So, I was sitting here meditating on Isaiah 33, sort of trying to get a head start on tomorrow morning's post. And, the phrase that jumped out at me was from verse 17:
"Your eyes will see the King in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar."
Most commentators believe that this reference is to King Hezekiah, whose reign brought the Jewish people peace and prosperity. But, it also refers to the coming of Messiah, Jesus Christ.
When Jesus came to earth the first time, He established His spiritual kingdom, His Church. As His spiritual children, we are able to get a glimpse of Him in his beauty. But, when He returns the second time to earth, He will set up His earthly kingdom and establish His earthly reign.
I just can't imagine seeing Jesus in person, here on earth. But, that is what the Bible says will come to pass. What a time that will be! Isaiah goes on to describe that 1000 years in greater detail in Isaiah 35.
Before His physical return, however, God will judge the nations of the earth with terrible events. These are described in Isaiah 34 in generalities, but in greater detail in the book of Joel and in Revelation. That the whole earth is involved is made clear in 34:1-2. But, the nation of Edom is used as an example of the destruction that will befall the entire earth during those years of "tribulation".
Let's remind ourselves who the Edomites were. They were descendants of Esau, who was the brother of Jacob. Jacob and Esau were the sons of Isaac and Rebekah. The borders of Edom were located south of Judah. Here's a Wikipedia link to a graphic from when the Edomite Empire was at its height, around 600 B.C.
Isaiah was writing sometime between 739 and 690 B.C. So, Edom was "coming into its own" in Isaiah's day. As you can see from the graphic, the country of Edom was a near-neighbor to Israel.
The Edomites were like that kid in school who would make fun of you and give you grief. Whenever some judgment would come to Israel, the Edomites would be like, "Na-na na-na NAN-na!" For that reason, Edom is used here as an object lesson of this judgment on the nations of the earth. Verse 9 specifically speaks of Edom burning to such an extent that nothing will ever inhabit this land again, after that end-times judgment.
The earth will be so devastated that parts of it will be habitable only for wild animals, such as those listed in verses 11 through 15.
But, then, after that terrible devastation, when Jesus returns to set up His earthly kingdom, things will be restored and made beautiful again. This is described in Isaiah 35, one of the more famous chapters of his book. {By the way, did you know that Isaiah is quoted in the New Testament more often than any of the other Old Testament prophetic books? And, Isaiah was given more prophecies concerning Messiah Jesus than any other Old Testament book.}
On to chapter 35. My most favorite part of this lovely, poetic chapter is the latter portion, verses 8-10.
"8And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness;
it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
9No lion will be there,
nor any ravenous beast;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
10and those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away."
The word "highway" here in the New International Version reflects the Hebrew word which indicates a road that is raised, as in an elevated road. This passage has future fulfillment during the millennial reign of Christ, but a present-day application as well.
1. Only the clean and holy will use this road, whose who "walk on that Way".
In Jesus' time, His followers were called People of The Way. It was a title which, to those in the know, immediately identified folks who followed Jesus. But, to outsiders, it was a vague, obscure title that could have meant anything. There are still churches today that use "the Way" in their titles to identify themselves as a body of believers following Jesus Christ.
2. Only the redeemed, those the Lord has rescued will return and use this highway.
This verse indicates that God's people will have previously been scattered and/or taken somewhere else. But, God has rescued them, redeemed them (bought them back) and then brought them them back to Zion, Jerusalem.
3. These people will become a joyful, praising people, whose heads are crowned with joy that never ends! Eternal joy! Can you even imagine?
Can you see yourself walking on that beautiful highway? I can.
But, only Jesus' own will walk there, and here is today's present application. The only reason I am able to envision myself walking on that road, The Way of Holiness, is because I have been redeemed, covered with His holiness. We may or may not see this highway in our present bodies, in our present earthly lives. However, we can hold fast to this promise - - - those who are Christ's WILL see it, in that triumphant day at the beginning of the millennium.
Oh Believer! Don't lose sight of His promise! It is perfect and will endure.
Today, my nuclear four will be traveling to a family reunion. Yesterday afternoon, I made a beautiful, perfect sour cream pound cake. It looked so good! I got up this morning to find that my cake had been ravaged during the night. A "lion" had broken in and stolen a big hunk of it! Now, I will not be able to present my cake faultless at the reunion. But, watch this!
Do you remember Jude 1:24 - - - {He is able ...}
"to present you faultless before the presence of His glory, with exceeding joy!"
We will be like a perfectly beautiful cake in that day! No lion will be there to break through and steal. In our present day, we are continually beset by Satan and his vicious attacks. ("Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8)
No, don't be depressed! Be encouraged! We shall overcome! "No.lion.will.be.there."
Hallelujah!
And, you who now are filled with sorrow, disappointment, abject grief over your current circumstances.... take heart! Let these next words fill you up with His beauty - - -
"And sorrow and sighing shall flee away!"
Many of you reading these words have chosen Him. You have this eternal promise of hope in your heart. If you are reading this and have not, please choose Him today. Job did. Job saw this many thousands of years ago when he declared most emphatically, amidst horrible trials - - - (Job 19:25)
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth.
And, after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God!"
Oh hallelujah! That makes me wanna shout.
Dear Father, thank you for making a way for the likes of me, so that I can in this life walk on the highway of holiness, both now and in Your earthly kingdom also. You are my mighty Redeemer, and because of this truth, I can go forth today with a song of praise in my heart and with everlasting joy crowning my head. How beautiful You have made me, O Lord, that I might walk with Your Son, in The Way. In Jesus name, The Name Above Every Other Name, amen.
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