Isaiah 49

Isaiah 49:1

The LORD Punishes Evil

In Isaiah 13:14 the prophecy returns to the destruction of Babylon. This is evident from the rest of the chapter. All foreigners who were first attracted by the riches of Babylon and sought their advantage on this world market will flee the city to return to their own people and land. Skittish as “a hunted gazelle” and scattered “like sheep” without a shepherd, they will want to escape the advancing armies of the Medes and Persians. Also the restored Roman Empire (Europe) will consist of people from many countries. Later, when judgment comes on them, these people will flee and return to their own people and their own land.

Those who do not flee or are caught on the run fall into the hands of an enemy who spares nothing and no one (Isaiah 13:15-18). What they encounter on their way is thrust through without pardon or cut down by the sword (Isaiah 13:15). There is a total lack of respect for what belongs to others in life, possession, and marriage (Isaiah 13:16). They do not have the feelings that belong to these matters. Ruthlessly they dash to pieces little children before the eyes of their parents, and ravish women, insensitive to begging them not to do so.

They don’t let themselves be bribed, insensitive as they are to silver and gold, which means nothing to them (Isaiah 13:17). Their goal is to destroy their enemies with ruthless cruelty and to make sure that no new growth can come. Therefore, they dash to pieces boys, kill children already in the womb, and spare no child already born (Isaiah 13:18).

Isaiah 49:2

The LORD Punishes Evil

In Isaiah 13:14 the prophecy returns to the destruction of Babylon. This is evident from the rest of the chapter. All foreigners who were first attracted by the riches of Babylon and sought their advantage on this world market will flee the city to return to their own people and land. Skittish as “a hunted gazelle” and scattered “like sheep” without a shepherd, they will want to escape the advancing armies of the Medes and Persians. Also the restored Roman Empire (Europe) will consist of people from many countries. Later, when judgment comes on them, these people will flee and return to their own people and their own land.

Those who do not flee or are caught on the run fall into the hands of an enemy who spares nothing and no one (Isaiah 13:15-18). What they encounter on their way is thrust through without pardon or cut down by the sword (Isaiah 13:15). There is a total lack of respect for what belongs to others in life, possession, and marriage (Isaiah 13:16). They do not have the feelings that belong to these matters. Ruthlessly they dash to pieces little children before the eyes of their parents, and ravish women, insensitive to begging them not to do so.

They don’t let themselves be bribed, insensitive as they are to silver and gold, which means nothing to them (Isaiah 13:17). Their goal is to destroy their enemies with ruthless cruelty and to make sure that no new growth can come. Therefore, they dash to pieces boys, kill children already in the womb, and spare no child already born (Isaiah 13:18).

Isaiah 49:3

The LORD Punishes Evil

In Isaiah 13:14 the prophecy returns to the destruction of Babylon. This is evident from the rest of the chapter. All foreigners who were first attracted by the riches of Babylon and sought their advantage on this world market will flee the city to return to their own people and land. Skittish as “a hunted gazelle” and scattered “like sheep” without a shepherd, they will want to escape the advancing armies of the Medes and Persians. Also the restored Roman Empire (Europe) will consist of people from many countries. Later, when judgment comes on them, these people will flee and return to their own people and their own land.

Those who do not flee or are caught on the run fall into the hands of an enemy who spares nothing and no one (Isaiah 13:15-18). What they encounter on their way is thrust through without pardon or cut down by the sword (Isaiah 13:15). There is a total lack of respect for what belongs to others in life, possession, and marriage (Isaiah 13:16). They do not have the feelings that belong to these matters. Ruthlessly they dash to pieces little children before the eyes of their parents, and ravish women, insensitive to begging them not to do so.

They don’t let themselves be bribed, insensitive as they are to silver and gold, which means nothing to them (Isaiah 13:17). Their goal is to destroy their enemies with ruthless cruelty and to make sure that no new growth can come. Therefore, they dash to pieces boys, kill children already in the womb, and spare no child already born (Isaiah 13:18).

Isaiah 49:4

The LORD Punishes Evil

In Isaiah 13:14 the prophecy returns to the destruction of Babylon. This is evident from the rest of the chapter. All foreigners who were first attracted by the riches of Babylon and sought their advantage on this world market will flee the city to return to their own people and land. Skittish as “a hunted gazelle” and scattered “like sheep” without a shepherd, they will want to escape the advancing armies of the Medes and Persians. Also the restored Roman Empire (Europe) will consist of people from many countries. Later, when judgment comes on them, these people will flee and return to their own people and their own land.

Those who do not flee or are caught on the run fall into the hands of an enemy who spares nothing and no one (Isaiah 13:15-18). What they encounter on their way is thrust through without pardon or cut down by the sword (Isaiah 13:15). There is a total lack of respect for what belongs to others in life, possession, and marriage (Isaiah 13:16). They do not have the feelings that belong to these matters. Ruthlessly they dash to pieces little children before the eyes of their parents, and ravish women, insensitive to begging them not to do so.

They don’t let themselves be bribed, insensitive as they are to silver and gold, which means nothing to them (Isaiah 13:17). Their goal is to destroy their enemies with ruthless cruelty and to make sure that no new growth can come. Therefore, they dash to pieces boys, kill children already in the womb, and spare no child already born (Isaiah 13:18).

Isaiah 49:5

The LORD Punishes Evil

In Isaiah 13:14 the prophecy returns to the destruction of Babylon. This is evident from the rest of the chapter. All foreigners who were first attracted by the riches of Babylon and sought their advantage on this world market will flee the city to return to their own people and land. Skittish as “a hunted gazelle” and scattered “like sheep” without a shepherd, they will want to escape the advancing armies of the Medes and Persians. Also the restored Roman Empire (Europe) will consist of people from many countries. Later, when judgment comes on them, these people will flee and return to their own people and their own land.

Those who do not flee or are caught on the run fall into the hands of an enemy who spares nothing and no one (Isaiah 13:15-18). What they encounter on their way is thrust through without pardon or cut down by the sword (Isaiah 13:15). There is a total lack of respect for what belongs to others in life, possession, and marriage (Isaiah 13:16). They do not have the feelings that belong to these matters. Ruthlessly they dash to pieces little children before the eyes of their parents, and ravish women, insensitive to begging them not to do so.

They don’t let themselves be bribed, insensitive as they are to silver and gold, which means nothing to them (Isaiah 13:17). Their goal is to destroy their enemies with ruthless cruelty and to make sure that no new growth can come. Therefore, they dash to pieces boys, kill children already in the womb, and spare no child already born (Isaiah 13:18).

Isaiah 49:6

Babylon Completely Destroyed

These verses describe the judgment on Babylon. Babylon, which has presented itself as a beauty of all kingdoms, will be stripped of all its splendor and pride (Isaiah 13:19). It will be with Babylon as with Sodom and Gomorrah which have been turned upside down by God. It will be completely depopulated and will never be inhabited again (Isaiah 13:20). No Arab of the itinerant Arab nomads (Bedouins) will pitch his tent there anymore because there is nothing to gain anymore. There is also no more shepherd who will bring his flock there because of the crowds of wild animals that are there.

The only inhabitants will be the desert creatures (Isaiah 13:21-22). The animals mentioned in these verses living in the fallen Babylon are reminiscent of Revelation 18 (Revelation 18:2). It emphasizes that the final destruction, similar to that of Sodom and Gomorrah, lies in the distant future. Destruction in the short term is indicated by the words “her [fateful] time also will soon come” (Isaiah 13:22b). However, the destruction of Babylon in the short term is not like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, because Babylon will revive. Here again we have the principle of the double layer in prophecy, where there is a first fulfillment in the near future and a final fulfillment in the, at that moment, distant future.

The key to whether Babylon will reappear as the center of power and then suffer its final destruction is given in the beginning of Isaiah 14. In that chapter an explanation of the foregoing follows. Isaiah 14 tells of the day of Israel’s deliverance and millennial blessing. This is the day of the LORD which gives them rest from sorrow and fear and slavery and on which they will rejoice because of the destruction of Babylon and express their scorn to the city of the oppressor.

There has been no such utterance about the devastation that has now taken place some two and a half thousand years ago. However, in the future there will be such an expression at the fall of the resurrected city (Revelation 18:20). Then the prophecy of this part of Isaiah will have its complete fulfillment. Europe will remain in a ruined state at the beginning of the millennial realm of peace with few inhabitants and so it will remain throughout the whole realm of peace.

Isaiah 49:7

Babylon Completely Destroyed

These verses describe the judgment on Babylon. Babylon, which has presented itself as a beauty of all kingdoms, will be stripped of all its splendor and pride (Isaiah 13:19). It will be with Babylon as with Sodom and Gomorrah which have been turned upside down by God. It will be completely depopulated and will never be inhabited again (Isaiah 13:20). No Arab of the itinerant Arab nomads (Bedouins) will pitch his tent there anymore because there is nothing to gain anymore. There is also no more shepherd who will bring his flock there because of the crowds of wild animals that are there.

The only inhabitants will be the desert creatures (Isaiah 13:21-22). The animals mentioned in these verses living in the fallen Babylon are reminiscent of Revelation 18 (Revelation 18:2). It emphasizes that the final destruction, similar to that of Sodom and Gomorrah, lies in the distant future. Destruction in the short term is indicated by the words “her [fateful] time also will soon come” (Isaiah 13:22b). However, the destruction of Babylon in the short term is not like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, because Babylon will revive. Here again we have the principle of the double layer in prophecy, where there is a first fulfillment in the near future and a final fulfillment in the, at that moment, distant future.

The key to whether Babylon will reappear as the center of power and then suffer its final destruction is given in the beginning of Isaiah 14. In that chapter an explanation of the foregoing follows. Isaiah 14 tells of the day of Israel’s deliverance and millennial blessing. This is the day of the LORD which gives them rest from sorrow and fear and slavery and on which they will rejoice because of the destruction of Babylon and express their scorn to the city of the oppressor.

There has been no such utterance about the devastation that has now taken place some two and a half thousand years ago. However, in the future there will be such an expression at the fall of the resurrected city (Revelation 18:20). Then the prophecy of this part of Isaiah will have its complete fulfillment. Europe will remain in a ruined state at the beginning of the millennial realm of peace with few inhabitants and so it will remain throughout the whole realm of peace.

Isaiah 49:8

Babylon Completely Destroyed

These verses describe the judgment on Babylon. Babylon, which has presented itself as a beauty of all kingdoms, will be stripped of all its splendor and pride (Isaiah 13:19). It will be with Babylon as with Sodom and Gomorrah which have been turned upside down by God. It will be completely depopulated and will never be inhabited again (Isaiah 13:20). No Arab of the itinerant Arab nomads (Bedouins) will pitch his tent there anymore because there is nothing to gain anymore. There is also no more shepherd who will bring his flock there because of the crowds of wild animals that are there.

The only inhabitants will be the desert creatures (Isaiah 13:21-22). The animals mentioned in these verses living in the fallen Babylon are reminiscent of Revelation 18 (Revelation 18:2). It emphasizes that the final destruction, similar to that of Sodom and Gomorrah, lies in the distant future. Destruction in the short term is indicated by the words “her [fateful] time also will soon come” (Isaiah 13:22b). However, the destruction of Babylon in the short term is not like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, because Babylon will revive. Here again we have the principle of the double layer in prophecy, where there is a first fulfillment in the near future and a final fulfillment in the, at that moment, distant future.

The key to whether Babylon will reappear as the center of power and then suffer its final destruction is given in the beginning of Isaiah 14. In that chapter an explanation of the foregoing follows. Isaiah 14 tells of the day of Israel’s deliverance and millennial blessing. This is the day of the LORD which gives them rest from sorrow and fear and slavery and on which they will rejoice because of the destruction of Babylon and express their scorn to the city of the oppressor.

There has been no such utterance about the devastation that has now taken place some two and a half thousand years ago. However, in the future there will be such an expression at the fall of the resurrected city (Revelation 18:20). Then the prophecy of this part of Isaiah will have its complete fulfillment. Europe will remain in a ruined state at the beginning of the millennial realm of peace with few inhabitants and so it will remain throughout the whole realm of peace.

Isaiah 49:9

Babylon Completely Destroyed

These verses describe the judgment on Babylon. Babylon, which has presented itself as a beauty of all kingdoms, will be stripped of all its splendor and pride (Isaiah 13:19). It will be with Babylon as with Sodom and Gomorrah which have been turned upside down by God. It will be completely depopulated and will never be inhabited again (Isaiah 13:20). No Arab of the itinerant Arab nomads (Bedouins) will pitch his tent there anymore because there is nothing to gain anymore. There is also no more shepherd who will bring his flock there because of the crowds of wild animals that are there.

The only inhabitants will be the desert creatures (Isaiah 13:21-22). The animals mentioned in these verses living in the fallen Babylon are reminiscent of Revelation 18 (Revelation 18:2). It emphasizes that the final destruction, similar to that of Sodom and Gomorrah, lies in the distant future. Destruction in the short term is indicated by the words “her [fateful] time also will soon come” (Isaiah 13:22b). However, the destruction of Babylon in the short term is not like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, because Babylon will revive. Here again we have the principle of the double layer in prophecy, where there is a first fulfillment in the near future and a final fulfillment in the, at that moment, distant future.

The key to whether Babylon will reappear as the center of power and then suffer its final destruction is given in the beginning of Isaiah 14. In that chapter an explanation of the foregoing follows. Isaiah 14 tells of the day of Israel’s deliverance and millennial blessing. This is the day of the LORD which gives them rest from sorrow and fear and slavery and on which they will rejoice because of the destruction of Babylon and express their scorn to the city of the oppressor.

There has been no such utterance about the devastation that has now taken place some two and a half thousand years ago. However, in the future there will be such an expression at the fall of the resurrected city (Revelation 18:20). Then the prophecy of this part of Isaiah will have its complete fulfillment. Europe will remain in a ruined state at the beginning of the millennial realm of peace with few inhabitants and so it will remain throughout the whole realm of peace.

Isaiah 49:11

The LORD Has Compassion on Jacob

The subject of the previous chapter is continued and explained. Now the reason is given for the judgment on the heathen ruler described in the previous chapter. That reason is that the LORD will have compassion on Jacob, the twelve tribes, and fulfill His choice of Israel, the twelve tribes. The judgment on the nations will show His people that He is on their side.

The pre-fulfillment at the time of Zerubbabel only applies to the two tribes realm. The full fulfillment in the future applies to the twelve tribes of Israel. At the time of Zerubbabel Judah remains under the authority of the nations. In the future Israel will have authority over the nations (Isaiah 14:2).

Four aspects can be distinguished in this context: 1. Judgment on Israel: The heathen ruler has been used by the LORD to discipline His people because His people have become willful and rebellious. 2. Judgment on the nations: The arrogance and excessive cruelty of the nations in their actions compel Him to bring His judgment on these nations when they have accomplished their task of discipling Israel. 3. Blessing on Israel: The promises made to the fathers must be fulfilled. This means that a restoration of Israel must take place. 4. Blessing on the nations: When the restoration of Israel has taken place, this restored Israel will be the instrument through which God will bless the nations.

Just as the fall of Babylon means a partial blessing for Judah – after all, Cyrus gives them permission to return to the land of the fathers (Ezra 1:1-3) – so the judgment of the Lord Jesus on Babylon in the end time will result in full blessing for the whole people. When the song of praise is sung because of the fall of Babylon (Revelation 19:1-6), the wedding of the Lamb will be celebrated immediately afterward (Revelation 19:7-9). Immediately after the wedding, Christ returns to earth (Revelation 19:11) to sit on His throne in Jerusalem and govern His people, and the earth, in blessing.

In summary, Isaiah 14:1 shows in a fourfold manner the plans of blessing the LORD has devised for Israel: 1. He has compassion on them and 2. makes His choice come true; 3. He settles them in their own land given to them by Him; and 4. when strangers see the blessing thereof, they will want to be part of that blessed people. These strangers live among the Israelites and, like once people like Rahab and Ruth, will voluntarily join the house of Jacob.

Isaiah 49:12

The Tables Have Turned

God will, in order to carry out His purpose toward His people, use the nations to bring His people to their dwelling place (Isaiah 14:2). It is clear that what is said here did not happen in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, when a small remnant from Babylon returns to Jerusalem. That is a partial return, where the returned remnant remains under the power of the nations (Ezra 9:9; Nehemiah 9:36).

The restoration that takes place in the end time, takes place in two steps. First we have the return of the two tribes who now 2,000 years ago rejected Christ and will go through the great tribulation. The two tribes will be restored after the discipline by the king of the North and by the appearance of Christ. Then the lost ten tribes (Deuteronomy 28:25; Deuteronomy 32:26) will return to the land of Israel and be restored (Ezekiel 37:21). The nations will do everything to bring these ten tribes back to the land of Israel in a brief time.

We see that whoever remains of the former oppressors after God’s judgment on them will become “male servants and female servants” of the Israelites. The tables are turned. The oppressed are now the rulers and those who have ruled are now the prisoners (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).

The joy over the fall of the harsh regime is great. Also great is the mockery that comes over the once mighty king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:3-4). In the past we recognize this king in the person of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1), but prophetically we see in him the future ruler of Europe, referred to as the beast of the sea (Revelation 13:1) and the little horn of Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:8; 20; 24). We must well distinguish this person, referred to here as the oppressor because of his part in the persecution of the faithful remnant, from the antichrist, the wicked king of Israel, the beast coming up out of the earth (Revelation 13:11).

Isaiah incites the singing of a mocking song, keeping alive the memory of the downfall of the king of Babylon. This mock song (Isaiah 14:4) consists of four stanzas: 1. on earth: relief (Isaiah 14:4-8); 2. in the realm of the dead (Sheol): amazement (Isaiah 14:9-11); 3. in heaven: the ejection of satan, the power behind Babylon (Isaiah 14:12-15); 4. on earth: judgment (Isaiah 14:16-21).

This reversal of affairs is due to the LORD (Isaiah 14:5). He has worked it, for He has “broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers”. The reason is that this disciplinary staff has not kept its measure and has constantly stricken and persecuted (Isaiah 14:6). He has gone beyond the LORD’s will in his wrath and desire for destruction and has become a scourge to the nations. When his yoke is broken, the earth is at rest and there is joy everywhere; the cheers burst forth (Isaiah 14:7).

Even the trees breathe as it were relieved (Isaiah 14:8). The Babylonians had cut down large areas of forest of Lebanon, because they could use the wood for anything. Now they lie down felled themselves, powerless to climb Lebanon and cut trees.

Isaiah 49:13

The Tables Have Turned

God will, in order to carry out His purpose toward His people, use the nations to bring His people to their dwelling place (Isaiah 14:2). It is clear that what is said here did not happen in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, when a small remnant from Babylon returns to Jerusalem. That is a partial return, where the returned remnant remains under the power of the nations (Ezra 9:9; Nehemiah 9:36).

The restoration that takes place in the end time, takes place in two steps. First we have the return of the two tribes who now 2,000 years ago rejected Christ and will go through the great tribulation. The two tribes will be restored after the discipline by the king of the North and by the appearance of Christ. Then the lost ten tribes (Deuteronomy 28:25; Deuteronomy 32:26) will return to the land of Israel and be restored (Ezekiel 37:21). The nations will do everything to bring these ten tribes back to the land of Israel in a brief time.

We see that whoever remains of the former oppressors after God’s judgment on them will become “male servants and female servants” of the Israelites. The tables are turned. The oppressed are now the rulers and those who have ruled are now the prisoners (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).

The joy over the fall of the harsh regime is great. Also great is the mockery that comes over the once mighty king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:3-4). In the past we recognize this king in the person of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1), but prophetically we see in him the future ruler of Europe, referred to as the beast of the sea (Revelation 13:1) and the little horn of Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:8; 20; 24). We must well distinguish this person, referred to here as the oppressor because of his part in the persecution of the faithful remnant, from the antichrist, the wicked king of Israel, the beast coming up out of the earth (Revelation 13:11).

Isaiah incites the singing of a mocking song, keeping alive the memory of the downfall of the king of Babylon. This mock song (Isaiah 14:4) consists of four stanzas: 1. on earth: relief (Isaiah 14:4-8); 2. in the realm of the dead (Sheol): amazement (Isaiah 14:9-11); 3. in heaven: the ejection of satan, the power behind Babylon (Isaiah 14:12-15); 4. on earth: judgment (Isaiah 14:16-21).

This reversal of affairs is due to the LORD (Isaiah 14:5). He has worked it, for He has “broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers”. The reason is that this disciplinary staff has not kept its measure and has constantly stricken and persecuted (Isaiah 14:6). He has gone beyond the LORD’s will in his wrath and desire for destruction and has become a scourge to the nations. When his yoke is broken, the earth is at rest and there is joy everywhere; the cheers burst forth (Isaiah 14:7).

Even the trees breathe as it were relieved (Isaiah 14:8). The Babylonians had cut down large areas of forest of Lebanon, because they could use the wood for anything. Now they lie down felled themselves, powerless to climb Lebanon and cut trees.

Isaiah 49:14

The Tables Have Turned

God will, in order to carry out His purpose toward His people, use the nations to bring His people to their dwelling place (Isaiah 14:2). It is clear that what is said here did not happen in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, when a small remnant from Babylon returns to Jerusalem. That is a partial return, where the returned remnant remains under the power of the nations (Ezra 9:9; Nehemiah 9:36).

The restoration that takes place in the end time, takes place in two steps. First we have the return of the two tribes who now 2,000 years ago rejected Christ and will go through the great tribulation. The two tribes will be restored after the discipline by the king of the North and by the appearance of Christ. Then the lost ten tribes (Deuteronomy 28:25; Deuteronomy 32:26) will return to the land of Israel and be restored (Ezekiel 37:21). The nations will do everything to bring these ten tribes back to the land of Israel in a brief time.

