The Ruler of All Nations

I am thankful to hear one of my favorite Bible expositors, S. Lewis Johnson, even confess that he is puzzled by these chapters and wonders why some of this was written

Isaiah 14-20 speak of judgements on the nations

Firstly speaks about judgments on the neighbors of Judah then more broadly to the nations of the world

These are nations with centuries of trouble, conflict & peace with Israel all the way back to before David – though much of the references are to David’s time

Messages are largely historic and deal with their downfall

It seems to me they also point to bigger issues of the nations also

From Isaiah 21 messages become prophetic and apocalyptic

Some of the messages seem to be rehearsal of previous messages (Isa. 14:24-27) to the nations or older messages given fresh application (Isa. 16:13-14)

While there does seem to be allusion to the Messiah throughout I must confess at times they seem difficult to see or understand

Isa. 14:29 – Flying fiery serpent may well represent Christ

Isa. 15:9 – lion is singular, 16:1 the lamb

Images bring Revelation to mind where Jesus is both Lion and Lamb

Revelation 5:5 “5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.””

Revelation 5:12“12 saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!””

Later chapters of Isaiah give more light on this

SLJ comments that perhaps these chapters will become more relevant and precious to the Jews of the Tribulation

The main theme throughout the messages seems to be 2 truths Isaiah has spoke about often

God is advancing His purpose and will accomplish it – He sovereignly controls all the nations for His will (Isaiah 14:26-27)

Trust in God (Isaiah 14:32)

Other important ideas also arise including:

Some Gentiles will find safety in Israel (Isa. 16:4b-5) indicating all of their hope is in a coming King of Israel

Pride, leading to rebellion against God, is at the heart of nations fall (Isa. 16:6-7)

Isa. 17:9-14 – Most commentators believe Isaiah to be looking forward to the last days

Hard not to think of campaign of Armageddon when God will finally free Jerusalem from the dominion of Gentiles

Causes me to think of Jesus’ words in Lk 21:20-28 of His second coming

In Isaiah there is impending doom & start of what is called the time of the Gentiles

In Luke, Israel (& Jerusalem) still under dominion of Gentiles

Jesus warns of another judgment on their unbelief to come in 70AD

There He points us forward to when the time of the Gentiles will end

Perhaps for us, best way to understand the message of these chapters is to consider the big picture

Jesus makes shocking statement about Temple in Lk. 21:6

Naturally, they have questions

Jesus answers the 2nd question by giving them the characteristics of the age about to come

What will it be like before Kingdom comes?

Going to be tumultuous, difficult, often sad

These are the days in which Gospel must be preached

Now, Jesus gets to their main question – destruction of temple and what that means for Kingdom

Things get darker before they get brighter

Everything so far has been about what leads up to Kingdom coming – characteristics not really signs as we think of them

Now Jesus tells us, when you see these things I’m on my way

When Destruction Comes…

Lk. 21:20-24.

Destruction of Jerusalem

Lk. 21:20-21.

Jerusalem under siege

Jerusalem was no stranger to destruction

Was only about 500 years earlier it had been rebuilt after Babylon destroyed it

How quickly it seemed Jesus words here would come to pass

66 AD Jewish revolt would rise

Revolt wasn’t inevitable but in many eyes it was justifiable

Gessuis Florus was a terrible Roman Governor who taunted Jews to rebel to cover up his own crimes

Result was Jerusalem would come under siege and 70 AD would be levelled

Fortunately, Christians remember Jesus’ words here & through divine providence were able to escape to Pella

Pella in region of Decapolis

Jerusalem & land of Israel continue under foreign domination

Lk. 21:24 – and Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

A time that begins with Israel’s captivity in Assyria

We live in times of Gentiles

Rom. 11:25 – For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

After revolt & Jer. rebuilt Christians returned but historians note that church at Jerusalem was almost entirely Gentile

Seem to many that return of Christ was near

Except a number of things were missing

Clearly, this was the start of something

From this point on nothing remains to be done for Christ to return – imminent

Jerusalem destroyed

Key factor that tells us 70AD isn’t what Jesus was talking about is that Jesus didn’t return

Also, other prophecies about Jerusalem’s destruction that have yet to be fulfilled

Lk. 21:14 – suggests Gentile domination of Jerusalem will end

That clearly hasn’t come to pass yet

Zech. 14:2 tells that all nations will gather against Jerusalem

City & people will be ravaged

World will be in chaos as nations & Antichrist battle for possession of Jerusalem & world power

Jews will flee to places like Bozrah (Petra)

God will hear the cry of His people

Then will begin campaign of Armageddon

Christ will come from the south toward Megiddo & Jerusalem

Every place where His people hide they will be freed

*Isaiah 63:1-6

When all is done He will bring a new Jerusalem

Abomination of Desolation

Lk. 21:22-24

Stealing worship

What sparks this great battle? What brings Jerusalem to destruction?

