The divine Author of the scriptures, the Holy Spirit, brings to a close Isaiah’s prophetical chapter of the sufferings of the Saviour with God the Father saying, “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isa. 53:12). The metaphor implied by these words is that of a great battle and the resulting rewards to the victor. Herein is prophesied the resurrection of Christ from the dead, and His glory that should follow. The previous verse ended saying, “for he shall bear their iniquities.” There was but one way the Son of God became a Substitute for sinners, and that was by the shedding of His own blood on Calvary’s cross. The power of the grave was overcome by Him, for He came forth from it to receive the spoils of His conflict with sin, death, and hell, and spoils are not for those who are casualties but conquerors in the strife.
Great men, powerful angels, and malicious demons all observed in the death of Christ what appeared to be the utter defeat and end of His person and work, but those who concluded this to be the case erred, “not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” (Mt. 22:29). Before Jesus was born it was said to His mother, Mary, by the angel Gabriel, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Lk. 1:32,33). The Psalmist had written of Christ even before Isaiah’s prophecy, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” (Psa. 45:6,7). But when faith and understanding are weak, sense and carnal reason are strong, therefore even the Lord’s disciples and devoted followers died in their hopes for a king and deliverer for Israel when they saw His body laid in the tomb.
“But God raised him from the dead:” (Acts 13:30). What unfathomable meaning there is the words, “But God!” The exaltation of the risen Saviouir immediately became the theme of the apostles’ preaching as they lifted Him up before the people, many of whom had been His very murderers, declaring Him the only Way of life eternal and the forgiveness of sins: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 2:36; 5:30,31). This same gospel of grace continues to be heralded in the epistles of Paul: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Eph. 2:4,5).
Christ’s ascension after His resurrection to the Father’s right hand in heaven is also foretold by Isaiah in the words, “and he shall divide the spoil with the strong.” Peter as an eyewitness of this ascension said, “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” (I Pet. 3:22). Of all God’s creatures, only man, it seems, appears intent upon rebellion against the Lord of Glory, whom at His coming again in judgment He shall slay “with the breath of his lips” (Isa. 11:4). But those who hoist the white flag of surrender, by faith seeking the merits of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, will by God’s power be preserved to join the happy throng in heaven saying, “Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” (Rev. 5:13). Dear reader, none are shut out of God’s heaven but those who refuse to seek its Lord; “if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” (I Chron. 28:9).