Isaiah 24:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth.

NIV: In that day the LORD will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below.

NASB: So it will happen on that day, That the Lord will punish the rebellious angels of heaven on high, And the kings of the earth on earth.

CSB: On that day the Lord will punish the army of the heights in the heights and the kings of the ground on the ground.

NLT: In that day the Lord will punish the gods in the heavens and the proud rulers of the nations on earth.

KJV: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.

NKJV: It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord will punish on high the host of exalted ones, And on the earth the kings of the earth.

In Isaiah's vision of the future, the world has ended. God has brought cataclysmic events to judge humanity for its rebellion and sinfulness against Him. The final blows were massive earthquakes which broke up the foundations of the earth (Isaiah 24:18–20). The passage so far has focused on God's wrath against physical things, such as human beings and the earth.

Now, the prophet proclaims that God will also turn His righteous anger against spiritual and political forces. The language used here for the host is sometimes applied to stars in the (Nehemiah 9:6). But in this passage it clearly seems to carry another meaning: the supernatural, non-human, spiritual powers that come from heaven. This most likely refers to fallen angels, known as demons. This judgment will include both the innumerable beings in the spiritual realm and "kings of the earth," which seems to mean the ruling structures of humanity.

These human leaders and demonic powers will be punished together (Isaiah 24:22).

Isaiah 24:17–23 clarifies that nobody will escape the terror of God's judgment in the end times. Massive earthquakes will bring an end to it all. The Lord will gather all who stood against Him and lock them up before beginning His rule as king on earth.

Isaiah describes terrible judgment the Lord will bring on the earth during the final days. The Lord will twist the surface of the earth, scattering the people. All will suffer equally regardless of status, and the earth will be fully emptied. Everything will wither and languish. The Lord will do this because of human sinfulness against Him. Few will survive, and there will be no wine, music, or gladness. The only exception to this will be the singing of those who praise the Lord. Massive earthquakes will destroy the earth, and the Lord will lock up all who stood against Him before beginning His reign as king.

Chapter 24 follows the oracles of Isaiah against the nations in chapters 13–23. However, this prophecy is against the entire earth. Here, we find the description of the judgment of the Lord on all humanity during the last days. God will destroy the world in response to human sinfulness. He will ruin the face of the earth, causing people to scatter. Few will survive. Wine, music, and gladness will disappear. Earthquakes will destroy the earth. The Lord will gather the powers from heaven and earth and lock them up together before beginning His reign on earth.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 5/5/2024 2:14:33 AM