Isaiah 24:1-23

Cross-references For Better Understanding a Related Topics b Additional Materials c

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Summary

• End times events, beginning with the Third World Judgment. (With the additional revelation we have in the New Testament, we now recognize this as encompassing the events that lead up to the return of Jesus to the earth).

• Some of the last verses in the chapter appear to briefly describe events after this judgment, perhaps during the "Fourth World," when God rules the earth from Jerusalem. (Today, having received further revelation from God, we recognize this as referring to the rule of Jesus, the King of Kings.)

• There are many parallels between this section of Isaiah and the end-times prophecies found in the New Testament.

Details and/or Comments

• The context of this passage is chapters 24-27, which focuses primarily on the final worldwide judgment and God's deliverance of his people, at the end of the age. The forces of evil will be totally (and permanently) destroyed; but in the process, Israel will be judged, and those of Israel who are faithful to God will be delivered. (This would apply to all of God's people in the world.)

Basic Theme of Isaiah 24-27 24:1-16a - The earth will be judged, because of the people's wickedness; few will be left, but the survivors will glorify God. 24:16b-23 - The persecution of God's people; the terrifying judgment of the earth; the return of Yahweh. 25:1-12 - Praise God for his righteous judgment! The joy of those who trusted him; the humiliation of his enemies. 26:1-11 - Praise God for his deliverance; a contrast between the righteous (who delight in God's ways) and the wicked (who are unteachable even when judgment is at hand). 26:12-18 - Recognizing the undeserved blessings of God; admission of failures; judgment (perhaps with discouragement, because of their failures). 26:19-21 - Encouragement, promise of a resurrection; exhortation to be patient during judgment. 27:1-13 - More about the judgment and deliverance of Israel.

• A reminder about the nature of prophecy: Prophecy is not always chronological in every detail. Sometimes it presents "snapshots" of various issues in a topical arrangement (which, at times, may also be somewhat chronological). Its message may also "transition" from one future event to another, without making a noticeable divide between the two events.

See also: The Nature of Prophecy

• Comments about the "everlasting covenant" (v. 5): This may be a deliberately ambiguous phrase, not referring to any specific covenant, because different people have received different amounts of revelation from God.

1. As a human race, all people are recipients of the Creation Mandate and God's Covenant with Noah. The Jews also received additional covenants from God, including the covenant made at Mount Sinai (now called the Old Covenant).
2. In addition to this, God has embedded his laws in the consciences of every human, so that they are without excuse even if they are no longer aware of the covenants made with Adam, Noah, etc. (See: Romans 2:4.)

Covenants often came with blessings (for obedience) and curses (for disobedience). The "curse" of verse 6 is a reference to the results that will come because of the human race's violation of the "everlasting covenant." What happens is the consequence of human sin.

See also: Blessings with Obedience / Curses with Disobedience

Scripture

Isaiah 24 – the judgment of the earth.

Scripture Passage	Comments and Links
Isa 24:1 Behold, Yahweh makes the earth empty, makes it waste, turns it upside down, and scatters its inhabitants. Isa 24:2 It will 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 creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest. Isa 24:3 The earth will be utterly emptied and utterly laid waste; for Yahweh has spoken this word.	A warning about a coming judgment: God is going to devastate the earth and scatter its inhabitants. All people will be affected, without respect to social rank. (The next section explains why the judgment is coming.) Ecological Disaster
Isa 24:4 The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades away. The lofty people of the earth languish. Isa 24:5 The earth also is polluted under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant. Isa 24:6 Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell therein are found guilty. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.	This is a moral pollution. The Hebrew word translated here as "pollution" (chaneph) is used in several other passages to describe the effects that sexual sin and murder have on the land. Pollution Linked to Moral Conduct - the Hebrew Word "chaneph" This moral corruption of the people is the reason for the ecological devastation that will come. It will be a judgment from God. It will be global and will destroy most of the people on earth. Pollution / Destruction / Corruption of the Earth (General Statements) The Moral Basis for Ecological Disaster In this context, the "burning" of the people might simply mean, figuratively, that they are "destroyed" (the end result of all that happens during this time of judgment). Even so, the book of Revelation does describe various fiery judgments that occur during this time. (The fiery judgments described in Revelation do not necessarily kill the people.) Revelation 16:8-9 Rev 16:8-9 - The fourth [angel] poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given to him to scorch men with fire. People were scorched with great heat, and people blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues. They didn't repent and give him glory. The "everlasting covenant" - see note at the top, under "Details and/or Comments." The "curse" refers to the consequences that occur when the covenant is broken.
Isa 24:7 The new wine mourns. The vine languishes. All the merry-hearted sigh. Isa 24:8 The mirth of tambourines ceases. The sound of those who rejoice ends. The joy of the harp ceases. Isa 24:9 They will not drink wine with a song. Strong drink will be bitter to those who drink it. Isa 24:10 The confused city is broken down. Every house is shut up, that no man may come in. Isa 24:11 There is a crying in the streets because of the wine. All joy is darkened. The mirth of the land is gone. Isa 24:12 The city is left in desolation, and the gate is struck with destruction. Isa 24:13 For it will be so in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done.	Joy will turn to gloom, etc. A pictorial description of the end of all joy and merriment. The emphasis here may be on what happens to those who's lives are focused more on frivolous things, rather than on God. (Note the contrast to v. 14, which focuses on people who will give praise and honor to God.) Pleasure (as a Lifestyle) Desolation and destruction has come. After the "shaking" (v. 13) is done, there will be few people left. But these survivors will be people who give honor and praise to God (see v. 14+). The Concept of A Remnant The "city" is generic, not referring to any specific city. So also, the "midst of the earth" does not refer to any specific location. (This is a description of what it will be like in every place where this judgment occurs.)
Isa 24:14 These shall lift up their voice. They will shout for the majesty of Yahweh. They cry aloud from the sea. Isa 24:15 Therefore glorify Yahweh in the east, even the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea! Isa 24:16 From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs. Glory to the Righteous One!	There will be survivors from across the whole earth - from the east, to the west (the "sea," v. 14; the "islands of the sea," v. 15). They will glorify and honor God; for his judgments are righteous. He is the Righteous God. God's Glory in Judgment God's Righteousness in Judgment God's people long to see this glory and honor being given to God. However, the scene suddenly shifts back to issues that will occur before this time: persecution and judgment (v. 16b, below).

