Isaiah Chapter 66
Isaiah 66, Rejoicing in God’s Ultimate Victory
A. The LORD Will Repay His Enemies
1. Isaiah 66:1-2, The Greatness of God and the Proper Response of Man
Isaiah 66:1-2, “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: where is house that ye build unto me? and where is place my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”
Isaiah 66 opens by placing all things in proper perspective. The LORD declares, “The heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool.” God is not contained by the temple, the land, the heavens, or the earth. Heaven is His throne, and the earth is beneath His feet. This is a declaration of absolute divine majesty. The LORD is not a local deity who depends upon a shrine built by human hands. He is the Creator and Sovereign over all things.
The question follows, “where is house that ye build unto me? and where is place my rest?” This does not mean God despised the temple when it was built according to His command. The temple had a real purpose in Israel’s worship. But no building can contain God or make Him dependent upon man. The danger was that Israel could confuse temple possession with spiritual submission. They could assume that because they had the temple, sacrifices, priesthood, and religious structure, God was obligated to bless them.
Solomon understood this when the first temple was dedicated. 1 Kings 8:27, “But will God indeed dwell on earth? behold, heaven and heaven heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house that I have builded?” The temple was never meant to reduce God to a religious object. It was a place where His name dwelt and where His people approached Him according to His covenant order.
Stephen quoted this passage in Acts 7 when confronting Israel’s religious leaders. Acts 7:48-50, “Howbeit most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands, as saith prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith Lord: or what is place my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things?” Stephen’s point was that Israel had often resisted the Holy Ghost while trusting in outward religious structures. God cannot be boxed into man’s institutions.
The LORD says, “For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been.” Everything man uses to build anything for God already belongs to God. The stones, wood, gold, silver, land, labor, breath, skill, and time all come from Him. Man does not enrich God by giving Him what God first gave man.
Psalm 50:10-12, “For every beast forest is mine, and cattle upon thousand hills. I know all fowls mountains: and wild beasts field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for world is mine, and fulness thereof.”
What, then, does God value? “But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” God looks with favor upon the humble, broken, reverent man. The poor in this context are not merely economically poor, but spiritually dependent. The contrite man is crushed over sin, aware of his inability to stand upright before God in his own righteousness. The man who trembles at God’s Word takes Scripture seriously. He does not treat divine truth lightly.
This is the proper response to God’s greatness. A man may want to build great things for God while refusing to bow before God. He may want to serve God on his own terms. But the LORD looks to the man who is humble, broken, and submissive to His Word.
Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices God are broken spirit: broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
To tremble at God’s Word is not emotional weakness. It is reverent seriousness. It means the Word searches the heart, corrects the life, exposes sin, and rules the conscience. A healthy believer does not come to Scripture only looking for comfort. He also asks God to search him, rebuke him, and conform him to truth.
Hebrews 4:12-13, “For word God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to dividing asunder soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is discerner thoughts and intents heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto eyes him with whom we have to do.”
2. Isaiah 66:3-4, God’s Answer to Empty Religious Ritual
Isaiah 66:3-4, “He that killeth ox is as if he slew man, he that sacrificeth lamb, as if he cut off dog's neck, he that offereth oblation, as if he offered swine's blood, he that burneth incense, as if he blessed idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them, because when I called, none did answer, when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.”
The LORD now exposes empty religious ritual. The sacrifices listed, ox, lamb, oblation, and incense, were part of Israel’s religious life when offered rightly according to God’s command. Yet when offered by rebellious hearts, God says they become equivalent to murder, uncleanness, and idolatry. “He that killeth ox is as if he slew man.” A sacrifice offered without repentance does not remove sin. It adds hypocrisy to sin.
This continues the message Isaiah has preached from the beginning. Isaiah 1:11-15, “To what purpose is multitude your sacrifices unto me? saith LORD: I am full burnt offerings rams, and fat fed beasts, and I delight not in blood bullocks, or lambs, or he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations, incense is abomination unto me, new moons and sabbaths, calling assemblies, I cannot away with, it is iniquity, even solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are trouble unto me, I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full blood.”
God does not reject the forms because He never commanded them. He rejects them because the people used forms while rejecting Him. The issue was not ritual itself, but ritual without obedience, repentance, faith, and reverence.
The LORD says, “Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.” This is the root problem. They chose their own ways. They were not ignorant victims. They delighted in what God hated. Self-will is at the center of false religion. A man may still use God’s name, attend worship, bring offerings, and speak religious language while choosing his own way.
Proverbs 3:5-7, “Trust in LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear LORD, and depart from evil.”
