Isaías 34
H.A. Ironside · Citado em PreceptAustin
Isaías 34
Ironside - God declared that He would cut off the people of Edom (Obadiah 18); and in the last days there will be a people in the land of Idumea where once the Dukes of Edom reigned, whose envy of and hatred toward the sons of Jacob will be as great as that of the Edomites of old. Upon these, unsparing judgment will fall. The sword of the Lord will be drawn out from its sheath and will not be returned to the scabbard until all the enemies of Israel will be blotted out. This will be the day of the Lord’s recompense for all the sufferings that have fallen upon Zion and the people represented by that city throughout the centuries that have gone since they were scattered among the Gentiles, because they knew not the time of their visitation. THE SACRIFICE AT BOZRAH AND EDOM AND THE CAMPAIGN OF ARMAGEDDON Arnold Fruchtenbaum offers the following sequence of events in the Campaign of Armageddon - NOTE - the links labeled "note" are on site in depth commentary on the respective passage. Proposed Sequence of Events Campaign of Armageddon (Click map to enlarge) 1. The Assembling of the Allies of Antichrist - When the sixth bowl is poured out, the Euphrates river is dried up and the kings of the earth are gathered to the valley of Jezreel (Rev. 16:12-16-note; Joel 3:9-11-note). 2 The Destruction of Babylon - Babylon is rebuilt on the banks of the Euphrates to become the world economic capital (Zec. 5:5-11+). While the Antichrist is away at Megiddo, Babylon undergoes catastrophic destruction (Isa. 13-note, Isaiah 14; Jer. 50, 51; Rev. 15:8-note; Rev 17:18-note; Rev 18:1ff-note; Rev 19:2-note). (ED COMMENT - THIS STATEMENT MAKES NO SENSE BECAUSE CLEARLY FROM Rev 17:16-17 ANTICHRIST IS INVOLVED THE BURNING OF BABYLON. MORE LIKELY HE EITHER COMES FROM MEGIDDO OR HE FIRST GOES TO BABYLON AND THEN TO MEGIDDO, BUT THIS DOES NOT FIT WITH THE SEQUENCE OF THE POURING OUT OF THE 7 BOWLS, ASSUMING THAT THEY ARE CHRONOLOGICAL.) 3. The Fall of Jerusalem - The Antichrist receives news that his capital city has been destroyed and moves south against Jerusalem (Zec. 12:1-3-note; Zech 14:1-9-note; Micah 4:11-5:1-note). The Jews will put up a mighty defense, but Jerusalem will eventually fall (Zec. 14:2-note). 4. The Armies of the Antichrist at Bozrah - The Jewish remnant flees to the mountains (Mt 24:15-note) and then to the wilderness in Edom (see Sheep in Bozrah). The armies under Antichrist will move against the Jews in Bozrah (Micah 2:12-note). 5. The National Regeneration of Israel - The Jews confess their national sin, the rejection and crucifixion of Messiah Jesus (Lev. 26:40-42-note; Jer. 3:11-18; Hos. 5:15). They then plead for His return (Ps. 79:1-13; Isa. 64:1-12; Hos. 6:1-3; Zec. 12:10-14-note; Zech 13:1-note; Zech 13:7-9-note; Mt. 23:39). 6. The Second Coming of Messiah - Christ returns to Bozrah, where the remnant have been preserved (Isa. 34:1-7; Isa. 63:1-6-note See in depth commentary; Mic. 2:12-13-note; Hab. 3:1-19-note; Zec. 12:7-note; Rev. 19:11-18-note). 7. The Battle from Bozrah to the Valley of Jehoshaphat - Christ fights the forces of Antichrist from Bozrah continuing all the way back to the eastern walls of Jerusalem, which overlook a section of the Kidron Valley, also known as the Valley of Jehoshaphat. Antichrist is destroyed. (Joel 3:2-note, Joel 3:12-13-note; 2Th. 2:8; Zec. 14:12-15-note; Rev. 14:19-20-note; Rev 19:20-note). 8. The Victory Ascent Up the Mount of Olives - This is not the initial return of Christ, for He will save the tents of Judah first (Zec. 12:7-note). Nor will his initial return be to the same place He ascended, the Mount of Olives, but merely in the same manner (Acts 1:11 = "will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven"). His ascent to the Mount is attended by cataclysmic events associated with the seventh bowl judgment (M 24:29-note; Zec 14:4-5-note; Rev. 16:17-21-note). Dwight Pentecost suggests a less detailed sequence of events as follows focusing more on the prophecies in Daniel: 1. Covenant with Antichrist - Prince of Roman empire [the Antichrist] makes a covenant with Israel for a seven year period (Da 9:26-27-note). (Although this covenant is broken three and one-half years later.) See Events of the 70th Week of Daniel. 2. Invasion of Palestine - The King of the North and the King of the South invade Palestine (Da 11:40-note). 3. Antichrist Responds - Because of his covenant with Israel, the Antichrist will come to Israel’s defense (Da 11:40-45-note). 