The Vision

We all come to a place in our lives when we realize we can’t save ourselves. We are forced to ask who will save us and how? Isaiah proclaims The Holy One of Israel’s justice against sin and rebellion, and The Holy One of Israel’s hope as the saving Messiah. Isaiah’s message is simple. Yahweh, The Holy One of Israel, is Judge and Savior; of His people (1-12), of the nations (13-27), of Jerusalem (28-39), while in exile, (40-48), as the suffering Messiah (49-55), and as LORD forever and ever (56-66).

Starter

What is something you can praise about God’s character? Why did you chose that specific thing?

Pray

Lord we thank you that you are The Holy One of Israel. You are Holy perfect in all you do and worthy of our worship and obedience. We like Israel are the ones who wrestle with you, fight to see you, know that you always win, and understand you bless those you chose to bless. Thank you for for loving us, for forgiving us, and for restoring us. Lord you raise up and tear down nations, and we live through it. You know what is coming and what has really happened. Just as you gave an oracle against Babylon, help us to listen to your oracles for our lives and sing. Amen

Study Questions

READ: Isaiah 13:1-22, Revelation 17:1-6, 18-19:8

  1. What is an oracle?

  2. Babylon is both an actual empire (Isaiah) and way of life (Revelation). The name Babylon comes from Babel (The tower of Babel in Gen 11). Babylon symbolizes human pride, rebellion, immorality, and confusion.

    1. Discuss how according to these verses Babylon is a way of life, that keeps becoming a nation, that is eventually destroyed.

  3. What is “the day of the Lord” in Isaiah 13:6-19?

    1. How is that similar to the description we read in Revelation?

  4. Both in Isaiah and in Revelation Babylon’s destruction will be quick with the same results as Sodom and Gomorrah. God always warns of His coming wrath for a long time. When His judgement finally comes, it comes swiftly.

    1. What do the verses below tell us we should be doing in light of this reality of warning and swiftness? 1 Thess 5:1-5, Rev 3:1-6, 16:15

  5. How easy is it to get drunk on the things and ways of Babylon listed in Revelation 17:1-6, 18-19:8?

    1. How do we avoid that drunkenness while living in it?

  6. According to Isaiah, who will raise up to punish and destroy Babylon and how will they do it? (Isaiah 13:17-18)

    1. Who and how was the prophesy in Isaiah proven right about 100 year later?
    2. According to Revelation who will raise up to punish and destroy Babylon and how will they do it?

  7. If we have surrendered our lives to Jesus, we are people of a heavenly kingdom living as exiles in Babylon. We are waiting for Babylon’s destruction and our King’s kingdom to come.

    This is a destruction and victory that we will both mourn and celebrate when it happens. Why?

  8. The ancient city of Babylon is 50 miles outside of Baghdad in Iraq and it lays in deserted ruins just as God said it would. It is a picture of what God says will always happen.

    1. Why do people refuse to listen and obey through what God has already done?…through what God says is yet to come?
    2. Why do believers tend to talk so little of what God has already done and what God says is yet to come?

READ Isaiah 14:1-23, Revelation 14:1-8

  1. What does judgement on Babylon mean for the people of God?
  2. What does still choosing Israel say about the Lord’s character? What does this mean to us?
  3. What is similar and what is different in the songs being sung in these passages?
    1. Would we even be willing to sing songs like these today? Explain