ISRAEL SAVED IN THE LORD
Isaiah 45:17. But Israel shall be saved in the Lord, &c.
The text contains a promise of “everlasting salvation” to the pious just, and is brought forward among the promises of their temporal deliverance from the Babylonish captivity; and there is a better, greater, and more lasting salvation that affects the soul, preserving it from endless misery, and securing its everlasting happiness, in and through the Lord Messiah.
I. THE GLORIOUS OBJECT—“Everlasting salvation,” in the Lord.
1. Everlasting salvation includes a deliverance from ignorance, guilt, &c.; and the possession of light, peace, &c.; and this state continued and increased for ever. It is grace consummated in endless glory (Revelation 7:9, &c.)
2. This everlasting salvation is “in the Lord”—the Lord Messiah, Jesus Christ. It is in Him as a possession, purchased by His own blood, in whose right only we can obtain it. It is in Him as an inheritance, kept in trust, and to be conveyed by Him to the appointed heirs of it. It is in Him as in a grand exemplar, in His human nature, of the complete and final happiness of the saints who are predestinated, &c. (Romans 8:29; Philippians 3:21). It is in Him both as a beatific object and a perpetual medium, through which the blessed will see and enjoy God for ever.
II. THE CHARACTER OF THE PERSONS TO WHOM EVERLASTING SALVATION IS PROMISED—“Israel.”
1. Israel is a name of great distinction in Scripture. God Himself gave it to the patriarch Jacob, and in very peculiar circumstances (Genesis 32:28). His posterity bore that name; as we are now called Christians, from Christ. But these were Israelites only by carnal generation—not in spirit and temper imitating the faith and treading in the steps of their progenitors, Abraham, &c. (Romans 9:6). The Israelites to whom everlasting salvation is promised, are such as are so in a spiritual sense: and under the name of Israel, in the sense of it, all true believers in Christ are comprehended.
2. True Israelites are such as have given their unfeigned consent to be God’s people, subjects and servants—such as have “joined themselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant.”
3. In consequence of this, true Israelites are such as live in an unreserved subjection to the laws and government of God and the Redeemer (Romans 8:22). Through faith in Christ they are virtually united to Him, and from Him receive those hourly supplies of grace that qualify men for every good word and work.
III. THE GROUNDS OF THE CERTAINTY OF THEIR SALVATION.
1. The possession Christ has taken of it, in the name and nature of all true believers in Him (Hebrews 6:20; John 14:2-3).
2. Christ’s intercession, which He ever lives in heaven to make for them (Hebrews 7:25).
3. His mighty power which is engaged for them (1 Peter 1:4-5).
4. God’s promise (John 5:2; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:17-18).
Application.
1. How precious should Christ be to believers!
2. The Lord’s people have good reason to love Christ’s appearance (2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 9:28).
3. What an encouragement to diligence and perseverance in appointed duty, seeing everlasting salvation will be the consequence of it! (1 Corinthians 15:58).—Sketches of Sermons, vol. iv. pp. 289–294).