Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Who Is The Mystery Nation In Isaiah 18?

Isaiah describes an UNNAMED PEOPLE or NATION in Isaiah 18. Chapter 18 is almost like a riddle, designed to help us discover who that nation might be:

“Go, swift messengers, to a people tall and smooth-skinned, to a people feared far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers” (Isaiah 18:2 NIV)
or . . . let us consider the NKJV:

“Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth of skin, to a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide.”

Here we discover that Cush is prepared to settle, as one of the members of the Southern Confederated nations aligned with Gog, directly with this mystery nation. Cush will sign some form of peace treaty with mystery nation.

The Masoretic Text gives even a more detailed analysis of this mystery nation/people; to wit:

“. . . a nation led along according to someone else’s will, smooth (or hairless), a people feared from himself and beyond, a nation that stretched measuring lines and subjugated, whose land the rivers plundered.” (Isaiah 18:2) (Hebrew Masoretic Text accessed via: Bushell, Michael S., Bible Works for Windows. Big Fork, Montana: Hermeneutica Software, 1996.) 
Thusly, this unnamed, mystery nation is known and described as follows:

1.    A nation whose will has been usurped.

This strange and unusual description goes beyond normal bounds of human description.  First, they are a nation . . . clearly a nation that has caused Cush to be concerned for its own sovereignty.

She is a nation, who by the time of this description, has lost her freedoms and are somehow “led along according to someone else’s will” –we affirm that “will” to be none other than that of Antichrist; to wit:

23When these rulers have become as evil as possible, their power will end, and then a king who is dangerous and cannot be trusted will appear.  24He will gain strength, but not on his own, and he will cause terrible destruction. He will wipe out powerful leaders and God's people as well.” (Daniel 8:23-24)

The sheer force of his will will lead many astray: “Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; and he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity.  He shall even rise against the Prince of princes” (Daniel 8:25a).

How readily are we reminded of the WILFUL ONE found in Isaiah 14:12-14:
  
2.    A “smooth-skinned” (or clean shaven) people. 
 
This phrase/word “smooth-skinned” is derived from the Hebrew word “morat” and connotes “smooth” or “hairless.”  Therefore, we can conclude that they have purposefully removed their facial hair and/or body hair.  The history of a people who has done this is most fascinating.  The art of barbering dates way back; however, in the modern era, it is the USA that laid claim to the earth’s first schools of Barbering (1893) and to this day prides itself as a nation of the clean shaven!  How odd to describe this mystery nation as CLEAN SHAVEN!  Of course, this custom is highly prized by the US military and is, almost across the board, REQUIRED BY THE MILITARY.

3.    The third “clue” as to this nation’s identity lies in the phrase:  “feared from himself and beyond.” 

Although it appears from the Hebrew that this nation’s people could be “afraid of its own government,” it is far more likely that she is a nation feared throughout the world and obviously, therefore, she is a WORLD POWER of the foremost order!  No doubt, those “within her” are fearful, on the one hand, but on the other hand, everyone “outside her” is also full of terror at this nation’s leadership and people.

These verses of Antichrist’s power come to mind:

“A king shall arise, having fierce features . . . he (i.e., Antichrist) shall destroy fearfully . . . so they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast?   Who is able to make war with him? (Daniel 8:23, 24; Revelation 13:4).

4.    “A nation that stretched measuring lines and subjugated”

Rarely has there ever in the history of humankind been an emerging nation state who measured its conquered lands and then, subjugated its native peoples like that of this nation!  In point of fact, the very art of surveying on a massive scale was literally founded by this nation!  And, what of its subjugated peoples . . . the tragic history is unparalleled in the annals of human history!

5.    “Whose land the rivers have plundered”

This phrase comes from the Hebrew word “bazu” and is singularly found only in this passage of the Bible.  However, the word is similar to that of its noun form:  “baz” (to “loot” or “plunder”).  Therefore, the verb “bazu” means “looted” or “plundered.”  Apparently, this land which is divided by rivers is literally FLOODED by these same rivers and that flooding is extensive!

