Which New Testament teachings align with Isaiah 57:1's message about the righteous? The Heart of Isaiah 57:1 “The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous are taken away from evil to come.” Jesus Affirms Immediate Safety for the Righteous • Luke 23:43 — “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” • John 14:2-3 — “I am going away to prepare a place for you… I will come back and receive you to Myself.” These words mirror Isaiah’s assurance: death for the righteous is not loss but safe arrival in God’s presence, removed from coming evil. Passing from Death to Life, Even Now • John 5:24 — “Whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life… he has crossed over from death to life.” • 1 John 3:14 — “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.” The New Testament teaches a present, irreversible transfer into life that shields believers from ultimate judgment. Paul’s Joyful Readiness to Depart • 2 Corinthians 5:8 — “We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” • Philippians 1:23 — “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” • 2 Timothy 4:6-8 — “The time of my departure is at hand… there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness.” Paul echoes Isaiah: departure of the righteous brings immediate peace and reward, not tragedy. Rescue From Coming Wrath • 1 Thessalonians 1:10 — “Jesus… rescues us from the coming wrath.” • Revelation 3:10 — “I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is coming upon the whole world.” Isaiah’s phrase “taken away from evil to come” finds New-Testament fulfillment in promises of deliverance from end-time judgment. Rest for God’s People • Hebrews 4:9-10 — “There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God… whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work.” • Revelation 14:13 — “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on… they will rest from their labors.” The theme of restful peace after faithful service parallels Isaiah’s view that death ushers the righteous into calm, away from turmoil. Hope for Those Who Grieve • 1 Thessalonians 4:14 — “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” • 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 — “We who are alive… will be caught up together with them… and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” The church is urged to find comfort in the same truth Isaiah declared: the righteous are safe, secure, and soon to be reunited. Putting It All Together Isaiah 57:1 states that when righteous people “perish,” they are actually “taken away from evil to come.” The New Testament consistently: • Promises believers immediate presence with Christ at death. • Describes death for the faithful as gain, rest, and deliverance. • Assures rescue from future wrath and judgment. The righteous may leave this world, but God’s Word guarantees their departure is a sovereign act of protection and blessing—yesterday through Isaiah, today through Christ and His apostles. |
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