The Lord of Heaven’s Armies

One Year Bible (Sep. 15)

Isaiah 19:1-21:17

The LORD of Heaven’s Armies

One of the main themes of the book of Isaiah is found in Isaiah 12:2, “Behold, God is my Salvation. I will trust and not be afraid.”

The book of Isaiah can be a very frightening book, especially if you are on the wrong side. This book has been called a small version of the book of Revelation.

Have you noticed the similarities?

In the book of Revelation, while John is in exile on the island of Patmos he is “caught Up” into the heavenly assembly of Heaven on The Lord’s Day. There he received visions with admonitions for the churches.

In the same manner, Isaiah, Hosea, and Jeremiah delivered the same kind of admonitions of judgment in the Old Testament against nations that have broken covenant with God.

The book of Revelation has 348 allusions which are traceable by verbal and contextual information that is related to the Old Testament.

Remember my phrase, “Follow the breadcrumbs!” The Word of God is linked together. Through prophecy, the Old Testament points to the upcoming of the Messiah in the New Testament, and the New Testament points to the prophecies fulfilled from the Old Testament.

Only God can connect people that are hundreds of years apart with His sovereign message.

Isaiah was given this message through a vision in the throneroom of God, and John was also transported into that throne room.

In order for us to follow the “Big Picture,” we need to follow important terminology. The term “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies” is a really BIG theme! You might want to highlight this phrase every time you see it…

This phrase is used 300x in the Old Testament. “Jehovah Sabaoth” is the root, and “God of Hosts” is also a translation.

His Might. His Authority. His Victory.

This term is one that refers to Spiritual Warfare and God’s Spiritual Authority overall.

We read of all the nations that Isaiah is giving the Judgment of God. He weeps over their demise, but he also tells us of rejoicing of the spared in the midst of all of this destruction. He is speaking of people that are rebellious and will be receiving destruction and of those that are a remnant of faith that God will rescue. The two groups are very different!

In the midst of all of these revelations, he gave us an insight into “The Star of the Morning”, Lucifer, who wanted to be equal with God and he warns of his demise.

All of this message is tied together… Spiritual Warfare!

If we miss this concept we will miss what this book is about. God will destroy evil. It will not stand!

He also will rescue HIS people, recall them as a Remnant, and then Redeem them at the appointed time through Jesus Christ.

There is a song that uses this theme, “The God of angel armies is always by my side.”

My daughter and I love this song by Chris Tomlin. During one of her very long hospital stays (2 months) after hip surgery, we sang this song every night before she would go to sleep. Why? Every day was filled with terror, loneliness, and pain. This song asks the question, “Whom shall I fear?” We asked that question a LOT!

“You hear me when I call. You are my morning song. Though darkness fills the night. It can not hide the light.”

Notice that this promise given throughout the Bible was available for God’s chosen people that were called to His purpose and plan. The book of Isaiah makes that so plain to see. Judgment will come to the enemies of God… from the top on down. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be his enemy or give His enemy any room to roam in my life.

“You crush the enemy underneath my feet. You are my sword and shield …Though troubles linger still… Whom shall I fear?” (Chris Tomlin, Whom Shall I Fear)

Listen to the end of today’s passage when the LORD spoke to Isaiah, “Take off the burlap (a sign of mourning) you have been wearing and remove your sandals.” Isaiah did as he was told, and he walked around naked and barefoot. (Oh my! What a horrendous calling as a prophet!) This was a symbol of the terrible troubles coming to the wicked who had not heeded God’s warning.

We live in a day and age of great spiritual battles, and it often brings terror to our hearts. There is only one safe place to hide… “The God of Angel Armies is always on my side.”