We see that whoever remains of the former oppressors after God’s judgment on them will become “male servants and female servants” of the Israelites. The tables are turned. The oppressed are now the rulers and those who have ruled are now the prisoners (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).

The joy over the fall of the harsh regime is great. Also great is the mockery that comes over the once mighty king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:3-4). In the past we recognize this king in the person of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1), but prophetically we see in him the future ruler of Europe, referred to as the beast of the sea (Revelation 13:1) and the little horn of Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:8; 20; 24). We must well distinguish this person, referred to here as the oppressor because of his part in the persecution of the faithful remnant, from the antichrist, the wicked king of Israel, the beast coming up out of the earth (Revelation 13:11).

Isaiah incites the singing of a mocking song, keeping alive the memory of the downfall of the king of Babylon. This mock song (Isaiah 14:4) consists of four stanzas: 1. on earth: relief (Isaiah 14:4-8); 2. in the realm of the dead (Sheol): amazement (Isaiah 14:9-11); 3. in heaven: the ejection of satan, the power behind Babylon (Isaiah 14:12-15); 4. on earth: judgment (Isaiah 14:16-21).

This reversal of affairs is due to the LORD (Isaiah 14:5). He has worked it, for He has “broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers”. The reason is that this disciplinary staff has not kept its measure and has constantly stricken and persecuted (Isaiah 14:6). He has gone beyond the LORD’s will in his wrath and desire for destruction and has become a scourge to the nations. When his yoke is broken, the earth is at rest and there is joy everywhere; the cheers burst forth (Isaiah 14:7).

Even the trees breathe as it were relieved (Isaiah 14:8). The Babylonians had cut down large areas of forest of Lebanon, because they could use the wood for anything. Now they lie down felled themselves, powerless to climb Lebanon and cut trees.

Isaiah 49:15

The Tables Have Turned

God will, in order to carry out His purpose toward His people, use the nations to bring His people to their dwelling place (Isaiah 14:2). It is clear that what is said here did not happen in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, when a small remnant from Babylon returns to Jerusalem. That is a partial return, where the returned remnant remains under the power of the nations (Ezra 9:9; Nehemiah 9:36).

The restoration that takes place in the end time, takes place in two steps. First we have the return of the two tribes who now 2,000 years ago rejected Christ and will go through the great tribulation. The two tribes will be restored after the discipline by the king of the North and by the appearance of Christ. Then the lost ten tribes (Deuteronomy 28:25; Deuteronomy 32:26) will return to the land of Israel and be restored (Ezekiel 37:21). The nations will do everything to bring these ten tribes back to the land of Israel in a brief time.

We see that whoever remains of the former oppressors after God’s judgment on them will become “male servants and female servants” of the Israelites. The tables are turned. The oppressed are now the rulers and those who have ruled are now the prisoners (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).

The joy over the fall of the harsh regime is great. Also great is the mockery that comes over the once mighty king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:3-4). In the past we recognize this king in the person of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1), but prophetically we see in him the future ruler of Europe, referred to as the beast of the sea (Revelation 13:1) and the little horn of Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:8; 20; 24). We must well distinguish this person, referred to here as the oppressor because of his part in the persecution of the faithful remnant, from the antichrist, the wicked king of Israel, the beast coming up out of the earth (Revelation 13:11).

Isaiah incites the singing of a mocking song, keeping alive the memory of the downfall of the king of Babylon. This mock song (Isaiah 14:4) consists of four stanzas: 1. on earth: relief (Isaiah 14:4-8); 2. in the realm of the dead (Sheol): amazement (Isaiah 14:9-11); 3. in heaven: the ejection of satan, the power behind Babylon (Isaiah 14:12-15); 4. on earth: judgment (Isaiah 14:16-21).

This reversal of affairs is due to the LORD (Isaiah 14:5). He has worked it, for He has “broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers”. The reason is that this disciplinary staff has not kept its measure and has constantly stricken and persecuted (Isaiah 14:6). He has gone beyond the LORD’s will in his wrath and desire for destruction and has become a scourge to the nations. When his yoke is broken, the earth is at rest and there is joy everywhere; the cheers burst forth (Isaiah 14:7).

Even the trees breathe as it were relieved (Isaiah 14:8). The Babylonians had cut down large areas of forest of Lebanon, because they could use the wood for anything. Now they lie down felled themselves, powerless to climb Lebanon and cut trees.

Isaiah 49:16

The Tables Have Turned

God will, in order to carry out His purpose toward His people, use the nations to bring His people to their dwelling place (Isaiah 14:2). It is clear that what is said here did not happen in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, when a small remnant from Babylon returns to Jerusalem. That is a partial return, where the returned remnant remains under the power of the nations (Ezra 9:9; Nehemiah 9:36).

The restoration that takes place in the end time, takes place in two steps. First we have the return of the two tribes who now 2,000 years ago rejected Christ and will go through the great tribulation. The two tribes will be restored after the discipline by the king of the North and by the appearance of Christ. Then the lost ten tribes (Deuteronomy 28:25; Deuteronomy 32:26) will return to the land of Israel and be restored (Ezekiel 37:21). The nations will do everything to bring these ten tribes back to the land of Israel in a brief time.

We see that whoever remains of the former oppressors after God’s judgment on them will become “male servants and female servants” of the Israelites. The tables are turned. The oppressed are now the rulers and those who have ruled are now the prisoners (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).

The joy over the fall of the harsh regime is great. Also great is the mockery that comes over the once mighty king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:3-4). In the past we recognize this king in the person of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1), but prophetically we see in him the future ruler of Europe, referred to as the beast of the sea (Revelation 13:1) and the little horn of Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:8; 20; 24). We must well distinguish this person, referred to here as the oppressor because of his part in the persecution of the faithful remnant, from the antichrist, the wicked king of Israel, the beast coming up out of the earth (Revelation 13:11).

Isaiah incites the singing of a mocking song, keeping alive the memory of the downfall of the king of Babylon. This mock song (Isaiah 14:4) consists of four stanzas: 1. on earth: relief (Isaiah 14:4-8); 2. in the realm of the dead (Sheol): amazement (Isaiah 14:9-11); 3. in heaven: the ejection of satan, the power behind Babylon (Isaiah 14:12-15); 4. on earth: judgment (Isaiah 14:16-21).

This reversal of affairs is due to the LORD (Isaiah 14:5). He has worked it, for He has “broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers”. The reason is that this disciplinary staff has not kept its measure and has constantly stricken and persecuted (Isaiah 14:6). He has gone beyond the LORD’s will in his wrath and desire for destruction and has become a scourge to the nations. When his yoke is broken, the earth is at rest and there is joy everywhere; the cheers burst forth (Isaiah 14:7).

Even the trees breathe as it were relieved (Isaiah 14:8). The Babylonians had cut down large areas of forest of Lebanon, because they could use the wood for anything. Now they lie down felled themselves, powerless to climb Lebanon and cut trees.

Isaiah 49:17

The Tables Have Turned

God will, in order to carry out His purpose toward His people, use the nations to bring His people to their dwelling place (Isaiah 14:2). It is clear that what is said here did not happen in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, when a small remnant from Babylon returns to Jerusalem. That is a partial return, where the returned remnant remains under the power of the nations (Ezra 9:9; Nehemiah 9:36).

The restoration that takes place in the end time, takes place in two steps. First we have the return of the two tribes who now 2,000 years ago rejected Christ and will go through the great tribulation. The two tribes will be restored after the discipline by the king of the North and by the appearance of Christ. Then the lost ten tribes (Deuteronomy 28:25; Deuteronomy 32:26) will return to the land of Israel and be restored (Ezekiel 37:21). The nations will do everything to bring these ten tribes back to the land of Israel in a brief time.

We see that whoever remains of the former oppressors after God’s judgment on them will become “male servants and female servants” of the Israelites. The tables are turned. The oppressed are now the rulers and those who have ruled are now the prisoners (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).

The joy over the fall of the harsh regime is great. Also great is the mockery that comes over the once mighty king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:3-4). In the past we recognize this king in the person of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1), but prophetically we see in him the future ruler of Europe, referred to as the beast of the sea (Revelation 13:1) and the little horn of Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:8; 20; 24). We must well distinguish this person, referred to here as the oppressor because of his part in the persecution of the faithful remnant, from the antichrist, the wicked king of Israel, the beast coming up out of the earth (Revelation 13:11).

Isaiah incites the singing of a mocking song, keeping alive the memory of the downfall of the king of Babylon. This mock song (Isaiah 14:4) consists of four stanzas: 1. on earth: relief (Isaiah 14:4-8); 2. in the realm of the dead (Sheol): amazement (Isaiah 14:9-11); 3. in heaven: the ejection of satan, the power behind Babylon (Isaiah 14:12-15); 4. on earth: judgment (Isaiah 14:16-21).

This reversal of affairs is due to the LORD (Isaiah 14:5). He has worked it, for He has “broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers”. The reason is that this disciplinary staff has not kept its measure and has constantly stricken and persecuted (Isaiah 14:6). He has gone beyond the LORD’s will in his wrath and desire for destruction and has become a scourge to the nations. When his yoke is broken, the earth is at rest and there is joy everywhere; the cheers burst forth (Isaiah 14:7).

Even the trees breathe as it were relieved (Isaiah 14:8). The Babylonians had cut down large areas of forest of Lebanon, because they could use the wood for anything. Now they lie down felled themselves, powerless to climb Lebanon and cut trees.

Isaiah 49:18

The Tables Have Turned

God will, in order to carry out His purpose toward His people, use the nations to bring His people to their dwelling place (Isaiah 14:2). It is clear that what is said here did not happen in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, when a small remnant from Babylon returns to Jerusalem. That is a partial return, where the returned remnant remains under the power of the nations (Ezra 9:9; Nehemiah 9:36).

The restoration that takes place in the end time, takes place in two steps. First we have the return of the two tribes who now 2,000 years ago rejected Christ and will go through the great tribulation. The two tribes will be restored after the discipline by the king of the North and by the appearance of Christ. Then the lost ten tribes (Deuteronomy 28:25; Deuteronomy 32:26) will return to the land of Israel and be restored (Ezekiel 37:21). The nations will do everything to bring these ten tribes back to the land of Israel in a brief time.

We see that whoever remains of the former oppressors after God’s judgment on them will become “male servants and female servants” of the Israelites. The tables are turned. The oppressed are now the rulers and those who have ruled are now the prisoners (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).

The joy over the fall of the harsh regime is great. Also great is the mockery that comes over the once mighty king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:3-4). In the past we recognize this king in the person of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1), but prophetically we see in him the future ruler of Europe, referred to as the beast of the sea (Revelation 13:1) and the little horn of Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:8; 20; 24). We must well distinguish this person, referred to here as the oppressor because of his part in the persecution of the faithful remnant, from the antichrist, the wicked king of Israel, the beast coming up out of the earth (Revelation 13:11).

