1-2). How do we discern those who have no light in them but only spiritual darkness? Examine the Word of God against what they say, especially when it comes to what the Gospel is, what is said concerning practical holiness, bearing fruit in the Christian life, and especially concerning the person of Christ. If these teachers deny the Gospel of grace, the necessity of practical holiness and sanctification, the necessary evidence of the fruit of the Spirit, and deny the eternal deity of Christ, then flee from these teachers. There is no dawn in them, and whoever follows them is following a path of destruction. Immerse yourself in the Word of God, saturate your mind with it, and ask God by the Holy Spirit to illuminate you so that you may know how to discern false teachers and their heresies.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3
Psalm 92:8
“But You are on high forever, O Yahweh.” – Psalm 92:8
John 11:25-27
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27
John 8:23-24
“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24
John 6:39-40
“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40
John 2:18-21
“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Psalm 85:6
“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
John 14:19
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19