Isaiah 24:7

"The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merry-hearted do sigh. The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth. They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it. The waste city is broken down; every house is shut up, that no man may come in. There is a crying in the streets because of the wine; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone. In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction. For thus shall it be in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive-tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done."

Moffatt's rendition of some of these verses is as follows:

"Towns fall to pieces, each man bolts his door;

Gladness is gone from the earth; and pleasure is no more;

The cities are left desolate, their gates are battered down.

Few are left on earth, as few as berries, once the olive boughs are shaken,

As grapes, when once the vintage has been taken."

The meaning of Isaiah 24:12 is that, "Every city is abandoned to chaos, and citizens search hopelessly for food in the countryside."[8] This again reminds us of Revelation 16:19, indicating that prior to the end of time, the cities of mankind will decay and fall. Hailey pointed out that "wine" is mentioned three times in this paragraph, showing, "How much the world depends upon artificial stimuli for its joys and good times." He added, "The world depends upon alcoholic drinks, sports, revelings, sensuous music and entertainment for its pleasures. When these are gone, its shallow joy perishes."[9]

These verses show how wretched and unhappy is the destiny of every man out of harmony with the will of God. It is quite opposite with the righteous remnant as indicated in the next paragraph.