Seeing the Future

Isaiah 13:1-6

When we read “The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw” it was in a vision, something that had not yet happen.  In fact, what makes it so strange is Babylon is not the major power at this time in history.  We who are living in this present darkness have a false belief about many things, and one is technology.  There is a new TV series called “Intelligent” where a chip is put into a man’s head so that his mind works like a monitor or TV screen.  That is fiction, but what God showed Isaiah was the real deal, it all played out in his mind and he saw what was going to take place in the future. 

Babylon will play a major role in the judgment of God’s people but it happened much later in history.  Jerusalem falls at the hand of King Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C.  He captures Judah's King Jehoiachin, who as a prisoner is taken to Babylon.  Babylon is not much different than many of the nations of our time, its people are arrogant and self-reliant, and those traits equal the darkest side of humanity. Verse three is unclear about whom God is referring to, it may be angels, but many believe Isaiah is seeing human warriors that God will raise up for this battle.  We would be wise to recall that God brings King Nebuchadnezzar to execute judgment on Judah, and this army may not be an army of the righteous.

In verse four we have the word tumult, not a word used often by my family and friends, so I looked it up, tumult: “a loud, confused noise, esp. one caused by a large mass of people.”  When you see “The Lord of Hosts” it signifies His activity in warfare, and all of the noise is coming from this mighty army God has assembled.  When we get to verse five it seems once more we have no clear understanding of “the far off land” my Holman Bible states it may be referring to the Medes whom God will use to defeat Babylon.

In these verses we see many things we are not clear on, but the first six should have clarity for all believers.  “Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come!”  The day of the Lord is future; it was in the future for the people of Judah and most were surprised when it came.  But Jesus has told us about a day in the future when God will judge the nations, and you can bank on it coming to pass.  It will be a day like no other when God will wage war against all who oppose Him.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice