Bible Lessons

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 4min
Listen from:
Isaiah 14
THE time is approaching when the Roman Empire, broken into fragments in the beginning of the Christian era, will again appear, with boundaries corresponding to those it possessed in the time of Christ. The city of Rome, Scripture clearly indicates, will be the capital of the revived system of empire, and it is not without interest that we observe today the extensive improvement and enlargement of that city.
But the mighty empire, challenging (as it presently will) the admiration and wonder of those left upon the earth after the Church is gone, meets its doom at the mouth of Him who suffered crucifixion under Pontius Pilate. (For scriptures relating to this subject, see Rev. 13:14; 17:8-14; 19:11-21).
It is in that day, and linked with the destruction of imperial Roman power, that as verse 1 recites, Jehovah will have mercy on Jacob and will yet choose Israel and set them in rest in their own land. Then the peoples (plural) i.e., the Gentile nations will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of Jehovah for servants and for handmaids (verse 2). (See among many related passages Zechariah 8).
The King of Babylon, spoken of in verse 4 and following, is the last head of Gentile dominion, as Nebuchadnezzar was the first. The old enemy of the Jews serves as the type of the final one of whom Daniel 9:26, 27 and Revelation 13 and 17 tell so much,
Verses 9 to 14, while applying first to Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, refer in the fullest way to the coming head of the Roman Empire. This man, to whom Satan will give his power, will surpass all his predecessor rulers in pride and in the service of the devil.
At first, under papal control, this will be thrown off before the Lord destroys him with the breath of His mouth, but in the holy land, at least, he will be the protector of the Anti-christ or Man of Sin, the false prophet, the second “beast” of Revelation 13:11, and the arch enemy of the believing remnant of the Jews whose experiences fill so much of the Psalms.
Verse 24 introduces again briefly the Assyrian; the ancient Assyrian perished before Babylon’s brief but more exalted splendor, but when these powers are brought into being at the end, Babylon will receive its doom first. Afterward the Assyrian will be broken in God’s land, and will be trodden under foot upon its mountains.
Verse 28 (not 29 as indicated by paragraph mark) takes up Philistia (“whole Palestina” is properly read “Philistia, all of thee” both in verse 28 and verse 31). No doubt the Philistines saw the weakness of Judah after Uzziah, who had warred against them successfully (2 Chronicles 26:6, 7), and his son Jotham were dead, for Ahaz was notorious for his disregard of God, and suffered greatly from attacks by the kings of Syria and Israel, and also from the Edomites. The Philistines invaded the cities of the lowland, and of the south of Judah, and dwelt there (2 Chronicles 28:18), while Ahaz reigned.
The address to Philistia no doubt looks on to the coming day when nations long since gone in name, at least, will be revived. The Philistines, ancient enemies of the children of Israel, must again appear, with Moab and Syria, for judgment when the Lord comes again.
ML 06/11/1933