Isaiah 24-25

Chapters twenty-four through twenty-seven fit together as one long prophecy about the future. Rather than addressing specific nations, as chapters 13-23 did, this speaks to God’s coming judgment on the whole earth, a reference to the Tribulation. (“The earth” is mentioned sixteen times in Isaiah 24:1-20.) There is no class of people that will be exempt (Isaiah 24:2; Revelation 6:15). All of nature will be affected Isaiah 24:4, 7, 11; Revelation 6:5-6; 8:7-12; 16:3-12). The true remnant across the earth will rejoice in God, but Isaiah could not stomach the destruction that will come as a result of God’s day of wrath (Isaiah 24:14-20).

The chapter concludes by shifting the scene from the Tribulation to the Millennial Kingdom (Isaiah 24:21-23). During that time the demonic host will be locked up (Isaiah 24:21-22; Revelation 18:2; 20:1-3; Zechariah 13:2), and Jehovah himself will finally rule from Jerusalem in all his “majestic splendor.”

Chapter twenty-five continues this early description of the Messianic Kingdom. Isaiah praised God because of the faithfulness to his plan and his people (Isaiah 25:1). Specifically, God would destroy Israel’s enemies and lift up his own people, attacking as their personal protector and shelter (Isaiah 25:2-4). Once the tyrants are defeated he “will hold a banquet for all the nations” in Jerusalem to celebrate his victory and reign (Isaiah 25:6-8). The “shroud” hanging over them probably includes war and death. This will be for all the nations, not just Israel. Israel will finally be able to rejoice in their Messiah, the deliverer who rescued them from their enemies (Isaiah 25:9-12). They will sing songs of praise him for specific acts of deliverance, like Moab mentioned here, and their mountain will finally be secure with Jehovah’s personal presence.