The American Wisdom Series

Presents pamphlet #6421

The Book of Isaiah
Chapter 21

The events that are happening in this final generation were foretold of long ago, even in the "visions" that the prophets saw and wrote about concerning the time of the end. In fact Daniel was told by the angel that his book was to be closed up and sealed until the time of the end when the "wise", who are the sons and daughters of God in these lasts days (Acts 2), would understand (as in "see") the visions of the prophets and teach them to their brothers and sisters and friends. Here are the exact words the angel said unto Daniel:

Daniel 12:9-10
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

[10] Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

With that thought in mind and in preface to our study of the 21st chapter of Isaiah, let us be reminded that since the 32nd verse of the great 14th chapter of Isaiah, that chapter concerning the one who exalted himself and was then "brought down to the sides of the pit" (14:15), that the nations of Moab, Damascus, Ethiopia, and Egypt have all been warned concerning the Assyrian. Now we shall read of the incredible burden or oracle concerning the "desert of the sea"! This is the 5th of the 7 burdens (see outline on pg. 948 in the Companion Bible), which seems so apropos since the modern day type and fulfillment of this chapter has just occurred in this late season of the 5th Trump... following the emergence of the New World Order and globalization which set off the labor pangs signaling the birth of a new age (For more on this visit #2557 Mat. 24).

Also in preface to today's study, here is an excerpt from a study we did almost 3 years ago, on January 25th of 2001, called "The Angel in the Whirlwind" . You will understand the reason for inserting this preface as our study progresses.

"The final significant event of the first Bush administration occurred in 1991 and was called Desert Storm, which we alluded to previously is an "east wind" in Hebrew. By the way, for those who are aware of the very few casualties sustained by the western forces, you will recall that Desert Storm was immediately preceded by Operation Desert Shield! Nevertheless, Saddam Hussein, the king from the land of Iraq, the land of Babylon, who even rebuilt the "palace", who is also a type of the soon coming real king of Babylon (the second beast, the religious beast of Rev. 13), who comes when the east wind is finally let go in its fury, called the God of this nation, the United States of America, the great Satan. Blasphemy time! Desert Storm ended in a matter of a just few short days, lasting only 100 hours. The number "100" in Biblical numerics represents "God's Election of Grace, Children of Promise" (see "Biblical Mathematics", Ed. F. Vallowe, pg. 199).

Saddam Hussein, however, was not taken out of the way, and many people felt that the victory achieved in Desert Storm was less than complete because the cause of the problem, the "bad guy", was still in charge. Perhaps the "east wind" was put on hold while the great teaching (sealing) of Rev. 7 went forth? Well, Desert Storm is back in the spotlight with the celebration of its 10th anniversary, even at Superbowl 35 where the Giants (gibor) and the Ravens (birds of prey) played (see Gen 6 concerning the events before the "flood"). And the news this past weekend is that Saddam Hussein, the king of Babylon, now has Two Nuclear Bombs, two great powers, and is threatening once again. This is at the same time when the Arab world seeks to unite in war against Israel, i.e. Jerusalem. Students of God's Word know that the soon coming king of Babylon of Revelation, comes to Jerusalem, the holy city of God, and he will also have Two Great Powers. In fact he will have "Two Horns" like a lamb (Rev. 13:11), even The Lamb of God (horns are symbolic of power). In other words, we know that Jesus Christ is coming as King of kings and Lord of lords, the two powers being both King and High Priest. The imitation Jesus will appear to be just like Him as he will claim to have those Two Powers and be the real Jesus!

Before we go to the scriptures in our study, let's set the stage in light of a few quotes from the magnificent Inauguration Speech given during that gentle, cleansing rain, which fell upon President George W. Bush, the son of his father, former President George H. W. Bush, who will now "continue the story". However, the winds are beginning to shift to a higher, spiritual level!

Saturday January 20 12:27 PM ET
Text of Bush's Inaugural Speech (Excerpts from)

"Through much of the last century, America's faith in freedom and democracy was a rock in a raging sea. Now it is a seed upon the wind, taking root in many nations."

