THE MAJESTY AND HOLINESS OF GOD

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Isaiah 6:1 ESV

The reign of King Uzziah lasted for fifty two years and his life came to a shameful end due to his pride and unfaithfulness. He was judged by God with leprosy for flouting God’s holiness. King Uzziah leprous condition lasted until his demise. As his son Jotham ascended the throne, it was an anxious time in Judah’s history.

However, the prophet Isaiah was concerned about all of this and was in the temple. But then he had the most glorious encounter of his life.

Wonderfully, Isaiah saw the true King. He had a vision of the Divine Majesty of God. Like King Uzziah all human Kings will die but the true King of glory lives forevermore. 

Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:2-3 ESV 

The creatures in Isaiah’s vision are angelic beings with wings. They burn with passion and zeal for the glory of God. This seraphs are sinless beings and with two wings they covered their faces to protect them from seeing the holiness of God. With the other two wings they covered their feet as a sign of their unworthiness and reverence in Divine presence. 

The final pair of wings were for flying swiftly to serve God at His every command. In Isaiah's vision the seraphim cried to each other, as they make the point of the holiness of God. They were constantly praising God for who He is.

These are highly supernatural beings yet still they are overwhelmed by the holiness of God. Furthermore, they confessed that the whole earth is full of His glory in other words, God’s weightiness over and on the earth. Similarly, in the New Testament the Apostle John had a vision of heaven.

Similar creatures praised God, declaring His glory and holiness (Revelation 4:6-8). John like Isaiah before him saw supernatural beings praising and worshiping the glorious, majestic and holy God. However, when fallen men encounter the Holy One, their world changes drastically.

And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” Isaiah 6:5 ESV 

The holiness of God is not only overwhelming for sinful humanity but ultimately traumatic. God’s holy presence was traumatic for Isaiah and he was able to perceive who he was. He rightly condemned himself and became aware that a sinner cannot enter or comprehend the holiness of God.

Furthermore, Isaiah confessed that he lives amongst ungodly and sinful people. It’s impossible for the pure and impure to communion and Isaiah realises his own predicament. However, the merciful and gracious God blessed him.

From the altar a live coal was taken to atoned for him. Amazingly, atonement makes unholy people Holy and that’s what our Holy God does for His people. Isaiah was transformed by the vision and desperate to be sent by God. He has seen the true God and it changed his world. To be called and sent by God is the greatest privilege. This vision sets the tone of Isaiah’s prophetic ministry.

He saw the true Divine majesty of God who is above all. Interestingly, John tells us that it was the pre-incarnate Christ that Isaiah saw in his vision John 12:41). If it was Christ that Isaiah saw then Christ became a big part of his prophetic ministry. Isaiah prophetic ministry went on to unfold the salvation, judgment and announcement of the Messianic King.

Nonetheless, Isaiah had the vision of God in the midst of Israel and Judah’s sin and rebellion. As he saw the Lord on His throne, Christ the King was the answer to salvation and judgment and that the people will not have deliverance anywhere except from the King.

In the book of Isaiah the pre-incarnate Christ became a mysterious character that’s difficult to comprehend. He is the Son who is Immanuel and the Root of Jesse. He is the divine King sitting on David’s throne (Isaiah 9). He rules with righteousness and justice. He is also the banner to the nations and His Kingdom is of righteousness and peace.

His kingdom is an eternal one, where the wolf will live with the lamb (Isaiah 32 &11). He loves and trusts God despite difficulties. He is the faithful servant of God and will reveal the glory of God for all to see ( Isaiah 40 & 42).

This King will also judge the wicked. At the same time, this King is the suffering servant who lays down His life for His people (Isaiah 53).

The transcendent King is also the suffering servant. We see the mysterious creativity of God in reconciling His love and justice through the Cross of Christ. He atoned for the sin of the world.

The One who is transcendent and majestic is also close and humble. There’s no God like Him. This is the God of the Bible and can’t be imagined by any human because He is beyond our comprehension. Unless, His Spirit reveals Himself otherwise a person won’t be able to know Him.

Do you know Him?. Knowledge of the Holy One gives both joy and fear. He should be feared because He is Holy but for Christians this fear is a reverential fear not dread. His Son had made a way for us to enter the throne of Grace. So also, Christians are joyful because of his love, peace and the gift of eternal life. The Spirit of God is a comfort and guarantee of our future inheritance to the praise of His glory.