Isaiah 14-16; Matthew 28
Isaiah 14-16
From chapters 13 to 25, Isaiah addresses the fate of the nations surrounding Israel. His central message is that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, is sovereign over not only His people but over all the nations of the world. Isaiah reminds his audience that God will judge all evil and injustice, regardless of where it originates or who it involves.
More detailed in the sermon: Salvation is the Main Theme of History https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKfQlTtLWl8&list=PLIFIkcuQvvn8PC6pJxM45LC6ARE4GLDV5&index=14
Isaiah 14 contains a well-known prophetic word concerning the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:4), but it also speaks beyond him. The king of Babylon represents a reflection of the one behind him—Satan, the ultimate adversary of God. Some aspects of this prophecy clearly refer to the devil's fall (Isaiah 14:12-15).
More detailed in the sermon: The Rulers of the Nations and the Authority of the Devil hhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyn083W8kDc&list=PLIFIkcuQvvn8PC6pJxM45LC6ARE4GLDV5&index=13
Isaiah also emphasizes the following truths:
- The affirmation of God's sovereign power: "The Lord of hosts has sworn: 'As I have planned, so it shall be, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand'" (Isaiah 14:24).
- Another prophecy about the Messiah and His kingdom: "Then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness" (Isaiah 16:5).
- God's specific plans for all nations: "This is the word the Lord has already spoken concerning Moab. But now the Lord says: 'Within three years, as a servant bound by contract would count them, Moab's splendor and all her many people will be despised, and her survivors will be very few and feeble.'" (Isaiah 16:13-14).
Matthew 28
Matthew briefly explains Jesus' resurrection, just enough to confirm its reality. Women who had followed Jesus were the first to receive the news of His resurrection and meet the risen Lord. This detail lends authenticity to the story. In that era, women's testimony was not highly regarded. If the resurrection account were fabricated, the author would likely have attributed the first witness to men.
Matthew is also the only one to mention the bribery of the guards by the Jewish elders. This explains why the religious authorities actively suppressed the news of Jesus' resurrection.
The Great Commission, presented in full detail by Matthew, includes the following components:
- Affirmation of the authority of the risen Christ: "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me'" (Matthew 28:18).
- The command to make disciples of all nations: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Baptism signifies a complete commitment, demonstrating that the individual is indeed a disciple, not just in words but in actions.
- The command for ongoing discipleship for all followers of Christ: "Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
From chapters 13 to 25, Isaiah addresses the fate of the nations surrounding Israel. His central message is that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, is sovereign over not only His people but over all the nations of the world. Isaiah reminds his audience that God will judge all evil and injustice, regardless of where it originates or who it involves.
More detailed in the sermon: Salvation is the Main Theme of History https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKfQlTtLWl8&list=PLIFIkcuQvvn8PC6pJxM45LC6ARE4GLDV5&index=14
Isaiah 14 contains a well-known prophetic word concerning the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:4), but it also speaks beyond him. The king of Babylon represents a reflection of the one behind him—Satan, the ultimate adversary of God. Some aspects of this prophecy clearly refer to the devil's fall (Isaiah 14:12-15).
More detailed in the sermon: The Rulers of the Nations and the Authority of the Devil hhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyn083W8kDc&list=PLIFIkcuQvvn8PC6pJxM45LC6ARE4GLDV5&index=13
Isaiah also emphasizes the following truths:
- The affirmation of God's sovereign power: "The Lord of hosts has sworn: 'As I have planned, so it shall be, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand'" (Isaiah 14:24).
- Another prophecy about the Messiah and His kingdom: "Then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness" (Isaiah 16:5).
- God's specific plans for all nations: "This is the word the Lord has already spoken concerning Moab. But now the Lord says: 'Within three years, as a servant bound by contract would count them, Moab's splendor and all her many people will be despised, and her survivors will be very few and feeble.'" (Isaiah 16:13-14).
Matthew 28
Matthew briefly explains Jesus' resurrection, just enough to confirm its reality. Women who had followed Jesus were the first to receive the news of His resurrection and meet the risen Lord. This detail lends authenticity to the story. In that era, women's testimony was not highly regarded. If the resurrection account were fabricated, the author would likely have attributed the first witness to men.
Matthew is also the only one to mention the bribery of the guards by the Jewish elders. This explains why the religious authorities actively suppressed the news of Jesus' resurrection.
The Great Commission, presented in full detail by Matthew, includes the following components:
- Affirmation of the authority of the risen Christ: "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me'" (Matthew 28:18).
- The command to make disciples of all nations: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Baptism signifies a complete commitment, demonstrating that the individual is indeed a disciple, not just in words but in actions.
- The command for ongoing discipleship for all followers of Christ: "Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
Posted in Reading Bible Together