The judgment in view in Isaiah 66:15-17 seems to be the one that will take place when Messiah returns to the earth (cf. Zephaniah 2:12; Matthew 24:22; Mark 9:49; Mark 13:19-20; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 19:11-21)."Perhaps it is justifiable to say that in the world of nature God judges through fire and in history through the sword, but too sharp a distinction must not be made." [Note: Young, 3:530.] read more
1. Where, etc.] RV ’what manner of house.. what place shall be my rest.’ The v. is a strong rebuke of such as, without a really religious spirit, idly trusted in the inviolability of Zion, and the protection they thought the sanctuary would afford. A like fault is rebuked in Jeremiah 7:1-16. This passage is quoted by St. Stephen (Acts 7:49-50). 2. Those things] i.e. the universe. All.. have been] RV ’so all these things came to be.’3. They who offer the due sacrifices, yet without a proper... read more
(15) With his chariots . . .—i.e., the storm-clouds sweeping on their way, while the lightnings and the winds do their work. (Comp. Psalms 18:10; Psalms 68:33) read more
(16) Will the Lord plead . . .—Better, will the Lord hold judgment. The thoughts of the seer pass on to the retributive side of the Divine righteousness. Fire and sword have been used by the enemies of God against His people, and shall, in turn, be the instruments of His vengeance. The “sword” may, however, be the symbol of the Divine judgment, apart from any reference to its human instrument (Deuteronomy 32:41; Revelation 1:16). read more
The Genesis of Delusions Isaiah 66:4 They will think it is the devil, but I am behind it all; they will ascribe it to some peculiar condition of the brain, and they will endeavour to trace that condition to indigestion, to the wrong food, to a mistake in choices and fancies; they will never suspect that I am in it. We are not worshippers of a limited Sovereign; the universe is not split up into sections, God presiding over, it may be, the larger section, and the devil presiding over the... read more
CHAPTER XXVA LAST INTERCESSION AND THE JUDGMENTIsaiah 63:7 through Isaiah 66:1-24WE might well have thought, that with the section we have been considering the prophecy of Israel’s Redemption had reached its summit and its end. The glory of Zion in sight, the full programme of prophecy owned, the arrival of the Divine Saviour hailed in the urgency of His feeling for His people, in the sufficiency of His might to save them, -what more, we ask, can the prophecy have to give us? Why does it not... read more
CHAPTER 66 The Finale: The Two Classes and the Prophecy of Isaiah in a Retrospect 1. The apostates and their wicked worship (Isaiah 66:1-4 ) 2. The remnant suffering and encouraged (Isaiah 66:5 ) 3. The sudden manifestation of the Lord (Isaiah 66:6 ) 4. The nation’s rebirth (Isaiah 66:7-9 ) 5. Jerusalem’s supremacy and glory (Isaiah 66:10-14 ) 6. The warning of judgment (Isaiah 66:15-18 ) 7. The regathering after judgment (Isaiah 66:19-21 ) 8. The blessings for the... read more
66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to {q} render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.(q) This vengeance God began to execute at the destruction of Babylon and has always continued it against the enemies of his Church, and will do till the last day, which will be the accomplishment of it. read more
MEETING OF THE AGES We are drawing to the end of the present, and the opening of the Millennial age. The prophet’s eye rests on the time when Israel is back in her land, the majority still unconverted to Christ and worshiping in a restored temple. There is a faithful remnant waiting for Him, though enduring the persecution of the false christ. This persecution may often be felt at the hands of their own brethren after the flesh. These facts must be assumed in the interpretation of these... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 66:15-24
Worship or destruction 66:15-24This pericope concludes the sections on the culmination of Israel’s future (Isaiah 65:17 to Isaiah 66:24), Israel’s future transformation (chs. 56-66), Israel’s hope (chs. 40-66), and the whole book-Yahweh’s salvation. Like Isaiah 56:1-8, it clarifies the difference between being a true servant of the Lord and one of His enemies, i.e., a rebel."God does not deliver his servants so that they can revel in the experience of sharing his glory (cf. chs. 60-62). Rather,... read more