Isaiah incites the singing of a mocking song, keeping alive the memory of the downfall of the king of Babylon. This mock song (Isaiah 14:4) consists of four stanzas: 1. on earth: relief (Isaiah 14:4-8); 2. in the realm of the dead (Sheol): amazement (Isaiah 14:9-11); 3. in heaven: the ejection of satan, the power behind Babylon (Isaiah 14:12-15); 4. on earth: judgment (Isaiah 14:16-21).

This reversal of affairs is due to the LORD (Isaiah 14:5). He has worked it, for He has “broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers”. The reason is that this disciplinary staff has not kept its measure and has constantly stricken and persecuted (Isaiah 14:6). He has gone beyond the LORD’s will in his wrath and desire for destruction and has become a scourge to the nations. When his yoke is broken, the earth is at rest and there is joy everywhere; the cheers burst forth (Isaiah 14:7).

Even the trees breathe as it were relieved (Isaiah 14:8). The Babylonians had cut down large areas of forest of Lebanon, because they could use the wood for anything. Now they lie down felled themselves, powerless to climb Lebanon and cut trees.

Isaiah 49:19

The Fall of Satan

Then a new scene unfolds about the final fall of Babylon. We see the spirits of the slain rulers and people of Babylon in “Sheol” (Isaiah 14:9). Sheol – Greek: Hades (Luke 16:23) –, is the place where the spirits of the dead go. These are the spirits of those who are lost. It is not hell (gehenna), but the realm of the dead.

Those who are already there greet the newcomer. There is commotion when they see who the newcomer is. They nudge each other and point at him who is coming. It is said to the newcomer that he was expected. Those who are in the realm of the dead know why they are there and are also aware that all those who have lived as they have, will also be there. Kings rise from their thrones. In their imagination they are still rulers. On earth they would have risen from their thrones for fear and to flatter, now they do so mockingly.

This scene makes it clear that after death souls are fully aware of their situation. There is a lot of activity in the realm of the dead. They can talk to each other. There is also a vivid memory of life on earth (cf. Luke 16:23-31). There is no Scripture that teaches or even assumes an unconscious state or a soul-sleep.

Among those who are already in the realm of the dead, there is not the respect for the newcomer that was there on earth. They mock the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:10) as Israel earlier does in a mock song (Isaiah 14:4). They shout interchangeably that he is now one of them. He is no longer above them. There is nothing left of the strength and haughtiness of the king of Babylon. He is as weak as they are.

His pomp has been thrown into the grave – not Sheol, as it says in Isaiah 14:11. He is mockingly reminded of the beautiful music he enjoyed during his life (Daniel 3:5). What he now hears is the ruthless sarcasm of his fellow-sufferers. In a sarcastic way they draw a comparison between the past on earth and the present in the realm of the dead. On earth he lay on luxurious couches and pillows, while he covered himself with beautiful blankets and bedspreads. This is different now. Maggots are now his bed and he lies under a blanket of worms.

They tell him how he saw himself as a god with his place in heaven, but that he has now fallen out of it (Isaiah 14:12). It is over with his pride. He who has called himself “star of the morning, son of the dawn”, has lost all his glory. He has fallen, he who has “weakened the nations”.

The name “star of the morning” comes from the Latin lucifer meaning “light bearer”. In Hebrew, the word hillel is used, which means ‘bright’ or ‘lightening’. This is exactly the meaning of the Hebrew word nahash which indicates the serpent in its original state after its creation (Genesis 3:1). Here in Isaiah the meaning ‘son of the dawn’ is added to this name. This is just a Hebrew poetic description for “star of the morning”. Both the ‘star of the morning’ and the ‘son of the dawn’ is a description of what we now know as the planet Venus.

If we combine the meanings, we are surprised to see ‘bright morning star’ as the original name of our opponent. It is a name that is used twice in the book of Revelation for the Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:16; 17). Can anyone other than Him bear that title? The Son of God gives a new dignity to every title that has been stained by the unfaithfulness of any creature. He does so by accepting that title Himself and showing and unfolding it in a perfect way.

When satan has come forth from the hand of the Creator, he is first the shining star of the morning. He is the leader of the “morning stars” who rejoiced (Job 38:4-7) at the creation of the earth. However, the bright morning is soon obscured by clouds, namely by the fall of the angelic prince. But God be praised that another “bright morning star” will once introduce the day of eternal rest and eternal glory on the basis of His work of salvation. Then He will sing the song of praise among His own (Psalms 22:22b).

The foregoing makes it clear that although what is written in this Isaiah 14:12 applies in the first place to the king of Babylon, we find behind it a description of satan (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9). The attributes of the Lord Jesus originally granted to him he used for himself. That has made him satan, which means ‘adversary’.

In the description of the judgment on the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:11-19) we see behind the power of Tyre the same evil power as here behind the power of Babylon. That it goes beyond a description of the death of the king of Babylon here is also shown by the fact that the beast of Revelation 13 does not die an ordinary death like this, but is thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

Satan is the inspirer of this king, the founder of Babylon. Babylon is made by satan his seat to corrupt the world from there. The spirit of Babylon who instigated the building of the tower (Genesis 11:1-9) is revived in Nebuchadnezzar, the first king of the world empire Babylon. This will be even more particularly the case in his last representative to whom this prophecy in its fullness relates, that is, the beast coming up out of the sea (Revelation 13:1-10).

Proudness is the sin of satan (Isaiah 14:13-14; cf. 1 Timothy 3:6). That sin has caused his fall. His heart has exalted itself. What he conceived in his heart was hidden from everyone, but not from God. Five times in these verses we read his presumptuous intention: “I will.” He saw himself as a rising star that went higher and higher. First to heaven to raise his throne there above the stars of God, which are His angels (Isaiah 14:13). That exaltation served as a stepping stone to even higher, “above the heights of the clouds”, to make himself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14).

Babylon defies God by wanting to be like Him and to rule over the ends of the earth. He thinks he can equal God. That endeavor will fail hopelessly and will be punished once and for all. We clearly see how behind the proud intention of the king of Babylon to make himself equal to God, that of the devil is hidden.

Satan has exalted himself and has been humiliated and will be humiliated even more. The complete contrast we see in the Lord Jesus. He is the Most High and He has humbled Himself and taken the form of a slave. He is exalted by God in heaven and will also be openly exalted on earth (Philippians 2:5-11). In the way of the devil and in the way of the Lord Jesus we see the full truth of the words of the Lord Jesus: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

The fate of the king of Babylon is “Sheol”, the realm of death, where everything is eternal misery and wail (Isaiah 14:15). Instead of ascending above the highest clouds, he lies in “the recesses of the pit”, the grave. By “those who see you” (Isaiah 14:16) are not meant the spirits in the realm of the dead, but the people on earth. They express their amazement about the fall of the tyrant. It seems as if they cannot believe their eyes that this wretched man is the man for whom the entire world trembled with fear. Is that the man who trampled everything underfoot and broke down and kept everyone in an iron grip (Isaiah 14:17)?

Other kings have had an honorable burial and rest in their own graves (Isaiah 14:18). But the corpse of the king of Babylon – especially Belshazzar, the last king (Daniel 5:30) – was contemptibly thrown away and has not been even near a grave (Isaiah 14:19). So great is the disgust about him. Other corpses of defeated combatants have been thrown into graves and covered with stones. His body lies unburied and is trampled.

He suffers this fate because he has ruined his country and killed his people (Isaiah 14:20). The reign of his house will be over. His house will perish ingloriously. In the realm of the dead, the lineage of evildoers, his offspring, will not be mentioned forever. There it will be over forever with all the glory of man.

His downfall is a warning example of downfall for all evildoers (Isaiah 14:21). Children who follow their fathers in their iniquity will end up on a place of slaughter. They will fall and not arise again. It will be impossible for them to insure themselves again from the earth and build cities there to their own glory and pleasure.

Isaiah 49:20

The Fall of Satan

Then a new scene unfolds about the final fall of Babylon. We see the spirits of the slain rulers and people of Babylon in “Sheol” (Isaiah 14:9). Sheol – Greek: Hades (Luke 16:23) –, is the place where the spirits of the dead go. These are the spirits of those who are lost. It is not hell (gehenna), but the realm of the dead.

Those who are already there greet the newcomer. There is commotion when they see who the newcomer is. They nudge each other and point at him who is coming. It is said to the newcomer that he was expected. Those who are in the realm of the dead know why they are there and are also aware that all those who have lived as they have, will also be there. Kings rise from their thrones. In their imagination they are still rulers. On earth they would have risen from their thrones for fear and to flatter, now they do so mockingly.

This scene makes it clear that after death souls are fully aware of their situation. There is a lot of activity in the realm of the dead. They can talk to each other. There is also a vivid memory of life on earth (cf. Luke 16:23-31). There is no Scripture that teaches or even assumes an unconscious state or a soul-sleep.

Among those who are already in the realm of the dead, there is not the respect for the newcomer that was there on earth. They mock the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:10) as Israel earlier does in a mock song (Isaiah 14:4). They shout interchangeably that he is now one of them. He is no longer above them. There is nothing left of the strength and haughtiness of the king of Babylon. He is as weak as they are.

His pomp has been thrown into the grave – not Sheol, as it says in Isaiah 14:11. He is mockingly reminded of the beautiful music he enjoyed during his life (Daniel 3:5). What he now hears is the ruthless sarcasm of his fellow-sufferers. In a sarcastic way they draw a comparison between the past on earth and the present in the realm of the dead. On earth he lay on luxurious couches and pillows, while he covered himself with beautiful blankets and bedspreads. This is different now. Maggots are now his bed and he lies under a blanket of worms.

They tell him how he saw himself as a god with his place in heaven, but that he has now fallen out of it (Isaiah 14:12). It is over with his pride. He who has called himself “star of the morning, son of the dawn”, has lost all his glory. He has fallen, he who has “weakened the nations”.

The name “star of the morning” comes from the Latin lucifer meaning “light bearer”. In Hebrew, the word hillel is used, which means ‘bright’ or ‘lightening’. This is exactly the meaning of the Hebrew word nahash which indicates the serpent in its original state after its creation (Genesis 3:1). Here in Isaiah the meaning ‘son of the dawn’ is added to this name. This is just a Hebrew poetic description for “star of the morning”. Both the ‘star of the morning’ and the ‘son of the dawn’ is a description of what we now know as the planet Venus.

If we combine the meanings, we are surprised to see ‘bright morning star’ as the original name of our opponent. It is a name that is used twice in the book of Revelation for the Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:16; 17). Can anyone other than Him bear that title? The Son of God gives a new dignity to every title that has been stained by the unfaithfulness of any creature. He does so by accepting that title Himself and showing and unfolding it in a perfect way.

When satan has come forth from the hand of the Creator, he is first the shining star of the morning. He is the leader of the “morning stars” who rejoiced (Job 38:4-7) at the creation of the earth. However, the bright morning is soon obscured by clouds, namely by the fall of the angelic prince. But God be praised that another “bright morning star” will once introduce the day of eternal rest and eternal glory on the basis of His work of salvation. Then He will sing the song of praise among His own (Psalms 22:22b).