The judgment is severe, “I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them.” Since they chose their own ways and delighted in abominations, God will judicially give them over to delusion. This is one of the most terrifying judgments in Scripture. When men reject truth persistently, God may give them over to the lie they wanted.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, “And with all deceivableness unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not love truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe lie: That they all might be damned who believed not truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
This principle operates throughout history, and it will reach an ultimate form during the Great Tribulation. Men who refuse truth do not become neutral. They become vulnerable to delusion. They choose darkness, and God gives them over to darkness.
The reason is stated plainly, “because when I called, none did answer, when I spake, they did not hear.” God called, but they refused. God spoke, but they ignored Him. They did evil before His eyes and chose what He did not delight in. The way to avoid delusion is not complicated. Answer God when He calls. Hear Him when He speaks. Submit to His Word while there is time.
3. Isaiah 66:5-6, The LORD Repays His Enemies
Isaiah 66:5-6, “Hear word LORD, ye that tremble at his word, Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. A voice noise from city, a voice from temple, a voice LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.”
The LORD now speaks directly to those who tremble at His Word. These are the faithful ones, the genuine servants, the humble and contrite remnant. He says, “Hear word LORD, ye that tremble at his word.” The contrast is between those who reject God’s Word and those who tremble before it.
These faithful ones are hated by their own brethren. “Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake.” This shows that some of the fiercest opposition to true faith comes from empty religion. Their persecutors are not pagans only. They are “your brethren,” those outwardly connected to the same covenant community. They hate the faithful and cast them out while claiming to act for God.
This same pattern appeared in the ministry of Christ and the apostles. Religious leaders rejected those who truly followed God while claiming zeal for God’s name.
John 16:2, “They shall put you out synagogues: yea, time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.”
The hypocrites say, “Let LORD be glorified.” Their words sound spiritual, but their hearts are corrupt. They mock the faithful while pretending concern for God’s glory. This is what empty religion often does. It hates genuine faith, rejects genuine believers, and covers its hatred with religious language.
But the LORD says, “but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.” God will vindicate those who tremble at His Word. The faithful may be mocked, excluded, and hated for a time, but the LORD will appear to their joy. Those who persecuted them will be ashamed.
Then comes the sound of divine recompense. “A voice noise from city, a voice from temple, a voice LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.” God’s voice comes from the city and temple, and He repays His enemies. The final outcome belongs to the LORD. Empty religion will not triumph. The enemies of God will be repaid.
B. The LORD Comes with Fire
1. Isaiah 66:7-11, Rejoicing in the Deliverance of Jerusalem
Isaiah 66:7-11, “Before she travailed, she brought forth, before her pain came, she was delivered man child. Who hath heard such thing? who hath seen such things? Shall earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Shall I bring to birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut womb? saith thy God. Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: That ye may suck, and be satisfied with breasts her consolations, that ye may milk out, and be delighted with abundance her glory.”
Isaiah now turns to the miraculous deliverance and restoration of Jerusalem. “Before she travailed, she brought forth, before her pain came, she was delivered man child.” The image is astonishing. Birth normally follows labor, pain, and travail. Here, Zion gives birth before the pain comes. The point is that God’s deliverance will be sudden, miraculous, and beyond normal expectation.
The questions emphasize the wonder. “Who hath heard such thing? who hath seen such things? Shall earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall nation be born at once?” Human history does not normally work this way. Nations are formed through long processes, war, settlement, struggle, and development. But God can bring national restoration suddenly. He can accomplish in one day what man could not accomplish in centuries.
This prophecy has a strong future orientation toward Israel’s final restoration under Messiah. It may also remind us of remarkable moments in Israel’s modern history, but the ultimate fulfillment awaits the full kingdom restoration of Zion when the LORD establishes Jerusalem in glory.
The LORD asks, “Shall I bring to birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut womb? saith thy God.” God does not begin what He cannot finish. If He brings the promise to the point of birth, He will cause delivery. His covenant purpose will not fail at the end. The God who conceived the promise will complete the promise.
Philippians 1:6, “Being confident this very thing, that he which hath begun good work in you will perform it until day Jesus Christ.”
The command follows, “Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her.” Those who love Jerusalem are called to share in her joy. The people who mourned over her desolation will rejoice in her restoration. This is consistent with Scripture’s call to pray for Jerusalem and care about God’s purposes for Zion.
Psalm 122:6, “Pray for peace Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”
The blessing extends to those who rejoice with her, “That ye may suck, and be satisfied with breasts her consolations, that ye may milk out, and be delighted with abundance her glory.” The image is maternal comfort and nourishment. Jerusalem, once barren and desolate, becomes a source of consolation, abundance, and joy. Those who love what God loves will share in the comfort God gives.
2. Isaiah 66:12-17, The LORD Comes in Judgment
Isaiah 66:12-17, “For thus saith LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like river, and glory Gentiles like flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon sides, and be dandled upon knees. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like herb: and hand LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies. For, behold, LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames fire. For by fire and by his sword will LORD plead with all flesh: and slain LORD shall be many. They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in gardens behind one tree in midst, eating swine's flesh, and abomination, and mouse, shall be consumed together, saith LORD.”
