I cover a lot of dark topics of what is happening in this wicked world under the control of the fallen angels and their human followers, but it’s always good to remember that God is ultimately in control and we have many of His promises to lean on as we walk through life awaiting His return. But I was astounded by how much truth of what is coming is contained in this one chapter of Isaiah. From the traps of life that catch the prideful to God’s judgement and wrath on them as well as the punishment of the rebellious angels at the end of the tribulation period. Oh what a horror the Day of the Lord will be for those that have rejected God’s visitation to the earth and His offer of reconciliation and adoption into the family of God. And the second death, separation from God for eternity will be the gravest consequence for a rebellious life and for what? What on this earth is worth losing your soul?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1\u00a0Behold, the Lord will empty the earth[a] and make it desolate, 4\u00a0The earth mourns and withers; 14\u00a0They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; 17\u00a0Terror and the pit and the snare[d] 21\u00a0On that day the Lord will punish
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants.
2\u00a0And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as with the slave, so with his master;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as with the maid, so with her mistress;
as with the buyer, so with the seller;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as with the lender, so with the borrower;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as with the creditor, so with the debtor.
3\u00a0The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0for the Lord has spoken this word.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the world languishes and withers;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the highest people of the earth languish.
5\u00a0The earth lies defiled
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0under its inhabitants;
for they have transgressed the laws,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0violated the statutes,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0broken the everlasting covenant.
6\u00a0Therefore a curse devours the earth,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt;
therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and few men are left.<\/strong>
7\u00a0The wine mourns,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the vine languishes,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0all the merry-hearted sigh.
8\u00a0The mirth of the tambourines is stilled,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the noise of the jubilant has ceased,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the mirth of the lyre is stilled.
9\u00a0No more do they drink wine with singing;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0strong drink is bitter to those who drink it.
10\u00a0The wasted city is broken down;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0every house is shut up so that none can enter.
11\u00a0There is an outcry in the streets for lack of wine;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0all joy has grown dark;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the gladness of the earth is banished.
12\u00a0Desolation is left in the city;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the gates are battered into ruins.
13\u00a0For thus it shall be in the midst of the earth
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0among the nations,
as when an olive tree is beaten,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as at the gleaning when the grape harvest is done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0over the majesty of the Lord they shout from the west.[b]
15\u00a0Therefore in the east[c] give glory to the Lord;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.
16\u00a0From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0of glory to the Righteous One.
But I say, \u201cI waste away,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I waste away. Woe is me!
For the traitors have betrayed,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0with betrayal the traitors have betrayed.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth!<\/strong>
18\u00a0He who flees at the sound of the terror
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0shall fall into the pit,
and he who climbs out of the pit
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0shall be caught in the snare.
For the windows of heaven are opened,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and the foundations of the earth tremble.
19\u00a0The earth is utterly broken,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the earth is split apart,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the earth is violently shaken.
20\u00a0The earth staggers like a drunken man;
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0it sways like a hut;
its transgression lies heavy upon it,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and it falls, and will not rise again.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the host of heaven, in heaven,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and the kings of the earth, on the earth.
22\u00a0They will be gathered together
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as prisoners in a pit;
they will be shut up in a prison,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and after many days they will be punished.<\/strong>
23\u00a0Then the moon will be confounded
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and the sun ashamed,
for the Lord of hosts reigns
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,
and his glory will be before his elders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n