Isaiah 21-24 These chapters are not easy.. nation after nation is judged because of their sinfulness. Even Isaiah calls it a "harsh vision".   Nation after nation is accused.. "The treacherous one still deals treacherously, and the destroyer still destroys.. "

 In the "valley of vision" Isaiah mourns the fall of Judah.. The rulers had fled. The people were without help.  The Lord removed "the defense of Judah".   The weapons that they depended on  could not protect  these sinful, rebellious people from the judgements of God.  They refused to call on Him, consider Him, or obey Him... therefore He ".. called [them] to weeping, to wailing, to shaving the head and to wearing sackcloth.. " 

Every nation then faced the judgement and punishment of God.  And He has not changed His plans.. "The Lord of hosts has planned it to defile the pride of all beauty."  Every proud and arrogant nation will find themselves like Tyre.. trembling as the hand of God is stretched out against them. Even us. 

 Chapter 24 is the culmination of all judgements.. as the Lord reveals the final days.. 

"Behold, the Lord lays the earth to waste, devastates it, distorts its surface, and scatters it inhabitants. And the people will like the priest, the servant like his master, the maid like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the debtor.  The earth will be completely laid waste and completely despoiled, for the Lord has spoken this word. The earth mourns and withers, the world fades and withers, the exalted of the people of the earth fade away. The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed the law, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth and those who live in it are held guilty." ( 24:1-6) 

The earth will be broken, Isaiah writes.  It will be split, shaken, and will fall "never to rise again."  And then.. ".. the Lord of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and His glory will be before His elders" ( the rulers of His people). 

Many people in this world worry about pollution.  But, it is the wrong kind of pollution that takes their attention and becomes their cause..  The earth will be destroyed.. but not because of fossil fuels or global warming.  The earth will be destroyed because of sin.  God has declared His plan. He has made it abundantly clear that all sin will be judged.. and the verdict is just.. " For the wages of sin is death."   (Romans 6:23)

But, hallelujah, He has also shown us grace.. "but, the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  When the earth splits apart....When the world is broken to pieces.. God will still be on His throne. And all who have come to trust in Jesus Christ the Lord who "reconciled" us to God through His death.. "we shall be saved by His life."  ( Romans 5:10) 

Father in heaven, we raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving for the Lamb of God, who was slain. Who was "displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith."  He paid for my sin. He justified me, demonstrating His love while I was still a sinner.  Thank You.  Lord may we continue to call upon You, rely on You, trust You, worship You, and live by the power of Your Spirit who lives in us, all who are followers of Christ Jesus.  When that Day comes.. let us still be standing on the Rock of our Salvation.. even as the earth fades away. O Lord, may the nations come to fear You and see Your glory! May many more people come to faith in the One who justifies and reconciles us with the Lord of Hosts. We ask this in His precious name. Amen.