Is. 13:1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
“burden” – an utterance, chiefly a doom, a prophecy
“Babylon” – includes the empire as well as the city
“see” - to gaze at; mentally, to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of
As we look at these next few chapters, we need to be reminded that prophecy didn’t always flow in a closely connected time relationship, as is most obviously pictured when Jesus read from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue of His hometown of Nazareth. (Luke 4:16-18)
Isaiah 61:1–3 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, [this is where He stopped] and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”
He stopped in the middle of verse two because that ended the part of the prophecy that He was fulfilling at that time. The time of vengeance and the restoration of Israel referenced in the rest of that passage will occur at His second coming.
As I read through this chapter again, it stood out to me that Isaiah was “seeing” what he was prophesying about. How terrifying such a vision must have been!
In these next two chapters Isaiah pronounces judgment on Babylon—an empire that in Isaiah’s time had not yet even risen to prominence. In context, this judgment is in reference to Babylon’s final destruction just before the return of Jesus as King. This judgment is compared to that of Sodom and Gomorrah—a judgment that ensures that it will never be occupied by humanity again. There are other chapters in the scripture that speak of this destruction—Jeremiah 50-51 and Revelation 17-18.
Is. 13:2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
As I checked out the original words and some different translations, it made sense that a call is being made for a banner or signal to be lifted up on a bare (from the Hebrew) mountain so as to be easily seen. It seems to be a call to battle.
Nobles = voluntary, to volunteer as a soldier… a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
I’m not sure what the last part of the verse is saying. Maybe it is a reference to attacking the tyrant of Babylon.
Is. 13:3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.
Is. 13:4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.
The word sanctified is not a separate word, but is included in the word “ones.” The meanings given include “appoint, consecrate, dedicate.”
The same situation occurs with the phrase “mighty ones.” This is a different word for ones and the meanings include “powerful, warrior, tyrant, champion, valiant man.”
The possessive words “my” and “mine” are not in the original. This is where it would be useful to know Hebrew.
Verse 4 makes it clear that it is the LORD gathering this army together, but it actually makes more sense to read verse 3 without my and mine to me. I think my paraphrase would be: “The LORD has given a charge to an army of powerful, maybe even tyrannical, men who have been appointed by God to this task, men who are angry and rejoice in their pride. (I don’t think anyone in this army gives any acknowledgement to God as their source of power or strength as indicated by the phrase “rejoice in my highness.”) This army is composed of a great multitude of people from various Gentile nations.
This great multitude is also part of Jeremiah’s prophecy.
Jeremiah 50:9 For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.
Jeremiah states that every arrow shot by this army will hit its mark. Sounds a lot like the smart bombs of today.
Is. 13:5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.
Is. 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
This army is coming from a far away place using the weapons that the LORD has given them to destroy the whole land because of His rage at their sin. Again, emphasis is made in verse 6 that this “day of the LORD” will come as a destruction, a devastation, a waste. This description does not apply to how the Medes and Persians conquered Babylon in Daniel’s time. History records that the armies of Cyrus basically took over the city without opposition.
This message from God through Isaiah is very similar to His message through Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 50:18 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.
Jeremiah 50:25 The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.
Is. 13:7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt:
Is. 13:8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
Using several different expressions, Isaiah makes the point that men will be terrified and in great pain. Most translations use the idea of flaming faces. That would certainly be a cause for wonder and amazement as they saw the results of such weapons of destruction on each other. It is also quite compatible with today’s weapons of war—especially nuclear.
The idea of this type of fear at the destruction of Babylon is supported in Revelation.
Revelation 18:9–10 “And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.”
Is. 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
When God pours out His judgment on Babylon, it will be cruel (terrible, violent).
Revelation 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
This judgment of God will be an “outburst of passion” (from Hebrew for “wrath”) and great anger. The purpose is to destroy the land and the sinners in it. That is why God gives warning for His people to come out of it (just as He called Lot out of Sodom).
Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Is. 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
This is another verse that immediately connects my thoughts to the destruction of Babylon spoken of in Revelation. Although the sixth seal judgment (Revelation 6:12) and the fourth trumpet judgment (Revelation 8:12) affect these heavenly bodies, I think that is too early in the tribulation period to reference the destruction of Babylon. I tend to associate this verse with the fifth vial judgment that is specifically directed at the kingdom of the beast.
Revelation 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain….
Is. 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
Scripture is full of the truth that God’s wrath is directed toward God’s enemies, the children of disobedience, the wicked, those who don’t believe on the Son (Jesus), the ungodly, sinners, and the proud.
Nahum 1:2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Job 21:30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness….
See verse 9 above.
Isaiah 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low….
Is. 13:12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
In this time of God’s wrath, the day of the LORD, the time when Babylon will be destroyed, the number of men on earth will become scarce—thus, the comparison to being as rare or valuable as fine gold. (Ophir was a region in the east known for its gold. Some scholars place it in India and others in Arabia.) I think the reason for this is the number of dead that will result from wars that will be occurring during that time and as a result of the judgments of God.
Revelation 6:4 & 8 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another….And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Revelation 8:9, 11 & 15 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died….And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter….And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
Is. 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
One of the cross references to this verse is Haggai chapter 2. In that one chapter there are two references made to shaking the heavens and the earth.
Haggai 2:6-7 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
Haggai 2:21-22 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
The first reference in Haggai seems to emphasize that the shaking precedes the return of Jesus in glory to His throne in Jerusalem. The second references the destruction of “the kingdoms of the heathen.”
“earth shall remove out of her place” – Maybe this is a reference to the greatest earthquake ever to be experienced by man on planet earth as referenced in Revelation 16 with the 7th vial. I could not find a comparable scripture with Isaiah’s wording.
Revelation 16:18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
The next verse in Revelation affirms the connection of these events to the wrath of God against Babylon.
Revelation 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
There was a great earthquake in Sumatra in December of 2004 that gave us a preview of the type of earthquake mentioned here. Following are excerpts from Sci-tech-today.com concerning this event:
“December's great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake — the most powerful in more than 40 years and the trigger of a devastating tsunami — shook the ground everywhere on Earth's surface, scientists have found. Weeks later the planet was still trembling…. The earthquake and resulting tsunami, which swept across the Indian Ocean, killed more than 176,000 people in 11 countries and left about 50,000 missing and hundreds of thousands homeless….’ No point on Earth remained undisturbed,’ wrote Roger Bilham of the University of Colorado…. the quake caused the planet to oscillate like a bell, at periods of about 17 minutes, which they were able to measure for weeks afterward.”
I’m sure the effects of this event will pale in comparison to the event being referenced by Isaiah.
Is. 13:14 And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.
“roe” = gazelle, a deer
During this time of wrath directed against the world, including Babylon, people are pictured as frightened animals. They will be seeking safety, and most people feel safest when surrounded by their own family and loved ones.
Is. 13:15 Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword.
Is. 13:16 Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.
This time of judgment will be violent (cf verse 9). It has always been hard for me to imagine that man can inflict the kind of cruelty upon one another that they do, but history testifies to the atrocities of man. In the twentieth century we witnessed some of the worst through the Nazi regime; closer to home we have had people flying airplanes into buildings in the name of Allah; and in Israel, in particular, people have been willing to turn themselves into bombs and kill innocent people for political or religious purposes. Most recently have been the acts perpetrated by ISIS against Christians in particular as well as anyone else they consider their enemy—locking men in cages and setting them on fire, throwing men off of buildings, mass beheadings, etc. Current events in Israel (10-7-23) provide the latest afirmation of the depraved nature of man.
Our “entertainment” has become a medium of such violence that people are even more desensitized than ever.
As is often the case, the innocent suffer because of the sins of their fathers.
Is. 13:17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.
Is. 13:18 Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.
