While reviewing the verses I’ve gathered in my study of Ezekiel 38 and Ezekiel 39 I noticed that Isaiah 24 is a chapter that I should spend a little bit of extra time studying. While studying Isaiah 24 I noticed that the chapter concerns a time period late in the End Times and a chapter that may include references to the destruction of Babylon the Great City which is mentioned in Revelation 17 and Revelation 18.
- Today I provide an overview of Isaiah 24 and discuss how Isaiah 24 could potentially be a chapter that adds to our understanding of Babylon the Great City.
- Isa 24:1 Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.
- Isa 24:2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.
- Isa 24:3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word.
- Isa 24:4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.
- Isa 24:5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
- Isa 24:6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.
Verse 24:7 mentions that there is no longer any playing of musical instruments or drinking strong drink. Although it’s unclear in Isaiah 24:7 how prevalent these conditions are, these conditions parallel what happens as a consequence of Babylon the Great City’s destruction.
Isa 24:7 The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.
Isa 24:8 The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.
Isa 24:9 They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.
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Rev 18:22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
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Verse 24:10-12 mentions that a city has been destroyed. The term “confusion” in Hebrew is tôhû, which means “desolation”, and reinforces the idea that this city has been laid waste.
- Isa 24:10 The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in.
- Isa 24:11 There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.
- Isa 24:12 In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.
I currently believe that the city mentioned in Isaiah 24:10-12 is Babylon the Great City for a few reasons:
- The passage only talks about a single city instead of multiple cities. This suggests that the city in Isaiah 24:10-12 is a distinguished city. Babylon the Great City is a distinguished city in the Book of Revelation.
- The timeframe that the events of Isaiah 24 take place seems to be around the time when Babylon the Great City would be destroyed (near the end of God’s wrath).
- The city in Isaiah 24 and Babylon the Great City both share the same fate: desolation.
- The city also appears to be referenced in Isaiah 25:2-3 and Isaiah 26:5. The details of the city described in those chapters are consistent with the description of Babylon the Great City.
Isaiah 24:11 suggests that the mirth (delight) of the land is gone with destruction of the city (Babylon the Great City). However, it's unlikely that everyone on Earth is going to be completely devastated over the destruction of Babylon the Great City. Revelation 18 lists just four primary groups of people who will clearly be upset over the destruction of Babylon the Great City. They are:
- The kings of the earth (Rev 18:9)
- Merchants of the earth (Rev 18:11)
- Shipmasters (Rev 18:17)
- Sailors (Rev 18:17)
Therefore, it is possible for some people on Earth to be happy after the city’s destruction like it is suggested in Isaiah 24.
- Isa 24:13 When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.
- Isa 24:14 They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.
- Isa 24:15 Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
- Isa 24:16 From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.
Verse 24:17-20 returns to describing the earth in a completely desolated state.
- Isa 24:17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
- Isa 24:18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
- Isa 24:19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
- Isa 24:20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
Isaiah 24 ends with a passage that suggests that the kings of the earth will be gathered together and that the Lord will punish them:
- Isa 24:21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
- Isa 24:22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
- Isa 24:23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
Revelation 19 indicates that the kings of the earth will be gathered together and punished at the Battle of Armageddon:
- Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
- Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
- Rev 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
The final passage in Isaiah 24 along with the other clues provided earlier in the chapter (i.e. there are “few men left” and the “city of confusion is broken down”) suggests that the chapter encapsulates the time period that includes the destruction of Babylon the Great City and the Battle of Armageddon.
What can be gleaned if the city mentioned in Isaiah 24 is Babylon the Great City?
- The city possesses houses which are shut up so that no one can enter (likely from the ruins blocking the entrances) (verse 10)
- The city possesses gates which are destroyed (verse 12)
This may seem a lot of work to find two seemingly “minor” details. However, these details can be used to find other passages that possibly could also describe the city’s destruction and possibly reveal the identity of the city. For instance, one chapter I’m looking at currently is Isaiah 3 which concerns Jerusalem in a potentially (don't know for sure yet) End Times situation (the term “in that day” appears multiple times in Isaiah 3, which is a term frequently used in Day of the Lord prophecies). Isaiah 3:18-26 suggests that the daughter of Zion's gates will be desolated “in that day”.
Isa 24:12 In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.
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Isa 3:18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,
Isa 3:19 The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,
Isa 3:20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,
Isa 3:21 The rings, and nose jewels,
Isa 3:22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,
Isa 3:23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.
Isa 3:24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.
Isa 3:25 Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.
Isa 3:26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.
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Isaiah 3 warrants more study before I feel comfortable identifying Isaiah 3 as an End Times chapter and comfortable linking Isaiah 3 with Isaiah 24. However, this is an example of how a seemingly minor detail like a city’s gate being destroyed can be used to potentially link different chapters together and to potentially uncover new details. I hope to gain more understanding of Isaiah 3 and other chapters potentially linked to Isaiah 24 over the next few days...
If anyone has any thoughts on any of the chapters discussed feel free to share them...
17 comments: (+add yours?)
I know a lot of people have compared this to New York city.What are your thoughts on that? Ann
I sorta addressed this question in a past article. http://bit.ly/cETa7M However, perhaps I should address this topic in a more complete manner in an upcoming article since I only addressed it briefly in that article. Thanks for asking :)
Question: I read your previous post about thinking Babylon is Jerusalem. In that case, how do you deal with all the Scriptures that indicate that she will never again be inhabited. That is not true of Jerusalem.
