GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

"WHO IS THIS?"

Christ's Comings To Save His People
and Judge His Enemies
Isaiah 63:1-19

Don Fortner

If you read the commentaries on this passage, (I mean, of course, only the good commentaries), they are just about equally divided. Some say that this Chapter has reference to and is a prophecy of our Lord's first advent to redeem and save his people by the sacrifice of himself. And the arguments in favor of their interpretation are pretty good. But others say, No. They tell us that this 63rd Chapter of Isaiah is a prophecy of Christ's glorious second advent to judge and destroy his enemies. And their arguments are pretty good too. I am convinced beyond a doubt that both interpretations are absolutely true.

Tonight, I want to take you through these 19 verses of Isaiah 63. I want to show you once more who our Lord Jesus Christ is and lead you in the thankful acknowledgement of his unceasing mercy, love, and grace toward us.

I. In verses 1-6, we are given a prophetic picture of Christ's coming to save his people.

Edom represents God's most implacable enemies. Bozrah was the capital city of Edom. So the Lord Jesus is here presented as coming triumphantly up out of Edom, having accomplished the redemption of his people – "Mighty to Save." Verse 1–

• His garments were dyed in Edom – The Earth


• His apparel is glorious.


• His strength is great.


• He speaks in righteousness.


• He is mighty to save (Heb. 7:25). Mighty Blood – Mighty Grace – Mighty Power

Verses 2-3 – Our Lord Jesus stained his garments in the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God, when he died as our Substitute.

Verses 4 – At God's appointed time, he came forth to satisfy the justice of the Almighty and redeem his chosen by the sacrifice of himself.

• Romans 5:6


• Galatians 4:4

Verse 5 – In fury against sin and in zeal for his people, the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished the salvation of his people by himself.

Verse 6 – Our salvation will be complete when Christ comes the second time and at last destroys all his enemies and ours.

• Revelation 19:11-16

II. Secondly, We ought to constantly and thankfully acknowledge God's goodness to us and our unworthiness of it (vv. 7-10).

A. God's free lovingkindness is the cause of all his goodness to us – "In love" (Eph. 1:4)

• In Antiquity!


• In Blessings!


• In Immutability!

C. God's goodness is measured to us by his immeasurable, electing mercy (vv. 7-8).

D. Christ became our Savior because he chose us to be his people (John 15-16).

E. Surely, the objects of such grace ought to always honor the Lord God as a people…

• Who mention his praise.


• Who will not lie – Are Honest and Sincere.

F. But, like Israel of old, we are altogether unworthy of God's great goodness to us.

1. How good God has been to us (v. 9)!
2. Yet, like Israel, we have vexed his Holy Spirit and constantly provoke him to anger (v. 10).

III. Yet, as God was faithful to Israel, so he has been and shall forever be faithful to us (vv. 11-14).

• II Timothy 2:13, 19

• To His Word!


• To His Covenant!


• To His People!


• To His Purpose – "To make himself an everlasting, glorious name." (Eph. 1:3-14).

IV. This chapter closes with an earnest, humble prayer for mercy by which the Holy Spirit teaches us how to Wrestle with God in prayer (vv. 15-19).

A. Plead His Attributes – Holiness and Mercy (v. 15).

B. Plead Our Special Relationship With Him. (v. 16).

• Adoption.


• Redemption.

• Acknowledge Your Sin.


• Acknowledge His Sovereignty.


• Plea for His Return.

D. Plead the Insolence of Your Enemies (v. 18).

E. Plead the Glory of God's Name (v. 19).

1. "We are thine."
2. You are our Ruler.
3. We are "called by thy name."

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