Again, we will go to the scriptures in our next study, to document the change from "the sea and waves roaring" to the "shaking of the powers of heaven" and the "transition of power"! Don't miss it! But first, it is of great significance to point out that the Desert Storm team of Colin Powell, the former Chairman of the Joint Chief's of Staff, the most powerful military position in the world as overseer of the Four Branches of the US Military, and Dick Cheney, the former Secretary of Defense, are BACK. They have returned to "continue the story"! This time, however, they have new roles to play when the east wind blows again! Colin Powell, the Military General, is now the Secretary of State, the Chief Foreign Relations Officer, a move from War to Words, even Swords to sWords, if you will. And Dick Cheney is now the Vice President of the United States, the second in command, and the man who led the "transition team" to the White House.

President Bush, nearing the conclusion of his address, then said:

"After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson: ``We know the race is not to the swift nor the Battle to the Strong. Do you not think an Angel rides in the Whirlwind and directs this Storm?''

When the President of the United States quotes the Word of God before the entire world, we should be wise enough to know that he DID, and still wiser to take heed to what is being said. "That the race is not to the swift..." is a quote from Eccl. 9 (vs. 11) which chapter begins with the "declaration" that "the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God:"!

And now the 21st chapter of Isaiah.

Isaiah 21:1
The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

"Of the desert - There have been almost as many interpretations of this expression, as there have been interpreters. That it means Babylon, or the country about Babylon, there can be no doubt; but the question why this phrase was applied, has given rise to a great diversity of opinions. The term ‘desert’ (????midba?r) is usually applied to a wilderness, or to a comparatively barren and uncultivated country - a place for flocks and herds (Psa_65:13; Jer_9:9 ff); to an actual waste, sandy desert Isa_32:15; Isa_35:1; and particularly to the deserts of Arabia Gen_14:6; Gen_16:7; Deu_11:24." (Barnes)

midba?r mid-bawr' H4057
From H1696 in the sense of driving; a pasture (that is, open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication a desert; also speech (including its organs): - desert, south, speech, wilderness.

whirlwind, su?pha?h soo-faw' H5492
From H5486; a hurricane: - Red Sea, storm, tempest, whirlwind, Red sea.

terrible, ya?re' yaw-ray' H3372
A primitive root; to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten: - affright, be (make) afraid, dread (-ful), (put in) fear (-ful, -fully, -ing). (be had in) reverence (-end), X see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).

BDB Definition:
    1) to fear, revere, be afraid
      1a) (Qal)
          1a1) to fear, be afraid
          1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
          1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
      1b) (Niphal)
          1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
          1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
          1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
      1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify

Nevertheless, the awesome display of might and power displayed by US and British forces is nothing compared to what the nations shall see on the great and terrible day of the Lord when the King of kings and Lord of lords comes with all power and might and brings down Babylon the Great at the sound of the 7th Trump. Rev. 19:14-16 "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [16] And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

If you do not believe that the Angel of the LORD had His hand in Desert Storm, then it is high time for you to "wake up" concerning Biblical prophecy and types. Yes, dear ones, the answer to John Page's question to Thomas Jefferson, "Do you not think an Angel rides in the Whirlwind and directs this Storm?", that question President Bush used in his inaugural speech, is that he definitely DOES! The LORD of hosts is in total control of the events in this final generation and He uses both Ephraim (Britain) and Manasseh (USA) to fulfill His purpose concerning the nations of the world in these last days! We covered this in detail in our recent study of the Book of Daniel #5045

Deut. 33:17
His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.

The prophet Joel also speaks of the great army of God and how great and "terrible" (yare) the day of the LORD shall be when He comes.

Joel 2:11-13
And the LORD shall utter His voice before His army: for His camp is very great: for He is strong that executeth His word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

Rev. 12:7-8
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

Also, have you ever considered that it is darkness from the first earth age that powers the economy of the world and gives it mobility? I refer to the "fossil fuel", the "dregs" from the first earth age we call "black gold", i.e. oil that is so plentiful "underground" in the ancient land of Babylon. You could say that their "oil" is not our "Oil", which is "El-y-yah", that rich golden Olive Oil, the "anointing oil"! You "see", we are not driven by their god but rather led by the one and only true God, the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel (Keep that name in mind for when we get to verse 10)!

