 |  |
And so we come to the blessed conclusion of verses 9 and 10, a conclusion that
anticipates Rev. 21: 1-4, just as the New Jerusalem anticipates the New Creation
(Isa. 65: 17-20):
"The redeemed shall walk there: and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come
to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and
gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isa. 35: 9 and 10).
ISAIAH.
#14.
The relation of History, Archæology and Prophecy
(36: - 39:).
pp. 113 - 116
We have now reviewed the three great sections of the opening prophecy of Isaiah:
(1)
THE REMNANT SHALL RETURN (1: - 11:).
(2)
BURDENS AND BLESSINGS (13: - 27:).
(3)
WOES AND GLORIES (28: - 35:).
In chapters 40:-66: there await us three more, and between these two great groups of
prophecy is interposed a piece of history, the Assyrian invasion. At first it may seem
strange that a piece of history which can be read in II Kings 18:-20: should apparently
be recapitulated in the heart of a great Messianic prophecy, but an acquaintance with the
unfolding of the purpose of the ages will correct this impression and enable us to perceive
that what is past history may nevertheless have also a prophetic import. This principle
we find very clearly indicated in the book of Daniel.
In Volume XXXI, page 35, we have given the structure of the book of Daniel, as a
whole, showing the relation of the historic section to the prophetic.
While many of the references to the Assyrian in Isaiah may refer to Sennacherib, it is
evident that some, at least, look beyond this king to the world's last Destroyer, "The Man
of Sin". We learn from Daniel that this world Destroyer shall set his tabernacle "between
the seas" (i.e., between the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea), "in
the glorious holy mountain", "yet", adds Daniel, "he shall come to his end, and none shall
help him" (Dan. 11: 45). So, when we read in Isa. 14: 25, "I will break the Assyrian in
My land, and upon My mountains tread him under foot", we are reading of the prophetic
future, of which the destruction of the host of Sennacherib was an historic type.
Moreover, Isa. 14: 26 continues: "This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole
earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all nations."
From an examination of Isa. 36: we gather that Rabshakeh's weapon is his
tongue. Daniel reveals that the Man of Sin will have