Isaiah 26:20–21

Many Jews are now back in the land of their fathers. But this national reviving of a spiritual sort has not yet come to pass, and it will not come until "the indignation" of verse 20 has taken place. We identify the "indignation" with the "great tribulation" of Matthew 24:21. In its most intense form it will fall upon the Jew, though "all the world" (Rev. 3:10) will come under the stroke. The God-fearing remnant, owned here as "My people," are called upon to hide themselves during that terrible period.

The vision speaks of the events that will bring the "indignation" to an end. Whatever sorrows come in between, they will have a definite end — "at the time appointed the end shall be." The term "indignation" is a well-known expression in prophecy. It sets out the time when God's indignation rises against His people because of their idolatry.

Noah entered the ark, and the Lord shut him in. Angels' hands led Lot to the place prepared for him, before a drop of the fiery flood fell on the cities of the plain. The Israelites had orders to stay inside their houses, sheltered by the blood on the doorframe. In the same way God will call the remnant into their chambers, and they will shut their doors. Meanwhile the final avenging blows fall on the gathered enemies of the Lord and on their wicked partners across the whole earth.

God had been, so to speak, hidden; He had allowed the evil to go on. But, dear friends, what a thought! Think of God coming out of His place! ... True, it will be in anger for the moment — anger against the wickedness, and to put it away. But it will also be so that good may be before His face, and before our eyes, which are tired of what we see.

Many have used this as a proof text that the true Church is not to pass through the great tribulation period. But it has nothing whatever to do with the Church; it is the promise given to the godly remnant... The New Testament teaches that the Lord will come for His saints and take the true Church to her heavenly home.

Throughout Scripture we see that this is the portion of the godly Jew. They do not look to be caught up to heaven as we do; they hope to be hidden on earth... "Come, my people, enter" — not into My mansions, but — "into your chambers." Before that day dawns we enter the heavenly rooms, the Father's house... When the day comes, instead of being hidden, we are displayed... That hiding place is prepared for them by the pity of God... The "indignation" means God's wrath, which He will pour out on the nations, and more particularly on the apostate Jews.

Chapter 27 begins with "In that day," which shows that the two chapters form one prophecy... And what is this solemn time of judgment leading to? Here is the answer: "He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit."

His dealings in grace belong to where He is. God is in His place when He is showing His own sovereign mercy. For judgment He comes out of His place. In His own nature God is not a judge, but One who gives and blesses. Judgment is "His strange work," as it is said elsewhere — a work therefore that, if it must be done, He will do quickly. He must make a short work, as Isaiah says. He does not like to dwell on judgment. It is a painful necessity, forced on Him by the wickedness of man. And it is necessary too because if He refused to judge sin He would have to abandon His own moral character.

The last and terrible invader was God's indignation against the rebellious people. The word "indignation" describes the last terrible visitation of God. Compare Isaiah 26:20-21 with Daniel 11:36. The closing words there are also a set phrase for the short work which God will make on the earth at the end.

These events are still future. They take place in connection with that great crisis of human affairs when "the LORD is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity." … The judgments of that coming day (however much the land of Israel and the surrounding countries may be their special focus and centre) extend to the whole earth. They are universal in their range.

It is clearly a question of men alive here below, not of men changed. God tells them (the Jews) to enter into their chambers until He has spent all His wrath upon the nations. Is this what we look for? Are we not to be taken out of this earthly scene and to enter into the Father's house above?

Noah entered into the ark, and the Lord shut him in. Lot was led by angels' hands to the place prepared for him before a drop of the fiery flood fell on the cities of the plain. The Israelites were told to keep inside their houses, sheltered by the blood on the door frames. In the same way the remnant will be called into their chambers, and will shut their doors. Meanwhile the final avenging blows fall on the gathered enemies of the Lord, and on their wicked partners throughout the whole earth.

Earth, earth, earth! How she has disclosed her blood — been unable to cover her slain! Notice how both the earth and the world are unmasked here. Religious Israel, and the Gentiles without God in the world, joined together to shed that blood. So Satan was recognised as god of the whole world. … The count on which condemnation now stands is wider — do you belong to the earth, which murdered the Lord's Christ?

Chapter 27 begins with the words, "In that day," and so on. This plainly shows that the two chapters form only one prophecy. It ties the events predicted in the one to the time so solemnly described at the close of the other. And what does this solemn time of judgment lead into? Here is the answer: "He shall cause those who come of Jacob to take root: ISRAEL SHALL BLOSSOM AND BUD, AND FILL THE FACE OF THE WORLD WITH FRUIT."