Isaiah 24-25
Dear RTB’ers,
The STS introduction tells us that in today’s and tomorrow’s readings we are looking at End Times prophecies by Isaiah. And what we read is scary in chapter 24, judgment on the whole earth (as the ESV header tells us), so scary that I don’t want to be around, even if I am one of those “redeemed” people who offers praise in verses 24:14-16a and in chapter 25.
God will do what He will do: The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the Lord has spoken this word. The earth is utterly broken, the earth is split apart, the earth is violently shaken.…The wasted city is broken down; every house is shut up so that none can enter. …for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. (vv. 24:3, 19, 10, 5b) Yes, “judgment on the whole Earth.”
But chapter 25 offers a major shift – praise replaces the judgments of the preceding chapter. O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt You; I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. (v. 25:1) Isaiah gives a glorious picture of those End Times days: On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast… He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces… It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” (vv. 25:6a, 8a, 9)
So, I don’t want to be around for chapter 24, but I would love to be part of chapter 25! Thankfully, it’s not my call. God will do what He will do! Glory!!
Fred