The foregoing makes it clear that although what is written in this Isaiah 14:12 applies in the first place to the king of Babylon, we find behind it a description of satan (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9). The attributes of the Lord Jesus originally granted to him he used for himself. That has made him satan, which means ‘adversary’.

In the description of the judgment on the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:11-19) we see behind the power of Tyre the same evil power as here behind the power of Babylon. That it goes beyond a description of the death of the king of Babylon here is also shown by the fact that the beast of Revelation 13 does not die an ordinary death like this, but is thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

Satan is the inspirer of this king, the founder of Babylon. Babylon is made by satan his seat to corrupt the world from there. The spirit of Babylon who instigated the building of the tower (Genesis 11:1-9) is revived in Nebuchadnezzar, the first king of the world empire Babylon. This will be even more particularly the case in his last representative to whom this prophecy in its fullness relates, that is, the beast coming up out of the sea (Revelation 13:1-10).

Proudness is the sin of satan (Isaiah 14:13-14; cf. 1 Timothy 3:6). That sin has caused his fall. His heart has exalted itself. What he conceived in his heart was hidden from everyone, but not from God. Five times in these verses we read his presumptuous intention: “I will.” He saw himself as a rising star that went higher and higher. First to heaven to raise his throne there above the stars of God, which are His angels (Isaiah 14:13). That exaltation served as a stepping stone to even higher, “above the heights of the clouds”, to make himself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14).

Babylon defies God by wanting to be like Him and to rule over the ends of the earth. He thinks he can equal God. That endeavor will fail hopelessly and will be punished once and for all. We clearly see how behind the proud intention of the king of Babylon to make himself equal to God, that of the devil is hidden.

Satan has exalted himself and has been humiliated and will be humiliated even more. The complete contrast we see in the Lord Jesus. He is the Most High and He has humbled Himself and taken the form of a slave. He is exalted by God in heaven and will also be openly exalted on earth (Philippians 2:5-11). In the way of the devil and in the way of the Lord Jesus we see the full truth of the words of the Lord Jesus: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

The fate of the king of Babylon is “Sheol”, the realm of death, where everything is eternal misery and wail (Isaiah 14:15). Instead of ascending above the highest clouds, he lies in “the recesses of the pit”, the grave. By “those who see you” (Isaiah 14:16) are not meant the spirits in the realm of the dead, but the people on earth. They express their amazement about the fall of the tyrant. It seems as if they cannot believe their eyes that this wretched man is the man for whom the entire world trembled with fear. Is that the man who trampled everything underfoot and broke down and kept everyone in an iron grip (Isaiah 14:17)?

Other kings have had an honorable burial and rest in their own graves (Isaiah 14:18). But the corpse of the king of Babylon – especially Belshazzar, the last king (Daniel 5:30) – was contemptibly thrown away and has not been even near a grave (Isaiah 14:19). So great is the disgust about him. Other corpses of defeated combatants have been thrown into graves and covered with stones. His body lies unburied and is trampled.

He suffers this fate because he has ruined his country and killed his people (Isaiah 14:20). The reign of his house will be over. His house will perish ingloriously. In the realm of the dead, the lineage of evildoers, his offspring, will not be mentioned forever. There it will be over forever with all the glory of man.

His downfall is a warning example of downfall for all evildoers (Isaiah 14:21). Children who follow their fathers in their iniquity will end up on a place of slaughter. They will fall and not arise again. It will be impossible for them to insure themselves again from the earth and build cities there to their own glory and pleasure.

Isaiah 49:21

The Fall of Satan

Then a new scene unfolds about the final fall of Babylon. We see the spirits of the slain rulers and people of Babylon in “Sheol” (Isaiah 14:9). Sheol – Greek: Hades (Luke 16:23) –, is the place where the spirits of the dead go. These are the spirits of those who are lost. It is not hell (gehenna), but the realm of the dead.

Those who are already there greet the newcomer. There is commotion when they see who the newcomer is. They nudge each other and point at him who is coming. It is said to the newcomer that he was expected. Those who are in the realm of the dead know why they are there and are also aware that all those who have lived as they have, will also be there. Kings rise from their thrones. In their imagination they are still rulers. On earth they would have risen from their thrones for fear and to flatter, now they do so mockingly.

This scene makes it clear that after death souls are fully aware of their situation. There is a lot of activity in the realm of the dead. They can talk to each other. There is also a vivid memory of life on earth (cf. Luke 16:23-31). There is no Scripture that teaches or even assumes an unconscious state or a soul-sleep.

Among those who are already in the realm of the dead, there is not the respect for the newcomer that was there on earth. They mock the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:10) as Israel earlier does in a mock song (Isaiah 14:4). They shout interchangeably that he is now one of them. He is no longer above them. There is nothing left of the strength and haughtiness of the king of Babylon. He is as weak as they are.

His pomp has been thrown into the grave – not Sheol, as it says in Isaiah 14:11. He is mockingly reminded of the beautiful music he enjoyed during his life (Daniel 3:5). What he now hears is the ruthless sarcasm of his fellow-sufferers. In a sarcastic way they draw a comparison between the past on earth and the present in the realm of the dead. On earth he lay on luxurious couches and pillows, while he covered himself with beautiful blankets and bedspreads. This is different now. Maggots are now his bed and he lies under a blanket of worms.

They tell him how he saw himself as a god with his place in heaven, but that he has now fallen out of it (Isaiah 14:12). It is over with his pride. He who has called himself “star of the morning, son of the dawn”, has lost all his glory. He has fallen, he who has “weakened the nations”.

The name “star of the morning” comes from the Latin lucifer meaning “light bearer”. In Hebrew, the word hillel is used, which means ‘bright’ or ‘lightening’. This is exactly the meaning of the Hebrew word nahash which indicates the serpent in its original state after its creation (Genesis 3:1). Here in Isaiah the meaning ‘son of the dawn’ is added to this name. This is just a Hebrew poetic description for “star of the morning”. Both the ‘star of the morning’ and the ‘son of the dawn’ is a description of what we now know as the planet Venus.

If we combine the meanings, we are surprised to see ‘bright morning star’ as the original name of our opponent. It is a name that is used twice in the book of Revelation for the Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:16; 17). Can anyone other than Him bear that title? The Son of God gives a new dignity to every title that has been stained by the unfaithfulness of any creature. He does so by accepting that title Himself and showing and unfolding it in a perfect way.

When satan has come forth from the hand of the Creator, he is first the shining star of the morning. He is the leader of the “morning stars” who rejoiced (Job 38:4-7) at the creation of the earth. However, the bright morning is soon obscured by clouds, namely by the fall of the angelic prince. But God be praised that another “bright morning star” will once introduce the day of eternal rest and eternal glory on the basis of His work of salvation. Then He will sing the song of praise among His own (Psalms 22:22b).

The foregoing makes it clear that although what is written in this Isaiah 14:12 applies in the first place to the king of Babylon, we find behind it a description of satan (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9). The attributes of the Lord Jesus originally granted to him he used for himself. That has made him satan, which means ‘adversary’.

In the description of the judgment on the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:11-19) we see behind the power of Tyre the same evil power as here behind the power of Babylon. That it goes beyond a description of the death of the king of Babylon here is also shown by the fact that the beast of Revelation 13 does not die an ordinary death like this, but is thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

Satan is the inspirer of this king, the founder of Babylon. Babylon is made by satan his seat to corrupt the world from there. The spirit of Babylon who instigated the building of the tower (Genesis 11:1-9) is revived in Nebuchadnezzar, the first king of the world empire Babylon. This will be even more particularly the case in his last representative to whom this prophecy in its fullness relates, that is, the beast coming up out of the sea (Revelation 13:1-10).

Proudness is the sin of satan (Isaiah 14:13-14; cf. 1 Timothy 3:6). That sin has caused his fall. His heart has exalted itself. What he conceived in his heart was hidden from everyone, but not from God. Five times in these verses we read his presumptuous intention: “I will.” He saw himself as a rising star that went higher and higher. First to heaven to raise his throne there above the stars of God, which are His angels (Isaiah 14:13). That exaltation served as a stepping stone to even higher, “above the heights of the clouds”, to make himself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14).

Babylon defies God by wanting to be like Him and to rule over the ends of the earth. He thinks he can equal God. That endeavor will fail hopelessly and will be punished once and for all. We clearly see how behind the proud intention of the king of Babylon to make himself equal to God, that of the devil is hidden.

Satan has exalted himself and has been humiliated and will be humiliated even more. The complete contrast we see in the Lord Jesus. He is the Most High and He has humbled Himself and taken the form of a slave. He is exalted by God in heaven and will also be openly exalted on earth (Philippians 2:5-11). In the way of the devil and in the way of the Lord Jesus we see the full truth of the words of the Lord Jesus: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

The fate of the king of Babylon is “Sheol”, the realm of death, where everything is eternal misery and wail (Isaiah 14:15). Instead of ascending above the highest clouds, he lies in “the recesses of the pit”, the grave. By “those who see you” (Isaiah 14:16) are not meant the spirits in the realm of the dead, but the people on earth. They express their amazement about the fall of the tyrant. It seems as if they cannot believe their eyes that this wretched man is the man for whom the entire world trembled with fear. Is that the man who trampled everything underfoot and broke down and kept everyone in an iron grip (Isaiah 14:17)?

Other kings have had an honorable burial and rest in their own graves (Isaiah 14:18). But the corpse of the king of Babylon – especially Belshazzar, the last king (Daniel 5:30) – was contemptibly thrown away and has not been even near a grave (Isaiah 14:19). So great is the disgust about him. Other corpses of defeated combatants have been thrown into graves and covered with stones. His body lies unburied and is trampled.

He suffers this fate because he has ruined his country and killed his people (Isaiah 14:20). The reign of his house will be over. His house will perish ingloriously. In the realm of the dead, the lineage of evildoers, his offspring, will not be mentioned forever. There it will be over forever with all the glory of man.

His downfall is a warning example of downfall for all evildoers (Isaiah 14:21). Children who follow their fathers in their iniquity will end up on a place of slaughter. They will fall and not arise again. It will be impossible for them to insure themselves again from the earth and build cities there to their own glory and pleasure.

Isaiah 49:22

The Fall of Satan

Then a new scene unfolds about the final fall of Babylon. We see the spirits of the slain rulers and people of Babylon in “Sheol” (Isaiah 14:9). Sheol – Greek: Hades (Luke 16:23) –, is the place where the spirits of the dead go. These are the spirits of those who are lost. It is not hell (gehenna), but the realm of the dead.

Those who are already there greet the newcomer. There is commotion when they see who the newcomer is. They nudge each other and point at him who is coming. It is said to the newcomer that he was expected. Those who are in the realm of the dead know why they are there and are also aware that all those who have lived as they have, will also be there. Kings rise from their thrones. In their imagination they are still rulers. On earth they would have risen from their thrones for fear and to flatter, now they do so mockingly.

