Isaiah (Quality very good)

[0:00] The Prophecy of Isaiah, chapter 52, verse 7.

[0:17] Isaiah 52, verse 7. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth.

[0:54] We try this morning to trace a little of how the prophets of old, anointed by the Spirit, went forth to proclaim unto Zion, the Zion of old, the good tidings of the gospel, publishing peace, publishing salvation, acquainting the Old Testament church with that tremendous and comforting truth that Thy God reigneth.

[1:39] And all through that dispensation, God was gathering in a remnant according to the election of grace.

[1:53] And although these tidings were hidden from ages and from many generations, nevertheless, the Lord knew them that were his, and his word went forth, calling effectually his dear elect children in every generation.

[2:17] What their feelings were upon hearing the good tidings, and how beautiful they were to them, may be seen in the spiritual expressions of appreciation.

[2:34] In Isaiah in particular, you have the feelings, and the joy, and the relief expressed of souls that heard these beautiful words.

[2:54] One, for instance, is this in the twelfth chapter, O Lord, I will praise Thee. Though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou comfortedst me.

[3:15] The Lord has become my strength and my salvation. What words are these? Another said, My soul shall be glad in the Lord.

[3:28] My soul shall be joyful in the God of my salvation. He hath clothed me with garments of salvation. He hath covered me with a robe of righteousness.

[3:42] As the bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Just two expressions to cover many.

[3:57] To show how the ancient believers were blessed with a hearing ear, an understanding heart, with an eye of faith, and they could truly appreciate such an expression as this.

[4:14] How beautiful are the feet of them. These heavenly messengers sent forth with us, saith the Lord.

[4:26] And by the way, these dear saints of old, they received their salvation beforehand. Yes, a full, a free, complete, most blessed salvation did they receive before the Lord Jesus Christ came in the flesh to ratify it.

[4:53] All which goes to prove the infinite worth, the trustworthiness of the gospel preached before unto the Old Testament believers.

[5:08] Their salvation was not one whit the less nor impaired, because, as yet, the offering was not made.

[5:21] And I hinted that the tenor of the prophet's message was this. They spoke of him who should come, who would come, who must come, who will come, who shall come.

[5:39] All those words indicate the sureness and the certainty of it. Their faith looked forward and embraced him of whom the prophets did speak and write.

[5:57] So satisfying was the sight that they lived and died upon the strength of it. Oh, what satisfaction they derived from that long look of faith down through the ages.

[6:12] Thus Jesus said, Your father Abraham, yes, as far back as that, your father Abraham, rejoiced to see my day.

[6:23] He saw it and was glad. Then, as the fullness of time drew near, and those very near Christians and believers saw his day approaching.

[6:43] What an intensity we find in our faith and love and expectation, especially that of Simeon. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel.

[6:56] He was a favoured soul that had a promise. He should not see death until he beheld the Lord's Christ. You know with what satisfaction he did so.

[7:11] When he held the babe, Jesus in his arms and said, Now, Lord, let us, thou thy servant, depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast declared and prepared for Israel and before all people.

[7:33] Oh, the sweetness, the satisfaction, the joy in his heart, the submission, the resignation, his heart was full.

[7:45] He had heard the beautiful tidings. He had received them into his heart. He has all that heart could wish this side heaven. He wishes to go and be satisfied with the fullness of that river.

[8:05] Streams whereof make glad the city of God. Then the text speaks of him. How beautiful are the feet of him.

[8:20] Here Isaiah, no doubt, has a clearer view than most. of his very person. His writings and his declarations are like an eyewitness report, are they not?

[8:35] How lively his faith. How vivid his affections. How he delights to speak. What a fire burned in his bones.

[8:49] What a love to God. A love to the Lord's anointed. What a love to precious souls. Truly, he was one that was spending and being spent for the church of God.

[9:06] Then, I'm tempted to linger a little upon the ministry of Christ. before he did actually fulfill what was in the message and tidings.

[9:22] I wanted to linger a little upon his ministry. How beautiful were his feet then upon the mountains. I shall mention some.

[9:33] The first mountain I read of was the Mount of Temptation. The devil did lead him up into a high mountain. and there showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment.

