The Two Cities: the City of God (Isa. 26-27)

We heard last time how 24:10 spoke of the "wasted city" the city of "tohu"--a reference to Genesis 1:2 where the earth was barren and empty (formless and void). The city of man has been returned to its primeval state of chaos. All that is left for the city of man is destruction.

And while Isaiah speaks of this in terms of the nations, he also uses language that suggests that Jerusalem is no better. And yet, at the end of chapter 25 Isaiah promises that Yahweh of hosts will make a feast for all peoples on "this mountain." (25:6) This promise forms the heart of chapters 24-27. And while chapters 24-25 focused on the destruction of the city of man, now chapters 26-27 focus on the establishment of the city of God.

The first thing to notice is that the city of God is established in the same day of the Lord, when the city of man is destroyed. We are still talking about judgment and destruction. But in chapters 24-25, the city is laid waste. In chapters 26-27, the city stands firm. Both the judgment of the city of man, and the stability of the city of God are the fruits of the "Day of the Lord"...