September 5th | Isaiah 24

As you read through the pages of Isaiah, it can be a terrifying book. Isaiah is talking about the wrath and vengeance of the Lord. There will be judgment on those who have walked in wickedness. Judgment is coming to Israel, God’s people, for having betrayed His covenant and commands. Additionally, judgment is proclaimed against various nations, including Egypt, Cush, and Babylon. A trouble is we can read about these nations and people in the past and think we are exempt from God’s judgment. Yet, in chapter 24, we see that judgment is coming not just for these specific nations but for the entire earth. 

Isaiah 24:1-3, “1 Behold, the Lord will empty the earth and make it desolate, and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants.2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the slave, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor. 3 The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the Lord has spoken this word.”

Sounds pretty comprehensive, doesn’t it? For us today, we should recognize that destruction is coming for us all. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and the entire earth is corrupt. Sin hasn’t just broken us but also all of creation. 

Romans 8:20-22, “20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” 

What is Paul saying in Romans? Creation is groaning. Things are not right because of sin, and God will make all things new! This is why Jesus had to come, to save us from our sins. However, this is also why we hold onto hope for the future. Our future dwelling place won’t be some ethereal kingdom in the clouds of heaven, but we will dwell in the NEW heaven AND NEW earth. The earth will be judged, but God will restore it!

Revelation 21:1, “1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.”

God will one day restore all things new. The garden of creation that was perfect will be perfect once again. But not only will God judge the earth and make it new, he will judge individuals. Wrath is coming for those who do not repent. But for those who trust in Jesus, there is restoration in this life and in the life to come. We will be restored to a perfect body, on a new earth, and we will experience the presence of Jesus in perfection! Judgment is coming, so turn from your sin and turn to Jesus, the only one who can make you new.