Why would thoughts of Easter
bring to mind events 700 years before Christ?
In Isaiah 6:1 (NIV) we read these words:
In the year that King Uzziah
died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of
his robe filled the temple.
"The year that King Uzziah died was
about 740 bc. His notably long and prosperous reign (2 Ki. 15:1–7; 2 Ch. 26)
had entered troubled waters internationally when the accession in 745 bc of the
vigorous imperialist Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria threatened the sovereignty
of the Israelite states."[1] So it would be an understatement to suggest
that Israel was facing perilous times.
Isaiah sees two views: one is of terrifying days but the other is an
enthroned King.
"This undoubtedly represents the throne of
heaven (see Revelation
4:2). His train refers to His royal robes. Thus, Isaiah sees God sitting
upon the throne of the universe, dressed in His royal robes. What Isaiah needed
to realize afresh was that God Himself was still upon the throne! While human
rulers may come and go, the believer needs to be reminded again and again that
God is still in control of the affairs of this world. He is in fact ruling from
heaven, and He often overrules the sinful actions of men to bring glory to
Himself." [2]
Fast forward to the Book of Hebrews where the
inspired author reminds us in Chapter 8 that the entire earthly aspects have
been and will be placed under the rule of redeemed mankind. We certainly don't see that, do we? “But we do see
Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with
glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might
taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:9, NIV)
Today Christ is on the
throne. We can paraphrase Isaiah by
saying "In this year we saw _____________; but we also saw 'the Lord, high
and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the
temple.'"
"Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives."[3]
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives."[3]
[1] Motyer, J. A. (1996). The prophecy of Isaiah: an introduction & commentary (Is 6:1).
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[2] Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.).
(1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 1308).
Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[3] Gloria Gaither & William J. Gaither, Because He
Lives, © 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc. (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management)
CCLI License # 421107
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