4. News from East and North - News from the east and the north troubles the Antichrist (Da 11:44-note). Perhaps it is the approach of the kings of the east (Rev. 16:12+). (The troubling news may be the destruction of Babylon, although Pentecost does not mention this.) 5.Headquarters in Palestine - The Antichrist moves his headquarters into the land of Palestine and assembles his armies there (Da 11:45-note). 6. Christ Returns - Before he can engage the kings from the east, Christ returns. All the armies combine to fight against God (Rev. 19:19-note). 7. Antichrist and Armies Overthrown - The armies and the Antichrist are destroyed without human means (Da 9:25-note; Da 11:45-note; Rev. 19:20-note). Below is my proposed sequence of events during the Campaign of Har-Magedon. While this sequence is substantiated to a reasonable degree by multiple Scriptures, it is merely a proposal and is not meant to be a definitive description of the cataclysmic end times events. After studying this end times scenario for many hours, including reading many of conservative commentaries, it is obvious that while God has given us a clear overall framework indicating that Christ returns (Rev 19:11-16+), defeats all His enemies (Rev 19:17-21+) and delivers the believing remnant of Israel (Ro 11:26+, Zech 12:10+, Zech 13:1+, Zech 13:8-9+, Da 12:1b+, Jer 30:7b+), the specific chronological details are not as clear, so that it is best to avoid being too dogmatic about any proposed sequence. 1). Gathering of the nations (Gentiles) in the valley of Megiddo against Jerusalem (Rev 16:12-16+). This event seems very clear and is a seminal event in what is best called the Campaign of Har-Magedon, which I prefer to call "The War of the Great Day of God, the Almighty." (Rev 16:14+). 2). The literal city of Babylon is destroyed (Rev 16:19+, Rev 17+, Rev 18:1-24+). The timing of Babylon's destruction is not clear. In Revelation 16 it follows the 6th Bowl which describes the gathering of the nations at Har-Magedon. We know the Antichrist and the 10 Kings destroy the city with burning, but exactly how that lines up with the 6th Bowl is not clear from Scripture. It clearly occurs before the Antichrist and his armies are destroyed (Rev 19:19-20+) and so it is presumptively placed as #2 in the sequence of major events at the end of the Great Tribulation. If you find a Scripture that allows a more dogmatic statement, please let me know. Revelation 16:19+ The great city was split into three parts (PROBABLY JERUSALEM), and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath. Revelation 17:16-17+ “And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast (ANTICHRIST), these will hate the harlot (BABYLON) and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire. 17 “For (EXPLAINS WHY THEY HATE THE HARLOT) God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled. 18 “The woman (BABYLON - Rev 17:1 - "great harlot", Rev 17:3, 6 - "woman", Rev 17:5 "mother of harlots") whom you saw is the great city (A LITERAL CITY), which reigns over the kings of the earth (A LITERAL CITY WITH GLOBAL INFLUENCE).” Rev 18:1-24+ describes the final demise of the city of Babylon Revelation 18:20+ “Rejoice over her (CITY OF BABYLON), O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.” 21 Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer. 3). The armies in #1 invade and conquer Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:1-3, Zechariah 14:1-2). 4). Antichrist's forces move to the south. After conquering Jerusalem, it is my premise that near the end of the 3.5 years, after the Antichrist burns Babylon (Rev 17:16-17+) and conquers Jerusalem (Zech 14:1-2+), under the "inspiration" of the devil (Rev 13:4+), who has great wrath fueling his intense desire to annihilate the Jews (Rev 12:12+), the satanically empowered Antichrist will move his armies southward to the region of Bozrah and Petra in a futile attempt to erase Israel once and for all. The following passages help understand why Antichrist's forces would move toward the South as they suggest that this is the direction the Jews had fled when warned by Jesus. Matthew 24:15-16+ Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand) (cf Da 9:27+), 16 then those (JEWS/ISRAEL) who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Revelation 12:6+ Then the woman (ISRAEL) fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. Revelation 12:13-16+ And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. 