Isaiah 66
December 11, 2022
It’s a bold creative choice to end with smoldering and maggoty heaps of corpses, but I guess when God says to write, you write! It’s a terribly visceral image for Isaiah to end on, the fate of those who rebel against God.
It is not the fate of everyone, however, nor is it entirely clear how the distinction will be drawn between who rebels and who does not. Clearly those who “sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens” and so on are rebellious, and they shall be slain. Clearly the ones who are “humble and contrite in spirit, who tremble at” the word of God shall be welcomed into the holy mountain Jerusalem.
But then there are “all nations and tongues,” including many who “have not heard of my fame or seen my glory,” and yet they, too, are welcomed into the city of God. Then they go out from the city, out to all the nations, and gather the descendants of Abraham back to Jerusalem, bringing them as offerings to the LORD.
It’s a strange vision, with very little in common with how we typically describe heaven and hell or maybe even the final judgment. It’s a “new heavens and new earth” that God brings about, but there’s not an indication that the actual heaven and earth are any different. Perhaps the newness is less about physical laws of the universe and more about how things will function—the serpent will be stripped of its power, whether in the heavens or on the earth, so that all things will operate the way God intends for them to.
It’s not how we normally describe hell, but it fits nicely with several other passages throughout Scripture. Back in vs. 15-16, the LORD’s judgment is executed by fire. What needs rebuked will be burned up. What doesn’t need rebuked will survive. This idea is an echo of Isa. 1.24-31, where God will “smelt away your dross” and “remove all your alloy,” and “those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed,” and “the strong shall become like tinder, and their work like a spark; they and their work shall burn together, with no one to quench them.”
In Isaiah 66, this judgment covers all of creation, but also happens in a localized place, often associated with the valley of Hinnom from Jer. 7.30-34 (and there is also a fire judgment in vs. 20). This valley of Hinnom in Jeremiah becomes a place where the slain are piled and burned in Isaiah, and is referred to as Gehenna by the New Testament (occurring 12 times, mostly on the lips of Jesus), which is often translated “hell.”
The fiery judgment of God is not an exciting prospect, but it’s part of the good news for those who follow the Way of God. The Way is difficult now, but will not be forever. One day soon God will set things right. Come, Lord Jesus.
—John Coffey
