THEY SHALL PERISH. Hebrews 1:11-12 Whoever wrote the book of Hebrews wanted the discouraged and disheartened Jewish believers to stop and consider what was prophesied by Isaiah hundreds of years earlier. The heavens and earth are within the power of the Great Creator. All the nations that will join against the Jews on that day will be doomed and destroyed when the Lord goes forth to fight against them. He will return and come to the Mt. of Olives, from which He left centuries ago. From there, He will continue with the plans He began with the nation of Israel before the church age. God’s judicial wrath will be poured out on all the nations that forget Him and on those whom Satan’s influence has prompted the leaders to do what the people want, even to deny God's existence.
The prophecies of Isaiah and other true prophets that have been fulfilled demonstrate that prophecy and history are consistent with each other. We have profited greatly when, after reading prophecies like those made by Isaiah, our faith claims the promises of God that are like prophecies from which we learn. Even though we fail our Lord, He never fails us.
Warnings were issued by the prophet Isaiah concerning nations. Chapters 34 and 35 serve as a conclusion about the day of vengeance and the day of blessings that will come upon the children of Israel. This prophecy outlines the ultimate end for all who oppose the Lord and His people. To people today, it seems impossible that a just God would do to them what they do to each other and their unborn children. We see this attitude spreading across nations that once respected God and His word. Now our eyes “have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored. He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword. His truth is marching on.”
Now, truths that were once celebrated in anthems are ridiculed by people who have become tolerant and accepting of open and blatant sin. Such people claim that everyone has the right to believe and do what they want as long as it doesn’t interfere with others' choices – except for Bible-believing Christians. Unbelievers see them as intolerant bigots who want everyone to adopt their beliefs.
Whenever warnings are issued, there's a time to repent and turn back—ignoring the words of the prophet ensures those words will someday burn into the minds and hearts of a nation that refuses to listen. The sword of divine justice will be raised; even now, we can see it glisten. Today, nations are rising; people within them are turning to force, hoping their demands will be met, and that history will change its course. But principles remain the same whether applied to nations or individuals. “Whatever we sow, we reap;” we can predict the final outcome.
The prophets gave their predictions, and many have already come true. Many are yet to be fulfilled; they will happen in due time. We are wise when we learn from prophetic predictions and from those that have been fulfilled. That knowledge will prevent us from thinking it won't happen just because all the prophets can be killed. Prophets speak for the Lord; they have divine authority behind them. What God told them to say will certainly come to pass.
The historians’ accounts and studies remind us that God is not finished yet. It is wise to listen to both histories and prophecies, paying attention and learning from them after judgment is complete. Righteousness will finally prevail on Earth, and those who were rebellious and sinful will experience the joys of new birth. God and His people will share in what He intended from the beginning: His people and God rejoicing together, in fellowship without any sin.
Even earth itself will pass away, and the heavens will roll up like a scroll. And He who designed it for a purpose will, with His power, fold them. The reason for earth and heaven is that all might come to know that the Lord is superior to everything, but He is more concerned about man’s soul. For within rational beings such as angels and humans is a part of Himself that should respond to the joy coming from Him; that anointing oil of gladness is what He desires that we will share. It will produce the sweetness of fellowship we’ll enjoy with Him above.