Isaiah 65:14, commentary and pictures

The verse looks beyond this mortal state on the old sin-cursed earth to life on the new earth. There humanity stands divided into two classes, the Lord's servants who sing for joy of heart set against those who cry for sorrow of heart and howl for vexation of spirit. That enduring division proves the chapter does not teach the conversion of the entire world, for at no period of man's fallen condition will all men be holy.

The same contrast applies to a church that has failed to seek the lost sheep, teaching that those who faithfully serve God have joy while those who neglect their duty face sorrow and distress. Its wrong must be recognized and acknowledged before George Lay can be brought into the fold.

The words belong to a message that leaders and those bearing responsibility must heed by accepting God's words fully and ceasing complaint and evil work. They confront neglected duties and call for consecration. In a most decided manner they speak to those in high positions carrying great responsibilities who have had great light yet have disregarded reproof and neglected to warn God's people to understand what is truth. The guilty are charged to stop complaining and evil working, to put away the evil of their doings, and to come nigh, repent and be converted, because their ways are not accepted of God. When the words are taken, the Lord manifests His power and appears to the conviction and conversion of souls, and a reformation goes through the congregation of Israel.