2. "IN THAT DAY," when the Lord Jesus is revealed at Bethlehem, the cross, and resurrection. "He that hath seen me hath seen my Father" (Jn.14:9; 11 Cor. 5:19).
3. "THAT I AM HE THAT DOTH SPEAK." All the promises and prophecies are in Christ (II Cor. 1:20) and are NOT the words of a weak and deceitful man, but are the words and promises of the unchangeable, omnipotent, and covenant-keeping God who speaks and says, "BEHOLD, IT IS I" (Lk. 24:36-39).
2. "THAT PUBLISHETH PEACE...THAT PUBLISHETH SALVATION." This is the good news to Zion--city of God--church of the firstborn; permanent peace and salvation, eternal peace and salvation are accomplished by the blood of Christ. And it is full, complete, and free to them because their God, who is sovereign, who reigns, has finished the work (Heb. 10:12-14). It is the published record (I Jn. 5:10-12).
2. "THEY SHALL SEE EYE TO EYE" (II Cor. 4:5-7). In the Old testament the Lord refers to His revelations to His servants as being "mouth to mouth" (Num. 12:8) and "face to face" (Exo. 33:11) and "eye to eye", (I Jn. 1:1-2). They are eye and ear witnesses of the word and works of Christ. Therefore, their testimony of the gospel shall be valuable and essential when "THE LORD SHALL BRING AGAIN ZION." READ ROMANS 10:13-15!!! They must and will hear!
(Vs. 11-12) These verses will open up to us when we read II Cor. 6:14-18. When the Spirit of God reveals the gospel of Christ to us, as He did to religious Saul of Tarsus, we depart from our works religion, our former false gospel, and "TOUCH NOT THE UNCLEAN" and have no more part with them. "YE THAT BEAR THE VESSELS OF THE LORD" (His preachers) must be pure from false methods, means, and messages.
His servants "GO NOT IN HASTE OR BY FLIGHT." They do not hide, flee, nor fear the enemy, but openly, boldly, quietly, and safely preach His gospel; for "THE LORD WILL GO BEFORE YOU AND WILL BE YOUR REWARD." He will be your captain and gather you up.
(Vs. 13-15) The chapter is concluded with an account of the humiliation, exaltation, person, work, and office of THE MESSIAH!
2. "SHALL DEAL PRUDENTLY." He shall manage the affairs of His kingdom with wisdom and shall prosper (Isa. 53:10-11). He shall give understanding and make men wise unto salvation.
3. "HE SHALL BE EXALTED, EXTOLLED, AND BE VERY HIGH." Here are three words which signify the same thing to express the height, glory, and majesty to which the Father has exalted Him because of His work (Phil. 2:5-11; Rev. 5:12-13).
4. "AS MANY WERE ASTONISHED, AMAZED AT THEE." The servant of God--the Son of God--became an object of horror. His sufferings of soul were indescribable and beyond our understanding (Isa. 53:10); and "His visage (His face, body, and whole appearance) were marred more than any man." From the manger to the cross, He was an object of ridicule, contempt, and "a reproach of men and despised" (Psa. 22:6). But His death under the curse of the law and the wrath of God was with sweat and blood, with scourging and intense agony. "ASTONISHED" can not only be applied to how low He became, but to how high He is raised.
5. "SO SHALL HE SPRINKLE MANY NATIONS" (a) WITH HIS BLOOD, which is called the blood of sprinkling (Heb. 12:24) and shall justify them (Isa. 53:11; Titus 3:5); or (b) WITH HIS WORD, which is compared to rain (Isa. 55:10-11; Deut. 32:2-3) and to water (Jn. 3-5).
6. "KINGS SHALL BE SILENT BEFORE HIM" out of humility, reverence, and admiration for His wisdom. He is the KING OF KINGS! All who are called (I Cor. 1:26-30) shall be eager to hear of Him.
7. "THAT WHICH HAD NOT BEEN TOLD OR HEARD SHALL THEY SEE AND CONSIDER" (Rom. 15:19-21). This certainly is true of the Gentiles who had not the law, the testimony, the tabernacle. But all to whom the Spirit reveals the Lord Jesus have their eyes opened to behold the glory of Christ, and their ears anointed to hear Him speak in His word (Matt. 13:16-17).
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