The Promise of That Day

Today I want us to turn our attention to Isaiah 26-27. It is here we will find ourselves considering the conclusion of a series of texts regarding the height of God’s judgment on the nations. Within the immediate context, we will notice in chapter 26:17-18 that Israel is likened to a woman who is enduring the agonizing pains of childbirth. However, typically, where the agony of childbirth is endured, the blessing of a baby is enjoyed. But this is not the case in this passage, instead we find Israel likened to a woman who is experiencing horrible birthing pains but all she delivers in air. Isaiah is telling us that all of her suffering felt like it was in vain. This is the heartcry of Israel as they are suffering beneath the hand of Assyria and while going through this bondage they feel as though there is no end to this suffering and there is no blessing to come forth out of it.

To this, Isaiah responds, in verse 27 with hope in the God of the resurrection. This is what I would liken only unto Job’s statement of “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” Isaiah doesn’t seem to negate the pain being endured, instead it seems he himself expects to be killed. But in the midst of this suffering, he looks forward to that day where God shall bring forth that final victory.

Perhaps that is you today. Are you enduring an unbearable burden in your life and you’re struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel? If so, let me remind you of Romans 8:28 which reads, “28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” And, like Isaiah, might I join in pointing you to our hope which belongs in the God of the final victory. Now, as we look at the broader picture of the Bible, in Revelation 12:5 John gives us a very, very short snapshot of the life of Jesus and he does it by recruiting the language of Isaiah 26:17-18. Revelation 12:5 reads, “She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.”

Perhaps that is you today. Are you enduring an unbearable burden in your life and you’re struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel? If so, let me remind you of s deliverance, but deliverance belongs to God. And with that in mind, Isaiah points us to “That day.” in chapter 27. At the outset, it is important to understand that the phrase, “That day” is one frequently utilized throughout the Bible, and most specifically by the prophets, to speak of a massive future event which is typically eschatological in nature. So, what Isaiah is prophesying about is a magnificent future event wherein God’s beautiful, conquering work might be known. Here’s the kicker, we live in the midst of it. Maybe you’ve heard of the phrase “The already/not yet.” Which speaks of how there are realities instituted by Christ’s finished work that are presently being realized but have not fully culminated. Well, that is where this text takes us today, so if it seems I’m bouncing from past to future, it’s because the text demands it.

The first hopeful reality that we find as we look at this chapter is that on that day, God will conquer Leviathan.

Now, I’m aware that a lot of people have taught that Leviathan is some ancient dinosaur, but that’s simply not the case. In Job 41, we are given a little more detail about this creature. God points out to Job, as Professor Mitch Chase states, “the language about the creature challenges human dominion. If Leviathan was an animal, then we would expect the language of Genesis 1:28 to apply to him. God created image-bearers to exercise dominion over creation, to subdue the creatures he made. But in Job 41 something is different. Leviathan is something that man cannot subdue.”

Not only this, but in our text we find that this is a serpent. If you’ve heard me preach, you have probably heard me mention that fella once or twice. This is language referring back to the Garden of Eden where the Serpent tempts Eve. John the Revelator picks up on this and uses it in Revelation to speak about the great dragon coming out of the sea. So, I believe it is abundantly clear that this isn’t a big dinosaur, but is the picture of evil, he is the deceiver, the evil one, the Satan. And here Isaiah is reminding us that there is coming a day where God will destroy him.

Now, in Christ’s death, the serpent is bound and severely wounded and through the Church, Paul teaches us in Romans 16:20, the serpent is further crushed. But on the last day, as we learn in Revelation 20, God will finally and fully forever destroy Satan.

Second, we will find that on that day, the loving kindness of God will be sweetly enjoyed.

Now, I’m aware that throughout the totality of the Bible God is seen as a God of marvelous grace and mercy. However, what I am wishing to highlight here is that fact that here we are being told of a day wherein God will sweetly care for and cultivate His vineyard, or His people. We see that in verse 2-3 where He is found watering it, protecting it, watching over it, and in verse 4 we find that His anger has turned away from it.

