Module 1: Isaiah 24
Berta Robison
The Bible changes our view of Jerusalem and Israel and its place in the world. Without the Holy Spirit working in us we too would be enemies of God, because the whole world is under the sway of the evil one. No other time in history will this be more obvious than during the end-times. Evil becomes so deeply rooted in all societies that God must step in to bring this age to a close.
Isaiah 24 is considered by many to be a mini revealing of the apocalypse—a glimpse into the end-times—the Revelation of Jesus in a snapshot. I agree. Here in Isaiah 24 we get a peek into the end-time horror that unfolds in the last book of the Bible. And yet in the midst of this horror there are songs heard from the people who know God. Isaiah 24 speaks to the ripening of sin and sinful people, to a city of chaos, to gloom taking over the peoples, and to the LORD devastating and distorting the earth through His judgments. It speaks to a leveling of all people’s economic and social status, to the judging of heavenly hosts and kings of the earth, and gathering them all together for their final judgment after the Millennial Age’s final revolt. And it speaks to the LORD of hosts reigning on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and even talks about the elders who are before His throne. All this in 23 verses!
As I read through Isaiah 24, I find it an astonishing read. Verse 5 says that the earth will be polluted by its inhabitants, because they transgressed laws, violated statutes, and they broke the everlasting covenant. Who would not be grief-stricken after reading this scripture? It should bend our knees. Earth’s inhabitants aren’t just polluting the earth, the inhabitants are themselves the pollutant. Daniel 8:23 speaks to this time: “And in the latter time of their [the four horns] kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise…” Isaiah 24 speaks to the time when transgressors have reached their fullness. Verse 6 sums up the outcome of their perfidiousness: Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left. Can we not hear echoing from the Book of Revelation’s catastrophes in this scripture? Death oozes through the lives of those who hate God, who turn away form the everlasting covenant. Verses 7-13 reveals sin’s payment; it is death—an all encompassing death. All that was to bring joy and gaiety brings gloom. Sin’s wages will be been paid in full.
In verse 10, though no specific city is mentioned, it seems more than appropriate to equate the city of chaos with end-times Babylon. Revelation 17:18 says that Babylon is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth during part of the Tribulation. Here in Isaiah we get a snapshot of Babylon—the harlot of Revelation. She has transitioned from opulence and luxury, power and fame to her true nature—the broken down city of chaos. Where Babylon rules, there is chaos and death—confusion is in her roots.
Verses 14-16 speak of glory in the midst of this darkness. Songs will be heard around the globe, from east to west: Glory to the Righteous One. In the midst of the darkest hour of mankind both the people of God and Heaven agree that His judgments are true and righteous (Revelation 16:7). In verse 16 we can hear Isaiah’s bewilderment as he is torn between the extremes of both the glory and the horror that he sees: “Woe to me! Woe to me! Alas for me! The treacherous deal treacherously...”
Then as we come to the close of Isaiah 24 we see God’s righteous judgment on wickedness. His judgments are seen on the peoples of the earth and even on the hosts heavens. Verse 22 continues: They will be gathered together [Like] prisoners in the dungeon, And will be confined in prison; And after many days they [will] [be] punished. Surely this is Satan and his fallen-ones’ sentence being carried out. It is God’s character to be both patient with sin and a swift righteous Judge when sin is ripe. In Isaiah 24, sin is ripe. In this day the LORD will punish the host of heaven on high, And the kings of the earth on earth. He will gather them all together and lock the prison door for 1000 years. They will be confined to the prison of Hell until the end of the Millennium, knowing full well that the Lake of Fire awaits their arrival.
Verse 23 is the grand finale of this chapter and of the end of this age. For as Jesus came preaching His Kingdom, here we see it established on the Earth. Our Glorious God takes His Throne and reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem. Can it be more obvious why the world hates Jerusalem? They hate God and Jerusalem is His City. Let’s join with God’s purpose; let’s love Jerusalem and pray for her peace. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on Earth as in Heaven. Amen.