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Bishop Aaron M. Martin, II
Lady Andrea Martin
For more than four decades, Bishop Aaron Martin has effectively ministered throughout the United States and around the world. He currently serves as the Senior Pastor of The Greater Bethel Temple of Deliverance in Los Angeles, California. He also serves as the host of the popular television program "Touching You with Dr. Aaron Martin" seen by many across North America and many other countries.
The ministry of Bishop Aaron Martin is highlighted with dynamic anointing. The word of God is central to his message and powerful in declaration.
He and his wife (Lady Andrea Martin) complement each other in ministry. Lady Andrea is a praying woman that is known across the country as an anointed psalmist who is blessed with the ability to usher in God's presence through song.
Together they seek to usher in the presence of the Lord because they understand that where the glory of the Lord is anything can happen!
Church History
The Greater Bethel Apostolic Church was founded in 1964 by Suffragan Bishop Alsie Eads and Mother Frocine Eads.
In 1997, Suffragan Bishop Eads asked Dr. Aaron M. Martin, II to relocate to California that he might take over the pastorate of Greater Bethel. After much prayer and confirmation from God, Dr. Martin and Sister Andrea Martin became the spiritual leaders of Greater Bethel.
God has brought many souls from the streets to walk with Him and live Holy through the ministry of our Pastor. The saints have become excited about their relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We glorify God for our leadership, church growth, and development.
We seek to usher the presence of the Lord into every service because we understand that where the glory of the Lord is anything can happen!
To God Be The Glory!
Statement Of Belief
We believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God, written by holy men of old as the Holy Ghost moved them.
We believe in the one God who is infinite in power. Holy in nature, attributes, purposes, omniscient and omnipresent.
We believe that He was revealed to us, Father in creation, Son in redemption and Holy Spirit in His comforting Grace, that never leaves those who trust Him.
We believe that in Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, for it pleased the Father that in Him should all Fullness dwell.
We believe in the Virgin birth; that Jesus was both Human and Divine, God manifested in the flesh.
We believe in the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We believe that He ascended on high and has sent His Spirit, the Holy Ghost, which was poured out at Jerusalem over nineteen hundred years ago and is still filling hearts of those who diligently seek Him today.
We believe in a Holy Sanctified life, divine healing, communion and feet washing, and the Glorious catching away (The Rapture) of the Saints, when Jesus returns in the clouds of glory to take His people to Heaven.
Our chief aim is to glorify our Savior, who is Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a Peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Men's Ministry
The Mission of the Men's Ministry is focused to bring unity among the brethren through biblical study, discipleship, and recreational activities. "Endeavoring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace" - Ephesians 4:3
The Vision of the Men's Ministry is for every man to have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through an effective men's ministry in every aspect. GBTOD Men's Ministry is more than just a group, but men making a commitment to meet, discuss, and hold each other accountable in their walk with Jesus Christ.
2011 Calendar of events
January 20 - Kick-off meeting
February 6 - Super Bowl Fellowship
February 20 - Hour of Power
March 4 - Bowling Showdown
May - Wings and Things Bible Study & Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)
June - Men's Night of Praise
July - Father Son Breakfast
August - Fishing On The Bay (TBA)
September - Man Talk
September 23-25 - Man to Man Men's Convention
November - Community Service Day
December - Christmas Fellowship
Women of Excellence Ministry
Women of Excellence Ministry - Women's lives being transformed through the power of the spirit. To challenge women to discover a greater sense of purpose; through self-development, training, and fellowship opportunities. To be supportive of the ministry through intensive prayer, mentoring and service to God's people.
Youth Ministry
Scripture: 'Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment' Ecclesiastes 11:9 'Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come' Ecclesiastes 12:1To develop wholesome young people through mentoring, bible study, fellowship and recreation that will engender biblical literacy, and confidence in their God given ability. To provide a foundation for becoming highly motivated, spiritually mature young people. To challenge young people to become educationally and career minded in preparation for their future.
