He will Swallow up Death

Psalm 23 / Isaiah 25

He will Swallow up Death Forever

No More Death

Revelation 1:17–18 “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

1 Corinthians 15:24–26 “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

Acts 2:24 “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”

What does it mean that death is swallowed up? The end of:

Aging Decay

Diverse Infections Cancers

Alzheimers Blood toxicities

Heart Disease Liver Disease

Dystrophies Fatal Genetic deformities

Nonviable Pregnancies Addictions

Suicides Drunk Driving Incidents

Saying goodbye to loved ones

He will wipe away tears

Isaiah is describing here the New or Restored Jerusalem:

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

In addition to the absence of physical suffering, there will be no anguish of the mind or heart; no sadness, no depression, no anxieties; nothing of the sort!

The Reproach of His people will be taken away

Deuteronomy 32:35 “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’”

Romans 12:19 “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.””

Through Christ, and especially at His return, God Himself, the cause of Christ, and His people will all be vindicated. Every insult and injustice will be known for what it was.

Not only will God’s people be comforted, but the enemies of God will be forced to confess their sin and folly; and the Righteousness of the Gospel and His Church.

All these blessings and more will be accomplished and given by God to His People forever!

His Hand is on us

Psalm 23:1 “1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

God has been shepherding His People from the beginning. In fact, He has been sovereignly weaving the lives of every person; the events of human history, the circumstances both harsh and lovely to serve and bring about His Purposes.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Is that not exactly what Isaiah prophesied in our text?

v1 - plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

v2 - a ruined city and destroyed palace; harsh providence (what Job called receiving evil from the Lord)

v6 - The feast on Lord’s Mountain (symbolizing God’s complete, victorious, and peaceful rule)

v9 - Proclamation of God’s reign and salvation of the people

Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.

Hebrews 8:10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Revelation 21:3 “3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

The rescue of men, women, boys, and girls from sin, and the gathering and preparation of a people for God; the Bride of Christ has been the purpose of God since before the foundation of the world, here prophesied by Isaiah, fulfilled in Christ Jesus, and the basis of our hope looking forward.

Moab Be Warned!

Moab, in this prophecy, serves as representative for all the enemies of God.

God’s providence has been no less impactful in their lives, but they have, do, and will openly rebel against the Lord of Glory; refusing His provision and salvation.

Isaiah 15:1 “An oracle concerning Moab. Because Ar of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone; because Kir of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone.”

Isaiah 16:6 “We have heard of the pride of Moab— how proud he is!— of his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence; in his idle boasting he is not right.”

Moab will be trampled.

Jesus said in the parable of the wedding feast that the unprepared; those depending of their own self-righteousness, will be cast in to outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I do not like thinking about an everlasting torment we call Hell, but I will not shy away from telling you the truth about it as is laid down in God’s word.

This is no scare tactic. This is reality.

There is no necessity for anyone to suffer and endure its torments, which are beyond our comprehension.

There is no logic or soundness of mind that says it would be better to refuse rescue and absolute delight for eternity in exchange for my pride, or in exchange for me getting my way here for a little while.

That is the choice you make every time you refuse the gospel call; the free gift; every time you close your heart and mind to love.

Tragic is the best term I know. Do not make that choice.

Moab will be trampled. DO not be there. Get to the mountain of safety and feasting. Take the free offer of Christ Jesus: eternal life, because God has swallowed up death forever!