MIDWEEK ADVENT 3 – Dec. 17, 2020 – Is. 61:1-4, 8-11
“DEVASTATIONS TO COME AT THE END”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text for this evening is the Scripture just read, from Isaiah 61. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- According to Jesus, our text, at least the first four verses, were fulfilled in His coming, His ministry, and in His self-sacrifice on the cross for our salvation! And with His coming it is certain that “the day of vengeance of our God” is certainly coming.
- This “vengeance of our God” is not directed toward those who are repentant and who believe the good news of the Gospel. Believers know that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them.” [2 Cor. 5:18] However, God’s vengeance is directed against all who are arrogant and haughty, who deny their sin and guilt and refuse to admit that they need God’s gracious mercy in Christ.
- These unbelievers at times persecute the church of God, just as they crucified Jesus. Therefore believers are comforted and full of gladness at the Last Day, for they will be delivered from all evil.
- So there will be great “DEVASTATIONS” at the end – but we remember that God’s dear people of faith will be protected and preserved on that day. But Scripture clearly teaches that:
I. The Heavens Will Pass Away
2 Pet. 3:8-13 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
Statement: Lots of people are very concerned about the future of the earth. From global warming to intense and frequent violent storms to the seismic activities of great earthquakes, there are many potential tragedies that could easily befall us and destroy human life as we know it. There are also threats from space – comets, asteroids, and various solar phenomena. Regardless of what unbelievers think of these threats, we know that God is in charge of all things, controlling danger and watching over His people.
But on the Last Day there will be greater devastations as the heavenly bodies are burned up and dissolved! That includes the Sun and the Moon, as we learn in the Book of Revelation: “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” [Rev. 21:23] This great day of the Lord will make our nuclear explosions seem like little firecrackers!
Application: These realities that are coming are not supposed to scare believers! Rather we will have great joy as we see these things coming – for we know the One orchestrating all these “DEVASTATIONS.” It is the Lord Jesus Himself, our dear Savior and Redeemer! And as our text indicates:
II. The Purpose Of These Devastations Is To Make Way For The Glorious Future Of God’s People
Text: “They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.”
A. His Children Are Those Who Are Poor And Who Mourn In This Life
Text: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound . . . to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.”
B. His Children Are Blessed Beyond Measure
1. They receive God’s everlasting covenant of gracious love and mercy
Text: “I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.”
2. They are joyful, being clothed in God’s salvation – covered in the robe of righteousness, the very righteousness of Christ
Text: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exalt in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.”
3. They are oaks of righteousness, planted and grown by the Lord to glorify Him
Text: “I give them the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. . . . The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.”
4. They are known as God’s children throughout the world, and seen to be blessed by God
Text: “I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed.”
Statement: What God planned for mankind, what He intended for us from before the foundation of the world, this He will bring to pass after the devastations of the present world. He has planted His church in this world; Christ continues to build His church and no one can stop Him. All over the world Christians are clothed in God’s salvation and the righteousness of Christ! All over the world, in all nations, God is praised and gloried for His gracious mercy, forgiveness, love, and salvation! All over the world there are Christians – oaks of righteousness – who are recognized as belonging to God and blessed by God. The ultimate fulfillment of all of this comes after the Day of the Lord, after the final devastations and the
re-creation of the world.
Application: What is left for us while we await “THE DEVASTIONS AT THE END” is to continue rejoicing in God’s salvation, to continue praising Him, and to look forward with great eagerness to what God is about to bring to pass! It is marvelous!
Conclusion: Though it is described as “the day of vengeance of our God,” it need not be, and certainly will not be for those who believe in God and rejoice in His salvation! May we ever be among these people of God, rejoicing in His blessings! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.