Couples Ministry
Scripture: 'Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto you own husbands.' 'Husbands, love your wives' Ephesians 5: 21-22, 25
To develop a ministry to married couples that will enable them to attain financial stability, to become emotionally competent and encourage self-development through training and resource sharing. To provide opportunities for building biblical literacy, and create a sense of community. To provide opportunities for fellowship and recreation in order to build relationships.
Singles Ministry
Scripture: 'and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness.' Ephesians 4:23-24
To develop a ministry to single adults that will enable them to attain financial stability, to become emotionally competent and encourage self-development through training and resource sharing. To provide opportunities for building biblical literacy, and create a sense of community. To provide opportunities for fellowship and recreation in order to build relationships.
Ministerial Alliance
Scripture: 'If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou has attained. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.' 1Timothy 4:6,12,16 'for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ' Ephesians 4:12 'Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness o f mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.' Philippians 2: 3-4 'As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.' 1 Peter 4:10
To support the vision of the Transformation Church through faithful service and continuous growth of mind and spirit. To have a keen sense of the move of God's Spirit to minister effectively to God's people. To encourage and enable the people of God as they endeavor to be more like Him. To support other ministries of the church in fulfilling their goals and objectives.
New Members Ministry
Scripture: 'And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.' Exodus 18:20
To instruct new members in the beliefs and ministry life of the Transformation Church. To encourage the new members to seek a deeper walk with the Lord. To prepare new members for service in the Body of Christ. To assimilate new members into the life of the ministry.
Outreach Ministry
Scripture: 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to me. Assuredly, I say to you, in asmuch as you did this to one of the least of these My brethren you did it to Me.' Matthew 25: 35, 36, 40
To serve the community by providing services of outreach. These services will be extended through direct programs utilizing internal resources as well as partnering with outside organizations.
Ambassadors Ministry
Scripture: 'Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments, It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing Life forevermore.' Psalms 133:1-3. To support the ministry of the Transformation Church by providing assistance in the areas of member care and development. Specifically, the Ambassadors' ministry will promote fellowship and community by assisting in visitation & bereavement, assimilating new members and providing fellowship opportunities for members within tribes.
Christian Education
Scripture: 'But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And that from a child thou has known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.' 2 Timothy 3:14-17
To provide training opportunities for biblical literacy, financial stability, personal development and discipleship that reaches outside the walls of the church. To equip potential teachers with the tools needed for teaching assignments. To increase the overall attendance by at least 20 percent per year.
Counseling Ministry
Scripture: 'Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.' 1 Thessalonians 5:14
To serve the congregation by providing counseling services to those who need wisdom, guidance, support and direction.
Evangelism Ministry
Scripture: 'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost' Matthew 28:19
To spearhead efforts to evangelize the community for Jesus Christ. Efforts will include providing training for membership on soul winning and providing opportunities for evangelism endeavors.
Creative Arts Ministry
Scripture: "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." Ps 29:2
To usher in the Spirit of worship through creative arts expression; drama, dance, sermonic illustration and mime. In conjunction with the music ministry, to set the atmosphere for worship during worship and special services.
Media Ministry
Scripture: 'Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.' Eph 4:29 'That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus' Philemon 1:6
To assist in the technical support services for worship and special services of the Transformation Church. Technical support services include audio, video and screens ministries. Additionally, to inform members and supporters of the ministry of upcoming events and accomplishments through a quarterly newsletter.
Hospitality Ministry
Scripture: 'Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;' Ephesians 2:19 'As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith' Galatians 6:10
To assist in promoting and modeling warmth through the doorkeepers ministries (ushers, greeters) and provide service and care to bereaved families through the repast ministry.
Are you new to The Greater Bethel Temple of Deliverance? If you are, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you! Greater Bethel is a church that is focused on the will of God and committed to making you and your family feel right at home! Under the leadership of Bishop Aaron and Lady Andrea Martin, we strive to provide an atmosphere where everyone will receive from God! We also provide classes and ministries for all ages that are taught and led by people who are passionate about the word of the Lord.
