Isaiah foretells of the coming of the Lord and the completion of the restoration of God's people.

ISAIAH 58-59

Isaiah details the nation's hypocrisy and need for repentance.

ISRAEL'S SINS (58:1-14; 59:3-8)

Hypocrisy (58:1-12):

This sin surfaces during their last days of fasting.

The wrong way to fast (58:1-5):

They boast of their fasting and think God will be happy.

The right way to fast (58:6-12)

The facts (58:6-10):

They should share their food and clothes with the poor and with relatives who need it.

The fruits (58:11-12):

They will be guided by the Lord.

Neglect (58:13-14):

Apparently, the nation has not been properly observing the Sabbath.

Bloodshed (59:3a):

Their hands are those of murderers, and their fingers are filthy with sin.

Lying (59:3b-4):

No one cares about honesty.

Dishonesty (59:5-8):

They rush to do what is wrong.

ISRAEL'S SUFFERING (59:1-2, 9-11):

Their sin brings about the following:

Unanswered prayer (59:1-2):

God does not hear their prayers because of their sins.

Despair (59:9):

They are in darkness and gloom because of their disobedience.

Spiritual blindness (59:10):

They wander about as though they are blind.

Utter frustration (59:11):

They look for justice, but none can be found.

ISRAEL'S SUPPLICATION (59:12-15a):

The nation responds to Isaiah's rebuke and confesses its sin.

ISRAEL'S SAVIOR (59:15b-21)

The plight of Israel (59:15b-16):

God sees there is no justice on earth, nor is there anyone who sides with Israel, so he personally intervenes.

The plans of God (59:17-21):

They are twofold: first, to punish sin, and second, to usher in righteousness.

The Great Tribulation (59:17-18):

At this time the entire world feels his wrath.

The glorious Millennium (59:19-21):

During this period his name is glorified, and his people are wonderfully blessed!

ISAIAH 60-62

Isaiah prophesies of Zion's glory and restoration.

THE SPLENDOR OF GOD'S PEOPLE (60:1-22; 61:4-62:12)

Facts concerning their city (60:1-3, 5-7, 10-22; 62:1-4, 12)

Jerusalem will illuminate the entire earth (60:1-3):

All the nations will see its light.

It will be visited and honored by the Gentiles (60:5-7, 10-16):

The nations will come to see Jerusalem and bring its people goods.

It will be protected by God himself (60:17-18):

Violence will disappear from the land.

It will shine forever in its splendor (60:19-21):

The people will have no need for sun or moon, for the Lord will be their everlasting light.

Its population will vastly increase (60:22):

The smallest family will become a large clan.

It will be known by various new names (62:1-4, 12):

Isaiah prays for God to take away Israel's shame and to give them a new name.

Hephzibah, meaning "City of God's Delight," and Beulah, meaning "Bride of God" (62:4):

Jerusalem will lose its shameful names.

"The City No Longer Forsaken" (62:12):

They will be called "the Holy People" and "the People Redeemed by the LORD."

Facts concerning their country (60:4, 8-9; 61:4-11; 62:5-11)

The promise to the nation of Israel (60:4, 8-9; 61:4-9; 62:5, 8-11)

Their children will care for them (62:5):

God will rejoice over them.

They will be regathered from among all other nations (60:8-9; 62:10-11):

They will come home, bringing their wealth with them.

They will rebuild long-destroyed cities (61:4).

The Gentiles will serve Israel (61:5):

They will feed the Israelites' flocks, plow their fields, and tend their vineyards.

They will be a priestly nation (61:6):

They will be called priests of the Lord.

All reproach will be replaced with great honor among the Gentile nations (61:7-9):

They will be a people the Lord has blessed.

They will never suffer defeat again (62:8-9):

They will be safe from their enemies forever.

The praise of the nation of Israel (61:10-11):

In the future Israel will testify throughout the earth concerning God's faithfulness.

The prayers for the nation of Israel (62:6-7)

The people are to give themselves no rest until Jerusalem is established (62:6):

They will pray to the Lord night and day for fulfillment of his promises.

The people are to give God no rest until Jerusalem is established (62:7):

Jerusalem will be the object of praise throughout the earth.

THE SAVIOR OF GOD'S PEOPLE (61:1-3)

His anointing (61:1a):

The Messiah is appointed by the Father and anointed by the Spirit.

His assignments (61:1 b-3)

He preaches good news to the poor (61:1b)

He comforts the brokenhearted (61:1c)

He releases captives and frees prisoners (61:1d)

He transforms ashes into beauty, sorrow into joy, and despair into praise (61:2-3):

The Lord is with them for his own glory.

ISAIAH 63-64

Isaiah prophesies judgment and salvation.

THE GOD OF ISRAEL (63:1-9)

As a soldier (63:1-6)

Question (63:1a, 2):

Who is the warrior dressed as a king, with his royal apparel stained with the blood of his enemies?