Great investigative work.
How many people do you have on your team helping you put all this together?
Someone I've read mentioned the possibility that the Millennial city may not be Jerusalem per se. The person argues that Ezekiel 48:35 suggests that the name of the Millennium city will be called "The LORD is there". The harlot city would no longer be inhabited, but the land would remain. Just so you know I'm reconsidering everything because of the study of Ezekiel 38 and Ezekiel 39. This includes what I wrote about the harlot city before.
I research, analyze, piece, write, and edit everything myself, so it's just me. However, the people who comment help because they may be able to point out things that I miss or may see things in ways that I have not considered.
You retired? How do you have that much time? I love studying this stuff but rarely have more than a few hours a week to devote to it. I envy you.
Nope. I'm young. After I got my MBA a couple of years ago I decided to devote as much time as I can to solving what I can before I go onto a full-time career. Fortunately, I'm in a position where I can afford to do this.
Maybe this should be your career. Any way you can do that? By the way, my blog is found at endtimesstudies.blogspot.com if you ever feel like visiting. I'm not as computer savvy as you, (being in your parents age group makes me a little less able to adapt) so its not as nicely set up for interaction as yours, but I try. You may not agree with everything, but maybe you'll get ideas to jump start something else of your own.
I can envision ways that this can become my lifelong career, but getting there will not be an easy task...
I'm going to review your ongoing study of the Antichrist first. Writing an article about the Antichrist is something I've considered lately.
Just so you know, that is nowhere near finished, and much of it will also be found spread about in Daniel and Revelation (which is in the archives) where he is mentioned. I am only in the middle of Jeremiah so far and have to comb Ezekiel and all the minor prophets to find anything there too. But you're more than welcome to peruse what I do have so far.
I understand. After reading what you had available I found some new verses for my Ezekiel 38 and Ezekiel 39 study and was better able to comprehend why the Antichrist is referred to as the Assyrian, the King of Babylon, etc (I knew it was related to the composite beast of Revelation 17, but the words to express why didn't come easily in my mind). Thanks for taking the time to write your articles.
Babylon is not just a spiritual place though. If it was just "like unto the inhabitants of" then the Lord would of used Sodom and Gomorrah analogy because that place was so evil that the Lord himself had to destroy it. It is clearly an analogy and a physical city.
If you can understand that Mystery Babylon the Great , that Great Harlot of the ages, is not a physical city - but is the rule and dominion of man on the earth...then understand the following:
Two women, two destinies.The Bride of Christ will reign on earth with Jesus during the thousand year reign; The Harlot will be removed forever.I do not consider the “physical cities” like NY or London as being MBG (that great city) (Mystery Babylon the Great)…no more then I would consider a Church building as being the elect Lady (who is the Bride of the Lamb).
Physical cities will fall, which is not Mystery Babylon the Great.for example:Rev 17:18 says –And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.Rev 16:19 says – Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.Mystery Babylon the Great is divided into 3 parts that God will destroy – “to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.”the three parts:1. Material Wealth – destroyed by Famine, disasters, war and destruction of infrastructure.2. People – Destruction of the bodies and souls of men (Wars, disasters, pestilence, plagues, and calamities etc.)3. Rule and Dominion – satan (who is thrown down to the earth) takes over of dominion of the Earth from MBG or Adam’s race as per Revelation 18:2The Lord has set in order the timing of these things...(the destruction of the dominion of man on the earth and the overthrow of satan from heavenly places)The Clarion Call to repentance is going out…”COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM”
The time is short now, and the day is far spent, for the great and terrible day of the Lord does come…the day in which He shall judge the nations in righteousness. The day in which the sinner and the ungodly are to be removed forever.All of Revelation ch.18, describes Revelation 16:19 in detail.Revelation 18:2 describes Revelation 12:7-11 of satan being thrown down to the earth and taking over dominion of the earth from man (Babylon the Great). ...and satan is removed from the earth and bound for a thousand years after the battle of Armageddon.
And thus will end the age of the rule and dominion of man (Mystery Babylon the Great) and usher in the Age of the King!
I have to agree and disagree. I know them (Babylon and Zion) to be both physical and spiritual. They are both cities yet to exist as described in the scriptures. But we can and should liken them to our situation today just as some scriptures refer to the actual city and others liken them not only to us today, but to whatever age a reader lived in.
Hmmmmm.......
I'm leaning toward NYC, the Fall of the Twin towers, it seem to I that this part has come to pass, the Gate, the Port Authority, that runs the Gates of World Trade.
A port is a Gate is it not?
Tell I, Master Wayne, doth ye think that the Rider is The Hero, or the Villon, it appears here that he is the Hero?
Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary defines "sha‛ar" (the word for "gate" in Isaiah 24:12) as "an opening, that is, door or gate: - city, door, gate, port" (though I don't know any instances where the "sha‛ar"= port on the top of my head).
The rider on the horse in Revelation 19:19 is Christ (identified in Revelation 19:11), so He would be the "Hero".I would appreciate it if you no longer referred to me as "Master Wayne" because I am not worthy or deserving of such a title. Just call me Wayne. :)
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