"From the west, men will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For He will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along." (Isaiah 59:19, NIV)
The KJV puts the emphasis on, "When the enemy shall come in...." But from all I have researched over the years, the "emphasis" here is The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, "For He will come." I know I emphasize this ad nauseam to some, but Biblical Theology reveals that there is only, "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism," ----- not an Old Testament "Lord" and a New Testament, "Lord," or, "faith," or, "baptism." God is One, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. When Father speaks, it is His Word, as in the Word revealed in Revelation, "dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is the Word of God," Jesus. I love sound theology.
Our text is of course prophetic. Christ's first appearing was to the Jews and Gentiles, and, not the least, to Satan Himself, "like a pent-up flood that the breath (Holy Spirit) of the LORD drives along." This was the Devil's undoing; this was the nations' undoing, and it was the undoing of rebellious Jews also. In other words, Universe, you can get on or get run over, it is your choice and your choice alone. But be assured, "He will come like a pent-up flood."
Earlier in Isaiah 59 we read, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear." So, you see, the section begins with a promise to, "us who are saved," and a threat to those who are unbelieving. The passage goes on to reveal the utter moral depravity of the human condition, "rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived....Truth is nowhere to be found." We are then told, "The LORD looked and was displeased," with all of this. "He was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so His own arm worked salvation for Him, and His own righteousness sustained Him." The passage concludes with our text; from the "four corners" of the earth, "men will fear the name of the LORD," Jesus Christ. Hang in their, weary traveler, the dam is about to break!
The KJV puts the emphasis on, "When the enemy shall come in...." But from all I have researched over the years, the "emphasis" here is The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, "For He will come." I know I emphasize this ad nauseam to some, but Biblical Theology reveals that there is only, "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism," ----- not an Old Testament "Lord" and a New Testament, "Lord," or, "faith," or, "baptism." God is One, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. When Father speaks, it is His Word, as in the Word revealed in Revelation, "dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is the Word of God," Jesus. I love sound theology.
Our text is of course prophetic. Christ's first appearing was to the Jews and Gentiles, and, not the least, to Satan Himself, "like a pent-up flood that the breath (Holy Spirit) of the LORD drives along." This was the Devil's undoing; this was the nations' undoing, and it was the undoing of rebellious Jews also. In other words, Universe, you can get on or get run over, it is your choice and your choice alone. But be assured, "He will come like a pent-up flood."
Earlier in Isaiah 59 we read, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear." So, you see, the section begins with a promise to, "us who are saved," and a threat to those who are unbelieving. The passage goes on to reveal the utter moral depravity of the human condition, "rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived....Truth is nowhere to be found." We are then told, "The LORD looked and was displeased," with all of this. "He was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so His own arm worked salvation for Him, and His own righteousness sustained Him." The passage concludes with our text; from the "four corners" of the earth, "men will fear the name of the LORD," Jesus Christ. Hang in their, weary traveler, the dam is about to break!
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
