“The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the LORD has spoken this word.” (Isaiah 24:3, ESV)

It is hard for us to imagine a time when the whole earth will be entirely empty and devastated. And yet God has spoken this word, and it will surely happen. We know this as The Day of the LORD, and it will come upon everyone living on the earth. Why does this happen? It is because the people have transgressed God’s laws and broken His everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth and few men are left (vv. 5-6). Joy and laughter will disappear, and those who remain will mourn and weep.

Yet despite all this devastation and desolation, Isaiah calls for people to praise the LORD.

“Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; in the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.” (Isaiah 24:15, ESV)

How can people do this? It is because they know that God is righteous and glorious. And before He can build His kingdom of righteousness, He must destroy the world of rebellion.

“On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth. They will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit; they will be shut up in a prison, and after many days they will be punished.” (Isaiah 24:21–22, ESV)

This speaks of the Antichrist and the false prophet being cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20). It also speaks of Satan being bound and cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Revelation 20:2-3). But the LORD of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and the saints of God shall reign with Christ for a thousand years!

Knowing that these things will surely happen, how shall we then live? We ought to trust in the LORD with all our hearts and obey Christ’s commandments. We ought to walk in the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh. As we see godlessness and rebellion increasing, we ought to look up knowing that our redemption is at hand.