Isaiah is nearing the end of his ministry as a prophet. It is thought by some that he died in 660 B.C. This is at a point in history that is a short plus for end-time prophecy. We at ahabiblemoments conclude that this chapter is one of those dual-time prophecies. Why? Because of verse 13:5. “They come from a far country, from the uttermost part of heaven, even Jehovah, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.” Who are THEY? The enemies of Israel’s ten northern Tribes of Israel? In End-Time it is basically the world powers. Chapter 13 and forward is about the land and people in all Israel AND end time. Some studied theologians feel the topic of Chapter 13 goes through Chapter 23. Whatever it is, Judah’s (southern kingdom) time is also in the cross-hairs. It may be another 80 plus years until Babylon and the Medes destroy Jerusalem but it was coming.

The burden (v1) against Babylon (as symbolic of then and end time). It will continue into chapter 14. We must make note that at times the name Babylon is the nation itself and at other times it is a synonym for many other nations as a whole. Plus …even though the Kingdom of Judah was not overrun until 586 B.C. they were under tribute to Assyria, before Judah’s 70 year captivity. Recall that very few Babylonian captives opted to return to their native Promised Land after Cyrus the Great released them.

V2: “Lift up a banner on the high mountain, raise your voice to them; Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles.” This was prophesied long before Babylon even became a powerhouse. We must go back to Daniel 5 to read about this fall of Babylon.

V3: Sanctified ones? This can easily be confusing due to the word sanctified. This is similar to Nebuchadnezzar and/or others who God uses to carry out his will even though they are not one of his followers. Even the mightiest empires are not beyond His control and are ultimately instruments of His will. It was true then and remains true today (see Daniel 2:21 and Psalm 75:7).

V4: Woe! Here is verbiage that takes us into a future tense not yet seen. Why? “…the noise of a chaos of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together!” At this point in scripture we are talking about Assyria, Babylon, Judah, and Israel. This sentence is much larger in its scope. This reminds us of Ezekiel 38–39; Zechariah 12 and 14. The plurality of this sentence goes far beyond the THEN.

V5: “They come from a far country.” How far is far? One of the Hebrew translations for this verse and words, the word for country is ‘erets. This means the earth itself. The next sentence in verse 5 is …”From the end of heaven–“ ‘erets, Heaven? This doesn’t take a scholar or theologian to conclude. It goes far beyond the principle of Babylon. “to destroy the whole land?” It is global.

V6: “…the day of the LORD is at hand.” This phrase or something similar to it is used over 200 times in the Bible. Each time it refers to an ultimate time.

V7: Again we must visit the meaning of words used in any specific scripture. The words “all” and “every” in this verse 7 when using the American Standard Bible and many other translations is from the Hebrew “KOLE”.  It simply means there are no exceptions. “Therefore shall all hands be feeble, and every heart of man shall melt.” It isn’t to be thought of as referring to a specific group, but the all (kole) of mankind.

 V8: Verse 8 reaffirms the previous verses. Scripture at this point is speaking globally but includes this time in history (His-story).

V9: “…and he (God) will destroy the sinners from it.” Isaiah is prophesying the return of Jesus (yeh-ho-vaw’ ) to earth to judge and to rule. This is NOT the time of the Tribulation. It is after it. It is far more than just dealing with Assyria or Babylon. But it does include the rule of Babylon and Assyria in THEIR TIMES. It includes and is mostly about Israel in both time periods.

V10: “For the stars of Heaven (our earthly sky/heaven…) will not give their light. The moon and sun will not give their light.” Such a statement appearance is found in books like Isaiah, Joel, Matthew, and Revelation, where it symbolizes a time of divine judgment.

NOTE: Yes, this passage is speaking mostly of the fall of Babylon, but it is also defining the happenings in end-time. See Revelation 6:12.

V11-14: Here one reads of what God will do to his created earthlings and his created earth and heavens… Even man will be made “rare” on earth (eritz). The Tribulation is not about the brave and might of man. It is about the judgement of God on man. “…the earth will remove out of its place.” Examining the Hebrew, this does not mean the earth loses its orbit, but it is more like an unbalanced tire on a vehicle or worse. Earth will be experience a global earthquake. One can only imagine.  It will move in and out of its rotations like an earthquake (Revelation 6:12). Matthew 24:29 may help one better grasp the finality of the end of “end time” i.e. the Tribulation. This verse includes the powers of the heavens that will also be shaken.