As prophets normally do, Isaiah speaks the prophetic message without knowledge of the exact how and when of its fulfillment. Sometimes the message includes portions of prophecy that will be fulfilled at different times; sometimes there are types involved in a partial fulfillment (e.g., Antiochus Epiphanes as a type of the antichrist in Daniel). History tells us that the Medes did conquer Babylon, but not with the violence described here. This makes me wonder if the destruction of Babylon referenced in Revelation will be a result of God using descendants of or forces from the area of the conquering Medes of Daniel’s time.
According to International Turkey Network (itnet.org), the Kurds believe they are descendants of the biblical Medes and that they have a strong case based on geographical, linguistic and cultural factors.
Jeremiah identifies the Medes as the instrument of God’s destruction as well.
Jeremiah 51:11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple
.
Again, I think it is important to note that the Medes did not destroy Babylon when they conquered it in the time of Daniel.
Is. 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Is. 13:20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
Is. 13:21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.
Is. 13:22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.
Again, Jeremiah emphasizes this same prophecy.
Jeremiah 50:39-40 Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation. As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.
Jeremiah 51:37 And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.
The destruction of Babylon described here has never happened. I found a quote from The Apocalypse by Joseph Seiss that explains this well.
“When did Babylon ever fall with so complete a fall, or meet with such an utter obliteration from the earth, ‘as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah?’ Sodom and Gomorrah were completely blotted out. But this has never yet been the case with Babylon. Such was not its fate when the Medes and Persians seized it from the hands of the infamous Belshazzar, for they made it one of their royal cities. In the time of Alexander it still stood, and was the chosen capital of the Graeco-Macedonian empire, the second city of Alexander’s dominions, where he himself lived and died. It continued to be a populous place under the Syrian kings, who succeeded Alexander in the rule over it. In the time of the apostles it was still a populous place, for both Peter and Bartholomew preached the Gospel there, and there Peter wrote his first Epistle. As late as A.D. 250, there was a Christian church there, and an influential bishopric for many years thereafter. Five hundred years after Christ there were Jewish academies there, who issued the celebrated Babylonian Talmud. Here, then, was a lengthening out of the existence of Babylon as a populated city for more than a thousand years subsequent to the taking of it by Cyrus. And even to this present hour there is a city in the middle of the area occupied by old Babylon containing 10,000 people, and which pays to its governor a revenue of 342,000 Turkish piastres, more than $17,000, a year. Shepherds do make their folds there, as testified by all modern travelers, and the Arabians do pitch their tents there. It is not an utter desolation without inhabitant, and never has been since Nimrod laid its first foundations. The sentence upon Babylon is therefore not yet fulfilled, and cannot be unless that city comes up again into something of its former consequence.”
Is. 14:1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.
Is. 14:2 And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.
Again the promise is made that God will eventually restore Israel to a position of glory on planet earth. History proves that as a people, they have been subjected to some of the worst treatment by the nations of the earth—often in the name of God. These verses indicate that they will have the status of most honored nation. Those whom they had previously been made to serve will become their servants.
Is. 14:3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,
Is. 14:4 That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
Is. 14:5 The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.
There will come a day when the nation of Israel will no longer be in sorrow for the deaths of the innocent just because they are Jewish. They will no longer experience fear or wonder if it’s safe to ride a bus, or go to worship, etc. They will no longer be used to serve other nations as slaves. Ready on the lips of the Jewish people will be expressions of joy in knowing that Babylon and all the evil it represents will never again be a threat to them. They will recognize that it is “the LORD” who has destroyed that wicked empire and its rulers.
Again, the wording and message make it clear that this is referencing a time yet future. At no time in history has Israel been in the position described above.
Is. 14:6 He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.
I was thankful for the use of commentaries with this verse. According to Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, “is persecuted” in the Hebrew “is rather, active, ‘which persecuted them, without any to hinder him’ [Vulgate, JEROME, and HORSLEY].” This makes sense with the flow of the rest of the verse, and I believe it is a direct reference to Satan in the embodiment of Antichrist. Satan has been the power behind the evil empires of this world and has basically had a free hand in the persecution of the people of the world (especially the followers of God) as the “prince of this world.”
