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Apocalypse of Isaiah

As we begin chapter 24 of the Book of Isaiah, we note that many Bibles label the section of chapters 24 to 27 as "Apocalypse of Isaiah."  In preparation for our study, it is worth our while to have a deeper understanding of what apocalyptic biblical literature is, and in addition, to preview how these verses of Isaiah warrant this title.  This article will endeavor to do that.

The word "apocalypse" comes from the Greek "apokalypsis" which means "revelation."   The literary form and style of this kind of literature is present in some OT Books and in the last book of the NT, which is now generally called, the Book of Revelation.  These four chapters of Isaiah exhibit some of these qualities of apocalyptic form and style.

According to the Anchor Bible Dictionary, the apocalyptic style is a genre of revelatory literature with a narrative framework, in which a revelation is mediated by an otherworldly being into a human recipient, disclosing a transcendent reality which is both temporal, insofar as it envisages eschatological salvation, and spatial, insofar as it involves another, supernatural world.   It is intended to interpret the present earthly existence in light of the supernatural world and of the future, and to influence both the understanding and the behavior of the audience by means of divine authority.  It can have for its sources dreams, visions, or meditations on Scripture.

In apocalyptic literature there a symbolic-allegorical vision.  The use of cryptic symbols seems to have a meaning known to the author and his readers.  But in most instances it is left unexplained.  Its meaning is reconstructed by modern scholars by laborious exploration of the background of the passage.  Examples of such symbolism would be clothing, colors, numbers, fire, etc.

Apocalyptic books report mysterious revelations that are often mediated by angels and disclose a supernatural world.   They are characterized by a focus on eschatology (last times), which often entails cosmic transformation and judgment of the dead.

The apocalypses are of two types. The more familiar "historical," are concerned with great historical crises.  Salvation may included the restoration of the land of Israel, but the emphasis is on a transition to a radically different world order.  In the second type, the visionary ascends through the heavens, guided by an angel, and usually includes a vision of the abodes of the dead.

Some apocalypses were written in times of distress, but all reflect some kind of dissatisfaction with the present world and seek salvation either in a new world to come or in another world beyond. Apocalyptic ideas played a crucial role in the formation of early Christian beliefs in the resurrection and Second Coming of Christ.

How does all this apply to Isaiah?  Not all commentaries would give chapters 24-27 this label.  They admit to some elements of the apocalyptic style present in these chapters of Isaiah, but they also point out that many of these traits are missing.  However, we will now look at some of those elements that are present and which give rise to the label, "Apocalypse of Isaiah."

In these Isaian chapters, there are the words concerning the resurrection of the dead: "But your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise; awake and sing, you who lie in the dust, for your dew is dew of light, and the land of shades gives birth" (26:19).  We hear Isaiah speak of the abolition of death, "The Lord will destroy death forever.  The Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of God's people will be removed from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken" (25:8), and the prophesy speaks of the imprisonment of the heavenly host, "The hosts of heaven will be gathered together like prisoners into a pit; they will be shut up in a dungeon and after many days they will be punished" (24:22).

In previous chapters, Isaiah spoke of God's judgment and promise concerning Judah and Jerusalem (1-12) and then God's judgment and modest promise concerning the nations (13-23).   Now Isaiah moves into an even larger horizon of concern: God's judgment on the power of evil in the world system and the prospect of new well-being for the remnant of Israel (24-27).

This effort is apocalyptic because Israel's traditional, longstanding understanding of the way God works in its life has been pushed to the cosmic, because the truth of God's gospel can no longer be enacted in what is available of human history.   Therefore the rhetoric soars into more imaginative and mythic categories.   The poetry that lacks specific historical reference can be applied to any situation in which people seek the coming of God's saving power.

These chapters, like apocalyptic literature, look beyond the events of the here and now to the final judgment and victory of God celebrated by the people of God in a banquet on God's mountain.

Text: Isaiah 24:1-23

1  Lo, the LORD empties the land and lays it waste; he turns it upside down, scattering its inhabitants:

2  Layman and priest alike, servant and master, The maid as her mistress, the buyer as the seller, The lender as the borrower, the creditor as the debtor.

3  The earth is utterly laid waste, utterly stripped, for the LORD has decreed this thing.

4  The earth mourns and fades, the world languishes and fades; both heaven and earth languish.

5  The earth is polluted because of its inhabitants, who have transgressed laws, violated statutes, broken the ancient covenant.

6  Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants pay for their guilt; Therefore they who dwell on earth turn pale, and few men are left.

7  The wine mourns, the vine languishes, all the merry-hearted groan.

8  Stilled are the cheerful timbrels, ended the shouts of the jubilant, stilled is the cheerful harp.

9  They cannot sing and drink wine; strong drink is bitter to those who partake of it.

10  Broken down is the city of chaos, shut against entry, every house.

11  In the streets they cry out for lack of wine; all joy has disappeared and cheer has left the land.

12  In the city nothing remains but ruin; its gates are battered and desolate.

13  Thus it is within the land, and among the peoples, As with an olive tree after it is beaten, as with a gleaning when the vintage is done.

14  These lift up their voice in acclaim; from the sea they proclaim the majesty of the LORD:

15  "For this, in the coastlands, give glory to the LORD! In the coastlands of the sea, to the name of the LORD, the God of Israel!"

16  From the end of the earth we hear songs: "Splendor to the Just One!" But I said, "I am wasted, wasted away. Woe is me! The traitors betray: with treachery have the traitors betrayed!

17  Terror, pit, and trap are upon you, inhabitant of the earth;

18  He who flees at the sound of terror will fall into the pit; He who climbs out of the pit will be caught in the trap. For the windows on high will be opened and the foundations of the earth will shake.

19  The earth will burst asunder, the earth will be shaken apart, the earth will be convulsed.

20  The earth will reel like a drunkard, and it will sway like a hut; Its rebellion will weigh it down, until it falls, never to rise again."

21  On that day the LORD will punish the host of the heavens in the heavens, and the kings of the earth on the earth.

22  They will be gathered together like prisoners into a pit; They will be shut up in a dungeon, and after many days they will be punished.

23  Then the moon will blush and the sun grow pale, For the LORD of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, glorious in the sight of his elders.

Discussion/Reflection Question:

Apocalyptic literature allows the reader to perceive the realities symbolized in the poetry of the text and apply that meaning to different historical situations.   How would you apply the meaning of the symbolism of Chapter 24 to our world today?