Isaiah 24:12-22

12 Ruin remains in the city, and the gate is battered to wreckage.
13 It will be like this in the central part of the land and among the peoples, like a smashed olive tree, like remains from the grape harvest.
14 They raise their voice; they sing with joy; from the west they will shout about the LORD's majesty.
15 Therefore, in the east honor the LORD; in the islands of the sea, the name of the LORD God of Israel!
16 From the ends of the earth we have heard songs: "Glory to the righteous one!" But I say, "I waste away; I waste away; I'm doomed! Betrayers betray; treacherously betrayers betray."
17 Terror, trench, and trap are upon you, ruler of the earth!
18 Whoever flees from the sound of terror will fall into the trench; whoever climbs from the trench will be caught in the trap. Heaven's windows will open, and the earth's foundations will quake.
19 The earth is shattering, shattering; the earth is shaking, shaking; the earth is teetering, tottering.
20 The earth trembles like a drunk and shudders like a hut; its rebellion weighs heavy upon it; it will fall, no more to rise.
21 On that day, the LORD will punish the forces of heaven in heaven, and the kings of the earth on earth.
22 They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit, shut into a prison, and punished after many days.

Isaiah 24:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 24

This chapter contains a prophecy of calamities that should come upon the whole world, and the inhabitants of it, for their sins; of the preservation of a remnant; of the visitation of the kings of the earth; and of the appearance of Christ in his glory and majesty. The miserable condition of the world, and its inhabitants, especially all within the Romish jurisdiction, is set forth by various phrases, Isa 24:1-4 the causes of which are the transgression and mutation of the laws and ordinances of Christ, Isa 24:5 the effects of which are the cursing and burning of the inhabitants, Isa 24:6 cessation of all joy among them, Isa 24:7-9 and the destruction of their chief city, Rome, Isa 24:10-12 then follows a prophecy of a remnant that shall escape, and be brought into a very comfortable condition, and sing for joy, and glorify God in the midst of the earth, and in the uttermost parts of it, Isa 24:13-16 but it is intimated it shall go ill with others for their perfidy and treachery; fear and danger shall attend them everywhere, Isa 24:16-18 yea, in the issue, the world shall be shaken, and moved and removed, and be utterly dissolved, fall and not rise more, Isa 24:19,20 when the kings and great ones of the earth shall be taken prisoners, and punished by the Lord, Isa 24:21,22 and then Christ shall take to himself his great power, and reign with his people gloriously in the New Jerusalem state, Isa 24:23.

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