Answer (63:1b, 3-6)

The victor (63:1b):

It is the Lord God himself.

The victory (63:3-6):

In righteous indignation God utterly crushes his enemies (probably at Armageddon) as a man would tread on grapes in a winepress!

As a Savior (63:7-9):

With love and mercy, God redeems and tenderly cares for Israel throughout the ages.

THE ISRAEL OF GOD (63:10-64:12)

Their rebellion (63:10):

Israel turned against God in the wilderness.

Their reflection (63:11-14):

The nation later remembered God's faithfulness during the Red Sea crossing.

Their realization (63:15-16; 64:5-8):

Israel freely acknowledges just who they are and who God is.

He is their eternal Father and Redeemer (63:16):

He has been with them from ages past.

In his sight even their righteous acts are as filthy rags (64:5-7):

Like autumn leaves they wither and fall and are swept away.

He is the Potter; they are the clay (64:8):

They are formed by God's hand.

Their requests (63:17-19: 64:1-4, 9-12)

To return and save them from all their enemies (63:17-19; 64:1-4):

They want God to treat them like they are still his people.

To forgive and forget all their sins (64:9-12):

They think they have suffered enough.

ISAIAH 65-66

Isaiah gives glimpses of God's Kingdom established on earth.

THE PAGANS AND GOD (65:1, 17, 20-25; 66:6, 15-17, 22-24)

His current dealings with the Gentile nations (65:1):

God is revealing himself to non-Jewish people, and for a while he is choosing saved Gentiles instead of Israel to perform his will.

His future dealings with the Gentile nations (65:17, 20-25; 66:6, 15-17, 22-24):

The entire world will be subjected to universal punishment and then to perfection.

The punishment (66:6, 15-17):

A reference to the great tribulation

God takes fiery vengeance on his enemies (66:6):

There is a great commotion in the city, and a terrible noise comes from the Temple.

Multiplied millions of sinners are slain at that time (66:15-17):

The Lord comes with fire to mete out his punishment.

The perfection (65:17, 20-25; 66:22-24):

A reference to the glorious Millennium. Here are some features of this perfect age:

There are no infant deaths (65:20a).

All but the rebellious live to celebrate their 100th birthdays (65:20b):

Only sinners die young.

A time of great prosperity (65:21-23):

They live in their own houses, eat from their own vineyards, and are blessed by the Lord.

A time when prayers are instantly answered (65:24):

Before the prayers are spoken, God answers them.

The wolf, lamb, lion, and ox dwell in perfect harmony (65:25).

The permanent creation of new heavens and earth (65:17; 66:22):

No one thinks of the old ones anymore, for the new ones are so beautiful and will last forever.

Universal worship of God (66:23):

Everyone worships God regularly.

A sober reminder of the holiness of God (66:24):

The rebellious are devoured by worms and are destroyed by fire.

THE PEOPLE OF GOD (65:2-16, 18-19; 66:1-5, 7-14, 18-21)

The old Israel (65:2-15; 66:1-5)

The rebellious ones (65:2-7, 11-15; 66:3-4)

Their perversions (65:2-5; 66:3)

Idolatry (65:2-3):

The people have rebelled against God and have insulted him.

Witchcraft (65:4):

They worship evil spirits and eat forbidden food.

Hypocrisy (65:5; 66:3):

They are a stench in God's nostrils because they choose their own ways.

Their punishment (65:6-7, 11-15; 66:4)

To be paid in full for their sins (65:6-7):

They pay for their sins and for the sins of their ancestors.

To be cut down by the sword (65:11-12):

They are destroyed because they did not listen to the Lord.

To suffer from hunger and thirst (65:13)

To cry out in sorrow (65:14)

To become a curse among the people (65:15):

The Lord destroys them.

To bring upon them all these things (66:4):

They do not listen to the Lord.

The righteous ones (65:8-10; 66:1-2, 5):

These verses refer to God's faithful remnant throughout the ages.

They will be preserved and made prosperous in the land (65:8-10).

They will be esteemed by God for their humility (66:1-2).

They will hear his reassuring voice (66:5):

They will hear God telling them not to be discouraged if they are scorned.

new Israel (65:16, 18-19; 66:7-14, 18-21)

The duration (66:7-9):

The nation will be reborn in a single day!

The description (65:16, 18-19; 66:10-14, 18-21)

The people will be totally forgiven (65:16):

God will put aside his anger and forgive their evil.

Jerusalem will be rebuilt and filled with rejoicing (65:18-19):

There will be no more crying in the city.

The city will enjoy financial prosperity (66:10-12):

The wealth of nations will flow to the city, and it will be blessed with peace.

The people will be comforted by God himself (66:13):

He will comfort them as a mother comforts her child.

The people will rejoice (66:14):

When they see their city, they will be filled with joy.

The people will see God's glory (66:18-21):

They will come from every nation to his holy mountain.