Major Prophets Isaiah

The Established People

Discover Jesus as: Immanuel Isaiah 65-66 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 601 of 730
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INTRO

Isaiah’s ultimate purpose is to give us hope. God’s plan was always to send His Son, Immanuel. While Isaiah prophesied about Israel’s captivities in Assyria and Babylon, he pointed to the reality that things will ultimately get better for God’s people. This might not happen here on earth, but eventually, it will in heaven.

The first 39 chapters of Isaiah are filled with judgment. The last 27 chapters are characterized by blessing, redemption, comfort, and deliverance. In this way, Isaiah is a mini-representation of the entire Bible. The first 39 chapters represent the Old Testament while the final 27 represent the New Testament.

TEACHING

Isaiah 65:1-16: God makes Himself available to people who are eager to find Him.

Isaiah 65:17-25: God promises to restore all things by creating a new heaven and a new earth. Ultimately God will restore all things. Constable points out that at least some of these changes will occur in the Millennium.1 The Millennium is the 1000 year reign of Jesus after the seven-year tribulation.

Isaiah 66:1-6: The Lord promises to look after a person who is humble, submissive, and who trembles at His Word (v. 2). This person is in contrast with a person who practices detestable things like pagan sacrifices (v. 3). MacArthur highlights, “The hypocrisy of a person who makes an offering to God, but with no more heartbrokenness than a pagan who kills a child, offers a dog, sacrifices pig’s blood, blesses an idol, loves abominations. God will judge such.”2 Humility before God is more important than the sacrifices one offers. Again, MacArthur notes, “God is looking to dwell in the heart of people who take His Word seriously.”3

Even in the Millennium, people will have free will to choose to not obey the Lord’s Word. Verse 5 describes mockers who jeer at God’s people, but God promises that in the end, these mockers will get what they deserve (v. 6).

Isaiah 66:7-9: Verse 7 describes Zion—that is, Jerusalem—giving birth to a baby before she was in labor. Constable proposes this could be a picture of the Messiah’s appearance before the tribulation.4 MacArthur notes two lessons that could be gleaned from the example of birth in verse 7: “(1) no birth can come until labor pains have occurred (vv. 7-8) and (2) when labor occurs, birth will surely follow (v. 9).”5 The picture of birth before labor pain suggests that God’s action will come suddenly.

Daniel 11:40-45 pictures the battle of Armageddon, “At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships. He will invade countries and sweep through them like a flood. He will also invade the beautiful land, and many will fall. But these will escape from his power: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of the Ammonites. He will extend his power against the countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape. He will get control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt. The Libyans and Cushites will also be in submission. But reports from the east and the north will terrify him, and he will go out with great fury to annihilate and completely destroy many. He will pitch his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain, but he will meet his end with no one to help him.”

Isaiah 66:10-13: God promises to comfort Jerusalem as a nursing mother cares for and carries her newborn.

Isaiah 66:14-16: MacArthur observes, “Prosperity will belong to the faithful remnant, but wrath to those who oppose the Lord.”6 Many will fight against the Lord when He comes to establish His kingdom.

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Isaiah 66:17-24: A remnant group of the Jews will proclaim the gospel among the nations (v. 19). Some of the returning remnant will serve as priests and Levites in the new temple (v. 21). For the people who chose to not embrace the message of Immanuel, “their worm will never die” (v. 24). MacArthur points out, “The corpses of those enduring everlasting torment will serve as a vivid reminder to the grievous nature and terrible consequences of rebellion against God.”7 This doesn't end on a very good note!

CLOSING

Whether now, during Armageddon, or the Millennial time, do not go against God or you (your spirit, who you are) will be in permanent torture and fire for ever and ever and ever. We want to be on the side we can worship Him and not in torment. This is just one prophet and we start with another tomorrow!

  1. Thomas Constable, Dr. Constable’s Expository Bible Study Notes: Isaiah, p. 452; available from http://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/isaiah.pdf.

  2. John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005), p. 842.

  3. MacArthur, p. 842.

    MacArthur, p. 842.

  4. Constable, p. 461.

  5. MacArthur, p. 842.

  6. MacArthur, p. 843.

Questions

  1. To whom did the Lord refer to in Isaiah 65:1 (Romans 9:24-26, 30; 10:20)? Gentiles (that’s us!) have been a part of God’s plan all along. How does that encourage you?
  2. How did Isaiah contrast the Lord’s servants and those who would not answer when the Lord called? (Isaiah 65:12-15)
  3. Isaiah 65:17-19 refers to a new heaven and a new earth. Read 2 Peter 3:13 and Revelation 21:1-4. Why do you think the Lord revealed this information to His people who were in captivity in Babylon? (Isaiah 66:22)
  4. In Isaiah 66:2b the Lord says that the one to whom He will look upon is the one who is humble and contrite of spirit and who trembles at His word (Psalm 51:17). Do you think this describes you? Why or why not?
  5. Read Isaiah 66:24. What does this verse describe (Mark 9:45-48)? Do you believe this is a literal place? If so, how should that affect you?
  6. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in Isaiah 65—66 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin Isaiah 66:18–19

“Knowing their works and their thoughts, I have come to gather all nations and languages; they will come and see My glory. I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, Lud (who are archers), Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away—who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. And they will proclaim My glory among the nations.”

The prophet Isaiah ended his prophetic word to the people by speaking forth declarations from the Lord. Yes, the Lord’s hand was upon Jerusalem. Yes, the Lord judged the nations and punished those who did not walk with Him. But ultimately, the Lord’s heart is to bring hope to the nations for His glory so all will know His name. God looks for people who walk humbly and submissively in their spirit, who fear the Word of the Lord. People will notice a heart turned to the Lord proclaiming God’s glory among the nation.

Today, ask yourself three questions:

  • Am I seeking the Lord in humility? (The opposite of humility is pride.)
  • Am I yielded to God’s voice? (Or do I listen to the voice of culture, the world, or the enemy?)
  • Do I fear the Word of the Lord?

To grow in the Lord, read the Word of God and display a reverence for His Word. The Lord looks favorably on humility, submission to the Him, and fear of the Word. Then you will bring Him glory and all will know His great name. Draw near to the Lord, and He will draw near to you.

“Knowing their works and their thoughts, I have come to gather all nations and languages; they will come and see My glory. I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, Lud (who are archers), Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away—who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. And they will proclaim My glory among the nations.”

— Isaiah 66:18–19

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

Genesis 15:5–6 — “He took him outside and said, ‘Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then He said to him, ‘Your offspring will be that numerous.’ Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”

Psalm 96:1–3 — “Sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to Yahweh, praise His name; proclaim His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful works among all peoples.”

Isaiah 66:2 — “My hand made all these things, and so they all came into being. This is the Lord’s declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at My word.”