This speaks of God's righteous judgment and His plan to gather people from all nations to witness His glory and power. This passage highlights the global scope of God's redemptive work and the ultimate establishment of His kingdom. In this verse, God declares His omniscience, stating that He knows the works and thoughts of all people. He emphasizes that a time will come when He will gather people from all nations and languages to witness His glory. This gathering refers to the final judgment when all nations will be assembled before God.
Applying this aspect of the passage to our lives, we are reminded of God's sovereignty and His knowledge of all things. Nothing is hidden from His sight, and His judgment is based on perfect justice and understanding. This should prompt us to live in reverence and awe of God, knowing that He sees our deeds and knows our hearts.
The theme of God's omniscience and His righteous judgment is prevalent throughout the Bible. In Psalm 139:1-4, it says, "Lord, you have searched me, and you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways."
Applying this passage to our understanding of Isaiah 66:18, we are encouraged to trust in God's righteous judgment and to align our lives with His ways.
Isaiah 66:19 continues: "'I will set a sign among them, and I will send such as escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to faraway islands, who have not heard my fame, nor have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations.'"
In this verse, God speaks of setting a sign among the people and sending those who escape the judgment to the nations. These messengers will go to places that have not heard of God's fame or seen His glory, declaring His greatness and majesty among the nations.
Applying this aspect of the passage to our lives, we are reminded of our role as messengers of God's glory. God calls us to be ambassadors of His kingdom, proclaiming His truth and love to those who have not yet encountered Him. This verse highlights the universal scope of God's redemptive plan and our responsibility to share the Gospel with the world.
The theme of being witnesses and proclaiming God's glory is seen throughout the New Testament. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Applying this passage to our understanding of Isaiah 66:19, we are called to be bold witnesses of God's glory, taking the message of salvation to the ends of the earth.
Isaiah 66:20-21 says: "'They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to the Lord, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the Lord, as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord. Of them I will also select priests and Levites,' says the Lord."
In these verses, God speaks of the people from all nations bringing their brothers as an offering to the Lord on various means of transportation. Just as the children of Israel bring their offerings to the Lord in clean vessels, the people from the nations will also present themselves to God. God also states that He will select priests and Levites from among them, signifying the inclusion of all nations in His kingdom.
Applying this aspect of the passage to our lives, we are reminded of God's inclusive plan of salvation. His invitation is extended to people from all nations, and through Jesus Christ, all are invited to become part of God's chosen priesthood.
The theme of God's inclusive salvation is a central message in the New Testament. In Galatians 3:28, it says, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Applying this passage to our understanding of Isaiah 66:20-21, we are called to embrace the universality of God's salvation and to view all believers as part of His royal priesthood.
In conclusion, Isaiah 66:18 speaks of God's righteous judgment and His plan to gather people from all nations to witness His glory. This passage emphasizes the global scope of God's redemptive work and His invitation to people from every corner of the world to become part of His chosen people. As we reflect on this verse, may we be reminded of God's sovereignty, His call for us to be witnesses of His glory, and the all-encompassing nature of His salvation. Let us respond in obedience and reverence, declaring His fame among the nations and living as ambassadors of His kingdom on earth.