House of prayer

I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. For the Sovereign Lord, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others, too, besides my people Israel. Isaiah 56:7-8 NLT

Revival begins when a person comes to a relationship with God. God values a heart for Christ. This is what defines spiritual authenticity. As Isaiah continues to promote the events that will take place in the end, He reminds the Israelites that this is what matters to God; to have an authentic relationship with God. We need to understand this trust as well. This call of having an authentic relationship with God is open to all. As Isaiah said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56:8). God wants every person of every nation to be a part of it by acknowledging Christ. This is why the Lord Jesus Christ quoted this passage when He kicked out of the Temple the religious leaders who were haggling people in buying items that will be used in the temple worship (see Mark 11:15–17). The temple was not just designated as a house of sacrifice but a house of worship where prayers are offered. The worshipers are not limited to certain personalities. What matters to God is to bring those outside of His fold. “I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd” (John 10:16). When we join God and take part in doing what matters to Him, we move towards revival. This is what Isaiah foresees in the future as the work of the people of God; to declare God’s offer of salvation to all the ends of the earth. “He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God” (Psalm 98:3).

Blessings,