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Messiah: Zion’s Chief Warrior
Isaiah 63:1-6
In Isaiah’s vision of the future, he sees a mighty, splendid figure. Curious, he inquires:
“Who is this coming from Edom in crimson-stained garments from Bozrah— this One who is splendid in His apparel, rising up proudly in His great might?” (1a)
It is I, proclaiming vindication, powerful to save.” (1b)
It’s the Messiah, the God-Man. He is coming from Edom. But His clothes are stained.
“Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads a winepress?” (2)
The Messiah answers Isaiah’s question boldly, unashamed of His Holy War::
“I trampled the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and ground them underfoot in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained.” (3, see also Rev. 19:11-21)
This is no flannelgraph Jesus.
This is an angry, Jewish King.
This is not His first advent.
He is not returning to lay down His life; He will exact life.
He is not returning to spill His own blood, He will spill the blood of others.
He is returning to carry out “the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion” (61:3)
The Messiah continues to expound:
“For I planned the day of vengeance, and the year of My redemption came. I looked, but there was no one to help, and I was amazed that no one assisted; so My arm accomplished victory for Me, and My wrath assisted Me.” (4-5)
God’s day of vengeance is not an impromptu fit of rage. It’s planned. Calculated. Forecasted. Righteous.
Just like His first advent, no one helped Him. So His own arm worked salvation.
His is angry.
He is furious.
He is wrathful toward the nations for their refusal to follow Him. Instead, they followed a false king.
The nations have persecuted the Jewish people.
The nations have divided up His Land.
"I will enter into judgment with them there because of My people, My inheritance Israel. The nations have scattered the Israelites in foreign countries and divided up My land.” (Joel 3:1-3)
It’s payback time. God was very clear to the nations through His word: Bless, do not curse, Israel. Now, He will show the nations just how serious He is.
Read His graphic testimony as He paints the future with the blood of Zion’s enemies:
“I crushed nations in My anger; I made them drunk with My wrath and poured out their blood on the ground.” (6)
Is there anything I can do to ensure I escape this wrath?
Believe upon the King, and you shall be saved.
He is Jesus of Nazareth.
He is returning.