Monday, September 29, 2008

The Coming of the King cont. - Isaiah 63

Continuing with chapter 63…The Lord declares that He is coming with vengeance in mind. Again I will excerpt from my journal in Isaiah.

Is. 63:3-4 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

This chapter of Isaiah speaks of the Lord coming from Edom/Bozrah. This makes a lot more sense when we realize that He is coming in vengeance and defense of His people who have been sheltered there. He is so covered in blood that His garments appear to have been dyed red or soaked in the juice of the grapes from the winepress. Isaiah 34:5-6 indicates that the Lord will have a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

Is. 34:5-6 For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment. The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.
(Note: Idumea = Edom)

We know that this is the Lord because in verse 1 He identifies Himself as the One that speaks in righteousness and is mighty to save; only the Lord can be identified as righteous. We (Christians) are righteous only because He has imputed His righteousness to us. Also, verse 4 speaks of His day of vengeance, and vengeance belongs to the Lord according to scripture.

Rom. 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Another identification is made of the Lord in verse 4 as the Redeemer who is identified as the Lord many places in scripture.

Is. 47:4 As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.

Is. 60:16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

Confirmation of His identity is given in the book of Revelation where description is given of the time of His return to planet earth as King of kings.

Rev. 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

The Father has assigned all judgment to the Son, and in verse 3 He makes it clear that it is He alone who has the right to respond with righteous anger (see quote from Revelation above).

John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

The reference to a day and a year indicate a specific point in time according to God’s specific plan.

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