[8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

What a type we've just witnessed of the fall of Babylon! Therefore also now, what is the message the people should grasp from this "type" before the true oppressor, the king of Babylon of Revelation, comes? Let us continue with two more verses in JO-EL (Yahveh is God) and "see" if we can get a clue.

Joel 2:12
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

When we allow arrogant ungodly judges to remove the Ten Commandments from our "midst" and replace them with abominations, then we are in trouble indeed and in need of repentance. Today, if you will hear His voice, turn to your loving Father and to His Word!

[13] And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Let's continue now in Isaiah.

Isaiah 21:2
A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

Again, we covered much of this in our Daniel study where we also find Elam, which means "eternity", and Media, i.e. the Medes, mentioned.  #2208  Here is an excerpt from that study:

"Daniel 8:1
In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

"After that which appeared unto me at the first" refers to after the vision of chapter 7, not the first vision concerning Nebuchadnezzar's dream. This is important in that this vision is both subsequent and related to that first vision, seeing that we are going to be given knowledge of some specific events leading up to the entering in of the little horn, who is Satan, the false messiah, who comes and takes control of the New World Order both politically and religiously.

[2] And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.

The wise know that we are given the specific names and location of where this vision takes place because they give us essential knowledge to the understanding of who and what the vision concerns. You see, Daniel will later have a vision by another river, the river Hiddekel, which is the Tigris River, a river very much in the news this day! So let's look at the definitions of the locations found in this verse (see below). You will find that Shushan means "whiteness" which comes from the beautiful and plenteous lilies that grew there. Elam means "distant and hidden" which is another way of expressing "eternity", and Ulai means "rivcr of pure water". This river ran by Shushan and flowed into the combined rivers of the Tigris and Euphrates. The water from the river Ulai was so pure that it was the only water that the kings of Persia would drink and so they carried it with them wherever they went.

Shushan, Shuwshan, shoo-shan', Hebrew 7800; the same as Hebrew 7799 (shuwshan); Shushan, a place in Persia :- Shushan.

shuwshan, shoo-shan', Hebrew 7799; or showshan, sho-shawn'; or shoshan, sho-shawn'; and (feminine) showshannah, sho-shan-naw'; from Hebrew 7797 (suws); a lily(from its whiteness), as a flower or architectural ornament; also a (straight) trumpet (from the tubular shape) :- lily, Shoshannim.

Elam, `Eylam, ay-lawm', Hebrew 5867; or Owlam, o-lawm'; (Ezra 10:2; Jer. 49:366), probably from Hebrew 5956 (`alam); hidden, i.e. distant; Elam, a son of Shem, and his descendant, with their country; also of six Israelites :- Elam.

Ulai, 'Uwlay, oo-lah'ee, Hebrew 195; of Persian derivative; the Ulai (or Eul'us), a river of Persia :- Ulai.

We also discover later in the 27th verse of this same chapter the reason Daniel was in Shushan, which was the capital and chief city of all of Persia. He was there because he "employed" in Shushan (the white palace) where he was busy being about the king's business."

Isaiah 21:3
Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.

[4] My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.

Rev. 18:17-19
For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

[18] And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

[19] And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

Isaiah 14:11
Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

pomp, ga'own, gaw-ohn', Hebrew 1347; from Hebrew 1342 (ga'ah); the same as Hebrew 1346 (ga`avah) :- arrogancy, excellency (-lent), majesty, pomp, pride, proud, swelling.

Speaking of the partying in the palace, consider this next verse:

Isaiah 21:5
Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.

Isaiah 21:5 "There's banqueting in Babylon, with tables spread, and carpets laid!  Up, princes! up, to arms!" (Moffat)

[6] For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.

[7] And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he harkened diligently with much heed:

harken, qashab, kaw-shab', Hebrew 7181; a primitive root; to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken :- attend, (cause to) hear (-ken), give heed, incline, mark (well), regard.

diligently, qesheb, keh'-sheb, Hebrew 7182; from Hebrew 7181 (qashab); a hearkening :- × diligently, hearing, much heed, that regarded.

