Day 184, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Isaiah 24–27
World-Wide Calamity
What will happen to our planet? Will it freeze? Scientists once taught global cooling. Will it burn up? Scientists now teach global warming. Other scientists say neither extreme is true. What does the Bible say about the future of our earth?
The dating of Isaiah’s prophecy is uncertain, and to complicate matters, the prophecy has double fulfillment. God will partially fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy through Israel’s present circumstances and completely fulfill them in the latter days of the earth.
Isaiah wrote his predictions before Assyria’s invasion of Israel. How do we know that? Isaiah 24:7 suggests a time of prosperity and carelessness which characterized Israel before Assyria attacked, plundered, and burned the city of Samaria, carrying off exiles to their own land. Isaiah says Assyria left the city in ruins (24:12), therefore, this is the Samaria of the northern kingdom of Israel (see also Isaiah 27:8-11).In a future day, Isaiah prophesies much more destruction than when Assyria comes to conquer the northern kingdom of Israel. He writes, “See, the LORD is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants” (Isaiah 24:1, NIV).
Why would God want to destroy the earth and its people? The LORD says, “The earth is defiled by its people [like the land of Israel and Judah are defiled]; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant” (Isaiah 24:5, NIV). The everlasting covenant could mean the statutes or requirements of God found in his Word ( The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p.1072).The first duty of human beings, God's special creation (Genesis 1:26-27), is to glorify him. We do this when we obey him (Genesis 2:16-17). One of these commands, we now know, is to believe in the one whom God has sent (Jesus) to deliver people from their sins (John 5:37-40). Have we done this?
As we have seen in our Bible reading, Israel is rebellious and disobeys God in every way. In a future day, people will do the same. Therefore, Isaiah prophesies, “a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left” (Isaiah 24:6, NIV).
This situation will mimic the days before Noah’s flood. “The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time” (Genesis 6:5, NIV). At the end of the age, however, God will consume the earth’s inhabitants by fire, not flood.
In the last days, calamities will strike the earth more than the world has never known. Unnamed disturbances in our galaxy will affect the earth. Famines and plagues will strike our planet more than those which came upon Egypt in the days of Moses. “In that day the LORD will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below” (Isaiah 24:21, NIV). What do these things mean?
“In that day” most often describes a time in the distant future. God will capture “The kings on the earth below” (a possible reference to the Beast or Antichrist and the false prophet) and throw them alive into the Lake of Fire along with the other evil rulers on the earth. “The powers in the heavens” probably refer to Satan and his demons. God will lock Satan up in the abyss for 1,000 years, while Jesus rules and reigns in Jerusalem (Revelation 19:20, 20:2). For a complete discussion on this, read the last book of the Bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, particularly chapters 6-21. You may also want to read our Bible study lessons on Revelation starting here.
Will God totally destroy the earth and its inhabitants? Not quite. The LORD will come to Jerusalem’s defense in the latter days, as he would do for Judah when King Sennacherib of Assyria threatened to destroy her in 701 B.C.
The LORD will bring peace and prosperity to Jerusalem in a future day, even more so than he did for King Hezekiah of Judah in his day. There will be no need for the light of the sun or moon, for the LORD himself will display his glorious light over the whole earth (Isaiah 24:23; Revelation 21:23-24). Blessings will come from his holy mountain, Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ will rule and reign. He will destroy all death and wipe away all tears (Isaiah 25:7-8; Revelation 21:4). Israel will be saved both physically and spiritually. The borders of the whole land of Israel will be extended, and she will have peace.In Israel's tribulation (both in Hezekiah's day and in the future), God says,
“Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins” (Isaiah 26:20-21, NIV).
In about 136 years, Babylon would conquer and exile the people of Judah, like Israel. Then, they would abandon Jerusalem and return to burn the city. Later, however, God will thresh (punish) those nations and leave Israel a seed (or remnant) in the land. Those exiled in Assyria and Egypt would return to Israel
Does all this discussion about the end of the world and the punishment of sinners cause us to be fearful? Forgiveness and everlasting peace for our souls can be found in Jesus Christ (more...).
Christians, we can be comforted in this: God is Sovereign—he has everything under control, and in the end he will bring peace to Jerusalem and the world.
End Note: (The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p.1072).
Take-Away Lessons
- The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever (from the Westminster Confession), but ungodly men consistently disobey God and will certainly be punished.
- Let us put our hope in God. He can sustain us. He can help us through times of calamity and tribulation. We find our peace in him (more...)
- Eventually, God will bring peace, prosperity and eternal life to the righteous; if not in this life, then in the next.
Focus Verse
John 16:33 (NIV) “These things I [Jesus] have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
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Looking Ahead: The northern kingdom of Israel loses her nation and her freedom when she is conquered and exiled. What can we do to keep our freedom? Find out in our next lesson.
Re-edited 12-22-22
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