The flow of thought in the following section seems to be:

1. Treachery (persecution, betrayal) of God's people (v. 16b).
2. Massive worldwide judgment against the wicked (v. 17-20) - a judgment that affects both heaven and earth (v. 21).
3. The defeated enemies are imprisoned, then "visited" for an undefined purpose (v. 22).
4. The rule of God in Jerusalem, with a glory that outshines the sun and moon (v. 23).

Scripture Passage	Comments and Links
... But I said, "I pine away! I pine away! woe is me!" The treacherous have dealt treacherously. Yes, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously.	Who is represented by Isaiah's cry of woe? Though not specifically identified, two potential groups fit the context (both of which will be persecuted in the end times): 1) The Jews (the physical offspring of Abraham), and 2) those anywhere in the world who are faithful to the God of the Bible. The treachery seems to point to injustice (perhaps betrayal or persecution), experienced by God's people - the opposite of the joyful praise that is described previously. Yet those who cause this treachery will be judged by God - and that is the focus of the rest of this section.
Isa 24:17 Terror, the pit, and the snare, are on you who inhabit the earth. Isa 24:18 It will happen that he who flees from the noise of the fear will fall into the pit; and he who comes up out of the midst of the pit will be taken in the snare; for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble. Isa 24:19 The earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently. Isa 24:20 The earth will stagger like a drunken man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. Its disobedience will be heavy on it, and it will fall and not rise again.	A description of the horrifying (and inescapable) judgment that will come upon those who do these evil things. People will be totally overwhelmed by this judgment - which will be "raining down" from the sky and "bursting forth" from the earth. (Compare this with v. 1-3.) This passage seems to emphasize a violent, global catastrophe. However, the "earth's" disobedience (v. 20) refers to what the people have done, the evil that fills the earth at this time. Their wickedness is the reason for the judgment. The Moral Basis for Ecological Disaster Ecological Judgments These events seem to parallel the events related to the final judgment before Jesus' return, as described in the book of Revelation. Day of Judgment
Isa 24:21 It shall happen in that day that Yahweh will punish the army of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth. Isa 24:22 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. Isa 24:23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Yahweh of Armies will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders will be glory.	How great will this judgment be? It will affect both heaven and earth. The armies of heaven and earth (= enemies of God) will both be judged - cast into a pit, for a period of time. After this, they will be "visited" (whether for punishment or release - either one fits the context). Then the glorious rule of God will begin (a glory that outshines the sun and moon) in the presence of those who are called "elders." Judgment in Heaven Imprisonment of the Wicked at the Day of Judgment These events parallel (in summary form) what is described in Revelation 20 (or perhaps from the end of ch. 19 to the beginning of ch. 21). The "elders" may represent the same group as are described in Revelation 4-5. God's Future Rule from Jerusalem

Scripture Passages (Only books that have relevance to this study have active links. The others are in italics.) Genesis  •  Exodus  •  Leviticus  •  Numbers  •  Deuteronomy  •  Joshua  •  Judges  •  Ruth  •  1 Samuel  •  2 Samuel  •  1 Kings  •  2 Kings  •  1 Chronicles  •  2 Chronicles  •  Ezra  •  Nehemiah  •  Esther  •  Job  •  Psalms  •  Proverbs  •  Ecclesiastes  •  Song of Solomon  •  Isaiah  •  Jeremiah  •  Lamentations  •  Ezekiel  •  Daniel  •  Hosea  •  Joel  •  Amos  •  Obadiah  •  Jonah  •  Micah  •  Nahum  •  Habakkuk  •  Zephaniah  •  Haggai  •  Zechariah  •  Malachi Matthew  •  Mark  •  Luke  •  John  •  Acts  •  Romans  •  1 Corinthians  •  2 Corinthians  •  Galatians  •  Ephesians  •  Philippians  •  Colossians  •  1 Thessalonians  •  2 Thessalonians  •  1 Timothy  •  2 Timothy  •  Titus  •  Philemon  •  Hebrews  •  James  •  1 Peter  •  2 Peter  •  1 John  •  2 John  •  3 John  •  Jude  •  Revelation

—— To avoid any copyright issues, all Scripture is either from a public domain translation (such as the World English Bible), my own translation, or a combination of these. ——

The name "Yahweh," when present in an Old Testament passage, represents the Hebrew name for the God of the Bible.

Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.