Isaiah 51:2-6
‘Look to Abraham…and to Sarah that bore you!… The LORD shall comfort Zion…. I will make My judgment to rest for a light of the people!… My salvation has gone forth!… Look!… Heaven shall vanish away like smoke; and the Earth shall become old like a garment; and they that dwell there shall die in like manner. But My salvation shall be for ever!’ Isaiah 51:2-6.
Calvin comments: “Their father Abraham…grew to a vast number…. God, Who in so short a period had multiplied their fathers, would in future multiply them also…. ‘I called him’…to dwell in the land of Canaan, without children, up to a worn-out old age — so that he had no hope of having children…. Yet the Lord increased and enriched him with a great number of children!…
“To us…in the present day, amidst this distracted condition of the Church, it is highly necessary that we…not be discouraged…. We may hope that God will increase His Church by unexpected methods…. The Lord increased even to extreme old age the posterity of Abraham who was childless and solitary…. The Lord suddenly produced from one man so numerous an offspring! So He will also people His Church by wonderful and unknown methods — and not only once, but whenever she shall be thought to be childless and solitary….
“Paul, after having spoken of the faith of Abraham and praised his excellence, applies that doctrine to each of us…. ‘He believed, in hope — against hope!… His mind was not driven hither and thither….. He was fully persuaded that what God had promised, He was able also to perform — though it appeared to be incredible and at variance with all reason’ (Romans 4:18-21)…. ‘For the Law shall go forth from Me!’…. This will be ‘for a light of the peoples.’ Because, when God begins to reign, miserable men are rescued from darkness, and enlightened by the doctrine of the Word….
“‘Lift up your eyes toward Heaven…and look upon the Earth beneath!’… Though Heaven and Earth hasten to decay, it is impossible that the Church shall fail — the stability of which is founded on God. As if He had said: ‘A thousand times rather shall Heaven mingle with the Earth — than the promise on which your salvation rests, shall fail of its accomplishment!’
“‘My salvation shall endure for ever!’… ‘The Heavens shall become old and vanish away. But You, Lord, are always the same — and Your years are not changed’ (Psalm 102:26-27)…. The grace of God which He displays in the preservation of His Church, surpasses all His other works. Everything that is contained in Heaven and Earth is frail and fading. But God’s salvation by which He guards the Church, is eternal — and therefore cannot be liable to these dangers!”
Calvin also says in his Institutes II:10:15: “Notwithstanding…the destruction of the Heavens and the Earth, the godly cease not to be established before God…. Their salvation is connected with His eternity…. ‘The Heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the Earth shall become old …, and they that dwell therein shall die…. But My salvation shall be for ever…(Isaiah 51:6)…. Perpetuity is here attributed to righteousness and salvation…as they are experienced by men!” The dead and even Heaven shall vanish away like smoke; but My salvation shall be for ever! Is that your belief?