We invite you to take a closer look at who we are through this website, where you can find information about what we believe, upcoming events, staff and much more. If you have further questions, you can call our church offices at 888.66.GBTOD and we will be glad to assist you anyway we can.
Come & Grow
Once again we say welcome, and we hope that you will join us soon. Our service schedule is Sunday mornings 11:30 am and 4 pm, Tuesday nights at 7:30 pm, and Thursday Nights at 7:30 pm.
Thank you again, and may God bless you and your family!
Location
Location:
8500 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90003
For Transportation:
(323) 756-4824 Office
(888) 664-2863 Toll Free
Questions:
gbacla1_sbcglobal.net
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A Time for Thanks (Message) - Bishop Aaron M. Martin, II
Broken, Blessed and Multiplied - Bishop Aaron M. Martin, II
A Peculiar People - Bishop Aaron M. Martin, II
A Change Has Got To Come - Bishop Aaron M. Martin, II
Men on Fire - Bishop Aaron M. Martin, II
A TIme of Thanks (Promo)
Servanthood - Bishop Aaron M. Martin, II
Make - Evangelist Karen White
Click to play. Just listen and read along for Daily Manna.
Psalm 23
King James Version (KJV)
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Main office:
Office: 1-888-664-2863
Office: 1-323-756-4824
Fax: 1 (323) 756-1070
Ministry Support:
Phone: 1-888-664-2863 ext. 2
Fax: 1 (323) 756 1070
Administrative Office:
Phone: 1-888-664-2863 ext. 4
New Living Translation (NLT)
Isaiah 22
A Message about Jerusalem
1 This message came to me concerning Jerusalem—the Valley of Vision[a]:
What is happening?
Why is everyone running to the rooftops?
2 The whole city is in a terrible uproar.
What do I see in this reveling city?
Bodies are lying everywhere,
killed not in battle but by famine and disease.
3 All your leaders have fled.
They surrendered without resistance.
The people tried to slip away,
but they were captured, too.
4 That’s why I said, “Leave me alone to weep;
do not try to comfort me.
Let me cry for my people
as I watch them being destroyed.”
5 Oh, what a day of crushing defeat!
What a day of confusion and terror
brought by the Lord, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies,
upon the Valley of Vision!
The walls of Jerusalem have been broken,
and cries of death echo from the mountainsides.
6 Elamites are the archers,
with their chariots and charioteers.
The men of Kir hold up the shields.
7 Chariots fill your beautiful valleys,
and charioteers storm your gates.
8 Judah’s defenses have been stripped away.
You run to the armory[b] for your weapons.
9 You inspect the breaks in the walls of Jerusalem.[c]
You store up water in the lower pool.
10 You survey the houses and tear some down
for stone to strengthen the walls.
11 Between the city walls, you build a reservoir
for water from the old pool.
But you never ask for help from the One who did all this.
You never considered the One who planned this long ago.
12 At that time the Lord, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies,
called you to weep and mourn.
He told you to shave your heads in sorrow for your sins
and to wear clothes of burlap to show your remorse.
13 But instead, you dance and play;
you slaughter cattle and kill sheep.
You feast on meat and drink wine.
You say, “Let’s feast and drink,
for tomorrow we die!”
14 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies has revealed this to me: “Till the day you die, you will never be forgiven for this sin.” That is the judgment of the Lord, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
A Message for Shebna
15 This is what the Lord, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, said to me: “Confront Shebna, the palace administrator, and give him this message:
16 “Who do you think you are,
and what are you doing here,
building a beautiful tomb for yourself—
a monument high up in the rock?
17 For the LORD is about to hurl you away, mighty man.
He is going to grab you,
18 crumple you into a ball,
and toss you away into a distant, barren land.
There you will die,
and your glorious chariots will be broken and useless.
You are a disgrace to your master!