An interesting phrase that I found perhaps the most puzzling of them all is here in verse 4 where God is saying “Who would set briars and thorns against me…” We find here very strong edenic imagery referencing us back to the curse in the garden of Eden. So it would seem as though there is a foreshadowing to the day where God will create a new heavens and new earth free from bondage. However, in the very next statement He calls even those who would once provoke Him with the evil of the briars, He calls them to come to Him to receive peace with God. So it would seem that this is another already/not yet statement here. And it is here, in verse 6, that God is assuring us that these enemies will come to Him and they will be engrafted into the root of Jacob and will be apart of the beautiful flourishing of God’s people.

What in the world is this about? Well, this is alluding to the gentiles being welcomed into the true, spiritual Israel and that there will be a flourishing community of genuine believers fruitfully covering the face of the Earth. Now, that is happening right now and it’s been happening for 2,000 years. But there will be a future day where God will forever rid the Earth of evil and the Earth will be absolutely full of His glory.

How will this happen? Well, we will see that in the last several verses.

First, in verse 7-8 we find that God is not as harsh with Israel as He is with the other nations of the world. In short, we might apply this by saying that God has been merciful in not pouring the judgment upon us that we rightfully deserve as sinners. Second, in verse 9, we find that God will atone for the sins of His people and third, by this atoning work, they will turn away from the altars and false idols of this world.

What is the means by which God will cover the sins of His people? Romans 3:21-26 says, “21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for fall have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

So, God has covered our sins by sending His Son to be the covering, or the propitiation for our sins. And what is the fruit of this? What does the heart of a man who has feasted upon the gospel call him to do? It calls him to forsake his sin! Now, that reference to the altar there may be a reference to Christ completing all the requirements of the ceremonial law and He Himself being the once for all sacrifice and the forever Great High Priest. But overall, this text points us to Christ who will be the apple of the eye of all who have been forgiven.

Finally, we come to verses 10-13. It is here that we find Isaiah prophesying that God will judge the enemies of Israel, which is that fortified city in the text, and that their condemnation will come due to their lack of understanding. This is a reference back to Isaiah 26:10 which reads, “Let grace be shown to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness, in the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord.” This refusal on their part, to acknowledge the great God of Israel will result in Him removing all mercy from them.

However, in verse 12 we find that there will be a time where God will bring His people to Himself one by one and in verse 13 we read that one day the great trumpet will sound and people from all the world will flood to God. Now, that reference to the great trumpet is interesting. In my sermon tonight I will make reference to one meaning of the blowing of a trumpet. But throughout the Bible it is often tied to the coronation of a new king, the announcement of attacks, it is tied to eschatological judgment, and it is tied to the Day of Atonement in Leviticus. Seeing that Christ’s atonement is the centerpiece wherein there is reconciliation with God here, I have a feeling that this is what Isaiah has in mind: That there is coming a day where the trumpet of the gospel will sound aloud to all nations and peoples and from there, God will car those from close and afar off to Himself where they will come to worship Him. Lastly, notice that statement “The holy mount at Jerusalem.” While this may be referring to physical Jerusalem, there is a heavenly city, a heavenly Jerusalem, the heavenly Mt. Zion wherein all who are in Christ belong and there will be a day where we will physically meet on that mount and there we will gather with saints and angels to praise the Lord for His matchless grace.

In conclusion, I want us to find a few points of application from this text.

Concerning the Lord, we are reminded of:

His pleasure to save sinners and to care for those who are His own.

His matchless power in conquering evil where we could never stand a chance.

Concerning evangelism, here we are reminded that God’s means of bringing sinners to Himself is the mouthpiece of His church in preaching the gospel to all.

Concerning the Law and Gospel, here we are reminded that it is only by receiving and considering the matchless grace of God that we might forsake our sin.