At verse 15, Isaiah returns to his narrative and prophecy of this time in and around Jerusalem/Israel. It will be a time of absolute brutality for Israel. Check a Middle East history book about the brutality of the Assyrians. The Medes and Persians treated them just as and greater than did the Assyrians did to their captives. Next article will begin at the kickoff of the rest of chapter 13 which is verse 15.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

In chapters 11 and 12, Isaiah once again does his present time jump to his End time considerations and prophecies. He does the same thing in Isaiah 2:2-4, 4:2-6, 7:14, and 9:1-7. Chapters 11 and 12 expand on these verses. Actually, this section of the Bible is clearer about End Time and the ending of this world then anywhere in the entire Bible. He talks about a world that is not at war with itself. A world that is controlled and ruled by Jesus. A restored Judah. Note he does NOT include all Israelites at this point. Why? We will cover this soon enough. His words are absolutely without regard for one’s point in life. If one doesn’t examine Isaiah closely, it would be easy to think him conflicted. We must determine in reading Isaiah is he in the present, past, or future. Sometimes he is speaking in his present and end time in the same verse.

Let’s first review truths of chapter 11:

1. Fear (full respect) of the Lord (not LORD) will be universal.
2. He will judge all men rightly.
3. God’s tongue will strike the wicked.
4. Animals, and creepy-crawly things will no longer be a danger to children or grownups.
5. NOTE: In verse 11:8, there will still be children.
6. Earth will be FULL of the knowledge of the Lord.
7. Gentile and Jew alike will seek knowledge of the Lord.
8. God’s chosen people will get their second chance to see Jesus as their Messiah.
9. The globally dispersed Israelis will not only return to the Promised Land, but nations will seek to send them to their Promised Land.
10. No longer will Ephraim contest Judah for leadership.

V14: “they shall swoop (fly down in some translations) upon the Philistine shoulder.”  Hmmm? This is future prophecy. Where were/are the Philistines? We call it the Gaza Strip today.

V15: The Bible refers analogically to the Tongue of Nile River. This is the Gulf of Suez, the northwest arm of the Red Sea where the Nile splits into seven branches.

NOTE: The mouth of the Nile River has seven branches. Verse 15 also states these branches of the Nile River will be dry.

1. Those Israelites who remain in Assyria (Syrian territory today) in End Times will return in mass will return to their Promised Land. One should check back about the 1492 dispersion of Hebrew peoples from Spain. History calls it the Inquisition of 1492. Two million, or there abouts, Hebrews fled Span to Aleppo (Northern most Assyria). This is a city held in high esteem by Jew, Muslim, and Christian alike.

NOTE: What was lost by mankind in Genesis 3 was restored in Isaiah 11.

Chapter 12 is a prayer of Praise:

Control/click on each blue passage link to find multiple versions of the verse

Isa 12:1  And you will say on that day, “I will give you thanks, Yahweh, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. 

Isa 12:2  Look! God is my salvation; I will trust, and I will not be afraid, for my strength and might is Yah, Yahweh; and he has become salvation for me.” 

Isa 12:3  And you will draw water from the wells of salvation in joy. 

Isa 12:4  And you will say on that day, “Give thanks to Yahweh; call on his name. Make his deeds known among the peoples; bring to remembrance that his name is exalted. 

Isa 12:5  Sing praises to Yahweh, for he has done a glorious thing; this is known in all the earth. 

Isa 12:6  Inhabitant of Zion, shout out and sing for joy, for the holy one of Israel is great in your midst.” 

Audio:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZCUmSLXUz8 click this link to hear an audio of chapter 12.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

To help grasp the last few verses in chapter 10, we must reiterate verse 24. It begins with the word “therefore.” Whenever therefore is found in scripture, one must seek to understand what therefore is therefore. In this case it is encapsulating the previous verses in chapter 10 which began in verse 1 with “WOE”. God, through Isaiah, tells his people of Zion, a mountain within Jerusalem, to not fear the Assyrians. Then proceeds to tell them that the Assyrian king will “lift up his staff against them”. This reads as a strange reassurance; “Don’t be afraid but someone will soon attack you”. Worse yet, it will be like their 400 years under Egyptian rule as slaves. HUH? Then we go into verse 25. Not real encouragement if it were for you or me. 