19 “Yes, I will drive you out of office,” says the LORD. “I will pull you down from your high position. 20 And then I will call my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah to replace you. 21 I will dress him in your royal robes and will give him your title and your authority. And he will be a father to the people of Jerusalem and Judah. 22 I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them. 23 He will bring honor to his family name, for I will drive him firmly in place like a nail in the wall. 24 They will give him great responsibility, and he will bring honor to even the lowliest members of his family.[d]”
25 But the LORD of Heaven’s Armies also says: “The time will come when I will pull out the nail that seemed so firm. It will come out and fall to the ground. Everything it supports will fall with it. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
Footnotes:
Isaiah 22:1 Hebrew concerning the Valley of Vision.
Isaiah 22:8 Hebrew to the House of the Forest; see 1 Kgs 7:2-5.
Isaiah 22:9 Hebrew the city of David.
Isaiah 22:24 Hebrew They will hang on him all the glory of his father’s house: its offspring and offshoots, all its lesser vessels, from the bowls to all the jars.
Isaiah 23
A Message about Tyre
1 This message came to me concerning Tyre:
Weep, O ships of Tarshish,
for the harbor and houses of Tyre are gone!
The rumors you heard in Cyprus[a]
are all true.
2 Mourn in silence, you people of the coast
and you merchants of Sidon.
Your traders crossed the sea,
3 sailing over deep waters.
They brought you grain from Egypt[b]
and harvests from along the Nile.
You were the marketplace of the world.
4 But now you are put to shame, city of Sidon,
for Tyre, the fortress of the sea, says,
“Now I am childless;
I have no sons or daughters.”
5 When Egypt hears the news about Tyre,
there will be great sorrow.
6 Send word now to Tarshish!
Wail, you people who live in distant lands!
7 Is this silent ruin all that is left of your once joyous city?
What a long history was yours!
Think of all the colonists you sent to distant places.
8 Who has brought this disaster on Tyre,
that great creator of kingdoms?
Her traders were all princes,
her merchants were nobles.
9 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies has done it
to destroy your pride
and bring low all earth’s nobility.
10 Come, people of Tarshish,
sweep over the land like the flooding Nile,
for Tyre is defenseless.[c]
11 The LORD held out his hand over the sea
and shook the kingdoms of the earth.
He has spoken out against Phoenicia,[d]
ordering that her fortresses be destroyed.
12 He says, “Never again will you rejoice,
O daughter of Sidon, for you have been crushed.
Even if you flee to Cyprus,
you will find no rest.”
13 Look at the land of Babylonia[e]—
the people of that land are gone!
The Assyrians have handed Babylon over
to the wild animals of the desert.
They have built siege ramps against its walls,
torn down its palaces,
and turned it to a heap of rubble.
14 Wail, O ships of Tarshish,
for your harbor is destroyed!
15 For seventy years, the length of a king’s life, Tyre will be forgotten. But then the city will come back to life as in the song about the prostitute:
16 Take a harp and walk the streets,
you forgotten harlot.
Make sweet melody and sing your songs
so you will be remembered again.
17 Yes, after seventy years the LORD will revive Tyre. But she will be no different than she was before. She will again be a prostitute to all kingdoms around the world. 18 But in the end her profits will be given to the LORD. Her wealth will not be hoarded but will provide good food and fine clothing for the LORD’s priests.
Isaiah 23:1 Hebrew Kittim; also in 23:12.
Isaiah 23:3 Hebrew from Shihor, a branch of the Nile River.
Isaiah 23:10 The meaning of the Hebrew in this verse is uncertain.
Isaiah 23:11 Hebrew Canaan.
Isaiah 23:13 Or Chaldea.
Isaiah 24
Destruction of the Earth
1 Look! The LORD is about to destroy the earth
and make it a vast wasteland.
He devastates the surface of the earth
and scatters the people.
2 Priests and laypeople,
servants and masters,
maids and mistresses,
buyers and sellers,
lenders and borrowers,
bankers and debtors—none will be spared.
3 The earth will be completely emptied and looted.
The LORD has spoken!
4 The earth mourns and dries up,
and the crops waste away and wither.
Even the greatest people on earth waste away.
5 The earth suffers for the sins of its people,
for they have twisted God’s instructions,
violated his laws,
and broken his everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore, a curse consumes the earth.
