Isaiah—the Messianic Prophecies

Isaiah is regarded as the greatest prophet of the Old Testament. Because of his messianic visions, he is often called the “gospel prophet.”AGP 136.3

He received his call through a vision of God’s glory, which led him to bemoan his own sinfulness. Then, being assured of divine forgiveness, he was led to respond to the call of God for a messenger to speak for Him. A disheartening prospect was open before him. His teachings were to fall on deaf ears. He was to meet with willfully blinded eyes and a refusal to understand God’s gracious message, or to be converted.AGP 136.4

Anxiously he queried, “Lord, how long?” The answer was given, “Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate.” Yet a gleam of hope is seen. His work should not be without fruit. A remnant—“a tenth” should return. There should remain “the holy seed.” Isaiah 6:10-13.AGP 136.5

This vision was given to Isaiah in “the year that King Uzziah died.” The first message of the book, addressed to a people spiritually blinded by outward prosperity, arraigns them not only as rebellious against their divine Sovereign, but as ungrateful children. Spiritually they were sick, covered from head to foot with “wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores.” With pathetic, pleading words, Isaiah urges them to put away the evil of their doings, to come and reason together with the Lord, whoAGP 136.6

promises, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.AGP 137.1

Through the successive reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, the prophet sought to lead the people back to loyalty to God, and thus save them from the imminent destruction of their nation. But they were deaf to his counsels and entreaties.AGP 137.2

Ahaz was one of the most wicked kings of Judah. Isaiah was bidden to bear him a message of assurance, however, that the combined forces of Syria and Israel against Jerusalem should fail. He also definitely predicted the overthrow of both these kingdoms by the Assyrians.AGP 137.3

In connection with this message occur two passages, illustrative of the double, or repetitive, application of many of the prophecies. Upon the refusal of Ahaz to ask a sign for the fulfillment of this assurance, the prophet said:AGP 137.4

“The Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Chapter 7:14.

Again, speaking of a ruler who would be raised up to deliver God’s people from these enemies, he used the following language, couched in words of hyperbole common to Jewish speech, yet by no means extravagant when applied to Christ:AGP 137.5

“Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end.” Chapter 9:6, 7.