Topical Encyclopedia
The title "Arm of the Lord" is a profound and evocative designation for Christ, reflecting His divine power, authority, and active involvement in the salvation and deliverance of His people. This metaphorical expression is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
Old Testament ContextThe phrase "Arm of the Lord" is prominently featured in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Isaiah. It symbolizes God's strength and His ability to accomplish His purposes.
Isaiah 51:9 calls upon the "Arm of the Lord" to awaken and act as in days of old, delivering His people from oppression: "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago."
Isaiah 53:1 further emphasizes the revelation of the "Arm of the Lord" in the context of the suffering servant, a messianic prophecy that Christians understand to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ: "Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" This passage highlights the unexpected and humble manner in which God's power is manifested through the suffering and sacrifice of the Messiah.
New Testament FulfillmentIn the New Testament, the concept of the "Arm of the Lord" is embodied in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God's power and salvation. Through His incarnation, ministry, death, and resurrection, Christ demonstrates the mighty "Arm of the Lord" at work in human history.
The Gospel of John alludes to the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in Jesus, noting the unbelief of the people despite the signs He performed: "Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: 'Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?'" (
John 12:37-38)
Theological SignificanceThe title "Arm of the Lord" underscores the divine initiative in salvation history. It conveys the idea that God Himself intervenes in the world through Christ to bring about redemption and deliverance. This title affirms the power and authority of Jesus as the Messiah, who accomplishes what human strength cannot.
Moreover, the "Arm of the Lord" signifies the intimate involvement of God in the affairs of His people, providing comfort and assurance that He is both willing and able to save. It is a reminder of the divine strength that upholds believers and the ultimate victory that is secured through Christ.
In summary, the "Arm of the Lord" is a rich biblical metaphor that encapsulates the power, authority, and redemptive work of Christ, revealing Him as the divine agent of salvation and the fulfillment of God's promises.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 51:9Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Are you not it that has cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?
Torrey's Topical TextbookIsaiah 53:1
Who has believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
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figuratively names, with a ... those who are being saved, and Christ, as the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 he then once.htm
Independence of Christianity
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the highest titles that can ... agreeing in one thing"that Christ crucified was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/independence of christianity.htm
Epistle xx. To Mauricius Augustus.
... and in ashes, seek for themselves names of vanity, and glory in new and profane
titles. ... thence came Nestorius, who, thinking Jesus Christ, the Mediator ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xx to mauricius augustus.htm
The Great Shepherd
... and sufferings unto death, of the names He bears ... that he should be distinguished
by such titles, honours, and ... name and function of a minister of Christ, to the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xiii the great shepherd.htm
The Papacy not the Antichrist
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only so many names for the ... or "a Christ." Just as truly as the Christ is the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the papacy not the antichrist.htm
Paul in Ephesus.
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incantations, the heathens made use of some of the names and titles of the ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxii paul in ephesus.htm
Section 26-36. That the Son is the Co-Existing Word
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the name of Christ, as in ... writers, but that they but give various names to the ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 26-36 that the son.htm
The Letter of the Church of Rome
... The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you ... The reader will observe that, while
the titles "presbyter" and ... The names of the first two suggest that they were ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm
A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... here, as I have said, you glorify your errors also, with names and titles that are ...
Wherefore the Lord Jesus Christ, in his most blessed life, was neither ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm
The Old and New Testaments have Many Things in Common -- Far More ...
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of Christ, who was ... For fuller notes on the force of these titles we again ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the old and new testaments.htm
Resources
What is the name of God? | GotQuestions.orgIs it biblical to call the wife of a pastor, elder, or bishop the First Lady of the church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of “Everlasting Father” in Isaiah 9:6? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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