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God Rules Over All The Earth Isaiah 24 thru 27
God Rules Over All The Earth Isaiah 24 thru 27
This section (Isaiah 24-27) leaves the reader in awe of God but perplexed on its exact understanding. We have finished the long section of God's oracles of judgment upon the nations (13-23), now we read of God bringing judgment upon the earth (mankind).
In Isaiah's day, they looked forward to God's judgment upon their enemies Assyria and Babylon. They hoped in a return from the captivity of Babylon unto which they had been appointed. They desired the coming king and his kingdom wherein they would find peace and comfort. Nearly 3000 years later we see that God brought all of this to pass. The nations one by one were 'weighed in the balance and found wanting'. One by one, God brought judgment upon the nations.
As the kingdom of God's dear son grew and established itself in the world, it too faced the problem of evil, and in particular, persecution of God's people. Like Israel of old, they longed for the time that God would intervene and give victory unto His people. Jesus proved himself King of Kings and Lord of Lords by bringing the persecutors of the 1st century to naught. The people of Jesus overcame not by sword but by their faith. God showed yet again, as He had throughout the whole Old Testament period, that He reigns over all the kingdoms of earth.
A brief outline of our reading looks something like this:
24 - God's judgment upon the earth ending with His rule from Zion.
25 - Praise to God as He provides for the needs of His people.
26 - Trusting in God while waiting for His salvation.
27 - Their assurance that God WOULD rule, punishing evil and providing for the righteous.
Such grand teaching is actually timeless. Whether it is read in Isaiah's day and they face the judgments upon Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, etc., or during the time just before the coming of Jesus when the world of the Jews was torn apart by oppression of the Syrians and then the Romans, or of the early church facing the onslaught of Rome against them, or even of our day when the world is filled with evil, war, and ungodliness. God WILL prevail and His people WILL be victorious. All the enemies of righteousness will be brought to judgment.
The world and the many leaders of the world have constantly opposed Jesus and His people, yet we can be assured that He will prevail. “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).
Therefore, when the kingdom of the Lord was entering into a time of severe persecution by the Roman authorities, Jesus admonished: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10).
As you read this section of Isaiah (24-27), let the great picture of God ruling over the kingdoms of earth fill your heart. Learn to trust in Him even when things look dark and troublesome. Learn to give praise and thanksgiving even while you wait for His deliverance. Be faithful unto death. In these days when things seem darker than before, are you trusting Jesus?
Hugh DeLong