Matthew includes another sign Jesus told

Matthew 24:15“15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),”

A sign Daniel spoke of 3 times

Dan. 9:27 – Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”

Dan. 11:31 – And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.

Dan. 12:11 – “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.

Something takes place in the middle of The Tribulation (final judgments of God)

What is this abomination of desolation?

2 Thess. 2:4 – who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

The Antichrist sets himself up in Temple as God

Rev. 13:15 – He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

Idol of Antichrist raised to be worshipped

Every promise he’s made to Israel is broken, he turns on them & turns nations on them

Demands he be worshipped alone

Days of vengeance

God is a jealous God & will not share His glory with another

Nor will He allow His promise to Israel to be forgotten

Days of His vengeance begin (Lk. 21:22)

This is what OT also calls Day of the Lord, Time of Jacob’s trouble

Isa. 63:4 – For the day of vengeance is in My heart, And the year of My redeemed has come. [follows description of Armageddon]

Isa. 34:8; Micah 5:15; Jer. 30:7

Rev. 6-19 describes much of what happens

These 2 great events, Abomination of Desolation & Fall of Jerusalem mark that Jesus is very near returning

Redemption is Near

Lk. 21:25-28

Signs of His Coming

Lk. 21:25-26

Darkness

When these sign appear you know Jesus is on His way

Not just earthquakes & famines etc.

These things we know

Before He comes universe is plunged into darkness

Matt. 24:29 – “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Major cataclysmic events

Some suggest what’s described is what would happen if a meteor large enough came close enough to very slightly change axis

With all that’s going on I don’t know If God really needs to do that

What is interesting is that out of all the things disciples question they don’t question these signs

They expected God to come with power

Zech. 14:6-7a – 6 It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish. 7 It shall be one day Which is known to the Lord Neither day nor night.

Fear

First time Jesus came was humble, quiet

He came to provide redemption from sin

This time Jesus is coming to judge sin

There will be nothing subtle

His intent is to strike fear into hearts

Lk. 21:26 – they know what is to come

Cataclysmic events aren’t real fear – it’s what they mean, what they bring

Judgment for sin – what we’ve been trying to avoid from the beginning

*Isa. 13:6-13

Glory of His Coming

Lk. 21:27-28

Brightness

In the midst of pitch darkness Jesus comes blazing in glory

Zech. 14:7b – But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light.

There will be nothing subtle about His return

Rev. 1:7 – Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

2 Thess. 1:7-8 – 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev. 19:11-16

Dipped in blood from battle

Armies of heaven – Saints (OT, NT, Trib) & angels

Hope

Lk. 21:28

Not just last cataclysmic events

All of these things spoken of

From antichrists, to trouble, persecution, destruction of Jerusalem

Every one of these things should direct us to look up with hope

Promise of imminent return – could be any time

Sure these days aren’t easy

For believer they don’t fill our hearts with fear

They move us to trust Him, long for Him, serve Him

When these events finally come to an end

When He returns in power & glory the completion of our salvation is at hand

Sin & death are about to be destroyed forever

Conclusion—

If you hear these things and it does fill you with fear

Maybe as you look at society now you are already worried

Truth is that you have much to fear – the end isn’t glorious for everyone

For many it is filled with terror, judgement & condemnation

Hear me now, it doesn’t have to be that way for you

Today you can secure an escape from trouble, judgement & condemnation

Romans 1:16–17 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.””

Believe Jesus came the first time in perfection to die on the cross for your sin, seek His forgiveness and turn your life to follow Him

Only genuine faith in Jesus can save you from eternal punishment

Believer, as we will see in weeks ahead, much of this turmoil before Return we will escape

We have great reason from joy & hope

We also have great reason to serve & speak Gospel

Isaiah 15:5 “5 “My heart will cry out for Moab...

Isaiah wants justice & righteousness, He wants God to do right and save His people

Isaiah’s desire isn’t for vengeance, it’s for people, even the enemy

There is nothing, apart from Father’s will, keeping Christ from returning now

Let us use our time here wisely, profitably for glory of God & salvation of sinners

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