Like Isaiah, we need a renewed vision of Christ’s majesty and holiness.
I[dropcap] I [/dropcap]n Isaiah 6, the reader is provided with a breathtaking vision of the very throne room of heaven. It is a passage most of us are so familiar with that we can easily lose sight of the privileged glimpse we are provided with. As we enter into the vision Isaiah had of our Lord, there is a sense in which we are on holy ground, much like the appearance of the Lord to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3. In these few verses, Christ is pictured in glorious majesty seated on the throne of the universe with the “sovereign right, power, and ability to rule over all.”1
Isaiah’s vision comes on the heels of King Uzziah’s death. At first glance, the majesty of Isaiah’s vision of Christ and the passing of King Uzziah’s seem unrelated. King Uzziah’s long 52-year reign was marked by much blessing. The fitting commentary on his life found in 2 Chronicles 26 was that, “He did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father Amaziah had done…and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.” He clearly enjoyed tremendous military success which translated into widespread fame. But, unfortunately, his earthly success made him vulnerable to being lifted up with pride. The writer of 2 Chronicles tells of King Uzziah’s undoing. He entered the temple and assumed the priestly duty of burning incense, and, when confronted by Azariah the priest, he responded with prideful anger. His response was a condemnation of the condition of his heart. God acted quickly to deal out punishment and Uzziah was immediately struck with leprosy. He remained a leper till the day of his death, leading an isolated existence and no longer enjoying the presence of the Lord. Sadly, like so many believers, King Uzziah’s life is the story of one who started well and finished poorly.
Undoubtedly, this was heavy on the mind of Isaiah. What a disappointment! In reality, Uzziah’s life was an illustration of the condition of Judah as a nation. The Lord comes to Isaiah early in his ministry and provides him with a vision that will change his perspective. It is a vision of the One who will never disappoint.
The throne
It is notable that what Isaiah sees in his vision is the Lord sitting on a throne. He specifically uses the divine title Jehovah Adonai, speaking of God in terms of His sovereign rule and authority. Isaiah’s vision portrays Christ seated on the throne of God. There are many thrones spoken of in Scripture in connection with the work of Christ. Most look forward to a coming day of Christ’s rule. The throne of grace is one we enjoy daily as we enter into prayer and find mercy and grace. But the throne on which Christ is seated in Isaiah 6 is one which He has rightfully occupied eternally. The writer to the Hebrews, quoting the Psalmist, recognizes this fact. “But of the Son He says, ‘Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.’” (Heb. 1:8)
The ensuing verses describe the majesty associated with the Lord’s throne. The writer is struck by the awesome presence of the Lord. The throne on which He sits is high and lifted up, a fitting description of the exalted Christ reigning over the universe. The sight is marvelously splendid with the train of His robe filling the temple. The celestial beings surround the One seated on the throne and, as if to avoid drawing any attention to themselves and away from the Sovereign Lord, use their wings to cover themselves. The glory belongs to Jehovah alone. The disciples were privileged to get a similar vision of Christ in glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. Looking back in his second epistle, Peter writes, “but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” (2 Pet. 1:16f)
The cry
But now Isaiah’s attention turns from the marvelous sight to the marvelous sound of the seraphim encircling the throne and crying out to one another. What is the theme of their cry? The Holiness of God. “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.” Holiness not only speaks of God’s absolute purity, but of the idea of His separateness. “The thought is of all that separates Him and sets Him apart and makes Him different from His creation.”2
We can’t help but think of our Lord as He walked this earthly scene. His feet may have been muddied by the same dirt but in every aspect of His thinking, speech, and conduct, He operated on a completely different plane then the mere men around Him. He was not bound by the same natural laws. He turned water into wine and walked on water. He “[upheld] all things by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3). He spoke of heaven as His home and enjoyed constant communion with His heavenly Father. He was absolutely pure and incapable of sin. When a woman caught in the act of adultery was dragged by the religious elite into His presence, He revealed their hearts with the comment, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” When all the critics had ashamedly walked away, Jesus was the only one left standing. The commentary of the New Testament writers who were acquainted with the intimate, unseen, unrecorded moments of His life was that “He did no sin” (1 Pet. 2:22), “He knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21), and “in Him is no sin” (1 Jn. 3:5). The song of the seraphim is taken up with the holiness of God. No one ever displayed this more perfectly than the Lord Jesus Christ.
The King
One final note about the Seraphim’s song is worth adding. They address the One on the throne as the “Lord of Hosts.” This is a name of Jehovah often used synonymously with the God of Israel in the Old Testament. But, in Psalm 24, it is prophetically used of Christ. This psalm looks forward to Christ’s return to an earthly Jerusalem after the final triumph over His enemies at Armageddon. He is presented as the victorious Commander greeted by the very gates of Jerusalem. The question is asked, “Who is the King of Glory?” The answer: “the Lord of Hosts.” Ultimately, the One who sits on the throne of the universe and governs it according to His right and power will be recognized in the very place that rejected Him. He will take the throne and be crowned as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Like Isaiah, we need a renewed vision of Christ’s majesty and holiness. Amidst the uncertainty in the land following the death of Uzziah and all that it might imply for Judah’s future, God provided Isaiah with the surety of the One who is ultimately in control. Which of us has not had the experience of being disappointed by a believer whose life has been derailed by poor decisions, worldly distractions, or the allure of sin? Our mistake is placing undue confidence in men and taking our eyes off Christ. Inevitably, a deeper appreciation of the greatness of Christ in His dominion over the universe, and an understanding of His holiness, will affect our view of self and fill our hearts with worship.
Endnotes
1 T. Ernest Wilson, The Messianic Psalms (Grand Rapids, MI: Gospel Folio Press, 1997), p. 110.
2. J.I. Packer, Knowing God (Great Britain: Hodder and Stoughton, 1973), p. 225.