Verse 25 mentions, and one should ask, what is “A very LITTLE WHILE?” The following verses explain this seemingly odd confidence builder. God basically says it is yet to come but soon after God will cease his anger against His chosen People. Verse 26 explains what is in store for those who attack His people.

Verse 26: Isaiah tells its residence that it will be but for a little while. Isaiah compares it to the slaughter by the Tribe of Ephraim at the Rock of Oreb. (This is a biblical event in which the Israelites, led by Gideon, defeated the invading Midianite army. The Midianite prince, General Oreb, was captured and killed at a rock formation that was subsequently named the Rock of Oreb, an event frequently cited as a sign of God’s power against oppressors of Israelis. This was a battle between the invading Midianites and the Tribe of Ephraim found in Judges 7:25 (click to read this passage).

His “rod upon the sea” refers to the rod of Moses opening the Red Sea during Israelites escape from Egypt. There is more to this statement than meets the eye. It could read… as the Red Sea was divided against itself, so will the army of the Midianites. The Midianites slaughtered each other. One side against the other, as was the Red Sea and the drowning of the pursuing Egyptians. It was divided then conquered.

Verse 27: “… of the anointing.” This refers to God’s eternal anointing of His chosen people through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, “in that day” can easily fit end time. Israel will no longer carry the burden of its forefathers. They will live in a God-given peace on earth in their God-promised land. What a day that will be when our Savior we shall see.

Verse 28: Aiath… Migron… Michmash… Geba: (NOTE: Geba was a Levitical City, a sanctuary city to protect the yet to be tried individual) Oddly as it may be missed at first reading, this is a flow of cities north to the south in Judah. Assyria is to the north. However, the Assyrian forces of 185,000 men were stopped at the outskirts of Jerusalem. The Assyrians had been successful up to the outskirts of Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35-37, 37:36). The name Oreb (a raven) and his brother’s name Zeeb (a wolf) evoke the predatory and scavenging nature of the Midianite army that had been ravaging the land of Israel.

Verse 29-32: These 4 verse are one statement separated by commas. Together they are a prophetic description of the arrival of the Assyrian Army. Shortly after King Sennacherib returns home, better said “flees” to his throne in Assyria, he then finds death at the hands of his own sons.

Out of nowhere we read of Madmenah. Madmenah is NOT a person, but a place of residence. Verse 31 does not mean Madmenah fled, but the occupants of it did for fear of the Assyrians. Most of these verses reference a time between 705 B.C. and 701 B. C.

Verse 10:33 Scripture uses the identity Lord two times in this verse. However the Hebrew also uses two different names for LORD/LORD. Lord/aw-done‘ and LORD/yeh-ho-vaw’. Lord/aw-done’ means “ Lord, master, owner.” LORD/yeh-ho-vaw’ means self-Existent or eternal; Jehovah, the Jewish national name of God. The LORD will cut down the proud and those Jewish leaders of high stature in Judah. All that will be left in a once-mighty forest of Israelites will be stumps.

Verse 10:34 “The forest of Lebanon”  is known for their large, mighty cedar trees. God will judge the proud among Judah leaving a once mighty forest of those Judeans of high stature as if they were just stumps.

Historical Notes:

• Invasion of Judah: In his fourteenth year, Sennacherib launched a campaign and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. 
• Siege of Jerusalem: He then sent his forces to lay siege to Jerusalem, issuing a taunting message to King Hezekiah to question his reliance on Egypt and God. 
• Divine intervention: The biblical account states that God sent an angel who killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight, causing Sennacherib to retreat in shame. 
• Sennacherib’s defeat: The biblical narrative in 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37 concludes with Sennacherib returning to Nineveh, where he was eventually assassinated by two of his sons. 

