Sermon #84 Series: Isaiah

Title: Thine Eyes Shall See the King In His Beauty!

Text: Isaiah 33:1-24

Subject: The Ultimate Triumph and Glory Of the Church

Date: Sunday Evening - August 18, 1991

Tape #

Introduction:

After giving the ecstatic prophecy of Christ’s reign and the outpouring of the Spirit upon the church in chapter 32, in chapter 33 Isaiah returns to his own times and addresses the present trials of his people. But he will not stay there long. The prophet of God had learned to look upon the church’s troubles as nothing more than preludes to the church’s triumph. So this chapter begins with Sennacherib and the Assyrian invaders, who were bent upon the destruction of Judah. But it concludes with the triumph and glory of God’s church in heaven. Really, the throne of the whole chapter is expressed in verse 17 - “Thine Eyes Shall See The King In His Beauty!”

Let me give you the historical background of this prophecy, before I explain the meaning of Isaiah’s prophetic message. If you want to read it at home, the historical background for this prophecy is found in II Kings 18:13-19:37. That passage describes in detail the invasion of Sennacherib’s hosts, the desolation of Judah and the threat of great danger which Jerusalem faced.

Sennacherib had demanded tribute from Hezekiah. And Hezekiah foolishly paid it. He sent the tribute money to Sennacherib at Lachish. Then Sennacherib demanded the unconditional surrender of Jerusalem. He had already captured many cities and cut off travel and commerce. So Hezekiah’s ambassadors came home weeping, carrying Sennacherib’s message. Then he sent his army to Jerusalem, did some saber rattling, and tried to get Hezekiah to turn over the keys to the city. But Rabshakeh failed to persuade Hezekiah to surrender. God promised Hezekiah that he would defend the city (II Kings 19:34). And defend it he did. God sent an angel into the army of Sennacherib, who killed 145,000 of his men while they slept. Sennacherib fled to Ninevah in confusion and fear. And one day, while he was worshipping Nisroch, his god, two of his own sons killed him.

Proposition: As God defended Jerusalem, so he defends his church. As God dealt with Sennacherib, so he deals with all who seek to destroy his gospel, his people and his church.

Divisions: This prophecy has four parts.

1. A Promise Of Deliverance (vv. 1-6).

2. A Time Of Great Trouble (vv. 7-12).

3. The Effects Of God’s Intervention (vv. 13-16).

4. The Assurance Of Triumph and Glory (vv. 17-24).

I. In verses 1-6 the prophet of God, speaking by divine inspiration, gives his people A PROMISE OF DELIVERANCE.

Now remember, Isaiah is talking to his own people in his own day. But he is also talking to us. He promises Judah deliverance from her treacherous oppressors. And he promises us deliverance from our treacherous oppressors. As God delivered Judah and Jerusalem from Sennacherib and the Assyrians by sovereign power, so he will deliver his people from all their enemies and his church from all her foes. He says, “He that toucheth thee toucheth the apple of mine eye!”

Notice 5 things in these first six verses.

A. God’s promise of deliverance (v. 1).

B. The prayer of faith (v. 2).

1. It is a prayer based upon God’s promise (II Sam. 7:27).

2. It is a prayer arising from heartfelt need.

· “Be gracious unto us.”

· We have waited for thee.”

· Be thou their arm every morning.” Our Brethren/Our Pastors.

· “Be thou our salvation in the time of trouble” (Heb. 4:16).

C. The answer of grace (vv. 3-4).

1. When God arises, his enemies are scattered (Ps. 68:1).

2. His church shall have the spoils of this world.

The wealth of the wicked is laid up for the righteous. As Israel was enriched by the spoils of the Egyptians, so we shall be enriched in eternity by the spoils of our enemies - (Rom. 8:18).

D. The exaltation of our Savior (v. 5).

· Because of His Peace.

· Because of His Grace.

E. The blessedness of God’s church in this world (v. 6).

1. The Wisdom and Knowledge of God is our Security.

2. Salvation is our Strength.

3. The Fear of the Lord is our Treasure.

II. Verses 7-12 describe A TIME OF GREAT TROUBLE.

God promised to defend Jerusalem and destroy Sennacherib. But before the deliverance there would be distress, before triumph there would be trouble - (II Kings 18:3).

· Apply to Sennacherib and his armies.

· Apply to antichrist and Babylon (II Thess. 2:1-12; Rev. 11:7-17).

III. In verses 13-16 Isaiah shows us THE EFFECTS OF GOD’S INTERVENTION.

A. A call for praise (v. 13).

B. The consternation of hypocrites (v. 14).

C. The character of God’s saints (v. 15). (Ps. 15)

D. The assured blessedness of God’s elect (v. 16).

IV. In verses 17-24 the prophet expands the promise of assured blessedness to God’s elect and declares THE ASSURANCE OF TRIUMPH AND GLORY to the church and people of God.

Here is the blessedness of heavenly glory that awaits every believer.

A. We shall see our king in his beauty (v. 17).

B. We shall see the land that is now so far off (v. 17).

C. We shall view our earthly troubles with delight and exult in triumph over our enemies (vv. 18-19).

D. God’s church shall be as secure as it will be glorious (vv. 20-22).

E. Our enemies shall never again come against us (v. 23). Rom. 8:31-39)

F. Sorrow shall be no more (v. 24).

Application: I bid you now to come into this blessed kingdom of grace, which shall soon become a kingdom of glory (Rev. 22:17).