Is this the Apocalypse? (part 2)

March 29, 2020

The internet is full of people proposing Biblical explanations for what is happening. It seem the whole world is in some form of self-imposed isolation, lock down, or social distancing.

One such explanation comes from Isaiah 26:20 which states, “Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by.” [NIV]

Isaiah 26 is one of my favorite chapters, in one of my favorite books. There was a time when I was disgusted with Christianity and wanted to give up. I felt that I needed to read the Bible one more time before I walked away. It was the book of Isaiah that put an end to my bitterness. Yes, I was still disgusted with Christians. But who was I, a flawed person, to judge another flawed person?

Back to Isaiah’s prophecy. Isaiah 26:20 talks about shutting the doors and hiding from the “his wrath” (or anger, or fury). The very next verse states, “See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed on it; the earth will conceal its slain no longer." (Isaiah 26:21 NIV)

Isaiah 25 is about the final days when “(God) will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces…” (Isaiah 25:8a ESV) These images are Christian images for the “end times” when God will set all wrongs right.

Chapter 26 starts, “In that day this song will be sung…” Verse 19 promises a physical resurrection from the dead, “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!” [ESV] 

Why does this happen? I am so glad you asked! 

“But when grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and do not regard the majesty of the Lord.” (Isaiah 26:10 NIV) However, bad times create possibilities, “O Lord, in distress they sought you; they poured out a whispered prayer when your discipline was upon them.” (Isaiah 26:16 ESV)

My heart’s cry has always been to see the beginning of the end. Is this it? I don’t know. Remember, the Jewish scholars knew where the Messiah (Jesus) was to be born. Somehow they missed it. At the crucifixion they even fulfilled prophecy, unknowingly. When in an event, it is hard to see if it lines up with prophecy or not. Only time and hindsight can answer the question.

I do know that Isaiah offers advice to God’s faithful, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3 ESV) Do you “trust” God or are you relying on something that is other than Jesus?

“Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (from Revelation 22:20)