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

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Note: The tribe of Ephraim, the second son of Joseph in Egypt, was the largest and most influential tribe in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Often the LORD/Bible refers to the Kingdom of Israel by the name Ephraim. This helps the reader distinguish between Israel as a twelve tribe nation and Israel as a 10 tribe northern kingdom and the kingdom of Judah [Benjamin]. This time in Israel and Judean history a Bible student and historian should know there has been a constant jealousy for power between the Israeli tribe of Ephraim and the Tribe of Judah. Ephraim and Manasseh were the sons of Joseph in Egypt.

Assyria is to be judged according to Isaiah beginning at verse 5. The context of the passage began in 7:1 through 10:4. Assyria, like Babylon’s defeat of Judah, are used as God’s instruments of punishment for the Tribes of Israel North and South. The Jeremiah Study Bible using the New King James Version says about verse 5 in Isaiah chapter 10: ”Assyria was like a rod in God’s hand (Jeremiah 51:20) – He controlled its action without its acknowledgement.”  We read this in verse 5. It is in the first sentence. “Woe to Assyria…”. Verse 6 states I will send him (Assyria) against an ungodly nation (Israel). About 100 years later, Babylon will be a rod in God’s hand over Judah. Other idol worshiping nations have been used by God to do the same thing in their past.

“The cities mentioned in verses 9 and 10 came under Assyrian control between 740 and 721 B.C., and none of the gods of these areas had provided the slightest help.” (Wolf)

In a little over 100 years, a Mede and Babylonian invasion of Assyria will utterly destroy them. Read previous publications about who were the Medes. Note that Assyrians dispersed the northern 10 Tribes of Israel; many of them to sparsely populated lands like that the Medes.

We are venturing into, as stated in a previous Isaiah article, Isaiah bounces between then Bible times of plunder and wars, End Time prophecy and End Time. Starting in this chapter, some statements include issues of then and coming End Time. Dual applications. This means a single prophecy that has two different times of revelation.

It is sickening to know that the wealthy Jews (Israelites) would take from their own poor what little the poor had. This brings on God’s wrath. This is found in 10:2. “To rob the needy of justice, And to take what is right from the poor of My people, That widows may be their prey, And that they may rob the fatherless.”

Verse 3: Just like End Times when all nations align against Jerusalem, there will be no one to help Israel defend itself. When these chosen People of God realize their total demise Christ will descend from Heaven to earth to set up his kingdom for eternity. It is reality. Christ will come in the clouds of the east like the hero comes into play at the last moment. HOWEVER, this is not any movie or story made for entertainment. It is actuality.

Verse 4:  God points out through Isaiah that “Without me” they are doomed. This verse also points out that “His hand is stretched out still”. This means it isn’t quite over yet. God’s anger against His chosen is still not settled.

Verse 5 & 6: “Woe to Assyria”. This is odd since God has allowed them to tread on his chosen people Israel, yet they will be judged for doing just that. How is this possible? Let’s not forget the free will of man. We do have free will. God simply gives/gave them an open hand.

Verse 7: God through Isaiah explains that He is not forcing them to destroy the northern 10 Tribes but that since the Assyrians “but it is in their heart to do so.” God simply removed His protecting hand. Satan wants all of God’s chosen to be destroyed to join him in Hell.

Verse 8 – 11: In these verses God through Isaiah points out that He has done this before. Isaiah writes, “are not my princes” (of Israel) Iike other kings? God has judged them through the ages and will continue doing so.

Verse 12: Now we shift to global affairs after dealing with Assyria… Do not think that the USA will somehow escape all of this. Just look at it today in its present state of dishevel.

Verse 13 – 15 Isaiah uses comparable situations to clarify God’s actions. He doesn’t try to justify them but explains God’s actions by comparisons. He is sovereign. Hasn’t He done this before. No one will stop Him from doing the same thing in the future or OUR time.

Verse 14: The Assyrians were in for a rude wake-up call!

“The cities mentioned in verses 9 and 10 came under Assyrian control between 740 and 721 B.C., and none of the gods of these areas had provided the slightest help.” (Wolf)

Verse 15-19: Isaiah uses tools to explain God letting non-Jewish Nations to be his tools to discipline His chosen Peoples of Israel. The ax, the saw, a man’s staff are examples in and of themselves are useless. A person must willingly take them in hand to use them. To quote the Jeremiah Study Bible…”Later in time, Assyria is compared to a forest burned so completely that a child could scribble the number of trees” left in their lands.