John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience….
Satan is the one with the “continual stroke.” Many rulers have represented him throughout history.
Is. 14:7 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.
When the kingdom of Satan/Antichrist is finally destroyed and Jesus is on the throne, this will be the reaction on earth.
Is. 14:8 Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.
When the Antichrist, the ruler of the coming Babylon, is destroyed and Satan is bound, the earth itself, as represented by its trees, will rejoice; it will finally be free of the reign of evil.
Is. 14:9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
Is. 14:10 All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?
Is. 14:11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
This is a picture of the former mighty rulers of kingdoms on earth who are in hell and greeting the bound Satan with derision. It has to be Satan in the context of the next verses and because the antichrist is thrown into the lake of fire. Satan is bound for 1000 years in the bottomless pit, which must have some proximity to hell/sheol/hades, the place of departed spirits. Both hell/sheol/hades and the bottomless pit are designated as below us, which would indicate in the bowels of the earth.
Is. 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
It’s interesting that Lucifer in the Hebrew means “morning star,” which is a title of Jesus in Revelation. As I continued to study and meditate, it made me think that this reference is used in direct contrast to the true “bright and morning star” whom he so desires to usurp.
Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
It’s interesting that Job also refers to the angels that witnessed creation as “morning stars” and “sons” of God.
Job 38:6–7 “Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
Jesus, however, is unique among the morning stars; He is the “bright and morning star.” He is not just a son of God; He is the “only begotten” Son of God. He is God in flesh.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 1:1&14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.””
This is the only place where the name of Lucifer is used. Strong’s indicates that the word for Lucifer is a combination of two words.
1966. lElyEh heylel, hay-lale´; from 1984 (in the sense of brightness); the morning-star:—lucifer….1984. lAlDh halal, haw-lal´; a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave….
3213. lAlÎy yalal, yaw-lal´; a primitive root; to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)
It would seem that this is a good point to keep in mind Isaiah’s poetic style of writing. The first phrase of verse 12 references Satan’s fall from heaven, from his exalted created position. In reference to this fallen position, Isaiah is inspired to use a term that reflects who Satan is in light of his fall. He uses a word in which the root includes the idea of one who shines through boasting and foolish clamoring, trying to impress others with his position through ranting and raving.
The more I think on this verse, it would seem that the last half of verse 12 is referencing the time when Satan and his angels will be thrown out of heaven by Michael and his angels.
Revelation 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Putting all these thoughts together in my head, it seems like the term “Lucifer” is being used in a derogatory manner. One who once occupied a very honored position has been thrown out of heaven. His only claim to fame is that he was able to “weaken the nations.”
Looking at this verse again, it would seem that it would be more a direct reference to Satan’s “fall” from heaven when he first rebelled against God and persuaded 1/3 of the angels to go with him. Jesus actually referenced the fact that He had seen Satan fall from heaven.
Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
That being said, this verse in Isaiah probably refers to both—the first fall and Satan’s coming permanent fall when he is banned from heaven forever.
Is. 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Is. 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Why did Satan fall? Because of pride. This truth is confirmed by Paul in his letter to Timothy.
1Timothy 3:6 ….lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Note that Satan didn’t publicly proclaim his intentions; he voiced them “in his heart.” He is so skillful even now as he uses people toward the attainment of his goals while presenting himself as humble and/or in the guise of wanting to serve others. Though men are easily fooled, God knows what is in one’s heart—be it angel or man.
The word said includes to boast, challenge, and desire. Following are five “I wills” that indicate Satan’s desire to usurp the position of God. As I continue to look at the “I will” statements, they seem to be referencing the deceitful work of Satan in the persons of those through whom he weakened the nations—from Nimrod to Antichrist—through whom he hoped to achieve his aspirations.
“I will ascend into heaven” – Satan already had access to heaven. I think this statement directly relates to the leadership of Nimrod referenced in Genesis.
