Isaiah is done now with his burdens on eleven different regions, but lest anyone think he is safe because he does not live in one of those places, Isaiah turns to the earth as a whole. In Chapter 24, Isaiah sees the apocalypse. Jesus said this would be a time of great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matt 24:21) The signs are appearing on all sides. Friend if you have not yet received Christ as your Saviour, come to Jesus before it is too late. [T]he Spirit and the bride say, Come.
Father, give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Isaiah 24
1 Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.
In the first century, the Christians were accused by certain people in Thessalonica of turning the world upside down. It looks like God may actually do that during the great tribulation period by causing a polar axis shift.
2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.
When God judged the world the first time, the Bible says God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Gen 6:5) Everyone was going in the wrong direction except for Noah and his family. It looks like it will be the same when He judges the world for the second time. Everyone will be rebelling against God—except those who are waiting and watching for the return of Christ.
3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word.
4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.
5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
By all outward appearances, the environment here in the US seems to be okay. It looks better today than I remember it looking when I was a kid, but things are not as they seem. BIOSLUDGED, by Mike Adams shows just how badly we are treating our environment. I am not talking about our carbon footprint. We are damaging the soil we use to grow our food in ways that will last hundreds of years. Some countries are doing better but many are worse. You will have to watch the documentary for yourself but I don’t recommend watching it before you eat.
Warren Wiersbe wrote that the everlasting covenant Isaiah refers to is the Noahic covenant in Genesis 9. He may be right but I am not sure. I think we might have a clue as to which covenant Isaiah was referring to in either Isaiah 59:21 or Hebrews 13:20.
6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.
The first time God judged the earth He judged it with a flood; the next time He is going to use fire. (2 Pet 3:6,7) When Jesus comes back again the Bible says He will have a fan in his hand to fan the flames. (Matt 3:12; Lk 3:17)
7 The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.
8 The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.
9 They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.
10 The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in.
11 There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.
12 In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.
13 When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.
14 They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.
Verses 13-15 refer to tribulation saints who get saved during the tribulation period. God always has a remnant.
15 Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
Matthew 13:50 says that God is going to cast the wicked into the furnace of fire. Daniel’s three friends were cast into the fiery furnace, which was a picture of the great tribulation period. Because they refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s image, Daniel’s friends were unharmed in the fiery furnace. Likewise, the Jews who receive Christ after the rapture and refuse to bow to the image of the beast will be protected and brought safely through the great tribulation period. Who knows but what they may even be protected from nuclear attacks like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego.
16 From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.
17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
Despite the remnant that will be carried through the tribulation period, Isaiah is grieved by the vision of those who will try to destroy them. Those who reject Christ will have no way of escape; As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. (Amos 5:19)
18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
Flooding will be part of the apocalypse, as will earthquakes. We have seen an increase in both of these things, indicating the time is near. (Lk 21:28) There are many articles denying that earthquakes are increasing but in our study in the Revelation we looked at documentation from NEIC and the US Geological Survey proving these stories are false.
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
Verse 22 corresponds with Revelation 20:1-3. The wicked will be locked up for 1000 years before their sentencing at the great white throne of judgment. (Rev 20:11-15)
23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
Isaiah 24
The chapter ends with one of the many references in the Bible to the sun and the moon being darkened before Jesus’ coming (Isa 13:10; Matt 24:29; Mk 13:24; Lk 23:45; Acts 2:20; Rev 6:12; Rev 8:12; Rev 9:2), and finally with Jesus ruling from the throne of David in Jerusalem.
There is a lot of turmoil in the world today but it was worse in the New Testament time period. Half of the population in the Roman empire were in slavery. Yet even when Paul found himself in prison he kept a positive attitude and wrote about the joy he had in Christ. It behooves us to keep a positive attitude. No matter how bad things may be, as Christians, we know that things will ultimately be made right. We have a bright future to look forward to.
Father, thank You for giving us fair warning. Thank You for never acting without telling your servants, the prophets. Please keep our hearts from the love of the world and the deceitfulness of riches. Please keep us from being deceived by bad doctrine or false prophets. Please count us worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before your Son, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
