Chapter 4 - An Examination of the End Times (Continued)
Book of Isaiah
Isaiah was a prophet for approximately sixty years and saw many kings come and go including: Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Manasseh of Judah, as well as Hoshea of Israel. He also prophesied and witnessed Israel’s fall to the Assyrians and later saw the Assyrian King Sennacherib attempt to invade Jerusalem.
In Isaiah chapter two we find, “The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:1-4) Isaiah looks to a time yet future regarding Judah and Jerusalem. He writes about how “the mountain of the house of the LORD” will be highest of mountains (likely a reference to its importance and value to the world). From there God will teach, judge, and settle disputes among people. It will be a time of peace and prosperity, as swords will be turned into plowshares, spears into pruning tools, and nations will no longer be at war. Fulfillment would be during the one-thousand year millennial reign of Jesus.
Isaiah 4:2-6 reads, “In that day the branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel. And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning. Then the LORD will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy. There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.” (Isaiah 4:2-6) The ‘Branch’ of the LORD refers to Jesus.[1] The people of Israel will be cleansed and restored. From Jerusalem God will be seen as a cloud in the daytime and as fire at night. He will provide protection from the heat and be a refuge and shelter during inclement weather. This likely will be fulfilled during the millennial reign.
In Isaiah 13 he writes about the heathen city of Babylon, a subject that will reoccur several times in this book. But here in chapter 13 we read that the prophet uses the phrase, “the Day of the LORD,” twice (see Isaiah 13:6, 9), which typically refers to the judgment period during the last days. As well as other verses like, “Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger.” (Isaiah 13:13) and “It will never be inhabited or lived in for all generations; no Arab will pitch his tent there; no shepherds will make their flocks lie down there.” (Isaiah 13:20), that amplify the fact that this yet-future. See discussion regarding the destruction of Babylon in Jeremiah in the next section.
Isaiah chapters 25, 26, and 27 refer to the coming kingdom on earth including the promises that, “He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 25:8) Death has been conquered by Jesus. There will be no more sorrow as He wipes away all the tears of pain and agony from the faces of all people. Jesus paid the full price for our sins and provides lasting peace. “O LORD, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done for us all our works.” (Isaiah 26:12) Jesus did what we could not do, He fulfilled the law for our salvation.
Regarding the covenant initially given to Abraham, in particular the size of the Promised Land, Isaiah notes, “But you have increased the nation, O LORD, you have increased the nation; you are glorified; you have enlarged all the borders of the land.” (Isaiah 26:15) The nation of Israel will finally occupy the borders promised in that covenant (see Genesis 13:14-15; 15:18-21; 17:8; Exodus 23:30-31; Numbers 34:1-15; Joshua 1:3-6). “In that day from the river Euphrates to the Brook of Egypt the LORD will thresh out the grain, and you will be gleaned one by one, O people of Israel. And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain at Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 27:12-13)
During this time Isaiah records a time of resurrection where those that had died come back to life again. “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.” (Isaiah 26:19) But then Isaiah instructs His people to do something unusual, he writes: “Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by. For behold, the LORD is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain.” (Isaiah 26:20-21) It appears that two events are occurring, the first being the resurrection of the dead in heaven and a time of punishment on earth. God tells His people to enter their chambers (Hebrew ‘hǎḏā·rê’,[2] a room) and shut their doors until the fury of God’s judgment on earth is over. Note that God is coming out of His place (the throne room in heaven) to earth to slay the people who have rebelled against Him (see Revelation 19:17-21). Remember, rooms for all believers have been prepared (see John 14:2-3).
Isaiah chapter 33 records the future judgment of Israel. The text describes a bleak existence with people weeping and the land mourning. Sharon, a coastal region known for being a lush and fertile land, is prophesied to be like a desert (see Isaiah 33:9, see also 1 Chronicles 5:16; 27:29). We read that the “sinners of Zion are afraid,” and two questions are asked: 1) who can “dwell with the consuming fire?” and 2) who can “dwell with everlasting burnings?” (see Isaiah 33:14). The answer is given, “Those who are honest and fair, who refuse to profit by fraud, who stay far away from bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder, who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—these are the ones who will dwell on high.” (Isaiah 33:15-16a, NLT) Which offers practical instruction for those caught in any less-than desirable circumstance, even for today’s believer. Chapter 33 concludes with a promise of restoration that is yet-future and will likely be fulfilled in the Millennium (see Isaiah 33:20-24).
In Isaiah chapter 34 we read about the "day of vengeance" on the nations, "For the LORD is enraged against all the nations, and furious against all their host; he has devoted them to destruction, has given them over for slaughter." (Isaiah 34:2). Just as predicted and recorded in Revelation 16:17-21.
