Understanding Isaiah (Lesson 14: The Return of the King [Chapter 63-64])

Introduction:

We are now moving to the final, consummative stage in Isaiah’s grand vision of the advent and work of Christ. When we began the second major portion of Isaiah (chapters 40-66), we observed that God is eminently concerned with displaying his glory. We noted that the ultimate way in which he does this is through his mighty work of redemption. This work, we saw, would be perfectly accomplished by the coming of the Servant of the Lord, the long-awaited Christ. Then, when we got to chapter fifty-three, we learned something shocking: Christ would accomplish this mightiest of all works, which would display God’s glory more clearly than it could ever otherwise have been seen, by being humbled and degraded. We noted that Christ, through his sufferings, would obtain redemption and eternal life for his people; and that the effects of his great success would spread until they covered the entire earth. Because of all this, Isaiah spends some time exhorting the people of God to true religion, and not just the outward appearance of it. Now, as we move into chapter sixty-three, we see unfolding one last great development in God’s redemptive design. Christ will return a second time: but this time, he will not be in a state of humiliation – weak, despised, and as a lamb for slaughter. No, he will come as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, as a glorious conquering warrior, whom no one can resist, and before whom the whole earth will bow in terror. Seeing that this return of the King is bearing down hard upon us, let us make sure that we are in his favor, and that he is coming to deliver us from our enemies. For if we should be found to be his enemies on that day, oh how great and eternal our torment will be! Let us bow before the King now, while we may still do so with joy, and not wait until we must bow with the anguish of knowing we must forever face his wrath.

I. Christ’s first coming summarized, together with its later effects (Chapters 61-62)

Chapter sixty-one begins, once again, with the words of Christ. This prophecy is significant because it is the portion of scripture which Christ read and applied to himself at the beginning of his earthly ministry (Luke 4:16-21). In the prophecy, we have Christ proclaiming that the Holy Spirit has empowered him for his ministry (cf. Luke 3:22) – a ministry of comfort, compassion, and healing to those who are afflicted by their sins; to such as these he will announce an acceptable year, that is, a year in which they might be pardoned, because God would pour out his vengeance against sin upon Christ, and bring forgiveness to those who trust in him. In this way, multitudes who had been bound by sin and the Devil would be freed; and thus Zion (the true Zion, God’s living church) would be repaired of all its afflictions and would flourish again. Through Christ, God’s true Israel would be a nation of priests, rejoicing and spreading the good news among the nations. That this prophecy is admirably being fulfilled in the Church today is made apparent by 1 Peter 2:9-10.

Chapter sixty-two continues with the same prophecy of the glorious and fruitful state of the Church in the latter days, that is, the days following the first coming of Christ. Through the church, the nations will see and rejoice in the glory of God; the land (signifying the place where God dwells among his people) will no longer be called “desolate,” but “Hephzibah,” which means, “My delight is in her.”It will no longer be called “forsaken,” but “Beulah,” which means, “Married.” Because of Christ, God will forevermore delight in his people, even rejoice in them as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride. For we truly are the bride of Christ (Revelation 19:6-8). And God himself will fight for his people in whom he delights, and so the final success of the Church over all her enemies is guaranteed.

II. Christ’s second coming announced, together with its results for his people and his enemies (Chapters 63-64)
In chapter sixty-three, we see a prophecy of the return of Christ, after the gospel has gone throughout the earth, and his church has been established in true righteousness. As soon as Christ appears in his glory, we find the church wondering in great joy and amazement, “Who is this who is coming…?” Not as though they did not know, but because of the greatness of their joy. For it is none other than Christ, coming to avenge his saints and pour out his fierce wrath upon all the enemies of himself and his church. Hence is raiment is red, probably soaked in the blood of those who have opposed him (cf. Revelation 14:18-20). This is the final work of the almighty Christ: all those who have called upon his name will receive mercy, for he has undergone the wrath of God in their behalf. But those who oppose him will be utterly consumed, as Christ pours out the great wrath of God upon them for their sins, still un-atoned. These will experience God’s hot wrath for all eternity, when Christ comes to deliver justice to the world. Christ alone will judge the whole earth; all men will have to give an account before him and no one else: and if they cannot lay claim to the blood of Christ, nothing will save them. But for his people, the outcome will be vastly different. Christ’s coming will be for their salvation, as may be seen by the typical history of the nation of Israel. In all of their distresses, Christ mightily delivered them. And so will he do for his Church forever, that is, for those who are truly his. That this is not a matter of physical descent is patently clear: Abraham cannot plead for deliverance for those who are descended from him. If one would lay claim to God’s mercy, a greater than Abraham must be his father. The only one who can save is God; thus God himself must be Father to anyone who would lay claim to his grace. And God truly is the Father of those whom Christ has made his brothers.

The heartfelt longings expressed in chapter sixty-four are on the lips of all those who are Christ’s, who suffer for his sake and long for him to return and deliver them. True Christians will ever be crying out, “Oh, that Christ would come, dissolve this old, sin-cursed earth, and create a new heavens and earth without sin, sorrow, or pain!” (cf. Revelation 22:17). The true Christian has a taste of the better world than this (e.g. Abraham, as recorded in Hebrews 11:10), and recognizes that no eye has seen the things which God has prepared for them that love him (Isaiah 64:4; see 1 Corinthians 2:9-10). The thought of the great joy that will fill the hearts of the faithful at Christ’s return, and the great terror that will overwhelm all hypocrites, drives Isaiah to the truths of the gospel: our righteousnesses are not sufficient – they are as filthy rags – and hence, he turns to God in true repentance, and cries out for mercy. May we do the same.

Conclusion:

The day of the return of the glorious King is fast-approaching: oh, may we be found among those who have their wedding garments (Matthew 22:1-14), who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, who may rejoice with eternal joy at his appearing. If we are deceiving ourselves, if we have no true love for Christ, if we are not clinging to his cross for righteousness and acceptance with God, we will be utterly undone when Christ comes back. We will be forever cast into the outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. O Christ, teach us to love your appearing!

KING

Today I finally found a melody that fits
A melody that fits
Today I finally found a song that I can sing
A song that I can sing

You are my King, You are my King
I bow down before You and crown You the King of all Kings
Forever I’ll sing, forever I’ll sing
I’ll sing of Your mercy and how I have been set free

The rulers of the earth will bow before Your throne
They’ll bow before Your throne
The nations You have made will worship You alone
they’ll worship You alone
They’ll sing for You

You are my King, You are my King
I bow down before You and crown You the King of all Kings
Forever I’ll sing, forever I’ll sing
I’ll sing of Your mercy and how by Your love I’m set free

I’m set free
I’m set free
If the King has set you free
You are free indeed

Written by Bob Herdman, Mark Stuart, Will McGinniss, Ben Cissell, and Tyler Burkum; Performed by Audio Adrenaline on their album “Until My Heart Caves In”.

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