Over the next few weeks we will be studying these four chapters that are often called “Isaiah Apocalypse.” They discuss God’s judgment on the entire world for its sin. Isaiah’s prophecies were first directed to Judah, then to Israel, then to the surrounding nations, and finally to the whole world. The theme is the triumph of God, which is good news (hence the singing) because it means that the reign of sin and death is at an end; the kingdom of God has at last come in its fullness. The “apocalypse” or “unveiling” of the end (for that is what the word means) in many ways anticipates that better known apocalypse, the Book of Revelation, which serves as the grand finale of the Bible as a whole.

Isaiah 24:1-23 The earth laid waste: The judgment of God is both terrible and glorious, especially when, as here, it is the final judgment which is in view. Much of chapter 24 is taken up with the terror of it, but the glory breaks through briefly in the middle (vv. 14-16) and again, more brilliantly, at the end (v. 23).

There are both certainty and expectancy in the opening words of verse 1. For Isaiah the final judgment was not only certain; it could happen at any moment. He lived every day in the light of it, just as we ourselves must do today as those who await their Lord’s return. That is one reason why the judgment is glorious; it’s a manifestation of His total sovereignty. In exercising that judgment, as verses 1-3 make clear, God will be no respecter of persons; in language reminiscent of the account of the great flood in Genesis 7. Flood gives way to drought in verses 4-6, making it clear that we are dealing not with literal description but with a series of powerful images. There is more connection with what has gone before however, than first meets the eye. The earth mourns, we are told, because its inhabitants have broken His everlasting covenant (v.5). This is almost certainly a reverence to the covenant between God as Creator and humankind as creature implicit in the very act of creation itself, and reaffirmed to Noah after the flood. God has given us fair warning of where our abuse of His world is leading us! The solution is not to deify the earth, as some do today (allowing paganism to re-enter by the back door), but to turn to its Creator in repentance before it is too late.

But then suddenly, just as at the time of the great flood there were a faithful few who were spared to inherit a new earth, so, it appears from verses 14-16, will there be a remnant on the final day. Scattered among the nations will be those who acknowledge the Lord and welcome His judgment as the triumph of right over wrong. Over the scene of desolation, a song of praise goes up from east and west and from the earth’s farthest limits (vv. 15-16). This is the “new song” of Revelation 5:9-10, the song of the redeemed. God will not destroy the righteous with the wicked. He will spare those who have turned to Him and waited for His salvation.

The basic idea of verses 17-22 is the impossibility of escape for those destined for judgment, whether people in general or kings or heavenly beings (vv. 17, 21). They will be like animals vainly fleeing from a hunter who has anticipated their every move (vv. 17-18a). There will finally be nowhere to go because the very ground they tread on will break up under their feet (vv. 18b-20). Like captive rebels they will be thrown into prison, never to be released (v. 22). This message needs to be sounded clearly today when the church has grown squeamish about the truth of divine retribution. There will be no escape for rebels who refuse to lay down their arms. The day on which He will punish them has already been entered in God’s diary (v. 21a).

The final goal of judgment, however, is the glory of God, the visible display of His character. And so in verse 23, the chapter ends fittingly with a burst of light so brilliant that it shames the sun which is a thumbnail sketch of God’s glorious reign over a renewed earth. There is surely a touch of special grace in the fact that the redeemed people of God are represented here by “the leaders of His people.” The Lord’s triumph will not be for Himself alone, but for His people as well. His glory consists not only of His righteousness (v. 16), but also of His grace (v. 23). How thankful we should be for that tremendous fact!

Isaiah 24:1-23 Reflection Questions:

What is a New Testament Scripture that Jesus said that He would return at some time?

How would you describe the way are you living each day as if Jesus is returning at any moment?

How are you preparing for His return each day?