The promise of redemption and restoration is the theme of Isaiah chapter 35. People will rejoice with great joy as they see the glory of God (see verses 1-2). He will restore strength as He promises to come with vengeance to save (see verses 3-4). At that time those that are blind will see and the ears of the deaf shall hear. Those that are unable to walk shall leap like a deer and those that are unable to speak will sing (see verses 5-6a). The land will no longer be inhospitable as water will come to the desert and become fertile (see verses 6b-7). The "Way of Holiness" for believers shall be there and will be walked only by those redeemed. There will no longer be any danger as there will not be any wild animals there (see verses 8-9). "And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 35:10) The Hebrew word translated as 'ransomed' is ‘peḏû·yē’[3], a verb meaning to redeem or to deliver, referring to those redeemed by Jesus. Each of these blessings point to a time after Jesus returns and restores, beginning His one-thousand year reign on earth.
Isaiah chapter 40 begins with the Hebrew verb ‘nǎ·ḥǎmû’[4] stated twice for emphasis, it is a word that implies being sorry, but also conveys the feeling of comfort and consolation. The second verse states that Jerusalem’s warfare is over and all of their iniquity has been pardoned. Then we read in verse three the familiar words that were partially quoted in all four New Testament gospel accounts, “A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.” (Isaiah 40:3-4) The gospels connect these verses to John the Baptist who preceded the ministry of Jesus (see Matthew 3:1-4; Mark 1:1-4; Luke 3:4-6; John 1:23). Since the passage talks about making a king’s path more comfortable while traveling, it is unlikely that these verses would have ever been interpreted as being a prophecy about John the Baptist. Instead, with the help of these gospel references, we now see that it is God who is making straight the path to salvation. All barriers, those valleys and mountains in life, have become level, leading straight to Jesus. At which point, “And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:5) The glory of God will then be revealed and be seen by all people.
Next Isaiah seemingly answers an unspoken question regarding the qualifications of God. The remainder of chapter forty could easily be referred to as being God’s résumé. First, humanity is compared to grass, having a brief lifespan. But God and His Word are eternal (see verses 6-8) and to tell the great news, He is coming Himself (see verses 9-10). Isaiah then uses several metaphors to emphasize the greatness of God, including: 1) as a Shepherd holding lambs (humanity) in His arms (see verse 11); 2) one who has measured the waters of earth with His hand and weighed the mountains on a scale (see verse 12); 3) He knows all things (see verses 13-14); 4) to Him all of the nations on earth are like a drop in the bucket (see verses 15-17); 5) there is no one like Him, He is without comparison (see verses 18-20); 6) He is eternal with no beginning or end (see verse 21); and 7) He sits above the earth whose inhabitants are like grasshoppers to Him and rules over all of the earth’s leaders (see verses 22-24). He simply cannot be compared as He is the Creator, He even calls every star by name (see verses 25-26). So, with all these ‘attributes’ and ‘qualifications’ God asks the people of Israel (note how He uses both names, Israel and Judah), “How can you say the LORD does not see your troubles?” (Isaiah 40:27a, NLT) And “How can you say God ignores your rights?” (Isaiah 40:27b, NLT) God then answers with one of the greatest promises in the Bible. He clearly states that He is greater and stronger than anything or anyone else and can handle any and all of our needs. He is big enough to handle any problem we might have. Isaiah wrote, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-30, emphasis added) Our glorified bodies await our arrival.
Isaiah chapter 41 through to the middle of chapter 52 records several promises. Including: Many references to the deliverance of the nation of Israel, some yet future, for example: “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:8-10) And it will be God’s servant (referring to Jesus) who will be the one that will deliver Israel: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.” (Isaiah 42:1-4) Israel will, however, be judged for being blind and deaf to what God’s Servant did and said (see Isaiah 42:18-25), but will be later restored (see Isaiah 43:1-44:28). God reminds the people of Israel that He alone provides salvation (see Isaiah 45:14-25), as He clearly states, “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22). Isaiah reminds his readers that there are no other ‘gods’ and ‘goddesses’, and certainly none of their associated idols can provide or do anything, let alone salvation. Only God can provide the needed righteousness (see Isaiah 46:1-13). Isaiah then foretells the fall and the ultimate destruction of Babylon (see Isaiah 47:1-15). He further notes that Israel will be redeemed not because they deserve restoration, but that for the sake of His reputation (as a keeper of promises), He will bless Israel. “For my name’s sake I defer my anger; for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.” (Isaiah 48:9-11, see also Isaiah 48:1-8) God then explains again to Israel that He will keep His promises (see Isaiah 48:12-22), and that the Servant of God, the Messiah, will be a blessing for all people (see Isaiah 49:1-7). Isaiah further notes to fully trust in God for restoration, plus, He will also stop all oppression (see Isaiah 49:8-26), as He always fulfills His promises (see Isaiah 51:1-23). He will indeed bring salvation (see Isaiah 52:1-6). During the Millennium He will reign in glory on earth (see Isaiah 52:7-12).