[9:48] Behold, behold, how beautiful this is. For it shows that he was in all points tempted like, as we are yet without sin.

[10:01] How he traveled the path of the tempted soul. Went along every inch of it. He is called the forerunner.

[10:12] He is called the breaker. One who goes first. Who leads the army. The many sons going to glory. He goes first.

[10:25] How beautiful. The way he vanquished the adversary. Wielding the sword of the spirit. It is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

[10:41] He has bruised the serpent's head. The tempter will still try. Still exercises wiles. Fury. Flattery.

[10:52] Upon the saints of God. But he is a defeated foe. The Lord Jesus Christ has smitten him. With the sword of the spirit.

[11:06] Consequently, you may read this now about the saints temptations. There hath no temptation overtaken you, but such as is common to men.

[11:18] And God is faithful. I will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

[11:31] How beautiful upon the mountain of temptation are the feet of Christ. Undefiled. Pure.

[11:42] Unsullied. Holiness itself. He said, The devil, Satan, finds nothing in me. Finds nothing in me.

[11:53] He was impervious to evil. He was holy. Harmless. Separate from sinners. Undefiled. And higher than the heavens.

[12:06] Behold him then, coming down from that mount, victorious. Victorious. Unscathed. And he says, Because I overcame, you shall overcome also.

[12:23] My overcoming is the pledge of your overcoming. Trust in your King. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him.

[12:37] When he went up into a mountain and sat down, was it Mount Tabor, when he opened his mouth and taught the people and said, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.

[12:52] Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

[13:03] Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. How beautiful were his feet then, the prince of preachers, showing us what we ought to do and be, showing what was required in order to obey the law of God, showing what we could not do, showing what he came to do, declaring there, except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.

[13:43] We shall in no case enter the kingdom of heaven. And in that most excellent discourse, do we not find him indeed publishing peace, bringing salvation, declaring unto Zion, Thy God reigneth, assuring the little flock that their father cares and knows and watches and records, that the very heirs of their head are numbered, and that no sparrow can fall to the ground without his notice, and they are of more value than many sparrows.

[14:27] How beautiful, comely, dignified, and gracious are the feet of him upon the mount, where he delivered his wondrous sermons, and the people all wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.

[14:51] Behold again how beautiful are the feet of him upon the mountain of prayer. Yes, when the night came he departed into a mountain himself alone and spent all night in prayer.

[15:11] No prayer like that was there. From the indication given in John 17 we gather somewhat of the sublimity of his prayer.

[15:23] you find it hard to pray for five minutes doubtless, much harder to pray for twenty minutes, but what of praying the whole night and that without weariness.

[15:37] What fellowship with the Father, what peace, what communion we cannot tell, what perfect harmony we cannot tell.

[15:47] but from the indication given we know he did not only pray for himself, he prayed for those whom the Father had given him, that they might be kept, they might be won as you have been singing, that they might be sanctified, that they might be kept and secured and might ultimately come and behold his glory, the glory which he had before the foundation of the world.

[16:21] Oh, how beautiful are the feet of Christ departing away from the noise and clamor of the world to be alone with God the Father.

[16:32] There is a time, is there not, when solitude is desirable. We crave company, we like to be occupied, we like to be entertained by friends, we like converse.

[16:52] What's it about? Not always so profitable as might be, not always such that God might write a book of remembrance about it and what of solitude?

[17:05] What do you think of solitude? And do you ever come apart, write apart, write alone, spend some time with God?

[17:18] Christ did it about souls, about other souls. Do you come apart about your soul and other souls committed to your trust?

[17:30] What a challenge it is. Could you not watch with me one hour? What to pray all night? nature would fail, you think, it would, unless divinely wrought upon, unless we had gracious unction from above.

[17:52] Methinks our praying would fall off in value and become wearisome and mechanical. But look, it's just an indication of what heaven is.

[18:05] it is to be in holy communion with the deity. And if then, for a season here below, we become weary, become weary, then, we're not yet ready, are we?

[18:23] Not yet ready to depart and be with God and be with Christ forever. it's a challenge, something to stir up our minds.

