Christ's Victorious Return: Hope Amidst Adversity

 

Summary

In the opening verses of Isaiah 63, we encounter a vivid and powerful vision that serves as a profound encouragement to God's people. The prophet Isaiah, amidst a desperate situation, is given a glimpse of a majestic figure emerging from Edom, clothed in garments stained with blood, symbolizing a victorious conqueror. This vision is not an interruption but a divine encouragement, reminding us of God's faithfulness and power in the face of adversity. The figure represents Christ, the ultimate victor over all forces opposed to God and His people. This passage serves as a reminder that God periodically grants us glimpses of His ultimate victory to sustain us in our spiritual battles.

The vision of the conqueror from Edom is a powerful symbol of Christ's victory over sin and evil. Edom, throughout scripture, represents the forces opposed to God, and the vision of Christ emerging victorious from Edom is a reminder of His triumph over all spiritual adversaries. This victory is not just historical but ongoing, as Christ continues to conquer the enemies of His church throughout history. The vision encourages us to lift our eyes from our present struggles and focus on the glory and power of Christ, who is mighty to save.

The passage also emphasizes the righteousness of Christ. He is the King of Righteousness, whose mission is to restore righteousness to a fallen world. His coming, life, death, and resurrection are all centered on this divine purpose. The vision assures us that Christ's promises are sure and that His righteousness will ultimately prevail. This assurance is a source of great comfort and hope for believers, reminding us that our struggles are not in vain and that Christ's victory is certain.

Furthermore, the vision highlights the solitary nature of Christ's work. He trod the winepress alone, emphasizing that salvation is entirely His work. This truth is central to the Christian faith, reminding us that our hope and salvation rest solely in Christ's finished work. It is a call to trust wholly in Him, recognizing that He alone is sufficient for our salvation.

Finally, the vision points to the ultimate return of Christ, when He will come in glory to judge the world and establish His eternal kingdom. This future hope is a powerful motivator for believers to remain steadfast in prayer and intercession, knowing that Christ's final victory is assured.

Key Takeaways:

- The vision in Isaiah 63 serves as a divine encouragement, reminding us that God provides glimpses of His ultimate victory to sustain us in our spiritual battles. This vision is not an interruption but a profound reminder of God's faithfulness and power. [05:22]

- Edom represents the forces opposed to God, and the vision of Christ emerging victorious from Edom symbolizes His triumph over all spiritual adversaries. This victory is ongoing, as Christ continues to conquer the enemies of His church throughout history. [10:52]

- Christ is the King of Righteousness, whose mission is to restore righteousness to a fallen world. His promises are sure, and His righteousness will ultimately prevail, providing great comfort and hope for believers. [25:01]

- The solitary nature of Christ's work is emphasized in the vision, reminding us that salvation is entirely His work. Our hope and salvation rest solely in Christ's finished work, calling us to trust wholly in Him. [32:53]

- The vision points to the ultimate return of Christ, when He will come in glory to judge the world and establish His eternal kingdom. This future hope motivates believers to remain steadfast in prayer and intercession, knowing that Christ's final victory is assured. [42:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Isaiah 63
- [01:07] - The Desperate Condition of Israel
- [02:05] - Call to Prayer and Action
- [03:01] - The Vision of the Conqueror
- [04:49] - God's Encouragement to His People
- [06:07] - The Role of Divine Encouragement
- [07:12] - The Purpose of Scripture
- [08:31] - The Vision of the Victorious Warrior
- [10:08] - Edom as the Symbol of Opposition
- [12:38] - The Church's Historical Struggle
- [14:41] - The Church's Recourse to the Vision
- [17:12] - The Glory of Christ's Person
- [19:48] - The Righteousness of Christ
- [25:01] - Christ's Passion for Righteousness
- [30:07] - The Anger and Fury of Christ
- [32:53] - The Solitary Work of Christ
- [38:03] - Christ's Victory on the Cross
- [42:25] - The Ultimate Return of Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 63:1-6

Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the figure emerging from Edom in Isaiah 63, and how is this figure described? [00:10]
2. How does the sermon describe the condition of Israel at the time of Isaiah's prophecy? [01:07]
3. What role does the vision in Isaiah 63 play in the context of the prophet's prayer and intercession? [03:01]
4. How does the sermon explain the symbolism of Edom in the Bible? [10:08]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the vision of the conqueror from Edom serve as a divine encouragement for believers today? [05:22]
2. How does the sermon interpret the solitary nature of Christ's work as depicted in Isaiah 63? [32:53]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the ongoing nature of Christ's victory over spiritual adversaries? [10:52]
4. How does the sermon connect the righteousness of Christ to His mission and promises? [25:01]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by spiritual battles. How can the vision of Christ's victory in Isaiah 63 encourage you in your current struggles? [05:22]
2. The sermon emphasizes the solitary nature of Christ's work in salvation. How does this truth impact your understanding of your personal faith journey? [32:53]
3. In what ways can you lift your eyes from present struggles and focus on the glory and power of Christ in your daily life? [10:52]
4. How can the assurance of Christ's righteousness prevailing provide comfort and hope in your current circumstances? [25:01]
5. The sermon calls believers to remain steadfast in prayer and intercession. What specific steps can you take to strengthen your prayer life this week? [42:25]
6. Consider the forces opposed to God in your life. How can you actively trust in Christ's ongoing victory over these adversaries? [10:52]
7. How does the future hope of Christ's return motivate you to live out your faith more boldly? [42:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Encouragement in Spiritual Battles
In the opening verses of Isaiah 63, we are presented with a vision that serves as a profound encouragement to God's people. This vision is not an interruption but a divine reminder of God's faithfulness and power in the face of adversity. The majestic figure emerging from Edom, clothed in garments stained with blood, symbolizes a victorious conqueror, representing Christ, the ultimate victor over all forces opposed to God and His people. This passage serves as a reminder that God periodically grants us glimpses of His ultimate victory to sustain us in our spiritual battles. By focusing on this vision, believers are encouraged to lift their eyes from their present struggles and focus on the glory and power of Christ, who is mighty to save. [05:22]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: In what current struggle can you seek God's encouragement and strength today, trusting in His ultimate victory?


Day 2: Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Adversaries
The vision of the conqueror from Edom is a powerful symbol of Christ's victory over sin and evil. Edom, throughout scripture, represents the forces opposed to God, and the vision of Christ emerging victorious from Edom is a reminder of His triumph over all spiritual adversaries. This victory is not just historical but ongoing, as Christ continues to conquer the enemies of His church throughout history. Believers are encouraged to remember that Christ's victory is not confined to the past but is a present reality that empowers them to face their own spiritual battles with confidence. [10:52]

Colossians 2:15 (ESV): "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."

Reflection: What spiritual adversaries are you facing today, and how can you rely on Christ's ongoing victory to overcome them?


Day 3: The Righteousness of Christ
The passage emphasizes the righteousness of Christ, who is the King of Righteousness, with a mission to restore righteousness to a fallen world. His coming, life, death, and resurrection are all centered on this divine purpose. The vision assures believers that Christ's promises are sure and that His righteousness will ultimately prevail. This assurance provides great comfort and hope, reminding believers that their struggles are not in vain and that Christ's victory is certain. By focusing on Christ's righteousness, believers can find strength and encouragement to pursue righteousness in their own lives. [25:01]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to seek Christ's righteousness, and how can you actively pursue it today?


Day 4: The Solitary Work of Christ
The vision highlights the solitary nature of Christ's work, emphasizing that salvation is entirely His work. He trod the winepress alone, reminding believers that their hope and salvation rest solely in Christ's finished work. This truth is central to the Christian faith, calling believers to trust wholly in Him, recognizing that He alone is sufficient for their salvation. By understanding the solitary nature of Christ's work, believers are encouraged to rely on His grace and not on their own efforts for salvation. [32:53]

Hebrews 9:12 (ESV): "He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own efforts rather than trusting in Christ's finished work? How can you shift your focus to His sufficiency today?


