In the Bible, I would say Isaiah is the most complex book. It is full of poetry, prophecy, accounts and so many beautiful descriptions of God. And, as it so happens, it is also full of references to Salvation!
1. The purpose of Salvation
Isaiah 65:11-16:
11 But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget My holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.
12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before Mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, My servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, My servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, My servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:
14 Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call His servants by another name:
16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
Isaiah was speaking to a group of people who had turned from God. As you can see, he gives quite a list of things that they missed out on because God cannot reward wickedness. However, God wants to save us. But it is our own choice . . . Often we don’t pick that option.
1. The purpose of Salvation – To give us all the blessings He has for us
2. The prophecy of Salvation
Isaiah 65:17:
17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
God tells mankind that when Salvation is delivered, all things are new. This is a prophecy of Salvation that is always there: when Salvation comes, it changes thing. Salvation makes things new. The old is cast away and killed and the new is put on and brought to life through Christ.
2. The prophecy of Salvation – Salvation does not come without a promise of a new creation in Christ
3. The prescription of Salvation
Isaiah 65:18-19:
18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
People often say that the Old Testament depicts God as a God of War and destruction, hating humans. However, reading theses verses I get the impression that it accurately describes Him as the loving and merciful God He is Who loves seeing His children rejoice in His Salvation.
3. The prescription of Salvation – Rejoicing and being glad in God’s Salvation
4. The proclamation of Salvation
Isaiah 65:20-25:
20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
God concludes the chapter with a proclamation about Salvation. Someone who is 100-years old will be young in the new world, they will build houses and keep them, not having to worry about landlords, taxes or other things. They will plant their own food and reap the benefits. God wraps it up perfectly with, “they shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble”. Everything they do will come back to them even better. This is quite a proclamation of Salvation for the world we live in today!
4. The proclamation of Salvation – The world will be changed at Salvation
The Christian Web 