GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST – THE PROCLAMATION OF HIS VICTORY

Christ's Sure Conquest And Over All His Enemies
Isaiah 62:10-63:6

Don Fortner

The title of my message tonight is The Gospel of Christ – The Proclamation of His Victory. I have told you before that the chapter and verse divisions of our English Bible are sometimes unfortunate and misleading. Certainly that is the case in our text tonight. Most commentators treat the opening verses of Isaiah 63 as though they had no connection to the closing verses of chapter 62. But, in reality, there should be no chapter division here at all. Isaiah 62:10 through 63:6 form one paragraph. And that paragraph will be our text tonight.

Without question, this passage, like many in the Old Testament has reference both to our Lord's first advent to redeem his people from their sins, and to his second advent in which he will redeem our bodies from the grave and destroy all evil, triumphing gloriously over all his enemies. Frequently, the Bible blends together as one, the glory of Christ's first advent and the glory of his second advent (Isa. 65:17-25). We are plainly told that the new creation, which has its beginning in Christ's first advent, will have its consummation in his second advent (II Cor. 5:17; II Pet. 3:7-13; Rom. 8:19-23).

This passage of Scripture (Isa. 62:10 - 63:6) is poetical and allegorical. The battle described is altogether spiritual. The conflict is with sin and the powers of darkness. The Conqueror returns from the field of battle, having destroyed all his foes and having saved all his people. This mighty Conqueror has been and must forever be Victorious. And he makes all his people to be "more than conquerors."

There are two passages in the New Testament that have an obvious reference to the text before us. One refers to our Lord's first advent to redeem and save his people. – Colossians 2:15. The other refers to his second advent to destroy his enemies and ours. – Revelation 19:11-21.

Proposition: In these verses the Prophet of God describes the whole work of Christ, from his first advent to his glorious second coming, as one tremendous interpretation of grace, by which he subdues all things unto himself.

Divisions: These verses contain three things that I want you to see, as I show you Isaiah's vision of our great and glorious Savior.

1. A Proclamation of Salvation.
2. A Question of Astonishment.
3. An Answer of Mercy.

I will not dwell on the details of our text, because I preached to you from these verses just a few weeks ago. But I want everyone here to understand that the gospel proclaims salvation – Not as a possibility, but as a fact! – Not as an opportunity, but as an accomplishment!

• Colossians 2:15


• Isaiah 40:1-2

There are five Things clearly taught in these verses of Inspiration. All five are of vital importance.

A. Salvation is something that comes to you, not something that arises from within you! "Behold, thy salvation cometh."

• Romans 9:16

B. Salvation is in and by a Person, The Lord Jesus Christ. "Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold his reward is with him, and his work before him."

• Luke 2:28-31


• John 1:29


• Romans 3:24

Do not look to rites and rituals, creeds and confessions, experiences and emotions, or feelings and formulas – Look to a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Salvation!

• Imputed Righteousness – Justification!


• Imparted Righteousness – Sanctification!


• Glorious Righteousness – Resurrection!

D. Salvation comes to sinners by redemption – By Blood Atonement. "The Redeemed of the Lord!"

In the Word of God, there is no salvation without redemption, no forgiveness without blood atonement. Redemption by substitution is the gospel.

• II Corinthians 5:21


• Galatians 3:13

1. Particular Redemption!
2. Effectual Redemption!

1. Here is the beginning of it – "Sought Our!"
2. Here is the end of it – "A City Not Forsaken!"

II. Secondly, our text contains A Question of Astonishment (63:1-2). "Who is this…? "Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel…?"

It appears from our text that the person asking these questions knows who this mighty Conqueror is and where he has been. These are questions of astonished adoration. Isaiah seems to be saying, "Is this my God? Has he done all this for me?"

A. He sees Where the Savior has been. Down in Edom, in the field of battle!

B. He sees the glorious apparel of our Redeemer. – The Keys of Death and Hell are on his girdle!

• John 17:2


• Revelation 5:5-6

D. The prophet also observes with reverence The color of the Savior's garments (v. 2).

Listen to me now – Our Savior never looks so lovely, and never appears so glorious, as when he appears "red" in his apparel, as the Lamb of God, slain for us.

1. Red is the color of sin – He was made to be sin for us.
2. Red is the color of blood – He poured out his blood for us.
3. Red is the color of victory – (John 12:28-31).
4. Red is the color of royalty – (Rom. 14:9).
5. Red is the color of celebration!

E. Perhaps the question implies an intense longing to know him, whom to know is life eternal. Philippians 3:10.

III. Thirdly, The Mighty Conqueror himself speaks to give us An Answer of Mercy (vv. 1-6).

A. HE describes himself as the Revealer of Righteousness – "I that speak in righteousness."

1. Christ can save you!
2. Christ alone can save you!
3. He can do it by himself!
4. He can save you now!

NOTE: The blood that stains his garments is his own blood, the blood of atonement. Yet, it is our blood representively, gushing forth from him who was trampled in his own fury as our Substitute!

NOTE: Verse 3 refers to Christ's work of redemption. Verse 6 refers to his work of judgment.

a. He was totally forsaken.
b. His own arm brought salvation to him…
c. His fury against sin upheld him in his agony!

1. Christ Prevailed over His Enemies at Calvary.
2. Christ Prevails over His Enemies by His Grace.
3. Christ shall Prevail over His Enemies in His Fury!

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