Read Isaiah 24.
There is decided shift in Isaiah's messages from the LORD, beginning here and
continuing into the next several chapters. No longer is the predicted
judgment directed against individual neighboring nations and the obvious threat
is no longer the immediate Assyrian invasion. The subject now is a
worldwide devastation from God Himself.
During this unprecedented time, everyone on earth will suffer loss and
devastation. Why? Verse 5 explains that the earth is defiled by human
sinfulness. God's laws, statutes, and His eternal covenant have been
violated.
This will be followed by a period of time when the nations from the ends of the
earth will "sing for joy; over the majesty of the LORD" and
"give glory to the LORD" (vv.15-16). But then, there will come
a time of final judgment.
Since sin entered the Garden of Eden, God has always been implementing His plans
of redemption, judgment and cleansing the earth of its corruption. In
Noah's day, He sent a worldwide flood to cleanse the earth. "But by
the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire,
being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly." (2
Peter 3:7)
These
descriptions and their sequencing fit perfectly with the Biblical understanding
of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 6-19), then the 1,000 year reign of Christ
on earth (Revelation 20:1-10), followed by the Great White Throne judgment
(Revelation 20:11-15).
It should be remembered that God's wrath is not aimed at believers. Just
as in Noah's day, He provides protection and escape from such judgment for
those who turn to Him. Jesus said, "Whoever believes n the Son has
eternal life; whoever does not obey the son shall not see life, but the wrath
of God remains on him." (John 3:36)
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