The Most Powerful Bomb (Isaiah 64)

Pastor Bob and Janet
Jan 27, 2019
4 min read

Most people know about the immediate devastation and lingering effects brought on by the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending World War II. However, most people do not know about a bomb that was detonated in 1961 by the Russians as a test. The bomb, Tsar Bomba, was 1570 times more powerful than the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs combined. A bomb of this magnitude would completely destroy all buildings and annihilate all life for miles in every direction. Matthew 24:29 describes another cataclysmic event in which the earth and heavens will be shaken. The sun and moon will not give light, and the stars will fall from the sky. This most powerful event in all the earth is the future coming of Christ. On this day, Christ, in his magnificent glory, will split heaven and earth, and he will appear with power greater than any nuclear bomb.

I. The Power of His Nature (vv. 1-3)

Verses one and two give two powerful images about God's nature. God is able to split the heavens, and at his presence, the mountains will quake. Secondly, as a fire's swift blaze burns anything in its path, and its extreme temperature makes water boil, so does God's power overcome his enemies. He is the Omnipotent God, all-powerful to save. Verse two reveals God's intent for showing his power. The world needs to see that he has the power to save. His power extends from today and beyond. Since Pentecost, God has been saving people in multitudes. For example, in the early 1970s, communist China began persecuting Christians by arresting worshipers and destroying meeting places. However, tens of thousands began secretly worshiping in "underground" churches, and this is still going on today. In 1950, South Korea's Christian population was about one percent. Today, about 39 percent of South Koreans are Christian. We personally experience this each year when we minister to the Zambian people. Pastor Luke and teams of ordinary people like us share Christ in door-to-door evangelism, nightly crusades, and sharing the gospel in schools. Today, Zambia is ripe for the gospel. Many churches have been planted and thousands of people have accepted Christ. God's power to save is mighty and never-ending. Can Isaiah's prayer be applicable today? Could God move in our country saving multitudes? God will move but something from his people is required.

II. The Penance Required (vv. 4-7)

Verse four distinguishes the people for whom he will move. God will act on behalf of those who wait for him. God will act when his people do penance. Penance requires us to acknowledge our sin and ask for forgiveness. We are to remember God's ways and act accordingly. God is angry with self-righteousness. Our self-righteousness is like filthy rags. We have no reason to boast in ourselves because all glory belongs to the Lord. We can't depend on the church collectively to cause God to move. We as individuals must turn a repentant heart toward him. How do we do that? First, we must have a pure heart as we worship. The Lord sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Secondly, we must have a passion to win the lost. Apostle Paul is an excellent model. His desire was to become all things to all people so that by all means they may be saved (1 Corinthians 9:22). Lastly, our priority must be on all people. God does not place priority on certain groups (Acts 10:34). It is his desire that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). In America, we have yet to see God's power of the gospel in its fullness. God waits on us to do penance and pray for him to intervene. If God's people will humble themselves, pray, seek his face, and turn from their sins, then he will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). We must be like clay in the hands of a potter. That should be our prayer; that God would shape our flaws into a vessel as he sees fit (Jeremiah 18:4).

III. The Prayer to the Potter (vv. 8-12)

Our prayer, as individuals, should be that God would shape us into the Christian he would have us to be. That means that our desires should simply be what God wants for us. When individuals pray that simple prayer, God will change them, and consequently, he will change churches, communities, and nations. Isaiah's prayer from 2,700 years ago is not outdated nor is it inappropriate for us today. God will never turn his back, and he will never forget his children. The New Testament church can rend the heavens by the movement of God's powerful gospel.

Remember to get rid of self-righteousness and wait on God. Pray for him to make you into a vessel that is obedient to his will. Tsar Bomba will be like a small firecracker compare to the Omnipotent God at his second coming. Do you look forward to Jesus' return? Today is the day, as we have no idea when he may return. We are on God's schedule. There is so much to be done before he returns. God's work begins with his working in each one of his children. Ask him to heal you where you are, and then begin following his will for your life. Amen.