Destruction of The Gentile World

Isaiah 34:1–17
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This chapter includes an invitation of the nations (v. 1), God’s coming judgment on the nations (vv 2-4), and an announcement of judgment on Edom (vv 5-17). The Lord invited all nations and people to hear (v. 1). He is angry, condemns them to be slaughtered and their blood will flow down the mountains (vv. 2-3). Then He prophesies of how catastrophic events in the sky will accompany the Lord’s return to the earth to establish His millennial reign (v. 4). Isaiah uses Edom as an example of God’s judgment (v. 5). The destruction of Edom mentioned here is no doubt a picture of the ultimate end of all who oppose God and His people (vv. 6-7). This section of Isaiah’s prophesy depicts the world-wide carnage of the Battle of Armageddon (vv. 8-10).

Because Edom became a perpetual enemy of Israel (Ez. 36:5) she was an appropriate example of what the Lord will do to all nations that fight against His people (vv. 11-15). Isaiah referred to the prophecies that God commanded him to write down as the “book of the Lord” (v. 16).. This is a significant comparison because just before the coming of the Lord, society will be as it was in the days of Lot (Luke 17:28). While he focused especially on Edom, he was using that proud nation as an example of what God would do to all the Gentile nations during the coming of the Lord. As a result of God’s judgment on Edom, the end will lie desolate for many generations (v. 17).

Application

Prophecy predicts and history reveals what has been in God’s mind for all time. I am looking forward to the rapture of the church and spending all eternity with my Saviour?