Isaiah 66: God's Final Word on Judgment and Hope
Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.
They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord.
For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.
And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the Lord.
For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.
And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.
And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Isaiah 66 serves as a powerful conclusion to the entire book, echoing themes of both judgment and hope that have resonated throughout the prophet's message. It's a final, impassioned plea for faithfulness, a stern warning against hypocrisy, and a glorious vision of God's ultimate restoration. This chapter offers a compelling picture of the future, one where the faithful are rewarded, the wicked are judged, and God's kingdom is established in its fullness.
The Choice Before Us: True Worship or Empty Ritual (Isaiah 66:1-6)
Isaiah begins by contrasting genuine worship with empty religious practices. The Lord declares in Isaiah 66:1, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?" God, the Creator of all, is not confined to temples or rituals. He desires a humble and contrite heart, one that trembles at His word.
This passage serves as a rebuke to those Israelites who, despite having access to Isaiah's prophetic message, stubbornly clung to their own ways and delighted in practices that God abhorred (Isaiah 66:3). Their outward displays of religion were meaningless because their hearts were far from Him. Because of their choices, God would also choose – He would choose their punishment (Isaiah 66:4). This is a sobering reminder that there comes a point when God's grace ends, and those who reject Him are confirmed in their choices. The Lord will repay His enemies what they deserve (Isaiah 66:6), and no one will escape His judgment.
The Swift and Sure Restoration of Israel (Isaiah 66:7-14)
Despite the impending judgment on the wicked, Isaiah offers a message of hope and restoration for Israel. The prophet uses the striking image of a woman giving birth before labor pains even begin (Isaiah 66:7) to illustrate the sudden and miraculous nature of Israel's rebirth. God never begins what He doesn't finish (Isaiah 66:9).
This restoration will bring comfort and rejoicing to God's people. Isaiah 66:13-14 speaks of God's people being comforted, even as His enemies receive His wrath. The comfort and prosperity of the restored Israel are likened to a nursing mother providing abundant nourishment to her children. Conversely, those who oppose God will face His fiery wrath (Isaiah 66:15).
The Gathering of the Nations and the Manifestation of God's Glory (Isaiah 66:18-21)
God's reach extends to all nations. Isaiah 66:18 declares that God will gather all nations and languages, and they will see His glory. This speaks to the universal scope of God's kingdom.
When Jesus Christ returns to reign, the knowledge of His salvation will spread to the farthest corners of the earth. Some interpret Isaiah 66:19 as referring to believing Jews who will go to other nations to proclaim God's glory, leading to the salvation of Gentile believers as a gift to the Lord (Isaiah 66:20). This is a powerful picture of reconciliation and unity in God's kingdom.
A New Heaven and a New Earth: Eternal Worship (Isaiah 66:22-24)
Isaiah concludes with a vision of the eternal kingdom, a "new heavens and a new earth" (Isaiah 66:22) where the old divisions and distinctions no longer apply. All mankind will come to worship before the Lord (Isaiah 66:23).
The final verse, Isaiah 66:24, offers a stark contrast: while the redeemed experience eternal life and worship, the wicked face eternal judgment. This serves as a final warning and a powerful reminder of the consequences of rejecting God.
Knowing that God is building His kingdom today, and that His kingdom will come fully at Christ's return, believers should strive to understand the requirements of His kingdom agenda and actively participate in fulfilling them. The message of Isaiah 66 is a call to examine our hearts, ensure our worship is genuine, and embrace the hope of God's ultimate restoration.
Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.
They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord.
For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.
And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the Lord.
For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.
And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.
And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Isaiah 66 serves as a powerful conclusion to the entire book, echoing themes of both judgment and hope that have resonated throughout the prophet's message. It's a final, impassioned plea for faithfulness, a stern warning against hypocrisy, and a glorious vision of God's ultimate restoration. This chapter offers a compelling picture of the future, one where the faithful are rewarded, the wicked are judged, and God's kingdom is established in its fullness.
The Choice Before Us: True Worship or Empty Ritual (Isaiah 66:1-6)
Isaiah begins by contrasting genuine worship with empty religious practices. The Lord declares in Isaiah 66:1, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?" God, the Creator of all, is not confined to temples or rituals. He desires a humble and contrite heart, one that trembles at His word.
This passage serves as a rebuke to those Israelites who, despite having access to Isaiah's prophetic message, stubbornly clung to their own ways and delighted in practices that God abhorred (Isaiah 66:3). Their outward displays of religion were meaningless because their hearts were far from Him. Because of their choices, God would also choose – He would choose their punishment (Isaiah 66:4). This is a sobering reminder that there comes a point when God's grace ends, and those who reject Him are confirmed in their choices. The Lord will repay His enemies what they deserve (Isaiah 66:6), and no one will escape His judgment.
The Swift and Sure Restoration of Israel (Isaiah 66:7-14)
Despite the impending judgment on the wicked, Isaiah offers a message of hope and restoration for Israel. The prophet uses the striking image of a woman giving birth before labor pains even begin (Isaiah 66:7) to illustrate the sudden and miraculous nature of Israel's rebirth. God never begins what He doesn't finish (Isaiah 66:9).
This restoration will bring comfort and rejoicing to God's people. Isaiah 66:13-14 speaks of God's people being comforted, even as His enemies receive His wrath. The comfort and prosperity of the restored Israel are likened to a nursing mother providing abundant nourishment to her children. Conversely, those who oppose God will face His fiery wrath (Isaiah 66:15).
The Gathering of the Nations and the Manifestation of God's Glory (Isaiah 66:18-21)
God's reach extends to all nations. Isaiah 66:18 declares that God will gather all nations and languages, and they will see His glory. This speaks to the universal scope of God's kingdom.
When Jesus Christ returns to reign, the knowledge of His salvation will spread to the farthest corners of the earth. Some interpret Isaiah 66:19 as referring to believing Jews who will go to other nations to proclaim God's glory, leading to the salvation of Gentile believers as a gift to the Lord (Isaiah 66:20). This is a powerful picture of reconciliation and unity in God's kingdom.
A New Heaven and a New Earth: Eternal Worship (Isaiah 66:22-24)
Isaiah concludes with a vision of the eternal kingdom, a "new heavens and a new earth" (Isaiah 66:22) where the old divisions and distinctions no longer apply. All mankind will come to worship before the Lord (Isaiah 66:23).
The final verse, Isaiah 66:24, offers a stark contrast: while the redeemed experience eternal life and worship, the wicked face eternal judgment. This serves as a final warning and a powerful reminder of the consequences of rejecting God.
Knowing that God is building His kingdom today, and that His kingdom will come fully at Christ's return, believers should strive to understand the requirements of His kingdom agenda and actively participate in fulfilling them. The message of Isaiah 66 is a call to examine our hearts, ensure our worship is genuine, and embrace the hope of God's ultimate restoration.