Isaiah 66:15-24

Final Judgment and Glory of the Lord

15 "For behold, 1the LORD will come in fire, and 2his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For 3by fire 4will the LORD enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the LORD shall be many.
17 5"Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, 6eating pig's flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, declares the LORD.
18 "For I know[a] their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming[b]7to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory,
19 and I will set a sign among them. And from them 8I will send survivors to the nations, to 9Tarshish, 10Pul, and 11Lud, who draw the bow, to 12Tubal and 13Javan, 14to the coastlands far away, 15that have not heard my fame or seen my glory. And they shall declare my glory among the nations.
20 16And they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations 17as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots and in litters and on mules and on dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.
21 18And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the LORD.
22 "For as 19the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the LORD, so 20shall your offspring and your name remain.
23 21From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the LORD.
24 "And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For 22their worm shall not die, 23their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."

Isaiah 66:15-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 66

This chapter treats of the same things as the former, the rejection of the unbelieving Jews, and the regard had to them that did believe; the conversion of that people in the latter day; the calling of the Gentiles, and the happy state of the church in the last times. The causes of the rejection of the Jews were their unworthy notions of God, as if he was confined to the temple of Jerusalem, and to be pleased with external sacrifices, now both at an end under the Gospel dispensation; a better sacrifice being offered, and a more spiritual worship set up everywhere; which notions are considered, Isa 66:1-3, and because they were set upon their ways and works, and rejected the Gospel of Christ, they are threatened with ruin, Isa 66:3,4 and the disciples of Christ, whom they excommunicated and persecuted, have a promise of divine appearance for them, while vengeance shall be taken on their enemies, their city and temple, Isa 66:5,6, nevertheless, in the latter day, there will be a large and sudden conversion of this nation of the Jews, which is signified by the birth of them, which will be matter of great joy to all the true lovers of the interest of Christ, Isa 66:7-11 and what will add to the prosperity, joy, and comfort of the church of Christ at this time, will be the bringing in of the fulness of the Gentiles, Isa 66:12-14 at which time the vials of God's wrath will be poured out upon antichrist and his followers, Isa 66:15-17 and the chapter is concluded with a fresh account of large conversions of men of all nations, and of the union of Jews and Gentiles in one church state, which shall long remain, and be undisturbed by enemies, who will be all slain, and their carcasses looked upon with contempt, Isa 66:18-24.

Cross References 23

  • 1. Isaiah 33:14; Malachi 3:1, 2; [2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8]
  • 2. Psalms 68:17
  • 3. Psalms 97:3
  • 4. Joel 3:2
  • 5. Isaiah 65:3, 5
  • 6. See Isaiah 65:4
  • 7. Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 14:16
  • 8. Isaiah 45:20
  • 9. 1 Kings 10:22
  • 10. Jeremiah 46:9; Ezekiel 27:10
  • 11. Jeremiah 46:9; Ezekiel 27:10
  • 12. Genesis 10:2; Ezekiel 27:13
  • 13. Genesis 10:2; Ezekiel 27:13
  • 14. Genesis 10:5
  • 15. [Romans 15:20, 21]
  • 16. See Isaiah 14:2; Isaiah 49:22
  • 17. [Romans 15:16]
  • 18. Isaiah 61:6; Exodus 19:6; [1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6]
  • 19. See Isaiah 65:17
  • 20. Isaiah 53:10; [Psalms 89:29]
  • 21. [Psalms 86:9; Zechariah 14:16]
  • 22. Mark 9:48
  • 23. [Revelation 21:8]

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew lacks know
  • [b]. Hebrew and it is coming
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.