Isaiah’s Little Apocalypse Series

Isaiah’s Little Apocalypse

(Isaiah 24:17-23, 25:6-8, 26:19-21, 27:12-13)

1. A chauffeur had driven the chemistry professor to dozens of speaking engagements. He’d heard the same canned speech scores of times.

He said on the way to another engagement, "Professor, I believe I could give your speech myself; I’ve heard it so often." The professor said, "I’ll bet you $50 you can’t." "You’re on," said the chauffeur.

He stopped the car and the two exchanged attire. They came to the banquet. the chauffeur dressed in a tuxedo, sat at the head of the table and was introduced. he stood up and gave the speech verbatim.

There was a standing ovation when he was finished.

The emcee got up and said, "You know, we are so fortunate to have such a fine resource with us tonight, and since we have a little extra time, let’s have some questions and answers. The first question was asked and the chauffeur stood there dumbfounded. Finally he said, "That’s such an easy question, even my chauffeur could answer that question." Which, of course, he did. [Ryan Johnson, sermon central, altered].

2. When it comes to the Bible’s teaching about the End Times, some of you are like the chauffer – you don’t really understand, even though you are familiar with the words. Others are like the professor. Most of us are somewhere in-between. A large section of the Bible deals with the End Times, so God does want us to understand these things. All Scripture is both inspired and profitable.

2. The Book of Revelation has another title, The Apocalypse. This is based on the Greek word for revelation, “apocolypsis.”

3. Paul Henebury writes, “What has been called ‘the little apocalypse’ in Isaiah 24-27 begins with a description of God’s wrath upon the earth (Isa. 24:1-23), before introducing an era when God ‘will swallow up death forever, and...wipe away tears from all faces’ (Isa. 25:8). Yahweh says that He will expand ‘all the borders of the land’ (Isa. 26:15), which obviously recalls the Abrahamic oath of Genesis 15:18-21. Judgement again gives way to blessing. There is even a mention of resurrection (Isa. 26:19 cf. Job 19:25-26), which places this section at the time of the Lord’s establishment of His kingdom...an era of true justice...an era of a resurgent and resplendent Israel (Isa. 27:6). ‘In sum’ says Vlach, ‘Isaiah’s Little Apocalypse show that a global kingdom follows global tribulation.’” [The Words of the Covenant, p. 249].

4. In sequence, we have the coming 7-year tribulation, the return of Jesus to the earth and the binding of Satan, the Millennial Kingdom, and the New Heaven and New Earth (eternal state). Isaiah deals with all these themes, though not always sequentially.

Do not confuse the Millennium, which is also the Kingdom Age, with heaven or the eternal state. Those in heaven/eternal state are immortal and sinless, and heaven lasts forever. In the Millennium, people are mortal and have a sin nature, and the Millennium only lasts 1,000 years, which is why it is called the Millennium. Both the Millennium and the Eternal State/heaven are part of God’s Kingdom plan.

5. Although the New Testament clarifies the Old Testament teachings on the End Times, the End Time events can be found in many passages, but this portion of Isaiah is among the most impressive.

Main Idea: God has a plan for us; but He also has an even more complex plan for history. History is heading to a conclusion and toward a purpose, His glory.

I. The Tribulation and the Binding of SATAN’S Hosts During the Kingdom (24:17-23).

A. The passage in Revelation should be understood in LIGHT of this one.

Rev. 20:1-3, “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

B. Satan is bound in the INTERFACE between the Tribulation and the Millennium.

If Satan and his demons are bound during the Millennium, why is there still sin in the Millennium? Because mortal people have a sin nature; Satan’s temptations and manipulations increase the frequency and intensity of sin on the earth, but he is not the only problem. We are, at times, our own enemy.

II. The Earthly KINGDOM and the Heavenly (New Heaven/Earth) Together Take History in One Wonderful Direction (25:6-8, 27:12-13).

A. Revelation ELABORATES upon Isaiah’s combined thematic presentation.

1. We see Israel with its territory expanded and nations respecting Israel.