Captivity led captive

"They will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors." [Isaiah 14:2]
"You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive..." [Psalm 68:18]
"Therefore he says, 'When he ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.'" [Ephesians 4:8]

Isaiah saw Babylon being led captive.  His prophecy also included the remarkable words,
"The strangers will be joined with them [Israel] and they will cling to the house of Jacob."  It isn't a prophecy one hears on the lips of Jews very often.  In all these passages, there is a consistent message.  It is a message of victory for the people of God, because He has won it and turned the table on the captors. 

Who are the captors, that are now led captive by Messiah?  The captors are sin, shame, death.  And I would also think among the captors now led captive are war and strife. Isaiah continues in 14:6,7,

"He who ruled the nations in anger, Is persecuted and no one hinders.  The whole earth is at rest and quiet; They break forth into singing."

Peace on earth isn't even desired by those who love power and money.  They enrich themselves through war, shamelessly.  I happen to work in the military-industrial complex part of the time.  And I am truly ashamed of this fact, and ask the Lord to set me free from THIS prosperous vocation, to serve HIS KINGDOM only.  I do not equate national success in an imperialistic war with obedience to God.  Personally I am obeying Him.

But the peace where "the earth is at rest and quiet", that is a spiritual peace, and I want to proclaim and lead people to find it.  Walking through a quiet forest with a friend is about the closest thing I can compare it to. In the quiet, you can hear the trees singing, and saying to the oppressors, "Since you were cut down, no woodsman comes against us.  Now we are happy too!"

Do people want to hear this message of peace?  I am skeptical of them, but not of the Gospel. Lord, let me find out by giving it to them. 

Lord, here am I, send me! Send me!  Lord, no one seems to believe there are apostles any more, except the Catholics, who imagine this apostleship is inherited by their popes and bishops alone.  What?  Can you not raise up children of Abraham from stones?  Cannot you even make the rocks sing the praises of your Son Jesus?! Yes, you can. Lord, open my dumb lips also, and give me words from on high to proclaim in Virginia.  Send me!  Lord, by yourself alone, send this unworthy sinner. Yea, make me worthy and send me.  I would be an apostle, sent in the power of your Name. Lord Jesus, sanctify me to your service. And whether our message is accepted, ignored, or utterly rejected, please embolden and enable me to deliver it to them, soon. In Jesus' holy Name, amen.