In this final chapter, Isaiah paints an image of the Messianic Kingdom. The biggest mistake we could make is trying to push this back into some literal future End Time, when it describes the eternal nature of things. Here on earth, we experience the Messianic Kingdom as a present reality in the spirit, but only partially on the earthly plane. Isaiah foresaw this as the way God had always dealt with humanity, but specifically reveals how things will change once Messiah offers the final revelation of God.
First, Isaiah establishes the eternal truth which men had long tried to ignore: Rituals only symbolize a spiritual truth. They are not themselves truth. How could anything man does with his hands make any difference if his heart -- his ultimate commitment -- is not in it? When men seek to manipulate God's good favor by mere rote observance of rituals, it only makes them more offensive to God. Empty observance is the real abomination to the Lord, and justly earns His wrath.
Worse, these are the same folks who mock those taking it all seriously. Such was the fashion among Jewish nobles and royalty during Isaiah's ministry. Little did they know God would descend suddenly, when it makes no sense at all on a human scale. When He comes, these would be attacked as His enemies. What God is going to do in That Day is replace the whole mess. All at once, out of nothing and nowhere, a complete nation of His servants will be born. Does anyone think God can bring things to the brink and not finish? What He has promised, though it seems to take forever in coming, will most certainly become reality on the earth.
As if the city of Jerusalem was suddenly vacated, then repopulated with his new and faithful nation, all the old names will be given to a new people. Those few among Israel who longed for such a day would rejoice to see a new people become what Israel was called to be. They'll be dancing in the streets when the Lord's war chariot comes riding through, while sinners will flee. Not that anyone could escape. There will no longer be folks putting on their Hebrew Holy best outfit, then going off to worship at a pagan shrine. It's not as if God didn't see them doing that.
No, God knew all too well their sins. He would replace them with a New Nation drawn from every race across the world. Indeed, it's those Jews who escape His wrath who would go out and seek the Gentiles to fill again the streets of Jerusalem, flooding the Temple with celebrations of God. Even the old distinction of Levites and Priests will disappear, as folks from these other nations would become His new priesthood.
And this time, once He reveals His New Heaven and New Earth to His children, there won't be any preparation for an end. This will be the end; it will stand into eternity. There will never again be a time when the Temple of God in Heaven will be empty, but will be filled continually with His praises. From their spiritual city above, they will look down upon the corpses of sinners, and watch as their misery stretches just as far into eternity as their own joy.
So it is Isaiah closes with one last warning against Judah. It was too late for them as a nation. If there was to be any hope, it was as individual new members of that New Nation in Christ.
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By Ed Hurst
29 October 2009
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