Day 5: The Ultimate Return of Christ
The vision points to the ultimate return of Christ, when He will come in glory to judge the world and establish His eternal kingdom. This future hope is a powerful motivator for believers to remain steadfast in prayer and intercession, knowing that Christ's final victory is assured. By focusing on the promise of Christ's return, believers are encouraged to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing their spiritual growth and commitment to God's kingdom. This anticipation of Christ's return inspires believers to remain faithful and diligent in their walk with God. [42:25]

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV): "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."

Reflection: How does the promise of Christ's return influence your daily life and priorities? What changes can you make to live with a more eternal perspective today?

Quotes



Here is the prophet in this desperate situation exhorting and urging his people to join him in watching and in prayer and the position is desperate so God looks down upon them and realizes their weakness and the desperate plight and he just grants them an encouragement he just does something which enables them to continue in prayer and in watching. [00:04:47]

Edom is always used in the scripture to signify and to represent the powers that are opposed to God and his people Edom comes originally from Esau so if you like you see it is the picture of the contrast between Jacob and Esau Esau the profane the man who doesn't get the birth right the man who values other things more than a Birthright. [00:09:52]

The church is fighting for our life today this isn't the first time this has happened many a time before Edom remains Edom is always watching ready to to pounce Upon Us ready to destroy Edom spiritual Edom has been there and often times she has been highly successful very triumphant and the church seems to have been marant and almost dead. [00:12:38]

The vision and it has been the custom of the church therefore in ages past indeed throughout the running centuries when she has been fighting for her life and has been faced with a very fact of Extinction it has been the custom of the church to recur to this passage and it has often put new life into God's people. [00:14:41]

The first thing that struck the prophet is the glory of his person this that is glorious in his apparel traveling in the greatness of his strength here is the point at which we must ever start the word translated traveling really means stately glory is in his apparel stately in the greatness of his think what a personage have a look at him. [00:19:48]

He is the king of righteousness his whole concern is with righteousness the world is full of liars and deceit and vanity and because God himself is righteous and God is just and holy and God made a perfect world and it was a righteous world but sin and unrighteousness came in and he is concerned about righteousness it is the passion of his life. [00:25:01]

He is described as the branch of righteousness the righteous Branch that's why he came sin is disorder sin is unrighteous sin is lawlessness sin is rebellion and God is righteous and the whole object of this person's coming is to bring righteousness back his one concern is righteousness that's why he taught as he did that is why he died as he did. [00:26:05]

He answers I have trodden The Wine Press alone and and of the people there was none with me for I will tread them in my anger and trample them in my Fury and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments and I will stain all my reignment for the day of vengeance is in Mine Heart and the year of my redeemed is come. [00:28:07]

The work of Salvation is entirely and only and exclusively that of the Lord Jesus Christ nobody has a share in it there was nobody with him all that has been done he has done alone the first prophecy tells us that the seed of the woman shall bruise the Serpent's head and it's one person this person. [00:32:53]

He through his one and solitary death destroyed him that had the power of death that is the devil and finally let us look at him he is dying upon the cross he expires they take down the body and they put it in a grave they roll a St over it and they seal it and the soldiers are set to watch and God there he is he's finished. [00:38:03]

There is a day coming when there will be a sight of someone coming on the Clouds Of Heaven riding upon them surrounded by his holy angels and the peoples will cry who is this who is this that is coming and the answer is the same this Majestic person that is glorious in his apparel traveling in the greatness of his strength. [00:42:25]

The crowning day is coming by and by Christian people have you seen him have you been Amazed by him have you cried out in astonishment who is this who is this that to saved me who is this that guarantees my eternity who is the lord of the church and do you know answer I say there's nothing more wonderful than this. [00:45:33]

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Transcript
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