Bible reading & studying Isaiah 63-66 by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible reading & studying Isaiah 63-66

by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce 

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical Precepts & Gospel Music

Chapter 63:1 mentions about Bozrah is a capital of Edom. There is a play on words here, for Edom means red and Bozrah is similar to the word for grape gatherer. Both figures, along with the crimson garments, highlight the picture of Christ’s second coming in judgment (Rev.14:18-20; 19:13).

"Who is this coming from Edom, for Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.” Why are your garments reds, like those of one trading the winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me; and my own wrath sustained me. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.” (Isaiah63:1-6)

In Isaiah 65:17-25 it is a description of the millennial kingdom, which is preliminary to the new heavens and a new earth. (v.17) Characteristics include Jerusalem’s being a joy instead of a burden (v.18; cf.Zech.12:2-3), longevity (v.20); notice that sin will be punished in the Millennium), peace and security (vv21-23), and removing of the animosity in nature (v.25)

“Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered. Nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more…the wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my  holy mountain.” (Isaiah65:17-25)

In Isaiah 66:3 the meaning is this: ritualistic offerings apart from a change of heart (v.2) are as abominable to God as murder or offering unclean animals. In the vv.7-9 described at the second coming of Christ all living Israelites will be saved (Rom.11:26;Zech.12:10;13:1)

“This is what the Lord says, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being? Declares the Lord. “ This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. But who ever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a man, and whoever offers a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense, like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations; so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring upon them what they dread. For when I call, on one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” (Isaiah66:1-4 )

“Before she goes into labor, she gives birth’ before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such a things? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery? Says the Lord. “ Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God. (Isaiah 66:7-9)

In the Isaiah66:10-14 a description of the millennial age. In the vv.15-17 a vivid picture of the judgments at the return of Christ (2Thess.1:7-9)

“Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance. For this is what the Lord says, “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” When you see this, your heart will rejoice and your will flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants. But his fury will be shown to his foes.  See, the Lord is coming with fire, and his chariots are like whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury and his rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and with his sword the Lord will execute judgment upon all men, and many will be those slain by the Lord.” (Isaiah66:10-17)

In the Isaiah 66:18-21 gives details of missionary witness during the Millennium to Tarshish (SW coast of Spain).

And I, because of their actions and their imaginations, am about to come and gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see my glory. I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. And they will bring all your brothers, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels,” says the Lord. “They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their rain offerings, to the temple of the Lord in ceremonially clean vessels. And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites. (Isaiah66:18-22)

Isaiah 66:22-24 refers to the eternal state, including the eternal punishment of the wicked. (v.24)

“As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before Me.” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. “And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.” (Isaiah66:22-24)

Bibliography

     Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.