[8] And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:

The point is, if you are a watchmen you had better open your eye's wider than ever and "see" what's on the horizon, because, behold, it's "crying aloud" time... for cryin' out loud!

[9] And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

Rev. 18:1-3
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

[2] And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

However, the good news is that Babylon the Great is coming DOWN! And you "see" the watchmen, those sons and daughters of Acts 2 who understand the visions of the prophets, "cry aloud" NOW that Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen... even BEFORE IT FALLS! We know already have the victory... for it is written! Besides, when it does fall, no one will have to be told, will they? Everyone will behold the "shock and awe" for themselves!

[3] For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Drop down to verse 21 in Revelation 18.

Rev. 18:21-22
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

[22] And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

Isaiah 21:10
O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.

Repeat question, "Are you watchmen in this final generation?" If so, pay close attention to these final two burdens! It is interesting indeed that following the oracle "of the desert of the sea", declaring the storm from the desert against Babylon, that the next two warnings are to Russia and to Arabia!

[11] The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?

What of the night, watchman? Have you forgotten Ezekiel 38 and 39? When we studied the great book of Obadiah  in the minor prophets, which is the "vision concerning Edom" (Ob. 1:1), we said not to let the fall of the Iron Curtain, i.e. the demise of Esau's confederacy known as the USSR and Warsaw Pact, lull you to sleep because it is written in Ezek. 38 & 39 that the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, i.e. Russia, shall lead the forces of evil against the US at the end of Satan's reign. It is written and so shall it be! Here is an excerpt from our study of Obadiah concerning Esau (Russia):

"Obadiah 10
For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.

violence = ñîÈç˜chaòmaòs khaw-mawce' #2555
From H2554; violence; by implication wrong; by metonymy unjust gain:— cruel (-ty), damage, false, injustice, X oppressor, unrighteous, violence (against, done), violent (dealing), wrong.

The "cut off forever" moves us to the near future when Esau, that "red nation" shall be cut off and destroyed forever! However, let us not forget his historical track record of abandoning his brother and helping the enemy so that we are not surprised "in that day" when he once again shows his true colors (red) as he heads the final "confederacy" to come against his brother Jacob.

[11] In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.

Historically Esau did not come to the aid of his own brother when he was invaded and his people (the 10 tribes of Israel) were taken captive. In fact, he aided and abetted the enemy! Nice brother, wouldn't you say? And as we have noted several times already, Esau will once again NOT come to the aid of his brother in these last days but rather he shall aid and abet the king of Babylon by leading an army against his brother Jacob (Ezek. 38 & 39).

[12] But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.

Esau not only did not lift a finger to help the children of Israel (the 10 tribes) but he also stood by as the children of Judah were invaded and taken captive. However, as it is written in Ezek. 38 & 39 when he enters from the north into the "unwalled" cities of his brother Jacob during the period of the great tribulation, i.e. the time of Jacob's calamity, he will seal his doom!

Obadiah 13
Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity;

We go from the historical types and Esau's track record to this yet future event at the end of the tribulation. It is too bad for Esau. He should not have come against his brother Jacob with the sword."

Ezekiel 35:15
As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 38:14-16
Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? [15] And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: [16] And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

Ezekiel 39:1-3
Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: [2] And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: [3] And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.

Isaiah 21:12
The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.

And now the last of the 7 burdens, which is upon Arabia, the meaning of which is "in the evening" or "at sunset", i.e. "at dusk"! In that sense this final burden or oracle is to all those sons of Abraham who dwell in the spiritual desert that is symbolic of the spiritual condition of the famine at the end of this flesh age (see Amos 8:11-13).

[13] The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.

[14] The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.

[15] For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

[16] For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:

[17] And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.

These sure are exciting times in which we live and a few studies hence (in chapter 23) we are going to look at the timeline of where are in this final season, the generation of the fig tree who shall see all these things come to pass! So take heed watchmen, for it would appear the defacto sound of the 6th Trump may not be very far off.