This scene makes it clear that after death souls are fully aware of their situation. There is a lot of activity in the realm of the dead. They can talk to each other. There is also a vivid memory of life on earth (cf. Luke 16:23-31). There is no Scripture that teaches or even assumes an unconscious state or a soul-sleep.

Among those who are already in the realm of the dead, there is not the respect for the newcomer that was there on earth. They mock the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:10) as Israel earlier does in a mock song (Isaiah 14:4). They shout interchangeably that he is now one of them. He is no longer above them. There is nothing left of the strength and haughtiness of the king of Babylon. He is as weak as they are.

His pomp has been thrown into the grave – not Sheol, as it says in Isaiah 14:11. He is mockingly reminded of the beautiful music he enjoyed during his life (Daniel 3:5). What he now hears is the ruthless sarcasm of his fellow-sufferers. In a sarcastic way they draw a comparison between the past on earth and the present in the realm of the dead. On earth he lay on luxurious couches and pillows, while he covered himself with beautiful blankets and bedspreads. This is different now. Maggots are now his bed and he lies under a blanket of worms.

They tell him how he saw himself as a god with his place in heaven, but that he has now fallen out of it (Isaiah 14:12). It is over with his pride. He who has called himself “star of the morning, son of the dawn”, has lost all his glory. He has fallen, he who has “weakened the nations”.

The name “star of the morning” comes from the Latin lucifer meaning “light bearer”. In Hebrew, the word hillel is used, which means ‘bright’ or ‘lightening’. This is exactly the meaning of the Hebrew word nahash which indicates the serpent in its original state after its creation (Genesis 3:1). Here in Isaiah the meaning ‘son of the dawn’ is added to this name. This is just a Hebrew poetic description for “star of the morning”. Both the ‘star of the morning’ and the ‘son of the dawn’ is a description of what we now know as the planet Venus.

If we combine the meanings, we are surprised to see ‘bright morning star’ as the original name of our opponent. It is a name that is used twice in the book of Revelation for the Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:16; 17). Can anyone other than Him bear that title? The Son of God gives a new dignity to every title that has been stained by the unfaithfulness of any creature. He does so by accepting that title Himself and showing and unfolding it in a perfect way.

When satan has come forth from the hand of the Creator, he is first the shining star of the morning. He is the leader of the “morning stars” who rejoiced (Job 38:4-7) at the creation of the earth. However, the bright morning is soon obscured by clouds, namely by the fall of the angelic prince. But God be praised that another “bright morning star” will once introduce the day of eternal rest and eternal glory on the basis of His work of salvation. Then He will sing the song of praise among His own (Psalms 22:22b).

The foregoing makes it clear that although what is written in this Isaiah 14:12 applies in the first place to the king of Babylon, we find behind it a description of satan (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9). The attributes of the Lord Jesus originally granted to him he used for himself. That has made him satan, which means ‘adversary’.

In the description of the judgment on the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:11-19) we see behind the power of Tyre the same evil power as here behind the power of Babylon. That it goes beyond a description of the death of the king of Babylon here is also shown by the fact that the beast of Revelation 13 does not die an ordinary death like this, but is thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

Satan is the inspirer of this king, the founder of Babylon. Babylon is made by satan his seat to corrupt the world from there. The spirit of Babylon who instigated the building of the tower (Genesis 11:1-9) is revived in Nebuchadnezzar, the first king of the world empire Babylon. This will be even more particularly the case in his last representative to whom this prophecy in its fullness relates, that is, the beast coming up out of the sea (Revelation 13:1-10).

Proudness is the sin of satan (Isaiah 14:13-14; cf. 1 Timothy 3:6). That sin has caused his fall. His heart has exalted itself. What he conceived in his heart was hidden from everyone, but not from God. Five times in these verses we read his presumptuous intention: “I will.” He saw himself as a rising star that went higher and higher. First to heaven to raise his throne there above the stars of God, which are His angels (Isaiah 14:13). That exaltation served as a stepping stone to even higher, “above the heights of the clouds”, to make himself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14).

Babylon defies God by wanting to be like Him and to rule over the ends of the earth. He thinks he can equal God. That endeavor will fail hopelessly and will be punished once and for all. We clearly see how behind the proud intention of the king of Babylon to make himself equal to God, that of the devil is hidden.

Satan has exalted himself and has been humiliated and will be humiliated even more. The complete contrast we see in the Lord Jesus. He is the Most High and He has humbled Himself and taken the form of a slave. He is exalted by God in heaven and will also be openly exalted on earth (Philippians 2:5-11). In the way of the devil and in the way of the Lord Jesus we see the full truth of the words of the Lord Jesus: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

The fate of the king of Babylon is “Sheol”, the realm of death, where everything is eternal misery and wail (Isaiah 14:15). Instead of ascending above the highest clouds, he lies in “the recesses of the pit”, the grave. By “those who see you” (Isaiah 14:16) are not meant the spirits in the realm of the dead, but the people on earth. They express their amazement about the fall of the tyrant. It seems as if they cannot believe their eyes that this wretched man is the man for whom the entire world trembled with fear. Is that the man who trampled everything underfoot and broke down and kept everyone in an iron grip (Isaiah 14:17)?

Other kings have had an honorable burial and rest in their own graves (Isaiah 14:18). But the corpse of the king of Babylon – especially Belshazzar, the last king (Daniel 5:30) – was contemptibly thrown away and has not been even near a grave (Isaiah 14:19). So great is the disgust about him. Other corpses of defeated combatants have been thrown into graves and covered with stones. His body lies unburied and is trampled.

He suffers this fate because he has ruined his country and killed his people (Isaiah 14:20). The reign of his house will be over. His house will perish ingloriously. In the realm of the dead, the lineage of evildoers, his offspring, will not be mentioned forever. There it will be over forever with all the glory of man.

His downfall is a warning example of downfall for all evildoers (Isaiah 14:21). Children who follow their fathers in their iniquity will end up on a place of slaughter. They will fall and not arise again. It will be impossible for them to insure themselves again from the earth and build cities there to their own glory and pleasure.

Isaiah 49:23

The Fall of Satan

Then a new scene unfolds about the final fall of Babylon. We see the spirits of the slain rulers and people of Babylon in “Sheol” (Isaiah 14:9). Sheol – Greek: Hades (Luke 16:23) –, is the place where the spirits of the dead go. These are the spirits of those who are lost. It is not hell (gehenna), but the realm of the dead.

Those who are already there greet the newcomer. There is commotion when they see who the newcomer is. They nudge each other and point at him who is coming. It is said to the newcomer that he was expected. Those who are in the realm of the dead know why they are there and are also aware that all those who have lived as they have, will also be there. Kings rise from their thrones. In their imagination they are still rulers. On earth they would have risen from their thrones for fear and to flatter, now they do so mockingly.

This scene makes it clear that after death souls are fully aware of their situation. There is a lot of activity in the realm of the dead. They can talk to each other. There is also a vivid memory of life on earth (cf. Luke 16:23-31). There is no Scripture that teaches or even assumes an unconscious state or a soul-sleep.

Among those who are already in the realm of the dead, there is not the respect for the newcomer that was there on earth. They mock the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:10) as Israel earlier does in a mock song (Isaiah 14:4). They shout interchangeably that he is now one of them. He is no longer above them. There is nothing left of the strength and haughtiness of the king of Babylon. He is as weak as they are.

His pomp has been thrown into the grave – not Sheol, as it says in Isaiah 14:11. He is mockingly reminded of the beautiful music he enjoyed during his life (Daniel 3:5). What he now hears is the ruthless sarcasm of his fellow-sufferers. In a sarcastic way they draw a comparison between the past on earth and the present in the realm of the dead. On earth he lay on luxurious couches and pillows, while he covered himself with beautiful blankets and bedspreads. This is different now. Maggots are now his bed and he lies under a blanket of worms.

They tell him how he saw himself as a god with his place in heaven, but that he has now fallen out of it (Isaiah 14:12). It is over with his pride. He who has called himself “star of the morning, son of the dawn”, has lost all his glory. He has fallen, he who has “weakened the nations”.

The name “star of the morning” comes from the Latin lucifer meaning “light bearer”. In Hebrew, the word hillel is used, which means ‘bright’ or ‘lightening’. This is exactly the meaning of the Hebrew word nahash which indicates the serpent in its original state after its creation (Genesis 3:1). Here in Isaiah the meaning ‘son of the dawn’ is added to this name. This is just a Hebrew poetic description for “star of the morning”. Both the ‘star of the morning’ and the ‘son of the dawn’ is a description of what we now know as the planet Venus.

If we combine the meanings, we are surprised to see ‘bright morning star’ as the original name of our opponent. It is a name that is used twice in the book of Revelation for the Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:16; 17). Can anyone other than Him bear that title? The Son of God gives a new dignity to every title that has been stained by the unfaithfulness of any creature. He does so by accepting that title Himself and showing and unfolding it in a perfect way.

When satan has come forth from the hand of the Creator, he is first the shining star of the morning. He is the leader of the “morning stars” who rejoiced (Job 38:4-7) at the creation of the earth. However, the bright morning is soon obscured by clouds, namely by the fall of the angelic prince. But God be praised that another “bright morning star” will once introduce the day of eternal rest and eternal glory on the basis of His work of salvation. Then He will sing the song of praise among His own (Psalms 22:22b).

The foregoing makes it clear that although what is written in this Isaiah 14:12 applies in the first place to the king of Babylon, we find behind it a description of satan (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9). The attributes of the Lord Jesus originally granted to him he used for himself. That has made him satan, which means ‘adversary’.

In the description of the judgment on the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:11-19) we see behind the power of Tyre the same evil power as here behind the power of Babylon. That it goes beyond a description of the death of the king of Babylon here is also shown by the fact that the beast of Revelation 13 does not die an ordinary death like this, but is thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

Satan is the inspirer of this king, the founder of Babylon. Babylon is made by satan his seat to corrupt the world from there. The spirit of Babylon who instigated the building of the tower (Genesis 11:1-9) is revived in Nebuchadnezzar, the first king of the world empire Babylon. This will be even more particularly the case in his last representative to whom this prophecy in its fullness relates, that is, the beast coming up out of the sea (Revelation 13:1-10).

Proudness is the sin of satan (Isaiah 14:13-14; cf. 1 Timothy 3:6). That sin has caused his fall. His heart has exalted itself. What he conceived in his heart was hidden from everyone, but not from God. Five times in these verses we read his presumptuous intention: “I will.” He saw himself as a rising star that went higher and higher. First to heaven to raise his throne there above the stars of God, which are His angels (Isaiah 14:13). That exaltation served as a stepping stone to even higher, “above the heights of the clouds”, to make himself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14).

Babylon defies God by wanting to be like Him and to rule over the ends of the earth. He thinks he can equal God. That endeavor will fail hopelessly and will be punished once and for all. We clearly see how behind the proud intention of the king of Babylon to make himself equal to God, that of the devil is hidden.

