Events preceding, and connected with, this restoration are outlined in slightly broader terms in chapters 2 (after verse 6) through chapter 4. These chapters are introductory.
(In this vision of the future of God's people, verses 1-6, the prophet sees the city of Zion as the head of the nations in the last days (millennium). Then the nations shall beat their swords into plowshares, their spears into pruning hooks, neither shall they learn war any more. Only through judgment can this be brought about. The Son of man is the Judge.)
This chapter gives a rebuke to Zion and all nations. Pride, pleasure, idolatry, prosperity, and towers (what exalts man) all feel the anguish in judgment as the Lord arises to shake terribly the earth. There will be no stability until the Lord alone is exalted.
Judgment mentioned in this chapter would leave its salutary effect even with us if there is exercise in God's presence. Warnings are intended to stop the careless ones. The special mention of pictures of desire (lust) and ships of Tarshish (known for their traffic in luxuries) all tell the story of a mad, pleasure-seeking world indulging in the lusts of an unregenerate heart. Israel, who had a calling before God, are the most responsible in the eastern world. The judgments will occur nearly at the time that the western nations are judged.