Isaiah 24:21

21 A time is coming when the Lord will punish the powers above and the rulers of the earth.

Isaiah 24:21 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 24:21

And it shall come to pass in that day
Not at the precise exact time the earth shall be dissolved, but previous to it, within that dispensation that is called the last day: [that] the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones [that are]
on high;
which is not to be understood of the darkening of the sun, moon, and stars in the heavens, as some; nor of the visiting of angels, as Aben Ezra; nor of the punishment of Satan, and his principalities and powers, who are reserved to the judgment of the great day; much less of the people of the Jews, their kings and rulers; nor the great monarchs of the earth, the Assyrian, Chaldean, and others; but of antichrist and, his dignified clergy, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, &c. who are the "host or army of that high one" F26, as it may be rendered; of him that exalts himself above all that is called God, sitting in the high place in the temple of God, as if he was God; him, with all his mighty ones, will Christ, who is the true Jehovah, destroy with the breath of his mouth and the brightness of his coming; see ( 2 Thessalonians 2:4 2 Thessalonians 2:8 ) ( Revelation 19:18 ) : and the kings of the earth upon the earth;
the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication with the whore of Rome; and who will make war with the Lamb, and shall be overcome by him, ( Revelation 17:2 Revelation 17:14 ) or, "the kings of he earth" with "their earth" F1; both they and their land shall be visited.


FOOTNOTES:

F26 (Mwrmh abu le) "super exercitum excelsi", Pagninus, Montanus, So Cocceius.
F1 (hmdah le) "cum terra ipsorum", Junius & Tremellius.

Isaiah 24:21 In-Context

19 The earth will crack and shatter and split open.
20 The earth itself will stagger like a drunk, sway like a hut in a storm. The world is weighed down by its sins; it will collapse and never rise again.
21 A time is coming when the Lord will punish the powers above and the rulers of the earth.
22 God will crowd kings together like prisoners in a pit. He will shut them in prison until the time of their punishment comes.
23 The moon will grow dark, and the sun will no longer shine, for the Lord Almighty will be king. He will rule in Jerusalem on Mount Zion, and the leaders of the people will see his glory.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.