I was reading today in Isaiah 24 as I work my way through the book of Isaiah. One thing that I noticed about this prophesy is that it appears to claim that the earth itself will be effected by the judgment that will be upon man during this time. It says in Isaiah 24:1 "Behold, the Lord lays the earth waste, devastates it, distorts it surface, and scatters its inhabitants." Then again in verses 21 and 23 it refers to the "host of heaven" and then "the moon will be abashed and the sun ashamed." It ends with a promise that the Lord will reign before the elders in Jerusalem.
In my mind we cannot say that this has happened yet, since the earth has not experienced this, though the earth has experienced a groaning that is mentioned in Romans. We also have not seen the Lord reign from Jerusalem. This is a picture that is also mentioned in several other areas of Isaiah including chapter 2; 13:13; It seems that Isaiah is always looking forward to this day not only when God will judge those who are evil, but also reign from his throne.
It reminds me of the Lord's prayer where it says, "They kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10. Just a glance around me in the community today and the materialism and the selfishness that exist makes me realize that many people only live for themselves. They don't have this heart for God's kingdom or His will. And when He does come, they won't rejoice that He is on his throne. They will only experience His judgment.
It also reminds me that God has a plan and that plan will not be stopped. Man makes plans and devises schemes, but God has the final word. That is what these passages are saying. We may think that we have the final word, but there is a day coming which is called the "day of the Lord" that this is a day of reckoning when He alone will be exalted on that day. He will not be sharing his glory with another. Isaiah 2:12-22
In my mind we cannot say that this has happened yet, since the earth has not experienced this, though the earth has experienced a groaning that is mentioned in Romans. We also have not seen the Lord reign from Jerusalem. This is a picture that is also mentioned in several other areas of Isaiah including chapter 2; 13:13; It seems that Isaiah is always looking forward to this day not only when God will judge those who are evil, but also reign from his throne.
It reminds me of the Lord's prayer where it says, "They kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10. Just a glance around me in the community today and the materialism and the selfishness that exist makes me realize that many people only live for themselves. They don't have this heart for God's kingdom or His will. And when He does come, they won't rejoice that He is on his throne. They will only experience His judgment.
It also reminds me that God has a plan and that plan will not be stopped. Man makes plans and devises schemes, but God has the final word. That is what these passages are saying. We may think that we have the final word, but there is a day coming which is called the "day of the Lord" that this is a day of reckoning when He alone will be exalted on that day. He will not be sharing his glory with another. Isaiah 2:12-22
