Question: Does Isaiah offer counsel for how to wade through end-time challenges?
Answer: While Isaiah informs us of a lot of bad news about the world’s end-time scenario and the part God’s people’s play in it, his main objective is to warn us and reveal the way God has ordained for his people not just to survive the time but how to use it as a springboard to ascend spiritually to greater heights.
First, we must come to terms with our offenses, liken them to ourselves, and repent. Here is a small sampling:
Hypocrisy: “Proclaim it aloud without restraint; raise your voice like a trumpet! Declare to my people their transgressions, to the house of Jacob its sins. Yet they importune me daily, eager to learn my ways, like a nation practicing righteousness and not forsaking the precepts of its God” (Isaiah 58:1–2; cf. vv 3–14).
Injustices: “Our transgressions before you have multiplied; our sins testify against us. Our offenses are evident; we perceive our iniquities: willfully denying Jehovah, backing away from following our God, perversely planning ways of extortion, conceiving in the mind and pondering illicit transactions” (Isaiah 59:12–13).
Idolatry: “Their land is full of idols: they adore the works of their hands, things their own fingers have made” (Isaiah 2:8); “By this shall Jacob’s iniquity be expiated, as a result of this his sins removed: when he makes like crushed chalkstone all altar stones, leaving no idols of prosperity and shining images standing” (Isaiah 27:9).
Spiritual Blindness: “O you deaf, listen; O you blind, look and see! Who is blind but my own servant, or so deaf as the messenger I have sent? Who is blind like those I have commissioned, as uncomprehending as the servant of Jehovah—seeing much but not giving heed, with open ears hearing nothing?” (Isaiah 42:18–20); “Jehovah has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep: he has shut your eyes, the prophets; he has covered your heads, the seers” (Isaiah 29:10).
Perversion/Wokeness: “The look on their faces betrays them: they flaunt their sin like Sodom; they cannot hide it. Woe to their souls; they have brought disaster upon themselves! (Isaiah 3:9); “Woe to those who suppose what is evil to be good and what is good, evil! . . . They make bitterness sweet and the sweet bitter” (Isaiah 5:20); “Hear the word of Jehovah, O leaders of Sodom; give heed to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah!” (Isaiah 1:10).
Precepts of Men: “The elders or notables are the head, the prophets who teach falsehoods, the tail. The leaders of these people have misled them, and those who are led are confused” (Isaiah 9:15–16); “The godless utter blasphemy; their heart ponders impiety: how to practice hypocrisy and preach perverse things concerning Jehovah, leaving the hungry soul empty, depriving the thirsty [soul] of drink” (Isaiah 32:6).
Second, we must learn to overcome all fear and trust Jehovah our God:
“The sinners in Zion are struck with fear; the godless are in the grip of trembling: Who among us can live through the devouring fire? Who among us can abide eternal burning? They who conduct themselves righteously and are honest in word, They shall dwell on high; the impregnable cliffs are their fortress. Bread is provided them, their water is sure” (Isaiah 33:14–16)
“Be not fearful, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will also succor you and uphold you with my righteous right hand. See, all who are enraged at you shall earn shame and disgrace; your adversaries shall come to nought, and perish. Should you look for those who contend with you, you shall not find them” (Isaiah 41:10–12).
“Hear me, you who know righteousness, O people in whose heart is my law: Do not fear the reproach of men; be undaunted by their ridicule” (Isaiah 51:7); “Strengthen the hands grown feeble, steady the failing knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, Take courage, be unafraid! See, your God is coming to avenge and to reward; God himself will come and deliver you” (Isaiah 35:3–4).
Third, we must prepare physically and spiritually for God’s coming judgments:
“Tell the righteous it shall be well with them; they shall eat the fruits of their own labors. But woe to the wicked when calamity [overtakes them]” (Isaiah 3:10–11); “Your faithfulness in time [of trial] shall prove to be a strength, your wisdom and knowledge your salvation; your fear of Jehovah shall be your riches” (Isaiah 33:6).
“Come, O my people, enter your chambers and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves a little while until the wrath is past. For now will Jehovah come out of his dwelling place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquities; the earth will uncover the blood shed upon it and no more conceal its slain” (Isaiah 26:20–21).
“They who hope in Jehovah shall be renewed in strength: they shall ascend as on eagles’ wings; they shall run without wearying, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31); “From a sector of the earth we hear singing: Glorious are the righteous!” (Isaiah 24:16).
