Isa 34:5-7, 66:24, Eze 39:17-21, Rev 19:14-21 | TSK | STEP

65:15; Da 12:2; 1Th 2:15,16 CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE BOOK OF ISAIAH. Isaiah has, with singular propriety, been denominated the Evangelical Prophet, on account of the number and variety of his prophecies concerning the advent and character, the ministry and preaching, the sufferings and death, and the extensive and permanent kingdom of the Messiah. So explicit and determinate are his predictions, as well as so numerous, that he seems to speak rather of things past than of events yet future; and he may be rather called an evangelist than a prophet. Though later critics, especially those on the continent, have expended much labour and learning in order to rob the prophet of his title; yet no one, whose mind is unprejudiced, can be at a loss in applying select portions of these prophecies to the mission and character of Jesus Christ, and to the events in his history which they are cited to illustrate by the sacred writers of the New Testament. In fact, his prophecies concerning the Messiah seem almost to anticipate the Gospel history; so clearly do they predict his Divine character. (Compare ch. 7:14 with Mat. 1:18-23, and Luke 1:27-35; ch. 6:; 9:6; 35:4; 40:5, 9, 19; 42: 6-8; 61:1, with Lu. 4:18; ch. 62:11; 63:1-4;) his miracles, (ch. 35:5, 6;) his peculiar character and virtues, (ch. 11:2, 3; 40:11; 43:1-3;) his rejection, (Compare ch. 6:9-12 with Mar. 13:14; ch. 7:14, 15; 53:3;) his sufferings for our sins, (ch. 50:6; 53:4-11;) his death and burial, (ch. 53:8, 9;) his victory over death, (ch. 25:8; 53:10, 12;) his final glory, (ch. 49:7, 22, 33; 52:13-15; 53:4, 5;) and the establishment, increase, and perfection of his kingdom, (ch. 2:2-4; 9:2, 7; 11:4-10; 16:5; 29:18-24; 32:1; 40:4, 5; 42:4; 46:13; 49:9-13; 51:3-6; 53:6-10; 55:1-3; 59:16-21; 60:; 61:1-5; 65:25;) each specifically pointed out, and pourtrayed with the most striking and discriminating characters. It is impossible, indeed, to reflect on these, and on the whole chain of his illustrious prophecies, and not be sensible that they furnish the most incontestable evidence in support of Christianity. The style of Isaiah has been universally admired as the most perfect model of elegance and sublimity; and as distinguished for all the magnificence, and for all the sweetness of the Hebrew language.