Satan has exalted himself and has been humiliated and will be humiliated even more. The complete contrast we see in the Lord Jesus. He is the Most High and He has humbled Himself and taken the form of a slave. He is exalted by God in heaven and will also be openly exalted on earth (Philippians 2:5-11). In the way of the devil and in the way of the Lord Jesus we see the full truth of the words of the Lord Jesus: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

The fate of the king of Babylon is “Sheol”, the realm of death, where everything is eternal misery and wail (Isaiah 14:15). Instead of ascending above the highest clouds, he lies in “the recesses of the pit”, the grave. By “those who see you” (Isaiah 14:16) are not meant the spirits in the realm of the dead, but the people on earth. They express their amazement about the fall of the tyrant. It seems as if they cannot believe their eyes that this wretched man is the man for whom the entire world trembled with fear. Is that the man who trampled everything underfoot and broke down and kept everyone in an iron grip (Isaiah 14:17)?

Other kings have had an honorable burial and rest in their own graves (Isaiah 14:18). But the corpse of the king of Babylon – especially Belshazzar, the last king (Daniel 5:30) – was contemptibly thrown away and has not been even near a grave (Isaiah 14:19). So great is the disgust about him. Other corpses of defeated combatants have been thrown into graves and covered with stones. His body lies unburied and is trampled.

He suffers this fate because he has ruined his country and killed his people (Isaiah 14:20). The reign of his house will be over. His house will perish ingloriously. In the realm of the dead, the lineage of evildoers, his offspring, will not be mentioned forever. There it will be over forever with all the glory of man.

His downfall is a warning example of downfall for all evildoers (Isaiah 14:21). Children who follow their fathers in their iniquity will end up on a place of slaughter. They will fall and not arise again. It will be impossible for them to insure themselves again from the earth and build cities there to their own glory and pleasure.

Isaiah 49:24

The Fall of Satan

Then a new scene unfolds about the final fall of Babylon. We see the spirits of the slain rulers and people of Babylon in “Sheol” (Isaiah 14:9). Sheol – Greek: Hades (Luke 16:23) –, is the place where the spirits of the dead go. These are the spirits of those who are lost. It is not hell (gehenna), but the realm of the dead.

Those who are already there greet the newcomer. There is commotion when they see who the newcomer is. They nudge each other and point at him who is coming. It is said to the newcomer that he was expected. Those who are in the realm of the dead know why they are there and are also aware that all those who have lived as they have, will also be there. Kings rise from their thrones. In their imagination they are still rulers. On earth they would have risen from their thrones for fear and to flatter, now they do so mockingly.

This scene makes it clear that after death souls are fully aware of their situation. There is a lot of activity in the realm of the dead. They can talk to each other. There is also a vivid memory of life on earth (cf. Luke 16:23-31). There is no Scripture that teaches or even assumes an unconscious state or a soul-sleep.

Among those who are already in the realm of the dead, there is not the respect for the newcomer that was there on earth. They mock the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:10) as Israel earlier does in a mock song (Isaiah 14:4). They shout interchangeably that he is now one of them. He is no longer above them. There is nothing left of the strength and haughtiness of the king of Babylon. He is as weak as they are.

His pomp has been thrown into the grave – not Sheol, as it says in Isaiah 14:11. He is mockingly reminded of the beautiful music he enjoyed during his life (Daniel 3:5). What he now hears is the ruthless sarcasm of his fellow-sufferers. In a sarcastic way they draw a comparison between the past on earth and the present in the realm of the dead. On earth he lay on luxurious couches and pillows, while he covered himself with beautiful blankets and bedspreads. This is different now. Maggots are now his bed and he lies under a blanket of worms.

They tell him how he saw himself as a god with his place in heaven, but that he has now fallen out of it (Isaiah 14:12). It is over with his pride. He who has called himself “star of the morning, son of the dawn”, has lost all his glory. He has fallen, he who has “weakened the nations”.

The name “star of the morning” comes from the Latin lucifer meaning “light bearer”. In Hebrew, the word hillel is used, which means ‘bright’ or ‘lightening’. This is exactly the meaning of the Hebrew word nahash which indicates the serpent in its original state after its creation (Genesis 3:1). Here in Isaiah the meaning ‘son of the dawn’ is added to this name. This is just a Hebrew poetic description for “star of the morning”. Both the ‘star of the morning’ and the ‘son of the dawn’ is a description of what we now know as the planet Venus.

If we combine the meanings, we are surprised to see ‘bright morning star’ as the original name of our opponent. It is a name that is used twice in the book of Revelation for the Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:16; 17). Can anyone other than Him bear that title? The Son of God gives a new dignity to every title that has been stained by the unfaithfulness of any creature. He does so by accepting that title Himself and showing and unfolding it in a perfect way.

When satan has come forth from the hand of the Creator, he is first the shining star of the morning. He is the leader of the “morning stars” who rejoiced (Job 38:4-7) at the creation of the earth. However, the bright morning is soon obscured by clouds, namely by the fall of the angelic prince. But God be praised that another “bright morning star” will once introduce the day of eternal rest and eternal glory on the basis of His work of salvation. Then He will sing the song of praise among His own (Psalms 22:22b).

The foregoing makes it clear that although what is written in this Isaiah 14:12 applies in the first place to the king of Babylon, we find behind it a description of satan (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9). The attributes of the Lord Jesus originally granted to him he used for himself. That has made him satan, which means ‘adversary’.

In the description of the judgment on the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:11-19) we see behind the power of Tyre the same evil power as here behind the power of Babylon. That it goes beyond a description of the death of the king of Babylon here is also shown by the fact that the beast of Revelation 13 does not die an ordinary death like this, but is thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

Satan is the inspirer of this king, the founder of Babylon. Babylon is made by satan his seat to corrupt the world from there. The spirit of Babylon who instigated the building of the tower (Genesis 11:1-9) is revived in Nebuchadnezzar, the first king of the world empire Babylon. This will be even more particularly the case in his last representative to whom this prophecy in its fullness relates, that is, the beast coming up out of the sea (Revelation 13:1-10).

Proudness is the sin of satan (Isaiah 14:13-14; cf. 1 Timothy 3:6). That sin has caused his fall. His heart has exalted itself. What he conceived in his heart was hidden from everyone, but not from God. Five times in these verses we read his presumptuous intention: “I will.” He saw himself as a rising star that went higher and higher. First to heaven to raise his throne there above the stars of God, which are His angels (Isaiah 14:13). That exaltation served as a stepping stone to even higher, “above the heights of the clouds”, to make himself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14).

Babylon defies God by wanting to be like Him and to rule over the ends of the earth. He thinks he can equal God. That endeavor will fail hopelessly and will be punished once and for all. We clearly see how behind the proud intention of the king of Babylon to make himself equal to God, that of the devil is hidden.

Satan has exalted himself and has been humiliated and will be humiliated even more. The complete contrast we see in the Lord Jesus. He is the Most High and He has humbled Himself and taken the form of a slave. He is exalted by God in heaven and will also be openly exalted on earth (Philippians 2:5-11). In the way of the devil and in the way of the Lord Jesus we see the full truth of the words of the Lord Jesus: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

The fate of the king of Babylon is “Sheol”, the realm of death, where everything is eternal misery and wail (Isaiah 14:15). Instead of ascending above the highest clouds, he lies in “the recesses of the pit”, the grave. By “those who see you” (Isaiah 14:16) are not meant the spirits in the realm of the dead, but the people on earth. They express their amazement about the fall of the tyrant. It seems as if they cannot believe their eyes that this wretched man is the man for whom the entire world trembled with fear. Is that the man who trampled everything underfoot and broke down and kept everyone in an iron grip (Isaiah 14:17)?

Other kings have had an honorable burial and rest in their own graves (Isaiah 14:18). But the corpse of the king of Babylon – especially Belshazzar, the last king (Daniel 5:30) – was contemptibly thrown away and has not been even near a grave (Isaiah 14:19). So great is the disgust about him. Other corpses of defeated combatants have been thrown into graves and covered with stones. His body lies unburied and is trampled.

He suffers this fate because he has ruined his country and killed his people (Isaiah 14:20). The reign of his house will be over. His house will perish ingloriously. In the realm of the dead, the lineage of evildoers, his offspring, will not be mentioned forever. There it will be over forever with all the glory of man.

His downfall is a warning example of downfall for all evildoers (Isaiah 14:21). Children who follow their fathers in their iniquity will end up on a place of slaughter. They will fall and not arise again. It will be impossible for them to insure themselves again from the earth and build cities there to their own glory and pleasure.

Isaiah 49:25

The Fall of Satan

Then a new scene unfolds about the final fall of Babylon. We see the spirits of the slain rulers and people of Babylon in “Sheol” (Isaiah 14:9). Sheol – Greek: Hades (Luke 16:23) –, is the place where the spirits of the dead go. These are the spirits of those who are lost. It is not hell (gehenna), but the realm of the dead.

Those who are already there greet the newcomer. There is commotion when they see who the newcomer is. They nudge each other and point at him who is coming. It is said to the newcomer that he was expected. Those who are in the realm of the dead know why they are there and are also aware that all those who have lived as they have, will also be there. Kings rise from their thrones. In their imagination they are still rulers. On earth they would have risen from their thrones for fear and to flatter, now they do so mockingly.

This scene makes it clear that after death souls are fully aware of their situation. There is a lot of activity in the realm of the dead. They can talk to each other. There is also a vivid memory of life on earth (cf. Luke 16:23-31). There is no Scripture that teaches or even assumes an unconscious state or a soul-sleep.

Among those who are already in the realm of the dead, there is not the respect for the newcomer that was there on earth. They mock the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:10) as Israel earlier does in a mock song (Isaiah 14:4). They shout interchangeably that he is now one of them. He is no longer above them. There is nothing left of the strength and haughtiness of the king of Babylon. He is as weak as they are.

His pomp has been thrown into the grave – not Sheol, as it says in Isaiah 14:11. He is mockingly reminded of the beautiful music he enjoyed during his life (Daniel 3:5). What he now hears is the ruthless sarcasm of his fellow-sufferers. In a sarcastic way they draw a comparison between the past on earth and the present in the realm of the dead. On earth he lay on luxurious couches and pillows, while he covered himself with beautiful blankets and bedspreads. This is different now. Maggots are now his bed and he lies under a blanket of worms.

They tell him how he saw himself as a god with his place in heaven, but that he has now fallen out of it (Isaiah 14:12). It is over with his pride. He who has called himself “star of the morning, son of the dawn”, has lost all his glory. He has fallen, he who has “weakened the nations”.

The name “star of the morning” comes from the Latin lucifer meaning “light bearer”. In Hebrew, the word hillel is used, which means ‘bright’ or ‘lightening’. This is exactly the meaning of the Hebrew word nahash which indicates the serpent in its original state after its creation (Genesis 3:1). Here in Isaiah the meaning ‘son of the dawn’ is added to this name. This is just a Hebrew poetic description for “star of the morning”. Both the ‘star of the morning’ and the ‘son of the dawn’ is a description of what we now know as the planet Venus.

