BOOK OF ISAIAH - CHPATERS  63 - 66

A study on the last 27 chapters of Isaiah helps us to understand the end of the present age. Use this brief outline as a study guide as you read the verses yourself.

 

 

63.1-6 The divine warrior. This short passage describes the Lord taking divine vengeance against Israel’s enemies. Edom is Esau, Jacob’s brother who gave up his birthright for a bowl of red soup (Gen 25.29-34). Throughout Israelite history, Edom was an enemy. Even today we see the Palestinians as fierce enemies. Only the Lord will be able to bring peace between the two brothers. As you can see, the Lord’s arm brings Him triumph in these verses. There will be much blood shed until that day. Only the Lord can bring peace between the Jews and the Arabs (Muslims).

63.7-14 God’s mighty acts recalled. From 63.7 thru 64.11 we hear a lament spoken to God by Israel and God replying. God is remembered as the One who delivers the nation. The Lord is troubled when they are troubled. They/we often rebel, but the Lord is still our shepherd. This is grace. We are undeserving, but God still loves and cares for us.

63.15-19 Request for help. The people have confidence in God’s ability to save, they understand their lamentable state, and request divine intervention. Have you ever felt sin overwhelming you? You want to do right, but you are overcome by anger, jealousy, or some other sin. We cry out to the Lord. He hears us. He understands our plight. He hates sin and must act righteously. If we have a heart like David--repentant--we will be restored and eventually overcome these sins. That struggle is what these verses say to me.

64.1-11 Request for help continues. This is a very prophetic chapter. This is a tribulation chapter. The earth is quaking at the Lord’s presence and the nations are trembling. The godly acknowledge that their righteousness is like filthy rags before God. There is the humbleness of the saints. They acknowledge that God is the potter and we are the clay--who can argue with God? They are crying out to the Lord. The final vv 8-11 tell how terrible things are on the earth--it is the time of the great tribulation. We are looking at Revelation 16-19. It is man’s darkest hour and except the days were shortened, for the elect’s sake, no man would survive!

65.1 thru 66.24 Blessing and doom. The nation/world includes both those who patiently look for the Lord’s coming and those who worship at the altar of Idolatry/Babylon/Beast System. The righteous are going through tribulation--but the unrighteous are experiencing the wrath of God. There is a tremendous difference. Paul said we are not destined to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess 5.9). Tribulation is persecution--wrath is judgment.

65.1-16 The fate of the faithful and of the apostate. Each group is shown their fate.

65.1-2 Here I am, here I am…the Lord stretches out His hands for the final time. In Revelation it says that men would not repent as the vials and bowls are poured out. The Lord is still looking for men to repent--He is almost begging!

65.3-5 A description of pagan practices in ancient Israel--eating unclean swine, burning incense in groves of green trees, ancestor worship, sexual sin, and eating at pagan tables. See Revelation 18 and judgment on Babylon.

65.6-7 The punishment for such sins.

65.9-10 The righteous remnant is described. Those who have rejected sin will receive the promise of salvation. They may experience tribulation and persecution, but they will not face God’s wrath. We are not to fear what man can do unto us.

65.11-16 The fate of those who have turned to the Lord and those who have refused is described. Great blessings are soon to come to the faithful.

This is the end time scenario. God’s people will have peace in their hearts. God will be with them as the final battle takes place. The church is not “raptured” out. The servant is not above his master. Great rewards are soon to be bestowed upon the saints for their faithfulness.

65.17-25 The renewal of creation. The world itself will be transformed in the new age that God brings! In the millennium he who dies at a hundred years old will be reckoned a child. He who fails to reach a hundred will be considered cursed (a sinner). God will answer prayers before they are uttered.

66.1-6 The Temple and sacrifice. The prophet condemns those who participate in sacred actions but still live sinful lives. The Lord is done with that. The Lord will unmask the hypocritical.

66.7-14 Jerusalem is consoled. She will suddenly, without pain, bear children and become a bustling city, full of life. God is portrayed as mother here.

66.15-18a Attention switches to the apostate who will be punished rather than comforted. Pagan rites are again described.

66.18b-24 Reward and punishment. The Great White Throne Judgment. In Revelation 20.12-15 we see the White Throne Judgment--after the thousand year reign. All whom ever lived are called before the throne. The nations that are saved serve the Lord (Rev 21.24). That is what this chapter is about. In Revelation 22 we see the healing of the nations. After the millennium the entire universe will begin to be healed as God’s ministers are sent to the distant regions of the universe…eye has not seen…ear hath not heard…what God has prepared for those who love Him.

Chapters 34-35 Vengeance on Edom and the restoration of Israel.

Chapter 34 is a text portraying the Lord as wreaking vengeance against the nations that come against Israel.

Chapter 35 describes Israel renewed and is a very positive text.

These chapters will be discussed further in the first part of the book of Isaiah.

Additional source: The Jewish Study Bible