(12) Isaiah 13-27

This is yet another of the many outlines contained in the book of Isaiah that can be used to confirm the order of the judgments given in the summary. From chapter 13 through 14:27 there is an introduction.

The passage shows, in a general way, the judgment that will fall first upon Babylon (the western powers -- the Beast) before falling upon the Assyrian king coming from the north with his Arab Confederation, together with Gog -- Russia. It is important to note that when Babylon is judged there are two persons particularly in focus as being especially guilty and therefore subject to God's judgment. These are the leaders responsible for the western powers, the "King of Babylon" (Isa. 14:4-11), who is a type of the political head of the confederation of the ten nations, and "Lucifer" (Isa. 14:12-20) who apparently is a type of the Antichrist.*#28# Compare with Rev. 13:1-18; 19:20.

[ Note: *However, some there are who believe Lucifer to be a type of the person of the Beast, the political leader of the empire, and not the Antichrist. This is possible. ] The outline begins, then, with Isaiah 14:28. The prophet records the various nations that would be carried away by the Assyrians on the occasion of their coming from the north. These prophecies had their partial fulfillment in the conquest of Tiglath-Pileser, Shalmaneser and Sargon, Assyrian kings, but they point to the last days when the future Assyrians (the King of the North -- Dan. 11:40-43)

will desolate the land. The historical side of these passages serves as a backdrop for the events of the prophecy yet to happen. Philistia (Isa. 14:28-32), Moab (Isa. 15-16), Damascus, the capital of Syria (Isa. 17), and the land of Israel (Isa. 18),* are seen as placed under judgment applied through the Assyrians. After the land of Israel becomes desolate (Isa. 18:5,6), the Assyrian conquest continues toward Egypt (Isa. 19) where the Egyptians and their allies, the Ethiopians (Isa.

1. will also be judged. This is

also a surprising prediction linked to point no. 2 of the summary.

[ Note: *Many of these chapters not only give the main point in the sequence of events, but also cover other details connected with the subject. This chapter not only presents the attack on the land by the Assyrians (vv. 5,6) but also shows what occurred so that the Jews could be found back in their land (vv. 1-4). ] Next, Babylon, "the desert of the sea", is judged (Isa. 21). This is a type of the judgment of the western powers led by the Beast. Cyrus (Isa. 45), the Persian king, was raised up by God especially to execute judgment on Babylon. He is a type of Christ who will personally judge the armies of the Beast at His coming. This belongs to points 3 and 4.

Many other things will also occur when the Lord comes from heaven, which are presented below as types. First, Shebna, who occupied a position in the government of the house of David, is removed from his office and cast like a ball into a spacious place (Isa. 22:15-19). This typifies the removal of the Antichrist, the false Messiah, who will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20). Then Eliakim is brought in to replace Shebna and the government of the house of David is placed in his hands. This is a type of Christ assuming His rightful place on the throne of David as the true Messiah and King. (Isa. 22:20-25.)* Second, Tyre, representing the commercial world, is also judged. All commerce will cease (Isa. 23). Third, the (prophetic) land will be emptied of the wicked people (Isa. 24). This work is done by angels (Matt. 13:39-42; 24:39-41).

After God has cleansed the whole scene, Christ will reign in Jerusalem (Isa. 24:23). All these things will occur in the time covered by point no. 4. [ Note: *Although this chapter presents the main point which is the Antichrist being set aside and Christ being brought onto the scene, it also describes the plundering of Jerusalem by the Assyrians (vv. 1-14) which is the cause of the removal of the Antichrist. He will flee from his place in the land when the Assyrians are attacking. (Zech. 11:17.) ] In Isaiah 25 the faithful remnant lifts up their hearts in praise to God for His intervention on their behalf. They waited patiently for the Lord, and He having come, they rejoice in His salvation. The remnant will celebrate their deliverance in a song of praise (Isa. 26). The ten tribes of Israel are also raised from the dust of the earth to join the national revival (Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:1,2; Ezek. 37). Isaiah 25 and 26 explain the interval between points 5 and 6.

As the Indignation continues, the Lord will encourage the newly revived nation of Israel (all twelve tribes) to shelter for a time until He deals with all the remaining nations of the earth (Isa. 26:20,21). Leviathan, the fierce and fraudulent serpent that is a symbol of Satan's power in the hands of the Assyrians (Gog -- Russia), is finally judged by the Lord. Israel, the vineyard of Jehovah, will be preserved by His divine care when the Assyrians come the second time (Isa. 27:1-5). This is point no. 6.

After everything, Israel will be raised to a place of prominence in the Millennium and will be a blessing to all the earth (Isa. 27:6).