If we combine the meanings, we are surprised to see ‘bright morning star’ as the original name of our opponent. It is a name that is used twice in the book of Revelation for the Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:16; 17). Can anyone other than Him bear that title? The Son of God gives a new dignity to every title that has been stained by the unfaithfulness of any creature. He does so by accepting that title Himself and showing and unfolding it in a perfect way.

When satan has come forth from the hand of the Creator, he is first the shining star of the morning. He is the leader of the “morning stars” who rejoiced (Job 38:4-7) at the creation of the earth. However, the bright morning is soon obscured by clouds, namely by the fall of the angelic prince. But God be praised that another “bright morning star” will once introduce the day of eternal rest and eternal glory on the basis of His work of salvation. Then He will sing the song of praise among His own (Psalms 22:22b).

The foregoing makes it clear that although what is written in this Isaiah 14:12 applies in the first place to the king of Babylon, we find behind it a description of satan (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9). The attributes of the Lord Jesus originally granted to him he used for himself. That has made him satan, which means ‘adversary’.

In the description of the judgment on the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:11-19) we see behind the power of Tyre the same evil power as here behind the power of Babylon. That it goes beyond a description of the death of the king of Babylon here is also shown by the fact that the beast of Revelation 13 does not die an ordinary death like this, but is thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

Satan is the inspirer of this king, the founder of Babylon. Babylon is made by satan his seat to corrupt the world from there. The spirit of Babylon who instigated the building of the tower (Genesis 11:1-9) is revived in Nebuchadnezzar, the first king of the world empire Babylon. This will be even more particularly the case in his last representative to whom this prophecy in its fullness relates, that is, the beast coming up out of the sea (Revelation 13:1-10).

Proudness is the sin of satan (Isaiah 14:13-14; cf. 1 Timothy 3:6). That sin has caused his fall. His heart has exalted itself. What he conceived in his heart was hidden from everyone, but not from God. Five times in these verses we read his presumptuous intention: “I will.” He saw himself as a rising star that went higher and higher. First to heaven to raise his throne there above the stars of God, which are His angels (Isaiah 14:13). That exaltation served as a stepping stone to even higher, “above the heights of the clouds”, to make himself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14).

Babylon defies God by wanting to be like Him and to rule over the ends of the earth. He thinks he can equal God. That endeavor will fail hopelessly and will be punished once and for all. We clearly see how behind the proud intention of the king of Babylon to make himself equal to God, that of the devil is hidden.

Satan has exalted himself and has been humiliated and will be humiliated even more. The complete contrast we see in the Lord Jesus. He is the Most High and He has humbled Himself and taken the form of a slave. He is exalted by God in heaven and will also be openly exalted on earth (Philippians 2:5-11). In the way of the devil and in the way of the Lord Jesus we see the full truth of the words of the Lord Jesus: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

The fate of the king of Babylon is “Sheol”, the realm of death, where everything is eternal misery and wail (Isaiah 14:15). Instead of ascending above the highest clouds, he lies in “the recesses of the pit”, the grave. By “those who see you” (Isaiah 14:16) are not meant the spirits in the realm of the dead, but the people on earth. They express their amazement about the fall of the tyrant. It seems as if they cannot believe their eyes that this wretched man is the man for whom the entire world trembled with fear. Is that the man who trampled everything underfoot and broke down and kept everyone in an iron grip (Isaiah 14:17)?

Other kings have had an honorable burial and rest in their own graves (Isaiah 14:18). But the corpse of the king of Babylon – especially Belshazzar, the last king (Daniel 5:30) – was contemptibly thrown away and has not been even near a grave (Isaiah 14:19). So great is the disgust about him. Other corpses of defeated combatants have been thrown into graves and covered with stones. His body lies unburied and is trampled.

He suffers this fate because he has ruined his country and killed his people (Isaiah 14:20). The reign of his house will be over. His house will perish ingloriously. In the realm of the dead, the lineage of evildoers, his offspring, will not be mentioned forever. There it will be over forever with all the glory of man.

His downfall is a warning example of downfall for all evildoers (Isaiah 14:21). Children who follow their fathers in their iniquity will end up on a place of slaughter. They will fall and not arise again. It will be impossible for them to insure themselves again from the earth and build cities there to their own glory and pleasure.

Isaiah 49:26

The Fall of Satan

Then a new scene unfolds about the final fall of Babylon. We see the spirits of the slain rulers and people of Babylon in “Sheol” (Isaiah 14:9). Sheol – Greek: Hades (Luke 16:23) –, is the place where the spirits of the dead go. These are the spirits of those who are lost. It is not hell (gehenna), but the realm of the dead.

Those who are already there greet the newcomer. There is commotion when they see who the newcomer is. They nudge each other and point at him who is coming. It is said to the newcomer that he was expected. Those who are in the realm of the dead know why they are there and are also aware that all those who have lived as they have, will also be there. Kings rise from their thrones. In their imagination they are still rulers. On earth they would have risen from their thrones for fear and to flatter, now they do so mockingly.

This scene makes it clear that after death souls are fully aware of their situation. There is a lot of activity in the realm of the dead. They can talk to each other. There is also a vivid memory of life on earth (cf. Luke 16:23-31). There is no Scripture that teaches or even assumes an unconscious state or a soul-sleep.

Among those who are already in the realm of the dead, there is not the respect for the newcomer that was there on earth. They mock the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:10) as Israel earlier does in a mock song (Isaiah 14:4). They shout interchangeably that he is now one of them. He is no longer above them. There is nothing left of the strength and haughtiness of the king of Babylon. He is as weak as they are.

His pomp has been thrown into the grave – not Sheol, as it says in Isaiah 14:11. He is mockingly reminded of the beautiful music he enjoyed during his life (Daniel 3:5). What he now hears is the ruthless sarcasm of his fellow-sufferers. In a sarcastic way they draw a comparison between the past on earth and the present in the realm of the dead. On earth he lay on luxurious couches and pillows, while he covered himself with beautiful blankets and bedspreads. This is different now. Maggots are now his bed and he lies under a blanket of worms.

They tell him how he saw himself as a god with his place in heaven, but that he has now fallen out of it (Isaiah 14:12). It is over with his pride. He who has called himself “star of the morning, son of the dawn”, has lost all his glory. He has fallen, he who has “weakened the nations”.

The name “star of the morning” comes from the Latin lucifer meaning “light bearer”. In Hebrew, the word hillel is used, which means ‘bright’ or ‘lightening’. This is exactly the meaning of the Hebrew word nahash which indicates the serpent in its original state after its creation (Genesis 3:1). Here in Isaiah the meaning ‘son of the dawn’ is added to this name. This is just a Hebrew poetic description for “star of the morning”. Both the ‘star of the morning’ and the ‘son of the dawn’ is a description of what we now know as the planet Venus.

If we combine the meanings, we are surprised to see ‘bright morning star’ as the original name of our opponent. It is a name that is used twice in the book of Revelation for the Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:16; 17). Can anyone other than Him bear that title? The Son of God gives a new dignity to every title that has been stained by the unfaithfulness of any creature. He does so by accepting that title Himself and showing and unfolding it in a perfect way.

When satan has come forth from the hand of the Creator, he is first the shining star of the morning. He is the leader of the “morning stars” who rejoiced (Job 38:4-7) at the creation of the earth. However, the bright morning is soon obscured by clouds, namely by the fall of the angelic prince. But God be praised that another “bright morning star” will once introduce the day of eternal rest and eternal glory on the basis of His work of salvation. Then He will sing the song of praise among His own (Psalms 22:22b).

The foregoing makes it clear that although what is written in this Isaiah 14:12 applies in the first place to the king of Babylon, we find behind it a description of satan (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9). The attributes of the Lord Jesus originally granted to him he used for himself. That has made him satan, which means ‘adversary’.

In the description of the judgment on the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:11-19) we see behind the power of Tyre the same evil power as here behind the power of Babylon. That it goes beyond a description of the death of the king of Babylon here is also shown by the fact that the beast of Revelation 13 does not die an ordinary death like this, but is thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

Satan is the inspirer of this king, the founder of Babylon. Babylon is made by satan his seat to corrupt the world from there. The spirit of Babylon who instigated the building of the tower (Genesis 11:1-9) is revived in Nebuchadnezzar, the first king of the world empire Babylon. This will be even more particularly the case in his last representative to whom this prophecy in its fullness relates, that is, the beast coming up out of the sea (Revelation 13:1-10).

Proudness is the sin of satan (Isaiah 14:13-14; cf. 1 Timothy 3:6). That sin has caused his fall. His heart has exalted itself. What he conceived in his heart was hidden from everyone, but not from God. Five times in these verses we read his presumptuous intention: “I will.” He saw himself as a rising star that went higher and higher. First to heaven to raise his throne there above the stars of God, which are His angels (Isaiah 14:13). That exaltation served as a stepping stone to even higher, “above the heights of the clouds”, to make himself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14).

Babylon defies God by wanting to be like Him and to rule over the ends of the earth. He thinks he can equal God. That endeavor will fail hopelessly and will be punished once and for all. We clearly see how behind the proud intention of the king of Babylon to make himself equal to God, that of the devil is hidden.

Satan has exalted himself and has been humiliated and will be humiliated even more. The complete contrast we see in the Lord Jesus. He is the Most High and He has humbled Himself and taken the form of a slave. He is exalted by God in heaven and will also be openly exalted on earth (Philippians 2:5-11). In the way of the devil and in the way of the Lord Jesus we see the full truth of the words of the Lord Jesus: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

The fate of the king of Babylon is “Sheol”, the realm of death, where everything is eternal misery and wail (Isaiah 14:15). Instead of ascending above the highest clouds, he lies in “the recesses of the pit”, the grave. By “those who see you” (Isaiah 14:16) are not meant the spirits in the realm of the dead, but the people on earth. They express their amazement about the fall of the tyrant. It seems as if they cannot believe their eyes that this wretched man is the man for whom the entire world trembled with fear. Is that the man who trampled everything underfoot and broke down and kept everyone in an iron grip (Isaiah 14:17)?

Other kings have had an honorable burial and rest in their own graves (Isaiah 14:18). But the corpse of the king of Babylon – especially Belshazzar, the last king (Daniel 5:30) – was contemptibly thrown away and has not been even near a grave (Isaiah 14:19). So great is the disgust about him. Other corpses of defeated combatants have been thrown into graves and covered with stones. His body lies unburied and is trampled.

He suffers this fate because he has ruined his country and killed his people (Isaiah 14:20). The reign of his house will be over. His house will perish ingloriously. In the realm of the dead, the lineage of evildoers, his offspring, will not be mentioned forever. There it will be over forever with all the glory of man.

His downfall is a warning example of downfall for all evildoers (Isaiah 14:21). Children who follow their fathers in their iniquity will end up on a place of slaughter. They will fall and not arise again. It will be impossible for them to insure themselves again from the earth and build cities there to their own glory and pleasure.