Isaiah 63:1-6 – The Victorious King
Isaiah sees this One before him, and the sight is overwhelming. He sees Him coming from afar and up from the country of Edom and from its capital city at the time, Bozrah. Edom is another name for Esau, and the children of Esau hated the children of Jacob. This prophecy is a living picture of all wicked lands, all wicked societies that hate Zion. This is a picture of the victorious King returning from victory over all the wicked nations. His garments are bright and dazzling. He travels in the greatness of His strength. He has been the victor over all of His enemies. Who is this great victor? He is the One Who speaks in righteousness. All His words are perfect. All of them are completely true and right. The Lord Jesus Christ is not only the One Who speaks righteousness, He is the One Who gives righteousness to sinners. He is the One Who is righteous in their place. He’s mighty to save. To the wicked He is strong to smite. But for his chosen ones, for His beloved, He is mighty to save (Hosea 6:1)!
The blood of the nations whom Christ has conquered is on His garments. So why has He done this? He has done so because of vengeance. It is for God the Creator, Who is offended by and rebelled against by the wicked. But there is more still. The nations have attacked the bride of Christ. Christ has come to protect Her. He has come to avenge His beloved bride, His church. He has done so, as we see in verse five, to bring salvation or deliverance for His people whom He loves. His victorious warfare He has pursued with anger and fury, as we see in verse 4. He pursues till it’s done.
This is what Jesus does — destroy His enemies by conquest. The Church is not commissioned to do that. She is sent out to destroy by conversion. And the sword she is given is that of the Word of God. That is how we go on the offense. Jesus, however, can, and does, use all sorts of things to bring about the destruction of the wicked. He destroys people and societies that will not acknowledge the Him. It is Jesus who brings that about. This is why He alone gets the glory here. We’re the recipients of the blessing of the victory, but He is the victorious king. He Who is strong to smite is also strong to save. Have you come to see that you’re in great danger? Don’t despair. Call out to Him to forgive you, and you shall be forgiven and be brought in!
Question
- Who is the King described here.
Prayer Points
- Give thanks that Christ is a victorious King.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.