The LORD promises, “I will extend peace to her like river, and glory Gentiles like flowing stream.” Jerusalem’s peace will be like a river, strong, steady, refreshing, and abundant. The glory of the Gentiles will come like a flowing stream. This continues the theme of Isaiah 60, where the wealth and honor of the nations flow to Zion under the reign of Messiah.
God then returns to the image of comfort. “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” This is one of the tenderest images in Isaiah. God’s comfort is compared to a mother comforting her child. A father may pity and protect, but a mother often knows how to soothe and comfort with gentleness. The LORD uses that image to describe His comfort toward His people.
Psalm 103:13, “Like as father pitieth children, so LORD pitieth them that fear him.”
Here, the LORD gives the companion image, as a mother comforts, so He will comfort. God’s strength and tenderness are not in conflict. The same God who shakes mountains, judges nations, and comes with fire also comforts His people with maternal tenderness.
The result is joy and renewed strength. “And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like herb.” The heart rejoices, and the bones, representing inner strength and vitality, flourish like grass. The people who had been dried up by sorrow will be renewed by God’s comfort.
Then the contrast appears, “and hand LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.” The same coming of the LORD brings comfort to His servants and indignation to His enemies. This is the great dividing line. The return of the LORD is good news to those who tremble at His Word, but terror to those who reject Him.
The LORD comes in judgment. “For, behold, LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames fire.” Fire speaks of judgment, purification, and consuming wrath. Chariots like a whirlwind show speed, power, and irresistible force. God’s anger is not out of control. It is righteous fury against sin and rebellion.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not gospel our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from presence Lord, and from glory his power.”
Isaiah says, “For by fire and by his sword will LORD plead with all flesh: and slain LORD shall be many.” The word plead here carries the idea of entering into judgment or controversy. The LORD will judge all flesh. His judgment is universal. No nation, system, religion, or individual stands outside His authority.
The targets include those practicing false religion. “They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in gardens behind one tree in midst, eating swine's flesh, and abomination, and mouse, shall be consumed together.” These people perform rituals of sanctification and purification, but their worship is idolatrous and abominable. They are religious, but they are unclean. They purify themselves outwardly while defiling themselves spiritually.
This is a final exposure of empty religion. God sees through ceremonies that mask rebellion. Those who sanctify themselves apart from God’s Word, God’s truth, and God’s appointed redemption will be consumed together.
3. Isaiah 66:18-21, The LORD Gathers and Restores His People
Isaiah 66:18-21, “For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come, and see my glory. And I will set sign among them, and I will send those that escape them unto nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory, and they shall declare my glory among Gentiles. And they shall bring all your brethren for offering unto LORD out all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith LORD, as children Israel bring offering in clean vessel into house LORD. And I will also take them for priests and for Levites, saith LORD.”
The LORD begins, “For I know their works and their thoughts.” God’s judgment is perfect because His knowledge is perfect. Men may hide motives from one another, but not from God. He knows both works and thoughts. External religion cannot deceive Him.
The LORD then says, “I will gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come, and see my glory.” God’s ultimate purpose includes the nations. Isaiah has consistently shown both judgment and mercy toward the nations. Here, all nations and tongues are gathered to see the glory of the LORD. This reaches toward the final worship scene around God’s throne.
Revelation 5:9-10, “And they sung new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take book, and to open seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on earth.”
God says, “And I will set sign among them.” This sign likely connects with the visible manifestation of the Messiah’s glory, the sign of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:30, “And then shall appear sign Son man in heaven: and then shall all tribes earth mourn, and they shall see Son man coming in clouds heaven with power and great glory.”
The LORD sends those who escape to the nations, “to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to isles afar off.” These represent distant lands and peoples who have not heard His fame or seen His glory. The mission is clear, “they shall declare my glory among Gentiles.”
Israel was always intended to be a light to the nations. Exodus 19:5-6, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me kingdom priests, and holy nation. These are words which thou shalt speak unto children Israel.”
Isaiah 49:6, “And he said, It is light thing that thou shouldest be my servant raise up tribes Jacob, and to restore preserved Israel: I will also give thee light to Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto end earth.”
The church also has a missionary mandate in this present age. Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in name Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto end world. Amen.”
In Isaiah 66, the missionary activity also points forward to future kingdom realities. Those who escape judgment are sent to distant nations, and the result is the regathering of Israel. “And they shall bring all your brethren for offering unto LORD out all nations.” The nations will bring Israel’s scattered brethren back to the LORD, to His holy mountain Jerusalem.
This regathering is described as an offering brought in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD. Israel’s return is holy, worshipful, and acceptable to God. The scattered people are not merely returning politically. They are brought to the LORD.