[18:36] How do you feel in the house of God? Hour and a half on the Sabbath, three hours is it? And how do we feel? Is it weary, son? It was to some of old, they said, behold what weariness is it.

[18:53] When will the Sabbath be passed that we may buy and sell? They're not fit for heaven, they're not prepared for heavenly communion in that state.

[19:05] Now how do you feel? Can you say sometimes my soul shall pray for Zion still, while life and breath remain?

[19:16] There my best friends, my kindred dwell. There God my Saviour reigns. Behold how beautiful the feet of him upon the mountains, the real mountains of Judea may be, he departs alone to pray for sinners, but not praying for themselves.

[19:42] Wonderful picture of Christ's humanity, voluntarily placed in a position of dependence. He who had heaven and earth at his command, lays aside that command, surrenders it, and becomes a dependent and has need to pray.

[20:04] He lived a life of faith, mysteriously, beyond their comprehension, became a needy one. And so he had experienced exactly what you feel in your weakness, and your poverty, and your weariness, and your sense of destitution.

[20:29] He is the forerunner, he is the breaker, and he is gone before. How beautiful upon the mountain, what mountain?

[20:42] The Mount of Transfiguration. Behold him there, and those favoured three went up with him. What beauty did they behold?

[20:56] What excellent glory! They had a foretaste. Peter never forgot it, he said, and we beheld his glory.

[21:08] We saw such excellent glory when we were with him in the holy mount. Oh, what favoured, favoured people they were. To get a glimpse of the glory that shall be, and Christ bathed in it.

[21:26] And his frame, his raiment became transfigured, so white, so white that no foller could white them, whiter than snow, resplendent glory, and they saw it.

[21:43] And what do we learn? Namely this, we must die, ere we can behold and sustain the sight of that glory.

[21:56] They were sore afraid. There. This frame is unequal to it. This present constitution of things would expire under it.

[22:09] Likewise, John, later on, in Revelations, also saw that glory, and when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. You see, there's a preparation needed.

[22:25] Here we can gaze upon the deity without expiring. Nevertheless, they were favoured people. We beheld, says Peter, we beheld his glory in the holy mount.

[22:41] We'd never forgot it. He said some strange things, did Peter, about building tabernacles and so on. But one thing he did say, which was true, he said, Lord, it is good for us to be here.

[22:59] Oh, that's wonderful, isn't it? To have a little glory beforehand, a foretaste, greats of Eshcol, the earnest of heaven brought down to earth, but they could not sustain it long, they were sore afraid, feared, fell at his feet, proving this, they had to know him as Jesus in the flesh, not Jesus glorified, not yet.

[23:32] But how beautiful, I say, is it not? And these dear three, they were given the eye of faith to value and appreciate and speak of that.

[23:49] And can you think of what weight and force that would give to their testimony in their ministries to have seen the Lord in that manner?

[24:03] How they could speak with conviction? No wonder Peter said, we have not declared unto you cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of his glory.

[24:19] No, we were eyewitnesses, we had an especial view, and therefore we speak with weight, we speak with authority, we pass on.

[24:35] Behold how beautiful are the feet of him upon the mountain of Olivet and Calvary. Behold him walking up that hill, carrying a cross.

[24:55] Here it was that he translated words into deeds. He came first to bring glad tidings, to publish salvation, to publish peace, to declare unto Zion thy God reigneth.

[25:15] Now he comes to Mount Calvary, for to do it, to perform it, to accomplish it. The things which are spoken concerning me must be accomplished.

[25:33] And so we view him stretched upon the cross. What is he there for? He is there as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world.

[25:48] He is to suffer there just for the unjust to bring them to God. He is to be the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.

[26:03] He is to taste death there for every elect soul. He is to bear it away. He is to swallow up death in dying. He is there to remove its curse and its sting, so as that his people shall never have to endure it.

[26:22] O behold this scene of matchless grace, behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto his sorrow, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted him in the day of his fierce anger.

[26:42] There is an awful and solemn beauty of the feet of him upon the mountain of Calvary. his body flowing with his own precious blood from the wounds inflicted by his hateful enemies.