Then as we jump over the section often called the “Holy of Holies” (Isaiah 52:13-53:12, see “A Person Known as the Messiah” above) we return to a series of promises. Beginning with Isaiah 54:1 we read that Jerusalem will be restored and blessed. God promises, “Just as I swore in the time of Noah that I would never again let a flood cover the earth, so now I swear that I will never again be angry and punish you.” (Isaiah 54:9, NLT) During that time (the millennial kingdom), Israel will be at peace, and no enemy will be able to prevail against them (see Isaiah 54:16-17). Isaiah returns to the subject of salvation, again noting that redemption is assured, but also stating clearly that salvation is available to all people, including the Gentiles (see Isaiah 56:1-8). But then comes back and revisits Israel’s poor spiritual leadership and their wicked ways, as there will be condemnation of those who reject God (see Isaiah 56:9-57:13), however, forgiveness is available for the contrite (see Isaiah 57:14-21). Isaiah chapter 58 reviews the connection of genuine fasting and prayer being answered. In chapter 59 Isaiah records that the Messiah will come from Israel. Chapter 60 points to the future glory of Israel, where God promised, “Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified.” (Isaiah 60:21) The first one and a half verses of Isaiah chapter 61 were read by Jesus in His hometown synagogue (see reference in “A Person as the Messiah’ above). Remember He stopped at a ‘comma’ which effectively separated the mission of His first coming (conquering death) and His second coming (the yet-future event of Him taking back the earth and stopping Satan). The text from verse two continues, “and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:2b-3) We then read how Israel will be restored in the future (see Isaiah 61:4-11).
Isaiah chapter 62 begins with the words, “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.” (Isaiah 62:1) God will not rest until Israel is restored in marriage (see Isaiah 62:2-12), as the day of God’s vengeance is coming. “I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come.” (Isaiah 63:3b-4, see also Revelation 19:13). Beginning with verse seven God briefly reviews how the situation got so grim. He starts with Himself. “I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior. ” (Isaiah 63:7-8) Then in verse ten we note the transition, “But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.” The text recalls and summarizes how God guided Moses and His people out of Egypt and how they occupied the land and possessed the holy place for a while (see Isaiah 63:9-19). The story slowly turns into a plea for mercy, recognizing how they failed to obey and that they were and remain powerless to save themselves, understanding regardless of what they do or accomplish, all of their ‘righteous deeds’ are nothing more than worthless polluted garments (see Isaiah 64:6) Turning to God is their only hope, as they plea to God, “But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Be not so terribly angry, O LORD, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all your people.” (Isaiah 64:8-9) Isaiah reports that Israel lies in ruin and Jerusalem is desolate and asks how long God will remain silent and punish them (see Isaiah 64:10-12).
The first seven verses of Isaiah chapter 65 offers a brief list of Israel’s sins. But then beginning with verse eight, we read the promise of a remnant that will preserve the people of Israel. The wicked will be judged, but even though Israel had sinned, it will be blessed again in the future (see Isaiah 65:8-16). Then we read, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.’ “ (Isaiah 65:17-18) During this period, although we know this time is not yet ‘eternity’ as there is still death occurring, people will live much longer (see Isaiah 65:20) and there will be peace, even among animals (see Isaiah 65:25). Note: The people that survived through the Tribulation and their children would be subject to death, not those who believed in Jesus before the Tribulation began as they would have already received glorified bodies.
Moving to the last chapter of Isaiah, Chapter 66, God speaks about Himself: “Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 66:1-2a) He establishes His superiority in both position and being the Creator, but even though He has all this power, He notes that He looks for those who are humble and contrite in spirit and those that tremble at His Word (see Isaiah 66:2b). The New Living Translation renders the first part of verse three, “But those who choose their own ways—delighting in their detestable sins—” (Isaiah 66:3a, NLT) which appear before listing the various ways how others disobey God. These two sinful motivations are perhaps two of the greatest wedges between God and mankind, from the beginning of time to present day. People don’t want to be told what to do, so they do things their own way (which includes creating their own idea of what is ’truth’). In some cases intentionally and delighting in committing detestable-to-God sins. But He will, as we are told in verse six, have vengeance against His enemies. Then after Jesus returns and the judgment of these enemies is complete, the thousand-year millennial kingdom of peace and prosperity will begin (see Isaiah 66:7-21). The book of Isaiah ends with these words: “As surely as my new heavens and earth will remain, so will you always be my people, with a name that will never disappear,” says the LORD. “All humanity will come to worship me from week to week and from month to month. And as they go out, they will see the dead bodies of those who have rebelled against me. For the worms that devour them will never die, and the fire that burns them will never go out. All who pass by will view them with utter horror.” (Isaiah 66:22-24, NLT)
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[1] See “The Role and Titles of the Messiah” under “A Person Known as the Messiah."
[2] Strong’s Hebrew 2315.
[3] Strong’s Hebrew 6299.
[4] Strong’s Hebrew 5162.