Isaiah 66:1-24
Q.1. Why is an earthly dwelling inadequate to express the Glory of God? What heart attitudes will gain the attention of God? What made Israel’s sacrifices an abomination to God? – (Isa.66:1-4)
Isaiah reminded us of a truth that we must never forget – that the God Who inhabits the heavens is in a league of His own – Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool … For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being (Isa.66:1-2) Therefore, we should not imagine that we can provide a house that can contain the glory of God (Isa.66:1). As the Creator and Owner of everything, His holiness cannot be satisfied just by any blood sacrifice. It needs to be a heart sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise (Ps.50:7-15). How amazing, then, to read that this great God stooped down to our level and declared –to this one will I look: To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My Word (Isa.66:2). Once more, God condemned Israel for their trust in religious offerings, when their heart was far from Him (Isa.66:3-4). God called – but no one answered. I spoke, but they did not listen, and they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight (Isa.66:4 c.f. Isa.65:12).
Q.2. What hope did God give to those who tremble at His Word? When will this reversal take place? Will all Israel be treated the same? Will everyone share equally in God’s blessing? – (Isa.66:5-17)
God promised that those who tremble at His Word will not always be oppressed. The day of recompense for His enemies is certain and scheduled (Isa.66:2 & 5-6). The Lord foreshadowed the amazing miracle of the special blessing of the nation of Israel – Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons. 9 “Shall I bring to the point of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord … (Isa.66:8-9) This will happen in a single day at the Second Coming of Christ, when Israel will look upon the One Whom they have pierced (Isa.66:15-16 c.f. Zech.12:10-13:1; Rom.11:15-16; Rev.19:11-16). At that time – Behold, I extend peace to her like a river and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream (Isa.66:2 c.f. Isa.2:2-4). Many nations will be included in God’s blessing. However, when – the Lord executes judgment by fire … those slain by the Lord will be many, and … will come to an end altogether, declares the Lord (Isa.66:16-17).
Q.3. Is God’s future blessing reserved for Israel alone? How highly will the Gentiles be regarded? How catastrophic will the ushering in of the new heavens and the new earth be? – (Isa.66:18-24)
Isaiah gave the names of many nations that will be included in God’s blessing –they shall come and see My glory. I will set a sign among them and will send survivors from them to the nations … And they will declare My glory among the nations (Isa.66:18-19). These nations will also bring their offerings to – My holy mountain, Jerusalem (Isa.66:20 & 23 c.f. Isa.60:6-9; Zech.14:16). Some will even exercise the role of priests and Levites (Isa.66:21). Isaiah then described a completely new order: – For just as the new heavens and the new earth which I make will endure before Me,” declares the Lord, “So your offspring and your name will endure (Isa.66:22). However, before that will be accomplished, there will be a catastrophic judgment that ends the Great Tribulation – Then they will go forth and look on the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm will not die and their fire will not be quenched; And they will be an abhorrence to all mankind (Isa.66:24 c.f. Zech.14:9-15; Rev.16:15-21).