[27:04] And he suffers there the whole penalty that might and should have fallen upon the guilty heads of his elect people. What does he do there upon Mount Calvary?

[27:17] he is the substitute. He bears away the sin of all his people, bears it away into a land uninhabited, a land of forgetfulness.

[27:34] On account of what Christ did there, the Lord can say, and their sins, and their iniquities, will I remember no more forever.

[27:45] it was there upon Mount Calvary that a fountain was opened for sin and for uncleanness.

[27:57] It was there then that the spring flowed from his side, a fountain opened there of blood and water, the first to cleanse, we read, the first to atone, the latter to cleanse, signifying his redemption work, buying back, paying a price, buying the people, setting them free, and then signifying, and by the water which flowed from his wounded side, the sanctification of and by his Holy Spirit.

[28:41] is there any beauty in it? Not to the naked eye, not to the carnal eye, there were multitudes that sat there watching him, and sitting down, they watched him there, the curious, watched a spectacle of suffering, knew not nor understood, the hateful and malicious, they sat down and gloated over his sufferings, the more humane doubtless sat down and wept, yes, Jesus said of some, daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves.

[29:29] Yes, there were some then sitting down and watching and weeping whose hearts were not so case-hardened, not so steel against a spectacle of suffering, but that wasn't grace.

[29:46] There were others sat down and watched him there, they were the godly, his mother, the disciples, those whose eyes were opened, what did they see?

[30:02] They beheld somewhat different, they beheld the Lamb of God, they beheld the Lord's anointed, they beheld the way of salvation, they beheld the Prince of peace, they beheld the man Christ Jesus, and they saw in him the scriptures fulfilled, so it must be.

[30:34] Moreover, from his sufferings, from his wounds, there flowed salvation, salvation, salvation, full, covering every sin, of all his people, for all time, a full salvation, requiring no second attempt, no improvement, no amendment, for he said, it is finished, it is finished, then, father, into thy hands, I commend my spirit.

[31:19] And he gave up the ghost, yielded it up voluntarily, but from that hill, from that mount, there flows peace.

[31:32] And the prophet touched upon it, I will extend peace to her like a river. Oh, you see, on Mount Calvary, there was established God's peace, an honourable peace, not a peace at the price of honour and equity, but with full consent and approval, peace between God and men, a peace which was to be permanent, which none could impair, settled in heaven, between God and his dear people.

[32:17] No wonder it is written, and this man shall be the peace, a peace superior, not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

[32:33] And then the peace there established and secured was the basis of all other right peace. It was the basis of this something to keep your hearts and minds at peace.

[32:52] If you have, by the mercy of God, that peace in your breast, between you and him, peace through blood, you will have the foundation for peace, respecting your circumstances.

[33:09] All that surrounds you will give you tranquillity for to know that you have peace with God, and therefore your circumstances will be subservient to that, and that will provide a basis for peace in relationships.

[33:31] As much and as far as possible as life in you, you will want to be at peace with all men, and you will be one of these people.

[33:43] Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are the children of God. And that all too briefly is just a glimpse of how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, thy God reigneth.

[34:16] And as upon the third day he rose triumphant over death, hell, the law, and the grave, triumphant, no more to return thither, we see him reigning.

[34:32] And therefore he says to Zion, thy God Jesus, he reigneth, and he must reign until all his enemies be brought under his footstool.

[34:46] And when he reigned thus, he reigned not only for himself, as he came here on his mission and advent here below, he was always to be considered as the head of the body.

[35:04] It's representative and to imply that everlasting union interest which his people had in him. Therefore, says Paul, we shall live and reign with him.

[35:22] And as he rose triumphant over the grave, and over every enemy of the church, so did they rise virtually in him.

[35:33] I overcame, I've overcome for you, you've also overcome, because, you see, the church was in him, represented by him, an everlasting indissoluble union.

[35:52] Therefore, it is said that they suffer with him, that they die with him, they're buried in baptism with him, and they rise with him triumphant over the tomb, over the grave, and over sin.

[36:10] And as he is risen, and death and sin have no more to do with him, likewise, the believer in union with him, he is free.

