Isaiah: The Throne of Heaven

Isaiah 66

In Genesis, we learned that God chose a people through whom he would send his Son. Just as God promised (Gen. 12:1-3), Abraham’s descendants became a great nation. Under the reigns of David and Solomon, they gained renown in the world.

After King Solomon, civil war split the country in two. The northern kingdom (Israel) was taken captive by the Assyrians in 722 BC. The southern kingdom (Judah) was overthrown by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The people were scattered until God raised up the Persians. Their king, Cyrus, allowed the Jews to return to their homeland under Ezra’s leadership in 538 BC.

When the Roman Empire gained power (27 BC), Israel was a troublemaker for them. After a Jewish revolt (132-135 AD) was crushed, Hadrian renamed Israel “Syria Palaestina.” This name, derived from the Philistines, was used to suppress Jewish identity and nationalism. That designation remained until the state of Israel was officially declared on May 14, 1948, after nearly 2,000 years without sovereign Jewish rule. This marked Israel’s political resurgence, but a day is coming when their spiritual resurgence will be celebrated. We learn about that day in the final chapter of Isaiah.

Isaiah 66 is a powerful conclusion to this prophetic book. In Isaiah’s final message, we see judgment, hope, and the birth of a new nation.

The chapter opens with God establishing his sovereign rule and declaring the relationship he has with his people.

Isaiah 66:1-2 [Anchor Point]
Thus says the Lord: “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? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be,” declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. 

What an amazing picture of God! The entirety of heaven is God’s throne. The earth, the dwelling place of all the nations, is the place where God rests his feet. He is the Creator of all. He looks graciously and compassionately upon those whose lives are humble, repentant, and obedient to his Word.

In contrast to those who humbly follow God are those who “have chosen their own ways.” Isaiah 66:3 describes their perverted worship this way: “their soul delights in their abominations” (Isa. 66:3). Punishment will be administered because they refused to listen to God’s voice (Isa. 66:4) and persecuted those who sincerely follow God (Isa. 66:5-6). This was imposed when the Babylonians destroyed Judah (586 BC).

But God’s discipline is purposed for refining. Israel’s return to the land would be relatively soon, like a woman giving birth before experiencing labor pains (Isa. 66:7).

Isaiah 66:8
Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children. 

Israel’s spiritual revival will be cause for great rejoicing and deep satisfaction (Isa. 66:10-11). Peace (Heb: shalom) will come to Jerusalem. God will comfort her like a mother comforts her child (Isa. 66:12-13).

But…there will be no peace for the wicked, those who constantly rebel against God (Isa. 66:14b). Here is the way Isaiah describes God’s swift vengeance.

Isaiah 66:15-16
For behold, the Lord will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire will the Lord enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the Lord shall be many. 

For God’s people, it will be a different situation. During the millennial reign, which is the spiritually renewed Jerusalem, the rejoicing will continue. The Jews will serve as missionaries to the world, and all will come to witness and experience God’s glory. 

Isaiah 66:22-23
For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain. From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the Lord. 

God’s promises are always true. All the nations will be blessed through his people (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-22; 22:15-18).

Isaiah ends with this solemn note.

Isaiah 66:24
And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.

Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe summarizes the final passage from Isaiah’s perspective. He says,

Throughout his book, Isaiah has presented us with alternatives: Trust the Lord and live, or rebel against the Lord and die. He has explained the grace and mercy of God and offered His forgiveness. He has also explained the holiness and wrath of God and warned of His judgment. He has promised glory for those who will believe and judgment for those who scoff. He has explained the foolishness of trusting man’s wisdom and the world’s resources. ^[1]

God takes sin seriously (Isa. 1-39) and forgives fully (Isa. 40-66). He sent Jesus, the Suffering Servant, to die for us on the cross, and “by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah has been forthright, but in the end, his message is one of spiritual renewal. God’s repeated desire throughout this book is that we experience his comfort (Isa. 12:1; 40:1-2; 49:13; 51:3, 19; 52:9; 54:11-14; 57:18-19; 61:2; 66:13).

I pray that you will experience the comfort and renewal that only God can provide.

We’ll wrap up Isaiah next time.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Isaiah 66. Allow our Anchor Point—Isaiah 66:1-2 to help you visualize the greatness of God Almighty. In contrast to God’s majesty, is your heart contrite and humble before him?

Talking to God:  Thank God for his justice and grace.

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Every day is a day of spiritual renewal as we follow hard after Jesus.