For thus says the LORD:

“Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,

and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;

and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip,

and bounced upon her knees.

As one whom his mother comforts,

so I will comfort you;

you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” vs12-13

God is going to comfort His people. He comforted us in the birth of the church, as sinners were swept into the gospel. Those that mourn are comforted by the revelation of Christ’s saving power. Let us look to this comfort fully.

I am persuaded that few are comforted, because they don’t know the way of faith, obedience, and the glory of God. They live for themselves upon their own strength and resources, so misery sets in, even an empty life.

God’s comfort enables us to see Christ, submits our wills to Him, and it makes us live for His glory. Therefore, we abide in Christ to maintain our peace; it is not merely fits and starts, but a lasting peace comes from a continual believing, as we receive what our souls need and do good works because of it. Isa 26:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

The promises of the gospel are real, and I want you to enjoy them. Drink abundantly. Fellowship with Christ. Commune with God.

Secondly, there will be many, however, who will not survive [vs14-16]. They refuse to believe the Son and perish with the Bible in their hands, because they hate the truth of the gospel!

“For by fire and by His sword the Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord will be many.”

They are stubborn! They must have some other way, lying signs and wonders, and they must make some contribution. Imagine it. They reject FREE GRACE! Oh, how foolish is man and how blinded by Satan. They refuse the water of life to drink the cup of indignation [Rev 14:10]! They refuse to be chosen and prefer rejection, refusing to honor whom God has honored and beg for their bread [1 Sam 2:36]. These are haughty religious hucksters, who we are warned about. Flee from them! 2 Cor 6:17, “Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” Wrath is coming!

Thirdly, the gospel will be preached to all the world. vs18-23

“I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles.”

Nothing can stop it. The Gentiles are going to hear! Israel’s rejection does not slow down the advance of God’s kingdom, because He’s going to send His messengers to all the nations [Rom 11:11-15]. He will raise them up, like Saul of Tarsus, and transform Christ-haters into His boldest messengers. The people will hear, for their hearts are prepared, and years of darkness will be destroyed by great light [Rom 9:30]. God’s salvation plan is never hindered, but always on track and on schedule.

These are the great things of our confidence: the gospel will save, so we advance it ourselves, taking risks and supporting those that do so. We have the only invincible mission in the world, and it is glorious, reveals God’s glory, and it is sweet to those who participate!

Finally, when the wicked are damned in hell, we shall see it and praise God! vs24

“And they shall go forth and look

Upon the corpses of the men

Who have transgressed against Me.

For their worm does not die,

And their fire is not quenched.

They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”

Our “Hallelujah” will ascend forever, as the smoke arises from the pit. Rev 19:1-2, “After these things, I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to our Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” They wouldn’t listen, and they got justice! Sin is out of business, and the Lamb’s wife has made herself ready [Rev 19:7].

Heaven and hell is on the line, and we live for it now, being wise though counted fools. 1 Pet 4:4, “In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of licentiousness, speaking evil of you.” They think you are THROWING AWAY your life, but they don’t know that you gave it up to gain it [Matt 16:25]. You have eternal life and peace with God. You are safe!