Commentary on Isaiah 61-62
Chuck Smith explains how Isaiah 61-62 prophetically reveals both the first and second comings of Christ and the mystery of the church's formation.
In this expository sermon, Chuck Smith explores Isaiah chapters 61 and 62, highlighting the prophetic insights into Jesus Christ's ministry and the formation of the church. He emphasizes how Old Testament prophecies blend the first and second comings of Christ and how the New Testament reveals the mystery of the church as the body of Christ. This message encourages believers to understand God's redemptive plan and live in hopeful anticipation of Christ's return.
Text
Shall we turn now in our Bibles to Isaiah 61.
We are told in the New Testament that the Old Testament prophets many times wrote of things that they did not really understand. Earnestly desiring, really, to look into these things, but they wrote as the Spirit of God inspired them. And so we find that quite often, the Old Testament prophets did not clearly understand the work of God in creating the body of Christ, the church, from among the Gentiles. Paul the apostle in talking about the church and Christ in us, the hope of glory, said that it was a mystery that was hid from the beginning of time but is now revealed. And so it is something that was not revealed until the New Testament writings and the epistles. It was something that was more or less hid from the Old Testament writers.
Now in their prophecies concerning the work and the ministry of Jesus Christ, quite often both aspects of the coming of Christ would be more or less mixed together in a single phrase or in a prophecy. So they would be prophesying of aspects of the first coming of Jesus Christ and also would go right in and prophesy of the aspects of the second coming of Jesus Christ, right in the same sentence or paragraph. And they did not really clearly see the distinction between... Well, they really didn\
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to Isaiah 61 and 62
- Old Testament prophets' limited understanding
- The mystery of the church revealed in the New Testament
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II
- Prophecies mixing first and second comings of Christ
- The significance of Jesus' ministry as foretold
- The dual fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy
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III
- The church as the body of Christ
- The hope of glory revealed in Christ in us
- The role of the Spirit in inspiring prophecy
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IV
- Application of Isaiah's prophecy to believers today
- Understanding God's redemptive plan
- Living in the light of Christ's coming
Key Quotes
“The Old Testament prophets many times wrote of things that they did not really understand.” — Chuck Smith
“Paul the apostle said that it was a mystery that was hid from the beginning of time but is now revealed.” — Chuck Smith
“Quite often both aspects of the coming of Christ would be more or less mixed together in a single phrase or in a prophecy.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize that Old Testament prophecies may have multiple fulfillments and deeper meanings revealed in Christ.
- Embrace your identity as part of the body of Christ, the church, as revealed in the New Testament.
- Live with hope and anticipation of Christ's return, understanding God's ongoing redemptive work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of Isaiah 61-62?
Isaiah 61-62 focuses on the ministry of Jesus Christ and the restoration and redemption of God's people.
Why did Old Testament prophets not fully understand their prophecies?
They wrote under the inspiration of the Spirit but did not have full revelation of the mystery of the church, which was revealed in the New Testament.
How are the first and second comings of Christ presented in Isaiah?
They are often mixed together in the same prophecy, reflecting aspects of both comings without clear distinction.
What is meant by the 'mystery' Paul refers to regarding the church?
The mystery is that Gentiles are now fellow heirs and part of the body of Christ, a truth hidden in previous ages but revealed in the New Testament.
How should believers apply this prophecy today?
Believers should live with hope and understanding of God's redemptive plan, embracing their identity in Christ and anticipating His return.