14 But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent (THIS STRONGLY SUGGESTS ISRAEL IS PROTECTED BY GOD AS SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES). 15 And the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth. Where will Israel flee to the mountains in the wilderness? While we cannot be dogmatic, one clue is given in Daniel 11:41+ (see picture on left above) because the modern nation of Jordan encompasses all three of the sites (Edom, Moab, Ammon) and according to Daniel are "off limits" the Antichrist. The importance of this fact is that this area of Edom, Moab and Ammon is (1) mountainous (Mt 24:16+) and (2) is a wilderness (Rev 12:6+). But most significant is the fact that this protected geographic area is the site of the ancient cities of Bozrah and Petra (very near Bozrah or possibly synonymous with Bozrah) Many scholars think that Petra is an excellent "presumptive candidate" for the specific "place prepared by God" (Rev 12:6+) for the Jews who heed Jesus' warning and flee Jerusalem (Mt 24:15-16+). Some writers say that Petra is too small to house a significant population of Jews for 3.5 years but that statement is not correct. The picture on the right side above and the comments explain that Petra could easily house over 5 million Jews. So while we must avoid being dogmatic, Petra is certainly a reasonable consideration for the "place prepared by God" (Rev 12:6+) (See 25 pictures of the multiple structures in Petra) It is interesting to note that Petra is now one of the "Seven New Wonders of the World." You may be thinking, well if Wikipedia knows where Petra is located, so does the Antichrist. And while that is certainly a reasonable thought, the fact is that God will nourish and protect Israel in her place (wherever that is) for 3.5 years. 5). Jesus' triumphant return is summarized in Rev 19:11-16. But there are some details found in Isaiah (Isaiah 34, Isaiah 63), Habakkuk 3 and Micah 2:12-13 which support the premise that Messiah first returns, not to Jerusalem, but to Bozrah in Edom. Isaiah 63:1-6+ Who is this who comes from Edom, With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah (NOTE: NOT "TO" BOZRAH BUT "FROM BOZRAH" INDICATING THAT CHRIST IS MOST LIKELY HEADING NORTH TO JERUSALEM), This One who is majestic in His apparel, Marching in the greatness of His strength? (MESSIAH ANSWERS) “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” 2 (SECOND QUESTION) Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like the one who treads in the wine press? (WHAT HAPPENS TO GARMENTS OF THOSE WHO TREAD RED GRAPES?) 3 (MESSIAH ANSWERS) “I have trodden the wine trough alone, And from the peoples there was no man with Me. I also trod them in My anger And trampled them in My wrath; And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments, And I stained all My raiment. 4 “For the day of vengeance was in My heart, And My year of redemption has come. 5 “I looked, and there was no one to help, And I was astonished and there was no one to uphold; So My own arm brought salvation to Me, And My wrath upheld Me. 6 “I trod down the peoples in My anger And made them drunk in My wrath, And I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.” Isaiah 34:5-8+ For My sword is satiated in heaven, Behold it shall descend for judgment upon Edom And upon the people whom I have devoted to destruction. 6 The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, It is sated with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats, With the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah And a great slaughter in the land of Edom. 7 Wild oxen will also fall with them And young bulls with strong ones; Thus their land will be soaked with blood, And their dust become greasy with fat. 8 For the LORD has a day of vengeance, A year of recompense for the cause of Zion. Habakkuk 3:3+ God comes from Teman (LOCATED IN EDOM), And the Holy One from Mount Paran (SOUTH). Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise. 4 His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, And there is the hiding of His power. 5 Before Him goes pestilence, And plague comes after Him. Micah 2:12-13+ “I will surely assemble all of you, Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel. I will put them together like sheep in the fold (botsrah) (I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah - Mic 2:12KJV); Like a flock in the midst of its pasture They will be noisy with men (A LARGE MULTITUDE). 