Its people must pay the price for their sin.
They are destroyed by fire,
and only a few are left alive.
7 The grapevines waste away,
and there is no new wine.
All the merrymakers sigh and mourn.
8 The cheerful sound of tambourines is stilled;
the happy cries of celebration are heard no more.
The melodious chords of the harp are silent.
9 Gone are the joys of wine and song;
alcoholic drink turns bitter in the mouth.
10 The city writhes in chaos;
every home is locked to keep out intruders.
11 Mobs gather in the streets, crying out for wine.
Joy has turned to gloom.
Gladness has been banished from the land.
12 The city is left in ruins,
its gates battered down.
13 Throughout the earth the story is the same—
only a remnant is left,
like the stray olives left on the tree
or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest.
14 But all who are left shout and sing for joy.
Those in the west praise the LORD’s majesty.
15 In eastern lands, give glory to the LORD.
In the lands beyond the sea, praise the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
16 We hear songs of praise from the ends of the earth,
songs that give glory to the Righteous One!
But my heart is heavy with grief.
Weep for me, for I wither away.
Deceit still prevails,
and treachery is everywhere.
17 Terror and traps and snares will be your lot,
you people of the earth.
18 Those who flee in terror will fall into a trap,
and those who escape the trap will be caught in a snare.
Destruction falls like rain from the heavens;
the foundations of the earth shake.
19 The earth has broken up.
It has utterly collapsed;
it is violently shaken.
20 The earth staggers like a drunk.
It trembles like a tent in a storm.
It falls and will not rise again,
for the guilt of its rebellion is very heavy.
21 In that day the LORD will punish the gods in the heavens
and the proud rulers of the nations on earth.
22 They will be rounded up and put in prison.
They will be shut up in prison
and will finally be punished.
23 Then the glory of the moon will wane,
and the brightness of the sun will fade,
for the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will rule on Mount Zion.
He will rule in great glory in Jerusalem,
in the sight of all the leaders of his people.
Isaiah 25
Praise for Judgment and Salvation
1 O LORD, I will honor and praise your name,
for you are my God.
You do such wonderful things!
You planned them long ago,
and now you have accomplished them.
2 You turn mighty cities into heaps of ruins.
Cities with strong walls are turned to rubble.
Beautiful palaces in distant lands disappear
and will never be rebuilt.
3 Therefore, strong nations will declare your glory;
ruthless nations will fear you.
4 But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O LORD,
a tower of refuge to the needy in distress.
You are a refuge from the storm
and a shelter from the heat.
For the oppressive acts of ruthless people
are like a storm beating against a wall,
5 or like the relentless heat of the desert.
But you silence the roar of foreign nations.
As the shade of a cloud cools relentless heat,
so the boastful songs of ruthless people are stilled.
6 In Jerusalem,[a] the LORD of Heaven’s Armies
will spread a wonderful feast
for all the people of the world.
It will be a delicious banquet
with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.
7 There he will remove the cloud of gloom,
the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.
8 He will swallow up death forever![b]
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears.
He will remove forever all insults and mockery
against his land and people.
9 In that day the people will proclaim,
“This is our God!
We trusted in him, and he saved us!
This is the LORD, in whom we trusted.
Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!”
10 For the LORD’s hand of blessing will rest on Jerusalem.
But Moab will be crushed.
It will be like straw trampled down and left to rot.
11 God will push down Moab’s people
as a swimmer pushes down water with his hands.
He will end their pride
and all their evil works.
12 The high walls of Moab will be demolished.
They will be brought down to the ground,
down into the dust.
Isaiah 25:6 Hebrew On this mountain; also in 25:10.
Isaiah 25:8 Greek version reads Death is swallowed up in victory. Compare 1 Cor 15:54.
Isaiah 26
A Song of Praise to the LORD
1 In that day, everyone in the land of Judah will sing this song:
Our city is strong!
We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation.
2 Open the gates to all who are righteous;
allow the faithful to enter.
3 You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
4 Trust in the LORD always,
for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.
5 He humbles the proud
and brings down the arrogant city.