The legendary dividing of the USA by its formidable rivers is known throughout the world.  Furthermore, the incessant flooding of those same streams is without precedence; especially, because of the many cities which line their banks and are exposed to the ravages of their floods!

DO WE HAVE A VERDICT!

It is the accumulation of evidence that convinces some scholars that Isaiah’s description of this end-times’ nation and people, can be none other than these United States of America.  Isaiah did not purposefully name it!  Why?  Because it wasn’t even in existence or thought of at the time of Isaiah’s writings—so its peculiar and convincing description is given.

One nation, and one nation alone, can command the fear of all the other nations of the globe!  This people’s will is being usurped as we speak.  Blindly do they follow their leadership until all will is subservient to their commander.  They are a militant people whose clean-shaven character fits their military motif.  They are today’s SOLE SUPER POWER.  Their land was surveyed and their native populations were subjugated.  Indeed, their rivers may have wrought massive flooding but by dent of their imaginative will have they overcome their adversities.

Listen now, listen and see who is this nation:

“All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth:  When HE (this nation) lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it; and when HE blows a trumpet you hear it” (Isaiah 18:3).

Now, do you see and hear who HE is? 

The transition in Isaiah 17 is now completed.  Damascus is destroyed.  Gog and Magog gather together against “him” at the close of Isaiah 17.  But this fearful and terrible nation, and its awesome and fearsome leader, shall defeat mighty Gog and his allies, Magog. 

And, how shall HE defeat his foes who have mounted such a massive assault against HIM?  Daniel 11:40-45 spells out his tactics and strategies.  At this stage, Israel’s foes are vanquished AND In that time a present will be brought to the Lord of hosts from a people tall and smooth of skin, and from a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide—to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, to Mount Zion”(Isaiah 18:7).
 

This finale, this conclusion of Isaiah 17 through 18 is beyond comprehension . . . or is it?  Imbedded within these mysterious and strange descriptions is a final depiction which amplifies the Almighty’s sovereignty over all things earthly and heavenly.  Could we be witnessing the Lord’s USE OF HIS FOE FOR HIS OWN ENDS?  Absolutely!

This “nation powerful and treading down,” this one “which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earthtreading it down and breaking it in pieces” (Daniel 7:23) shall yet be used by the Almighty for His Own designs!

The one who treads down shall one day face the following:

“But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever.  The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.  His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Daniel 7:26-27).

There is reason and evidence to affirm that the PRESENT given by this “treading down nation” shall be given to Israel and that it would be connected to the rebuilding of their THIRD TEMPLE.  The “sequence” of events followed in Ezekiel indicate that this very well could be the case—for immediately concluding the demise of Gog-Magog is the elaborate account of the building of the Temple found in Ezekiel Chapters 40 through 43. 

Yes, some have concluded, due to its unusual measurements, that it must be that of the Millennial Temple; however, there is nothing in the Scripture which would negate the “possibility” that the description borne in Ezekiel is not the PRESENT given by this mystery nation; and yet, is not this dreadful one who allows such rebuilding the same one who BREAKS THE AGREEMENT with Israel in the midst of the 70th Week of Daniel?  Indeed, he is “prince who is to come” (Daniel 9:27).

(1)              The USA may be the “Mystery Nation” spoken of in Isaiah 17 and 18 and is the Babylon, “King of Babylon” of the Revelation, as well as Daniel, Isaiah and Jeremiah. 
(2)              “The prince who is to come” in Daniel 9:27 is the prophesied Antichrist who leads the “Mystery Nation” of Isaiah 17 and 18 and the one who will “pre-position” his forces near the “Beautiful Land” (i.e., Israel) and that most likely, ancient Babylon (Iraq) is the immediate fulfillment of that prophetical phenomenon.

Belo is the latest video of Comet Ison, it is between Mars and our Sun. If Ison survives its close encounter with the Sun we should see it at Thanksgiving.

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