Isaías 13

Isaías 13

Guzik - Isaiah finished his prophetic career in 685BC, almost 100 years before Judah finally fell before the Babylonian Empire (586BC). At the time of this prophecy, Babylon was a significant nation, but they were definitely behind the Assyrian Empire in status. Yet the Lord who knows the end of all things can speak of the judgment on the pride of Babylon hundreds of years before the judgment comes. Matthew Henry on oracle "The threatenings of God's word press heavily upon the wicked, and are a sore burden, too heavy for them to bear." NET Bible Note says that Isaiah 13-23 "contains a series of judgment oracles against various nations. It is likely that Israel, not the nations mentioned, actually heard these oracles. The oracles probably had a twofold purpose. For those leaders who insisted on getting embroiled in international politics, these oracles were a reminder that Judah need not fear foreign nations or seek international alliances for security reasons. For the righteous remnant within the nation, these oracles were a reminder that Israel's God was indeed the sovereign ruler of the earth, worthy of His people's trust." Young emphasizes the consoling and encouraging aspects of Isaiah 13-23 noting "That these prophecies appear in the Biblical book of Isaiah was not for the benefit of the Babylonians but for the people of God (Ed: Israel, especially the believing remnant). From them they would learn that the hostile power of the world in its most powerful manifestation would finally be brought to ignominious defeat and ruin. No power that sets itself against God, be it as haughty and pretentious as was Babylonia, can prevail. Thus, Israel would learn that God does not permit to go unpunished the wickedness of those who have set themselves against the Lord and against His anointed, and who oppose His people. To see the opponents of God’s purposes punished would bring consolation and encouragement to the Jews, for it would teach them how precious their salvation was in God’s sight. But they would also learn that they too were deserving of punishment, and that only by God’s mercy had a remnant been spared. Then, too, the raging of the nations is but a carrying out of God’s purposes. He is in control of all things. A topsy-turvy world is not really topsy-turvy. Even the darkest moments are in God’s providential control and rule. (The Book of Isaiah - 3 Volume Commentary) THE FULFILLMENT OF THIS ORACLE When does this oracle against Babylon take place? This question will be addressed in greater detail throughout the notes on Isaiah 13 but first it is worth noting that there are several clues to the timing from the following passages... (1) Isaiah 13:6 - The Day of the Lord - See in depth discussion below. (2) Isaiah 13:10 - Isaiah describes major cosmic alterations in the sun, moon and stars, and this is something that has not yet occurred in the history of the world. (3) Isaiah 13:19 - Isaiah compares Babylon to Sodom and Gomorrah. Sodom and Gomorrah were completely devastated, but that has never happened to Babylon. (Compare the prophecies in Revelation - Rev 6:12-14+, Rev 8:12+) The implication from points 1-3 is that the final and full fulfillment of Isaiah 13 has to be future to our day. This genre of interpretation is not popular with those who do not espouse the belief that God is sovereign and in complete control of the future history and course of this present world and that He has a plan for the "apple of His eye," the tiny nation of Israel. Popular or not, this "futuristic" (literal) approach is the only interpretation that can rationally, reasonably explain Isaiah's prophecies. Revelation 16:19+ describes the 7th Bowl and final bowl Judgment of God and it will be poured out on Babylon. What is the clear implication? Babylon has to be rebuilt and bloom into the immoral, abominable city that influences the entire world. And note that Isaiah (and Jeremiah) state specifically that the judgment is on Babylon which John says is a city (Rev 17:18+, cf "great city" in Rev 18:10, 16, 18, 19, 21+) and not on the Roman Catholic Church, not on the city of Rome and not on the city of Jerusalem. Isaiah and Jeremiah's prophecies both mean Babylon! Take it or leave it! But if you leave it you are not allowing God's plain word to state what it plainly states - Babylon will be utterly, totally destroyed and will never again be inhabited by mankind! For a much more detailed discussion see Dr Andy Woods lengthy treatise on "What is the Identity of Babylon in Revelation 17-18?" If you still do not believe Babylon must be rebuilt to be utterly destroyed than it simply becomes a matter of faith, for "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1+) Many Bible scholars did not believe that the nation of Israel would ever become a nation again. But they were forced to eat their scholarly words when Israel became a nation again on May 14, 1948! One other event that has to transpire before the end of this age is rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. But if one refuses to believe the city of Babylon must be rebuilt, they probably doubt that a Jewish Temple will be rebuilt. Examples of unbelief in Bible scholars regarding God's ability to reconstitute the nation of Israel... In 1937 Louis Berkhof wrote in his famous book Systematic Theology (used in many seminaries) “Both the Old and the New Testament speak of a future conversion of Israel, Zech. 12:10; 13:1; II Cor. 3:15,16, and Rom. 11:25-29 seems to connect this with the end of time. Premillennialists have exploited this Scriptural teaching for their particular purpose. They maintain that there will be a national restoration and conversion of Israel, that the Jewish nation will be re-established in the Holy Land....It is very doubtful, however, whether Scripture….. Now it may be thought that Romans 11:11–32 certainly teaches the future conversion of the nation of Israel. Many commentators adopt this view, but even its correctness is subject to considerable doubt.” (ED: One wonders what Berkhof thought on May 14, 1948!) Bruce Waltke a highly acclaimed Biblical scholar states dogmatically that, “The Jewish nation no longer has a place as the special people of God; that place has been taken by the Christian community which fulfills God’s purpose for Israel.” Comment - Waltke may be an outstanding scholar but sadly he espouses a very deadly and evil doctrine known as replacement theology. You may be thinking that I am overstating the case by calling it an "evil" doctrine. If you doubt the evil that has been perpetrated against Jews in general and the nation of Israel in particular by this devilish doctrine then you owe it to yourself to set aside 60 minutes to watch the video by Dr David Reagan in which he gives indisputable proof of the corrupt fruit of replacement theology. And be sure and watch the video as Reagan documents his premise with many slides which every person who holds to replacement theology needs to view and ponder. Words matter, especially when it deals with Biblical doctrine! Here is the link to The Evils of Replacement Theology. Henry