This week I would like to take a look at Isaiah 27:1 as it relates to the resurrection of Christ. Isaiah 27:1 may not be one of the verses that comes to mind in connection with the resurrection of Christ, but it should be. It is through the death and resurrection of Christ that the devil has been defeated.
Father, thank You for the resurrection of Christ our King, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.
Isaiah 27:1
The dragon is Satan. (Rev 20:2) The Bible calls Satan the firstborn of death (Job 18:13). The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Cor 15:56) In other words, sin and death are what give Satan his power over us through the law. Because of the death and resurrection of Christ, however, neither death nor the law has any power over us; therefore neither does Satan. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened [ie made alive] together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Col 2:13-15) Therefore Jesus can say, I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Rev 1:18) Because Jesus now has the keys of hell and death, Satan has lost his power. Jesus is going to use those keys to lock Satan up. (Isa 14:15; Rev 20:10)
When Jesus went to the cross, He knew his Father would not leave [his] soul in hell, neither [would he] suffer [his] Holy One to see corruption. (Ps 16:10; Acts 2:27) In Christ we have this same promise:
111So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
111O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
111The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
111But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57
Satan’s philosophies, his vices, and even his entertainment effects all revolve around death. For example, evolution begins with death and ends with death. The gospel, on the other hand, begins with life and ends with life. Likewise, many of the world’s religions either celebrate or draw attention to death, yet none of them can solve the problem of death. Buddha is in his grave. His ashes are buried beneath the Ramabhar Stupa in Kushinagar, India. Muhammad is in his grave. He is buried beneath the Green Dome in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Jesus’ tomb, on the other hand, is empty! If you visit his tomb today there is a sign on the door that says, “He is not here – for He is risen[!]”
In closing, these promises only apply to you if you believe Christ is risen and you are willing to say so. (Rom 10:9) If you have not done that, why not do so right now?
Father, thank You once more for our risen Saviour. Thank You that we each have our own resurrection or translation to look forward to. Thank You that the gospel is all about life and light and joy and peace. Thank You that the grave no longer has any power over us. We pray all this in Jesus’ name, the name above all names. Amen.
