by Gloria

A few days ago I came across Isaiah chapter 18 and studied it, trying to make sense of it as this one presents more difficulties than most Biblical prophesies. Here is the result of my analysis of it.

Isaiah 18:1 mentions two countries, Ethiopia, and another country shadowing with wings. First of all, the Hebrew word for this country named here as Ethiopia, is "Cush". Isaiah was living in Jerusalem when he wrote this prophecy, and would be given to understand that Cush, or later known as Ethiopia, is the only country in his part of the world that is known to have rivers. However, the main subject of this chapter is not Cush, but that country beyond it.

Woe is pronounced on this country. Verse 2 leads us to the conclusion that this is a far country since merchant ships are needed to reach it if they wish to do business. Furthermore. we are told this country is shadowed by wings. Well, who has the largest number of planes and jets in the world, including many of the wealthy who have their own? And who is it whose rivers are spoiled, verses 2 and 7? You guessed it - America. Although America has a large number of believers, and has been blessed, it is because of all its wealth, commerce, and materialism which has led vast numbers of people throughout the world to reject their Almighty Creator. Thus woe is pronounced upon it. For this reason, Yahuah is coming to pronounce judgment upon not only this nation but others which have likewise rejected Him throughout the world, Just prior to this judgment, more importantly, He will gather and save His own people.

Verse 3 gives an alert upon all the inhabitants of the world, no exception, which is an all-important alert for all peoples. He tells them to see Him, that is, Yahusha, when He visits and raises up an ensign which will represent victory over the invading armies upon the mountains of Israel, which is the battle of Armageddon, Isaiah 59:19, 2 Thessalonians 2:8. He tells them to listen up when they hear His trumpet blast and see that He has come for the victory over the heathen and to gather His people. All the inhabitants of the world will both see and hear Him. This is the event we as believers are awaiting.

Now have a read of verses 4 and 5. They are highly unusual verses. Yahuah mentions to Isaiah twice of the heat to come. He says He shall dwell in a heat upon herbs and in a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. First of all, herbs cannot stand too much heat. Nor do we expect dew to be possible where there is heat. In our modern day society, it could be the results of geo-engineering, but more than likely this shall be due to His very presence in this place where He is said to take a rest.

Grape harvest ordinarily takes place in September or October in Israel. However, this harvest shall unexpectedly happen much sooner than that. It will take place when these grapes are in bud which would be around late July, or early August. Much more unusual is the pruning taking place in this same time frame when the buds are making their appearance. Everything appears contrary to what one would expect about this particular harvest. After all, who would harvest buds and sour grapes?

Verses 6 and 7 contains a time factor as we shall see. When the Most High had something to say that was important, He often would make His sudden appearance on a mountain in a blaze of fire. In this case, His Son Yahusha shall appear on Mount Zion. This is significant as we expect His feet to touch the ground upon this very mountain upon His arrival in which He will announce His arrival when He blows a trumpet. His arrival will be very noisy and heard all over the entire world at the same time.

Verse 6 says the birds and the beasts of the earth will both summer and winter upon this harvest. Again, this is impossible if these grapes are no more than buds and still ripening. Therefore these verses can be none other than a parable, with these figs being a figure of speech. These figs appear to represent the people of the world, most of whom were not ready, just as these figs were said to be not ready, being still in the process of budding. This event of pruning and lopping off the branches represents the rejection of the heathen by Yahusha. This parable closely compares to His parable of those virgins in Matthew 25 who did not make themselves ready for the marriage and the door was shut.

Therefore the interpretation is that the birds and the beasts of the field will be gathered to summer and winter upon these rejects of society after His judgment takes place. This event is that fore-ordained Day of the Lord often spoken about all over the prophetic scriptures when He gathers His saints from all over the Earth to dwell together with Him in His Earthly kingdom.

Verse 7 starts with the words, "In that time" which is the arrival of Yahusha and His army, at which time the "Lord of Hosts" will receive "the present" on Mount Zion. According to Zephaniah 3:10 says of that country beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, which is identified as America, will bring Him the offering by the daughter of His dispersed people, Israel. In other words, this represents the Bride which was gathered from the nations who brings this offering, which is described simply as "the present". When Yahusha was born in Bethlehem of Judea, He also received at that time presents as an offering.

I pray you are ready to make an offering to Him of yourselves when He suddenly appears. No man shall know the day or the hour of His coming, but we must be ready for that hour by making preparations now while we still have the light.

Disclaimer: Rapture Bible Prophecy Forum, ( http://www.rapturebibleprophecyforum.com ) does not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article posted on this site. We do however, encourage a healthy and friendly debate on the issues of our day. Whether you agree or disagree, we encourage you to post your feedback by using the reply button.