TEXT:  Isaiah 25:6-12

INTRODUCTION:

A.      PROPHECY PRIMARILY ABOUT THE DELIVERANCE OF JERUSALEM.

          1.       Threatened by the armies of the Assyrians.

          2.       Judgments of the Lord are harsh, but not final.

          3.       God will reign in Mount Zion and be glorified by his people (24:23).

B.      THERE IS A MESSIANIC CONTENT, AND THAT CONCERNS US.

          1.       All that God said that he will do, he has done (25:1).

          2.       We can trust his promises (2 Tim. 11-13;  Isa. 48:3).

C.      WHAT HAS GOD PREPARED FOR HIS PEOPLE IN THIS MOUNTAIN?

I.      A FEAST OF FAT THINGS (vs. 6).

A.      AN OBVIOUS PROMISE OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY.

B.      WHAT IS THIS MOUNTAIN?

          1.       Isa. 24:23.  The mountain of the text – Mt. Zion where God reigns.

          2.       The feast is for all peoples, not just Israel.

          3.       Parallels God’ earlier promise:

                   a.       Isa. 2:2-3èall nations, many peoples, out of Zion goes forth the law.

                   b.       Isa. 11:9-10èmy holy mountain, an ensign for the peoples (Rom. 15:12).

          4.       Fulfilled in the church (Heb. 12:22-24).

                   a.       Where God rules through Jesus (Eph. 1:22-23).

                   b.       Where God blesses his people (1 Pet. 2:9-10).

                   c.       Where ALL are invited (Mark 16:15;  Rom. 1:16).

II.     THE COVERING AND THE VEIL (vs. 7).

A.      COMPARES TO THE VEIL OF MOSES (2 Cor. 3:12-16).

          1.       The Jews were ignorant of the passing of the old law because of their prejudice.

          2.       The Gentiles were ignorant of God’s law

                   a.       The old testament wasn’t given to them (Rom. 2:14;  3:1-2).

                   b.       What God had revealed, they had refused (Rom. 1:25, 28;  Eph. 4:17-18).

B.      THE COVERING AND VEIL DESTROYED.

          1.       All responsible – ignorance is no excuse (Acts 17:30).

          2.       The gospel is for all (Rom. 1:16;  Matt. 28:19-20).

          3.       The nations come to learn (Isa. 2:3;  Jer. 31:31-34).

III.    HE HATH SWALLOWED UP DEATH FOREVER (vs. 8).

A.      DELIVERANCE FROM THE ASSYRIANS AND THE DEVIL.

          1.       Free from the bondage of sin (John 8:31-36;  Heb. 2:14-15;  Rom. 6:16-18).

          2.       Free from the consequence of sin (Rom. 6:23).

B.      DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP

          1.       Victory in Jesus (1 Cor. 15:54-57).

          2.       All tears are wiped away (Rev. 21:1-4).

C.      THE REPROACH OF HIS PEOPLE WILL HE TAKE AWAY.

          1.       Reproach is often associated with sin (Prov. 14:34;  1 Tim. 6:13-14).

          2.       Often it is associated with persecution (Matt. 5:11).

                   a.       God will take vengeance on the persecutor (2 Thess. 1:7-10).

                   b.       He will bless the persecuted (Matt. 5:10-12).

                   c.       There is no shame (Acts 5:41;  1 Pet. 4:14-16).

CONCLUSION:

A.      CHRISTIANS REJOICE IN GOD’S DELIVERANCE (Isa. 25:9).

B.      WE WANT YOU TO SHARE WITH US IN THAT JOY.