Zion's Coming Salvation: I Can Hardly Wait to see that Day! But do I need to?

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Zion’s Coming Salvation

I Can hardly Wait to see that Day!

But do I need to?

January 14, 2007

62 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,

          and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,

     until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,

          and her salvation as a burning torch.

2      The nations shall see your righteousness,

          and all the kings your glory,

     and you shall be called by a new name

          that the mouth of the Lord will give.

3      You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,

          and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

4      You shall no more be termed Forsaken,

          and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,

     but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,

          and your land Married;

     for the Lord delights in you,

          and your land shall be married.

5      For as a young man marries a young woman,

          so shall your sons marry you,

     and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,

          so shall your God rejoice over you.

          I can hardly wait …. Have you ever used those words? Just stop and think for a moment how you might use them: “I can hardly wait” … now you fill in the rest. … (pause) …

          What we have here in this reading from Isaiah is a prophet whose excitement about the message he is delivering to God’s people. It is as if he is saying: “Regarding Zion’s Coming Salvation, I can hardly wait to see that day!” When put into the context of the here and now, a question arises that must be considered by all who think that Zion’s Salvation is an important thing. And here is the question: “But do I need to?” Do I, Richard Laeder, or you—whomever you are—need to wait to see Zion’s Salvation. Is it the same for us now, as it was for the prophet some 8 centuries before Christ? The short answer to that is “NO!” No, it is not the same. So, let’s find out why it is different.

To do this, we will look at the prophetic office that Isaiah has and then at how the words spoken in that office are fulfilled. The prophetic office is a servant of the Lord, but also a servant of God’s people.

So, here, in these verses, the prophet tells us two things: 1) What he will do for the church (God’s people), and 2) What God will do for the church (the people of God). When we get through that, we should understand why the prophet is so excited about Zion’s Coming Salvation; Why we can hardly wait to see that day; and, then, the answer to our question: “But, do I need to?” should be answered.

I. What he will do for the church. The prophetic office is not one of fortunetelling, or prognosticating on future events. Biblical prophecy has nothing to do with guessing about something, in other words. From the Hebrew, the words Na’bi, Ro’eh, and Hozeh indicate the substance of what a prophet is: a seer, a spokesman. Such as it is, the prophet of God speaks only what he sees or has heard from God. Thus, the office is vital to the people of God.

In this text, Isaiah, the prophet of God, resolves to perform that office faithfully. Why? It is because the prophet of God has only the interests of God and of God’s holy people in mind, not his personal interests. In v. 1 Isaiah says: “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.”

He will not hold his peace; he will not rest; he will mind his prophetic business, will take pains, and never desire to take his ease, until God’s intended goal is reached. Herein the prophet is a type of Christ, who was untiring in completing the office and work He came to fulfill.

In the NT we see the prophetic office working through the disciples who devoted their time and effort to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). Of course, it isn’t just any word, but the Word of the Lord that they serve.

The principle involved here is that the work of the prophet or the minister is “For Zion’s sake,” and “for Jerusalem’s sake.” No prophet of God speaks on his own behalf or for his own private interests, but for the sake of God’s people, the CHURCH. That is where his heart is and that is where his desire is, and that is why Isaiah might even say, “I can hardly wait to see that day.” That DAY, that day when righteousness shines like a brightly fired torch from the assembly of God’s people, is what the prophet desires to see—and so do we!

We too desire to see the brilliance of God’s people shining—a brilliance that only God Himself gives freely and graciously—in the world darkened by sin and unbelief. This brings us to the second part of the prophets message heralded as if from God Himself.

II. What God will do for the church. The prophet can only pray and preach. God Himself is the one who will confirm the word and answer the prayers. This is because God alone is the source of the true prophet’s words. Thus, when speaking of God’s coming salvation, there are two things to consider. First, the church will be greatly admired. Second, the church will be truly admirable.

1. The church shall be greatly admired because of the word of God that speaks people righteous. I know that sounds funny saying it that way. But that is precisely what God has given His Word to do. Because of all the He has done in and through the person and work of His own Son Jesus Christ, God has proclaimed the whole world righteous in His sight. And when those who know nothing of God see it, they offer themselves in praise and glory of Him who confers the gift upon them. Thus the prophetic voice announces that "The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give." Now, doesn’t that make you want to say: “I can hardly wait to see it!”

          Let me see if maybe I can bring this message right down to the here and now for us. This congregation was planted here in 1871, not because some people thought it would be a good idea to have a church here. No, this congregation was planted here by God who desired to make it’s righteousness shine like the sun. So, people were moved by the Word of God’s grace to build a place, a sanctuary, that would in some ways emulate and look like that place of eternal glory God has prepared for His people. This year, Trinity will be blessed with even more opportunity to shine with the message of salvation God has given to it to announce. Sometime this month or the next we will have with us a man who will—for all practical purposes—be boots on the ground to share that same message with people who have yet to hear.

2. In this way, right here in our little piece of Lansing, we will continue to be what God has made us to be—truly admirable. That admirable quality does not come from us. You know that! Our names and the names of our church mean nothing to those who don’t know us. And that is why God has given a name to us that is above all others. Anyone want to guess what that name is? “CHRISTIAN!” That name is given to us by Christ Jesus as a gift of pure grace and undeserved favor from God. Our sinfulness brings dishonor, but His righteousness brings us honor, great honor with God and with men. And thus we are made to shine forth His glory. This name is similar to the white stone and in the stone a new name of (Rev. 2:17). It is also that name spoken of in (Rev. 3:12) as the city of my God and my new name.

Consider how God will call her "… a crown of beauty …, and a royal diadem" in verse 3. When God takes us to be his people it was that we might bear His name, for His praise, and for His glory. And we do this because of the name He has given to us. Christ Jesus was pure and without sin. He did all things to the glory and praise of God. And now, all who are connected by faith to God through Him also bear not only His name, but His honor, praise, and glory. So, to be in God’s hand, is to be under His protection; hidden away from the world like precious jewels in the hand of their owner. And when He opens His hand they shine with all the brilliance He has given to it. Now listen!

God is opening His hand right here in the heart of Lansing so that the world around us may see the brightness of His glory. That is the word and work of the prophetic office. That is the word and work of those who speak it to other people. That is what we are! And for that, we do not need to wait. It is a present reality for all who are in Christ through faith.

Thus we shine with the honor and glory of one married to a king. We are not desolate without children. God knows how many have passed through these doors and been blessed by Him working through the prophetic voice. God knows how many more will come to hear and see Jesus. And God knows that through the people He has called to be His own, here in this place, the prophetic voice is still heard.

So, concerning Zion’s coming salvation: I can hardly wait to see it! But do I need to wait? Absolutely not, God is present here and now making us shine with brilliance unprecedented apart from Himself. May God be forever praised! Amen.

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