Verse 20: Their will be a remnant of Israelites after all this tribulation. This verse is what the entire Bible has planned for the descendants of Jacob. This is so relevant read the following.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and they that are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again lean upon him that smote them, but shall lean upon Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.” [NKJV]

Verse 21: This verse reinforces verse 20. The remnantof Israel will finally return and accept the Mighty God of Israel.

Verse 22: By the end of earth’s time, Israelites would have been numbered as the sand of the sea [not the beach but the SEA], a remnant will return to their native lands as gifted by God to Abraham. This is one of those current and End Time passages. A remnant will return… But we know that none of the 10 northern tribes ever returned to their land. We also know that few of Jacob’s descendants have returned to God.

Chapters 11 and 12 go deeper into End Time Tribulation.

Verse 24 – 27: This can be summed up by a short section found in verse 25. “…the indignation of the world and God’s judgment will cease.” This is obviously not so if we look at the United Nations that all but united. This means this passage is yet to come.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

In chapters 11 through chapter 12, Isaiah once again does his present time jump to his End time considerations and prophecies. He does the same thing in Isaiah 2:2-4, 4:2-6, 7:14, and 9:1-7. Chapters 11 and 12 expand on these verses. Actually, this section of the Bible is clearer about End Time and the ending of this world then anywhere in the entire Bible. He talks about a world that is not at war with itself. A world that is controlled and ruled by Jesus. A restored Judah. Note he does NOT include all Israelites at this point. Why? We will cover this soon enough. His words are absolutely without regard for one’s point in life. If one doesn’t examine Isaiah closely, it would be easy to think him conflicted. We must determine in reading Isaiah is he in the present, past, or future. Sometimes he is speaking in his present and end time in the same verse.

Let’s first review truths of chapter 11:

1. Fear (full respect) of the Lord (not LORD) will be universal.
2. He will judge all men rightly.
3. God’s tong will strike the wicked.
4. Animals, and creepy-crawly things will no longer be a danger to children or grownups.
5. NOTE: In verse 11:8, there will still be children.
6. Earth will be FULL of the knowledge of the Lord.
7. Gentile and Jew alike will seek knowledge of the Lord.
8. God’s chosen will get their second chance to see Jesus as their Massiah.
9. The globally dispersed Israelis will not only return to the Promised Land, but nations will seek to send them to their Promised Land.
10. No longer will Ephraim contest Judah for leadership.

V14: “they shall swoop (fly down in some translations) upon the Philistine shoulder.”  Hmmm? This is future prophecy. Where were/are the Philistines? We call it the Gaza Strip today.

1. Verse 15: The Bible refers analogically to the Tongue of Nile River. This is the Gulf of Suez, the northwest arm of the Red Sea where the Nile splits into seven branches.

NOTE: The mouth of the Nile River has seven branches. Verse 15 also states these branches of the Nile River will be dry.

1. Those Israelites who remain in Assyria (Syrian territory today) in End Times will return in mass will return to their Promised Land. One should check back about the 1492 dispersion of Hebrew peoples from Spain. History calls it the Inquisition of 1492. Two million, or there abouts, Hebrews fled Span to Aleppo (Northern most Assyria). This is a city held in high esteem by Jew, Muslim, and Christian alike.

NOTE: What was lost by mankind in Genesis 3 was restored in Isaiah 11.

Chapter 12 is a prayer of Praise:

Control/click on passage to find multiple versions of the verse

Isa 12:1  And you will say on that day, “I will give you thanks, Yahweh, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. 

Isa 12:2  Look! God is my salvation; I will trust, and I will not be afraid, for my strength and might is Yah, Yahweh; and he has become salvation for me.” 

Isa 12:3  And you will draw water from the wells of salvation in joy. 

Isa 12:4  And you will say on that day, “Give thanks to Yahweh; call on his name. Make his deeds known among the peoples; bring to remembrance that his name is exalted. 

Isa 12:5  Sing praises to Yahweh, for he has done a glorious thing; this is known in all the earth. 

Isa 12:6  Inhabitant of Zion, shout out and sing for joy, for the holy one of Israel is great in your midst.” 

Audio:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZCUmSLXUz8 click this link to hear an audio of chapter 12.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025