Midweek Message from the Archive
Finding Jesus in Isaiah
If you enjoy the night sky, locating and naming the constellations, an occasional planet, or other objects in space, then an experience with a telescope is for you. Allowing you to view what’s distant, as it appears larger makes it appear nearer. Telescopes are simply a tube with a lens at one end and multiple lenses at the other that slide into each other. It’s a fascinating tool yet a great picture of the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah is the first and foremost prophet of the Bible; he’s called the Prince of the Prophets for good reason. Not only is he quoted in the New Testament more than any other prophet, his prophecies include both captivities (Assyria captured Israel in the north and 150 years later Babylon captured Judah in the south), the first and coming of Christ, the end times, Judgment Day, and our eternal future with God here on earth. It’s easy to see why he’s a highly honored prophet.
The prophetic team, with 16 players, is clumped together in our Bible with Isaiah kicking off. We know that his words from God were fulfilled since history confirms both captivities and the first appearance of Messiah, Jesus. That’s a pretty good record but what about the remaining prophecies?
That’s where the prophetic telescope helps our understanding. Isaiah, writing on behalf of God, focuses his lens on the future and the far-future by magnifying the events that are coming. He makes what is quite distant appear larger and therefore nearer as a telescope is designed to do. Isaiah was given spiritual warnings for God’s people to return, repent, and reform their ways, however, his prophetic lens of the far-future is where we find Jesus in this book.
Sprinkled throughout all sixty six chapters you can find references to Jesus. Details of His birth (ch. 9 & 11), His death (ch. 53), the latter days (‘end times’, ch. 2, 13), the Day of the Lord (Second Coming and Judgment Day, ch. 24-27), and our eternal future (new heavens and new earth, ch. 65-66) are pictured there. No other book encompasses so much of God’s heart for His people: Jew and Gentile alike. There is no other prophet whom God has chosen to reveal Himself as He does with Isaiah.
God not only has a wonderful plan for your life but also for every family, every nation, and all of creation. That plan often seems hidden, nevertheless, it’s in place and it will not be altered. As we watch the news it may seem like Satan has the upper hand but that’s all the more reason to understand the prophets: especially Isaiah. Allow his words to bring you comfort and encouragement and even a heads-up on the future. Jesus is coming again as King and we wait expectantly for ‘that Day’.
As surely as my new heavens and earth will remain, so will you always be my people, with a name that will never disappear,” says the Lord. Isaiah 66:22 NLT
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