He brings it down to the dust.
6 The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot,
and the needy walk all over it.
7 But for those who are righteous,
the way is not steep and rough.
You are a God who does what is right,
and you smooth out the path ahead of them.
8 LORD, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws;
our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.
9 All night long I search for you;
in the morning I earnestly seek for God.
For only when you come to judge the earth
will people learn what is right.
10 Your kindness to the wicked
does not make them do good.
Although others do right, the wicked keep doing wrong
and take no notice of the LORD’s majesty.
11 O LORD, they pay no attention to your upraised fist.
Show them your eagerness to defend your people.
Then they will be ashamed.
Let your fire consume your enemies.
12 LORD, you will grant us peace;
all we have accomplished is really from you.
13 O LORD our God, others have ruled us,
but you alone are the one we worship.
14 Those we served before are dead and gone.
Their departed spirits will never return!
You attacked them and destroyed them,
and they are long forgotten.
15 O LORD, you have made our nation great;
yes, you have made us great.
You have extended our borders,
and we give you the glory!
16 LORD, in distress we searched for you.
We prayed beneath the burden of your discipline.
17 Just as a pregnant woman
writhes and cries out in pain as she gives birth,
so were we in your presence, LORD.
18 We, too, writhe in agony,
but nothing comes of our suffering.
We have not given salvation to the earth,
nor brought life into the world.
19 But those who die in the LORD will live;
their bodies will rise again!
Those who sleep in the earth
will rise up and sing for joy!
For your life-giving light will fall like dew
on your people in the place of the dead!
Restoration for Israel
20 Go home, my people,
and lock your doors!
Hide yourselves for a little while
until the LORD’s anger has passed.
21 Look! The LORD is coming from heaven
to punish the people of the earth for their sins.
The earth will no longer hide those who have been killed.
They will be brought out for all to see.
Isaiah 27
1 In that day the LORD will take his terrible, swift sword and punish Leviathan,[a] the swiftly moving serpent, the coiling, writhing serpent. He will kill the dragon of the sea.
2 “In that day,
sing about the fruitful vineyard.
3 I, the LORD, will watch over it,
watering it carefully.
Day and night I will watch so no one can harm it.
4 My anger will be gone.
If I find briers and thorns growing,
I will attack them;
I will burn them up—
5 unless they turn to me for help.
Let them make peace with me;
yes, let them make peace with me.”
6 The time is coming when Jacob’s descendants will take root.
Israel will bud and blossom
and fill the whole earth with fruit!
7 Has the LORD struck Israel
as he struck her enemies?
Has he punished her
as he punished them?
8 No, but he exiled Israel to call her to account.
She was exiled from her land
as though blown away in a storm from the east.
9 The LORD did this to purge Israel’s[b] wickedness,
to take away all her sin.
As a result, all the pagan altars will be crushed to dust.
No Asherah pole or pagan shrine will be left standing.
10 The fortified towns will be silent and empty,
the houses abandoned, the streets overgrown with weeds.
Calves will graze there,
chewing on twigs and branches.
11 The people are like the dead branches of a tree,
broken off and used for kindling beneath the cooking pots.
Israel is a foolish and stupid nation,
for its people have turned away from God.
Therefore, the one who made them
will show them no pity or mercy.
12 Yet the time will come when the LORD will gather them together like handpicked grain. One by one he will gather them—from the Euphrates River[c] in the east to the Brook of Egypt in the west. 13 In that day the great trumpet will sound. Many who were dying in exile in Assyria and Egypt will return to Jerusalem to worship the LORD on his holy mountain.
Isaiah 27:1 The identification of Leviathan is disputed, ranging from an earthly creature to a mythical sea monster in ancient literature.
Isaiah 27:9 Hebrew Jacob’s. See note on 14:1.
Isaiah 27:12 Hebrew the river.
Isaiah 28
A Message about Samaria
1 What sorrow awaits the proud city of Samaria—
the glorious crown of the drunks of Israel.[a]
It sits at the head of a fertile valley,
