Isaiah is an evangelical prophet, a messenger of good news. But at the end of his 66th and final chapter, he signs off with a picture of rebellion against God, dead bodies, an unquenchable fire, and a worm that doesn’t die (v 24). While he has had much to tell us about heaven, he cannot forget to remind us that there is also a hell. What an extraordinary conclusion to his book! This is a verse which some will want to skim over, but Jesus did not do that. He often preached on hell—the ultimate consequence of rebellion—and He used this text from Isaiah in order to amplify its horrific nature. Isaiah and Jesus share the same concern: they do not want us to be in doubt concerning the existence of hell. And they do not want us to spend our eternity there. This chapter is about the fundamental choice facing humanity. It begins with the warning that all who practice corrupt worship are making themselves God’s enemies. When the Jewish exiles eventually return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple, they must never forget that God cannot be reduced to the dimensions of any building. Heaven is His throne, and the earth is His footstool! Yet it is easy to go through our prescribed religious motions in a house of worship and assume that He is somehow indebted to us. God is not looking for empty ritualism but for people who sincerely tremble at His Word. Those who take pride in their religion may reject the humble and contrite, but God will bring forth His justice on the last day (v 1-6). The future is bright for all who truly honor the LORD. He promises that they will be miraculously preserved, multiplied, and comforted. Without strenuous labor, Mother Zion will give birth to a new nation, as the gospel of Jesus Christ quickly advances, resulting in the conversion of multitudes. As a mother cares for her children, God Himself will nourish these new lives. They will know His peace and comfort, but the LORD’s enemies will face His indignation (v 7-14). So what will become of them? What is the future for those who reject God, choosing not to tremble at His Word or walk in His ways? “Behold, the LORD will come in fire.” Like a fierce warrior, He will execute His judgment against them, exposing their idolatry and putting an end to it forever (v 15-17). But for now, God is gathering in believers from all the nations to offer Him true and pure worship through Christ (v 18-21). One day, they will enter into the eternal joys of His new creation—watching in reverent awe as God’s righteous judgment falls on those who have refused Him (v 22-24). For further meditation: