
Isaiah 66
Isaiah 66 serves as the final chapter of the book, concluding with a message of judgment and hope. God speaks through Isaiah, promising salvation for the faithful and judgment for the rebellious. The chapter emphasizes the new heavens and the new earth, divine retribution, and the worship of God by all nations. It contrasts the fate of those who are humble and obedient with those who are rebellious and idolatrous, ending with a vivid portrayal of the eternal punishment of the wicked.
Isaiah 66:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Thus says the Lord:
“Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?
2 For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,”
Says the Lord.
“But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.”
God reminds the people that He cannot be confined to a temple built by human hands, as His presence transcends heaven and earth. The true worshiper is not defined by grand offerings but by humility, contrition, and reverence for God’s word. Those who acknowledge their dependence on God, seeking His mercy and guidance, are the ones He favors.
Isaiah 66:3-4 (NKJV)
3 “He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man;
He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck;
He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine’s blood;
He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol.
Just as they have chosen their own ways,
And their soul delights in their abominations,
4 So will I choose their delusions,
And bring their fears on them;
Because, when I called, no one answered,
When I spoke, they did not hear;
But they did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight.”
God rejects the hypocritical worship of those who perform rituals without true devotion. Their sacrifices are detestable to Him because they have chosen their own sinful ways rather than following His commands. As a result, God will bring upon them the very things they fear, because they ignored His calls and persisted in disobedience.
Isaiah 66:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Hear the word of the Lord,
You who tremble at His word:
“Your brethren who hated you,
Who cast you out for My name’s sake, said,
‘Let the Lord be glorified,
That we may see your joy.’
But they shall be ashamed.”
6 The sound of noise from the city!
A voice from the temple!
The voice of the Lord,
Who fully repays His enemies!”
This message is directed toward those who are faithful to God but are mocked or rejected by others for their faith. These mockers, who sarcastically say "Let the Lord be glorified," will be put to shame when God brings judgment. The voice from the temple signifies God's coming justice against His enemies, affirming His support for the righteous.
Isaiah 66:7-9 (NKJV)
7 “Before she was in labor, she gave birth;
Before her pain came,
She delivered a male child.
8 Who has heard such a thing?
Who has seen such things?
Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day?
Or shall a nation be born at once?
For as soon as Zion was in labor,
She gave birth to her children.
9 Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?” says the Lord.
“Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?” says your God.
God uses the metaphor of childbirth to describe the sudden and miraculous restoration of Zion. Without prolonged labor, the nation of Israel is reborn, emphasizing God’s ability to bring about His promises swiftly. Just as it is unimaginable for a mother to not give birth after labor begins, so too God will not abandon His people at the moment of their redemption.
Isaiah 66:10-14 (NKJV)
10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem,
And be glad with her, all you who love her;
Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her;
11 That you may feed and be satisfied
With the consolation of her bosom,
That you may drink deeply and be delighted
With the abundance of her glory.”
12 For thus says the Lord:
“Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,
And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream.
Then you shall feed;
On her sides shall you be carried,
And be dandled on her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforts,
So I will comfort you;
And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
14 When you see this, your heart shall rejoice,
And your bones shall flourish like grass;
The hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants,
And His indignation to His enemies.”
Jerusalem's restoration brings joy and comfort not only to its inhabitants but also to those who love and mourn for her. God promises abundant peace and glory, likening His care to a mother comforting her child. The faithful will find satisfaction and joy in God's blessings, while the wicked will experience His wrath. This contrast highlights the justice and compassion of God.
Isaiah 66:15-16 (NKJV)
15 For behold, the Lord will come with fire
And with His chariots, like a whirlwind,
To render His anger with fury,
And His rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire and by His sword
The Lord will judge all flesh;
And the slain of the Lord shall be many.
These verses depict God’s final judgment, where He will come with overwhelming power, symbolized by fire and a whirlwind. His judgment will be swift and fierce, and many will face destruction as a consequence of their rebellion against Him. This reinforces the theme of divine justice, as God judges all people according to their actions.
Isaiah 66:17 (NKJV)
17 “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves,
To go to the gardens
After an idol in the midst,
Eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse,
Shall be consumed together,” says the Lord.
God condemns those who engage in idolatrous practices and ritually cleanse themselves for false worship. Despite their outward appearance of holiness, their involvement in abominable activities, including consuming unclean foods, reveals their rebellion. They will face destruction as a result of their choices, standing as a warning against hypocrisy.
Isaiah 66:18-21 (NKJV)
18 “For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory.
19 I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles.
20 Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the Lord out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the Lord, “as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.
21 And I will also take some of them for priests and Levites,” says the Lord.
God knows the hearts of all people and will gather all nations to witness His glory. He will send survivors to distant lands to spread His name among the Gentiles. In the end, the nations will bring the scattered Israelites back to Jerusalem, symbolizing the full restoration of God’s people. Even among the Gentiles, some will be chosen as priests and Levites, demonstrating the inclusivity of God’s plan.
Isaiah 66:22-24 (NKJV)
22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord,
“So shall your descendants and your name remain.
23 And it shall come to pass
That from one New Moon to another,
And from one Sabbath to another,
All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.
24 “And they shall go forth and look
Upon the corpses of the men
Who have transgressed against Me.
For their worm does not die,
And their fire is not quenched.
They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”
The prophet presents a striking contrast between the eternal peace and restoration promised to the righteous and the final, irreversible fate of the wicked. Verse 22 introduces the new heavens and new earth that God will create, a place where the righteous will live forever in joy and worship, enjoying eternal life in God's presence. Verse 23 emphasizes that all mankind will honor God, continually worshiping Him in the new creation. In stark contrast, verse 24 describes the horrific end for those who rebelled against God. The "dead bodies" symbolize the complete and permanent destruction of the wicked, with no possibility of recovery or restoration. The "undying worms" represent an unstoppable decay, illustrating the irreversible nature of their punishment, where the wicked are consumed completely, with no chance for revival. This decay is final and permanent, symbolizing the total eradication of sin. The "unquenchable fire" further emphasizes that this judgment is absolute, burning away all remnants of rebellion and leaving nothing behind. This fire does not represent eternal suffering but a consuming judgment, marking the absolute end of the wicked. The final phrase, "loathsome to all mankind," highlights the ultimate separation between the righteous and the wicked, where the destruction of the wicked becomes a permanent and abhorrent example of the consequences of rejecting God. The passage as a whole underscores the finality of God's judgment, where evil and sin are completely eradicated, and the new heavens and new earth are established as a place of peace and holiness for the faithful.