Genesis 10:9-10 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Genesis 11:2-4 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there….And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
“I will exalt my throne above the stars of God” – As mentioned before, the angels of God are referenced as stars.
Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Amazingly, Satan was created as one of these stars, but that wasn’t enough; he wanted his throne, his seat of power and authority to be higher than any of the others. This seems to indicate that there must have been at least one other angel who had a higher position than he—possibly Michael, since he is the one who eventually casts him out of the heavens (see Revelation 12:7-9 above) and is only one of two who has charge of the protection of God’s people, the Jews.
Daniel 10:21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
“I will sit….of the north” – Satan not only wants to usurp God’s position on the throne of heaven, but on His throne on earth as well—on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem.
1Kings 11:36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
Zechariah 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Psalm 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
His final attempt to accomplish this purpose will be indwelling the Antichrist during the 70th week and declaring himself to be God—a truth confirmed by Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians.
2Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
“I will ascend….clouds”
“I will be like the most High” – These phrases seem to describe his ultimate goal—to dwell in the highest heavens with the authority and power of God.
Ezekiel has a companion passage to this section in connection with the King of Tyre. It is obvious from the content of that section of verses that reference is being made to the demonic force behind the earthly King of Tyre—Satan.
Ezekiel 28:12-17 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
This passage from Ezekiel tells us why Satan was so full of pride. He was full of wisdom, perfect in beauty, perfect in his ways, and enjoyed a privileged status among the angels.
Is. 14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Though he has been thwarted many times in his efforts to achieve his goal, Satan keeps on trying. He never gives up. His defeat was certain from the beginning as declared in Genesis and affirmed in Revelation.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
A head wound is a fatal wound; the Hebrew indicates to be “overwhelmed, break, bruise, cover.” “Her seed” is a reference to Jesus, the virgin born Son of God. Satan succeeded in getting Jesus killed on the cross, but in doing so he sealed His defeat.
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil….
Is. 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
Is. 14:17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
Although probably applicable to several of Satan’s vessels of choice throughout history, I believe this references the final Antichrist in context. When he is finally defeated and those he deceived are able to look at him carefully and see him for who he really is, a puppet in the hands of Satan, yet just a man, they are going to wonder at how he was able to cause such fear and awe throughout the kingdoms on earth.
“wilderness” – comes from a root word that can mean “subdue, destroy.”
I think this references the fact that he was able to subdue the world and destroy cities. He also had the mindset of once a prisoner always a prisoner subject to his will.
Is. 14:18 All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.
Is. 14:19 But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.
Is. 14:20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.
Throughout history most kings and rulers have been accorded glorious funerals and elaborate burials. Antichrist is not going to have that privilege. He won’t even be given a grave; he will be thrown directly into the lake of fire (as seen in Revelation 20:10 above)—disposed of like a rotten tree limb or the blood soaked clothing of one who was slain violently in battle. His body will get no special treatment. Why is he to be treated so? Because he destroyed his own land and his own people. Only the most despicable of rulers would destroy his own people and his own land. Evildoers cannot expect to have their memory honored.
Is. 14:21 Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.
The identities of Antichrist and Lucifer/Satan have been woven together in these past few verses. It would make sense to me that “his children” is referencing the progeny of those who choose to be in league with Satan by rejecting God. At the time of the final Antichrist, they will actually meet their death at Armageddon and will not be allowed to rise to influence in the coming kingdom or produce more offspring to pollute the face of the earth with their own godless progeny.
I think this is a consistent principle in scripture. When the Israelites were given instructions regarding taking possession of the land of Canaan, they were to destroy all their enemies. God knew that these cultures were full of idolatry and had no desire to honor Him. Allowing them to survive would only result in their serving to turn His people away from Him and His truth.
This would seem to be a biblical type supporting the truth that only believers will be allowed to enter Christ’s millennial kingdom.
Is. 14:22 For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD.
Is. 14:23 I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.
