THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH

ISAIAH 66

The prayer of many today is, “Thy kingdom come,” but in our study of Isaiah 66, the kingdom has come.  Political Israel was born on May 14, 1948, but the Israel under the reign of the Messiah of Israel is yet to come.  The prophet Isaiah sees this period with the eye of faith, and peace will reign in Jerusalem and flows throughout the earth.  There will be a new Temple in Jerusalem for the people of the entire earth to come and worship as told by the prophet Zechariah 14:17.  Isaiah opens our study with the fact that the whole universe is the handiwork of God and that earth is merely His footstool.  This infinite God condescends in His mercy to take notice of a man who humbles himself and is of a contrite spirit.  Jesus echoed these words in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:3 and Luke 6:20.  It’s important to note the attitude of the person the Lord God accepts in the words, “Who trembles at my Word.”  This indicates a person who stands in absolute awe and in obedience to God’s Word.  Stephen, the first martyr of the Church age, in his final message, Acts 6:8 and 7:60, quotes from Isaiah 66:1-2.  Paul in his address to the Athenian philosophers, Acts 17:24, also quotes from Isaiah 66:1-2.  God does not dwell in a building but with those who submit to Him.  Those who sacrifice without spiritual comprehensions are looked at as taking a life because God makes a distinction between true and false. The frivolous act of the religious person who is meticulous in religious practices is cast out.  The publican who stands afar off and repents will be received.  Following the punishment of the wicked, Isaiah 66:7-9 reveals an amazing rebirth of the nation of Israel along with its lands.  The Lord who brought about the rebirth of the nation will complete the work, “Says my God.”  Those who have mourned over the city of Jerusalem are given a message of comfort.  The city which has been ravaged by wars at the least 27 times and faced may disasters will finally become “the city of peace.” The time is coming when the nations of the earth will bring their material wealth to Jerusalem as a tribute to Jehovah, the God of Jerusalem and of her people.

The Messiah King of Israel will bring blessing to His people but judgment to His enemies.  The Day of the Lord will be a storm of judgment with fire and whirlwinds and with the sword of God.  The Lord Jesus mentioned this in Matthew 25:31-32 in the judgment of the sheep and goat nations which takes place following His glorious appearing in Zechariah 14:4.  From this point on, Israel will fulfill its highest calling that of “declaring my glory among the nations.”  That all brethren will be brought from among the nations shows that all exiles will be brought home again.  This will be accomplished by the converted gentiles sheep nations, who will use every means of transportation at their disposal to accomplish this regathering. 

During the kingdom age, according to Isaiah 66:21, gentiles will be included in the service of the Lord without regard to race or descent.  The only condition is the acceptance of the Lord by faith and the willingness to serve Him.  The kingdom will truly be a new day, a new period, and a new order of doing things.  Throughout His prophecy, Isaiah, directed by the Holy Spirit, makes it clear that the survival and eternal existence of restored Israel is a truth you can count on as indicated in Isaiah 66:22.  As the people of all nations come to worship in the kingdom of God on earth during the millennium, the Book of Isaiah ends with a warning.  They will see the corpses of people who rebelled against the reign of Messiah.  What the prophet has in mind is the Valley of Hinnon where refuse was taken and the bodies of unclaimed or unknown criminals were disposed of.  This is Gehenna, which is mentioned in Mark 9:43-48 and was a horrible reminder of divine judgment upon all who opposed the Lord.  This also makes it clear that the old sinful, Adamic nature in man will not be removed until after the millennial kingdom.  Following the loosing of Satan and final battle will come the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelations 20:11-15.  The new heavens and new earth as we enter eternity will no longer have to deal with Satan or the old Adamic nature.  The redeemed of all ages will worship God throughout eternity as the Book closes.  That is the most important business of eternity.