13 The Breaker (CHRIST) goes up before them; They break out, pass through the gate and go out by it. So their King (CHRIST) goes on before them, And the LORD at their head.” 6). As Christ returns to Edom, the Antichrist's armies approach from Jerusalem. The Messiah victoriously treads down His foes and marches straight through them northward, His garments becoming soaked with their blood that rises as high as the bridle on the horses for 200 miles (Rev 14:20). Note that several passages support the premise that when Christ returns, He first comes to the region of Edom. (a) Isaiah 34:1-7 (b) Isaiah 63:1-6 (See in depth commentary) (c) Habakkuk 3:3-note - God comes from Teman (Edom), and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of His praise. In addition Messiah makes a Highway of holiness (Isaiah 35:8) on which the redeemed follow Him in His triumph. 7). Christ comes up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, the Valley of Decision, where the nations have been gathered (Joel 3:2, 12-14) and He walks up to the Mount of Olives and stands on the Mount (Zechariah 14:1-4) as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS AND VERY GOD OF VERY GOD. And when He does all the nations that are in the Valley of Jehoshaphat are judged by Christ, Who separates the sheep from the goats. All of those who have not received the MARK OF THE BEAST and have taken care of His brethren, the Jews, will enter into His kingdom, but the goats who have not will be cast directly, immediately into the Lake of Fire. Isaiah 34:7 Wild oxen will also fall with them And young bulls with strong ones; Thus their land will be soaked with blood, And their dust become greasy with fat. KJV Isaiah 34:7 And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. Wild oxen will also fall with them Numbers 23:22; 24:8; Deuteronomy 33:17; Job 39:9,10; Ps 92:10 And young bulls with strong ones Ps 68:30; Jeremiah 46:21; 50:11,27
Isaías 34
Ironside has an interesting comment on Isaiah 34:9-15 - Next are described the desolations of the land of Edom, which apparently will continue throughout the entire millennial age as a reminder of the judgment of God meted out to a rebellious people, and thus as a warning to any who, even in the day of Jehovah’s power, might contemplate turning away in rebellion against the King reigning in Zion. Isaiah 34:10 It will not be quenched night or day; Its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation it will be desolate; None will pass through it forever and ever. KJV Isaiah 34:10 It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever. It will not be quenched night or day Isaiah 1:31; 66:24; Jeremiah 7:20; Ezekiel 20:47,48; Mark 9:43-48 Its smoke will go up forever. Revelation 14:10,11; 18:18; 19:3 From generation to generation it will be desolate; None will pass through it forever and ever. Isaiah 13:20; Ezekiel 29:11; Malachi 1:3,4 EDOM RUINED FOREVER AND EVER Keil and Delitzsch - The one expression, “to contend for Zion,” is like a flash of lightning, throwing light upon the obscurity of prophecy, both backwards and forwards. A day and a year of judgment upon Edom (compare Isa. 61:2; 63:4) would do justice to Zion against its accusers and persecutors (rībh, vindicare, as in Isa. 51:22). The everlasting punishment which would fall upon it is depicted in figures and colours, suggested by the proximity of Edom to the Dead Sea, and the volcanic character of this mountainous country. The unquenchable fire (for which compare Isa. 66:24), and the eternally ascending smoke (cf., Rev. 19:3), prove that the end of all things is referred to. The prophet meant primarily, no doubt, that the punishment announced would fall upon the land of Edom, and within its geographical boundaries; but this particular punishment represented the punishment of all nations, and all men who were Edomitish in their feelings and conduct towards the congregation of Jehovah. It will not be quenched night or day; Its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation it will be desolate - Why such a seemingly harsh judgment on Edom? Edom was Esau and was Jacob's twin brother yet hated him and persecuted him for centuries. The result is this just recompense would fall on this nation for her persistent persecution of Israel. Edom was one of the nations that was never going to be restored, so heinous was their sin against their brother! Matthew