Babylon is the final empire controlled by Antichrist that will be destroyed in the last days. The descendants of Babylon were not murdered when the Medo-Persians conquered Babylon around 537 BC. It was their policy to integrate the conquered peoples into their kingdom in a more peaceful manner. The destruction of Babylon being referenced here is yet future.
Is. 14:24 The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:
This is a strong statement of God’s sovereignty. God doesn’t even have to verbalize his plan for it to come to pass; He just has to think it. Whatever He purposes will come to pass—there are no ifs, ands, or buts.
Is. 14:25 That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.
Our subject has been the king of Babylon/Antichrist/Satan. The Assyrian appears to be another reference to the same entity. It would also appear to be another clue as to the land of his origin.
“My mountains” would be identifying the hills and land in Jerusalem/Israel. Antichrist will be defeated at the final battle of Armageddon to be fought in Megiddo and the valley of Jehoshaphat.
Joel 3:2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
Revelation 16:14&16 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Is. 14:26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
This verse clarifies that this prophecy of Isaiah will impact the whole earth, including Babylon (cf notes on 13:11), and that it is part of God’s plan. Verse 25 says “I will break the Assyrian in my land.” This identifies “the hand that is stretched out.” God is the one executing judgment.
Is. 14:27 For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?
In Isaiah’s poetic style, he is repeating the truth previously stated (cf 14:24). God has a plan and purpose and no one can disannul (defeat, frustrate, make of none effect) its completion. It is God’s hand that is stretched out in judgment, and nothing will be able to interfere with this judgment.
Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Is. 14:28 In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.
This verse puts a timeframe regarding when Isaiah was given this burden— around 720 BC (I found different dates as I researched it). Most of the commentators reference this as the intro to the following. My first thought was that he was referencing the timeframe of the previous “burden” since it was not introduced by a “time-identifier” as are most of the burdens Isaiah records.
On the other hand, if this is not the introduction to the next few verses, they seem to be hanging in mid-air with no reference point. I think the broken rod is the king of Assyria, Tiglath-pileser.
Is. 14:29 Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.
We learned in Isaiah 7 that Ahaz faced danger from Syria and Ephraim and called for help from Assyria. Though the king was driven out of Judah and returned home only to be killed by his sons, this was not a reason for rejoicing.
The serpent is usually associated with Satan and that which is evil. Different Hebrew words are used for the two references to serpents in this verse; included in the Hebrew are references to magic spells, divining, enchantment, and poison. The word for cockatrice includes “viper, adder.”
It would seem that the point is being made that from the root of the dead king would eventually emerge a worse evil.
Is. 14:30 And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.
Whenever the “broken rod” is out of the picture, the people will give a sigh of relief. The poor and needy will once again feel safe. This is a premature reaction. (Many of the words in the last phrase of this verse were added by the translators.) When using the actual Hebrew words, it seems to be a statement that God is going to destroy the inhabitants of Palestina with famine and “the root” that emerges in Assyria will kill the rest.
Some translations conclude that Palestina is a reference to the Philistines who lived in the land today occupied by the Palestinians.
David Guzik makes this interesting comment: “Some see in this a future judgment for “modern Philistines,” that is, Palestinians. The name “Palestine” is a Latin name from the name Philista, and this may be a prophetic warning to the Palestinians: do not rejoice in the suffering or downfall of Israel, because worse judgment will befall you.”
Is. 14:31 Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times.
Howl (with a wailing tone) O gate (of the city), cry (from anguish or danger) O city—This seems to reference a city, probably the designated capital city as representative of Palestina (maybe Gaza). The country is going to be consumed by an “angry smoke” (a great army) from the north at the “appointed times” (at the time purposed by God).
This attack would be in addition to the plague of famine mentioned in the previous verse.
Is. 14:32 What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.
Evidently messengers will be sent from Palestina to Zion to seek an alliance in defense of this invading army from the north.
“poor” = depressed, in mind or circumstances
The answer coming back from “Zion” is that they will trust in the LORD—not in human alliances.
Needless to say, I am not content with my understanding of verses 28-32. Maybe further revelation will come eventually.