The LORD says, “And I will also take them for priests and for Levites.” This indicates a remarkable expansion of priestly service in the restored order. It may refer to some from the regathered people or even to Gentiles incorporated into priestly privilege. At minimum, it shows that God’s final work includes expanded access and service in His worship.
The New Testament identifies believers as a priestly people in Christ.
1 Peter 2:5, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up spiritual house, holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
Revelation 1:5-6, “And from Jesus Christ, who is faithful witness, and first begotten dead, and prince kings earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
This priestly identity does not erase Israel’s future role. Rather, it shows the fullness of God’s plan, Israel restored, the nations gathered, and worship expanded under the reign and redemption of the LORD.
4. Isaiah 66:22-24, The Certainty of Both the LORD’s Judgment and His Restoration
Isaiah 66:22-24, “For as new heavens and new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith LORD. And they shall go forth, and look upon carcases men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched, and they shall be abhorring unto all flesh.”
The book of Isaiah closes by setting before the reader the certainty of restoration and judgment. The LORD says, “For as new heavens and new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, so shall your seed and your name remain.” God’s future new creation is permanent, and His covenant purpose for His people is secure. The seed and name of His people will remain because God Himself guarantees it.
This connects back to Isaiah 65. Isaiah 65:17, “For, behold, I create new heavens and new earth: and former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” The final hope is not merely a repaired version of the present fallen order. God will make new heavens and a new earth. His restored people will remain before Him.
The LORD then says, “from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me.” Isaiah began with a condemnation of hypocritical worship on new moons and Sabbaths. Now the book ends with true worship. The same calendar markers once associated with empty religion become associated with universal worship before the LORD.
Isaiah 1:13-14, “Bring no more vain oblations, incense is abomination unto me, new moons and sabbaths, calling assemblies, I cannot away with, it is iniquity, even solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are trouble unto me, I am weary to bear them.”
What changed? God changed the people. Empty religion is judged. True worship remains. In the final order, all flesh comes to worship before the LORD. The nations are not autonomous. The world does not belong to idols, kings, or rebels. It belongs to the LORD.
But Isaiah does not end with sentimental comfort only. He ends with a warning. “And they shall go forth, and look upon carcases men that have transgressed against me.” The restored worshippers see the outcome of rebellion. The bodies of transgressors become a visible testimony to divine judgment. God’s victory includes both salvation for His people and judgment upon His enemies.
The final words are sobering, “for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched, and they shall be abhorring unto all flesh.” Jesus used this language when warning about hell.
Mark 9:43-48, “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into kingdom God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and fire is not quenched.”
The worm that does not die and the fire that is not quenched describe unending judgment. This is not annihilation or temporary correction. It is the horrifying end of those who persist in transgression against God. Isaiah closes with the eternal seriousness of life before the LORD.
The final contrast is worship or the worm, restoration or ruin, glory or judgment, trembling at God’s Word or being consumed by His wrath. Isaiah does not allow the reader to remain neutral. The Holy One of Israel saves, restores, comforts, and gathers. He also judges, repays, consumes, and condemns.
Theological Summary of Isaiah 66
Isaiah 66 concludes the book by magnifying the greatness of God and exposing the difference between true worship and empty religion. Heaven is God’s throne, and earth is His footstool. No house built by man can contain Him. Yet He looks with favor upon the one who is poor, contrite in spirit, and trembles at His Word.
The chapter rebukes religious ritual without obedience. Sacrifices offered by rebellious hearts become offensive to God. Because the people chose their own ways and delighted in abominations, God would choose their delusions and bring their fears upon them. The way to avoid delusion is to answer when God calls and hear when He speaks.
The LORD comforts those who tremble at His Word, even when they are hated and cast out by empty religion. He promises that the faithful will rejoice, while the hypocrites will be ashamed. God will repay His enemies.
The chapter also presents the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem. Zion’s restoration is pictured as a birth so sudden and miraculous that a nation is born at once. Those who love Jerusalem are called to rejoice with her and share in her consolation. The LORD will extend peace to her like a river and comfort His people as a mother comforts her child.
At the same time, the LORD comes with fire. His hand will be known toward His servants, but His indignation toward His enemies. He will judge all flesh, and those who practice empty, idolatrous religion will be consumed together.
The LORD will gather all nations and tongues to see His glory. He will send witnesses to distant nations that have not heard His fame, and they will declare His glory among the Gentiles. The nations will bring Israel’s scattered brethren back to Jerusalem as an offering to the LORD. God’s final purpose includes Israel restored, the nations gathered, and worship expanded.
The book ends with the certainty of both restoration and judgment. As the new heavens and new earth will remain before the LORD, so His people’s seed and name will remain. All flesh will come to worship before Him. Yet the transgressors will face unending judgment, described as the worm that does not die and the fire that is not quenched.