[36:22] There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, in him forever. When the blessed Jesus then passed through his humiliation, suffering, and trial, he was a public person, and representing the persons of the whole election of grace in one glorious blessed act and triumph and victory that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth, reigneth for thee, reigneth over thine enemies, he reigneth in such a way as to exercise his authority, wisdom, love, and power in the interest of his Zion, in order to bring her eventually into his presence with everlasting joy.

[37:24] How beautiful is all this. And then there is just a last glimpse of the subject I want to present to you, namely, that having risen again, accomplished salvation, he did appoint the ministry of the apostles.

[37:46] He breathed upon them and said, receive ye the Holy Ghost, and send them forth to preach the gospel to every creature, beginning at Jerusalem, and going to the ends of the earth.

[38:02] And here again we have the recurrence of how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of them that bring, that take, that publish good tidings.

[38:16] And what's the burden of their ministry? I said to you this morning, the ministry of the old prophets was this, he shall come. The ministry of Christ was this, I am come.

[38:30] Now the ministry of the apostles and the present day is this, we know that the Son of God is come and has given us an understanding that we are in him that is true, that we know him that is true, even in his Son, Jesus Christ.

[38:51] This is the true God and eternal life. And in the ministry of the Spirit, we have the Lord conquering those mountains I try to speak of that yet remain.

[39:09] What are they? The power of sin in every member of his mystical body. The mountains to be overcome as yet are these.

[39:21] You are dead in trespasses and sins. You have need to be raised up to a life divinely new. hence the ministry of the Spirit of God.

[39:33] The grand work of sanctification, separating, calling, quickening, preparing, teaching, revealing, humbling, implanting godly fear, forming his graces and fruits, preparing a people for his eternal praise.

[39:56] and he'll do it. Faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it. And he's carrying it on, is he not?

[40:08] In one and in another comes the Spirit to overturn the mountains of enmity, hardness of heart, deadness, and all those things which oppose his work.

[40:22] But of that we may say, who art thou, O great mountain, before the rubber bell thou shalt become a plain. And he's doing this in some of your hearts.

[40:39] And what think you of his messengers? I drop these few hints. How beautiful upon the mountains of sin are the feet of God's messengers and ministers.

[40:56] who have taught us and preached to us these tidings of peace, who publish salvation, who say unto us when we are cast down, thy God reigneth.

[41:10] When the watchmen that go about the cities find us, reprove us, cheer us, and teach us, things. You know their beauty, what they are, they are by the grace of God.

[41:27] If there's any beauty about them, it is by the anointings of the Holy Spirit and what is written of them. We beseech you to esteem them that rule over you, to esteem them highly in love for their work's sake.

[41:49] And, brethren, pray for them, and obey them that have the rule over you, for they watch for your souls as they that must give an account.

[42:04] They may do it with joy and not with grief, for this is unprofitable for you. There we must leave this delightful subject.

[42:16] May the Lord bless what has been said. Amen. Amen. Name number 700.

[42:29] German commandment name 178. 178. On hail of the power of Jesus name, let angels cross the poor.

[42:45] Bring forth the low early and friend of the Lord of the shepherd of the Lord. All the heaven of the power of Jesus name, let angels cross stay full.

[43:15] Bring forth the royal diode and crown him, crown him, crown him, from influence the ощ�� 981.

[43:58] Як answer from the cold. Hail Him who changed you by His grace and crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him hollow.

[44:40] Amen. Every danger, every trial throughout this earth behold.

[44:58] To give all majesty of strife and crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him.

[45:34] We do have need the same breath from low at his feet were told.

[45:54] Join in the everlasting song, and crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him, crown him.

[46:34] O Lord, grant we may indeed ascribe all glory and honor, dominion and majesty unto the Christ of God, without reluctance, without grudging, for he is worthy.

[46:56] Conduct us in thy fear, bring us honorably through life, and enable us then to join that everlasting song, and crown him Lord of all.

[47:14] Now dismiss us with thy blessing, and watch over this people, now esteemed pastor, and may they often have occasion to bless and praise the Lord, for his inestimable blessings of grace, his left hand blessings in providence.

[47:38] Now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, abide with us, now and evermore. Amen.