Isaiah 19

But chapter 19 really stands out. And as we go through the rest of the book of Isaiah, we may have a number of gaps. But you can go to our Bible reading program online and read every every discussion in every chapter should you so desire to do so. But here in chapter 19, we've got a tremendous—I think it's a very encouraging chapter. Isaiah chapter 19 was written between 715 and 709 BC. So we have a little bit of a time frame there.

The prophetic import of this chapter is that the entire chapter, especially the way the chapter ends, reveals this prophecy is a prophecy for the time of the end. When the end time ruler of Assyria, the king of the north, as we see in the book of Daniel, the beast of revelation will invade and oppress Egypt and Ethiopia in the years just prior to Christ's return. So as a lead into this, let's go back to Daniel chapter 11. Daniel chapter 11, we'll start in verse 40. Daniel chapter 11, verse 40, of course, this is Daniel chapter 11. We've gone through this in the past, the longest prophecy in the scriptures. Verse 40, at the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him. Now, over the years, we've speculated as to who the king of the south is. Our current thinking is that the king of the south is probably a group of nations, Muslim nations, that are going to do something to irritate the king of the north, which is, we believe, the European power, the United States of Europe.

You know, there's a great deal of animosity in Europe right now between the native Europeans and the Muslims that some of the countries in Europe have asked to come in to for employment in Europe.

They have come as they were asked, but then they form little communities, or large communities, where basically it's like a little Muslim state. And there's a lot of friction in some countries because of this. So who knows what may happen? Maybe some of these European countries will say enough of this and start doing something to the Muslims in their midst, and the various nations in the south will rise up because of that to protect their own. We don't know.

But as it says here in verse 40, at the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, the king of the north, and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen and many ships, and shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. So here we've got the European Union as we're understanding prophecy, and they're attacking back at these Muslim countries in the Middle East. Verse 41, he shall also enter the glorious land, Israel, and many countries shall be overthrown, but they shall escape his hand, Edom and Moab, and the prominent people of Amman, the Jordanian folks. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, over all the precious things of Egypt. Also, the Libyans and Ethiopians shall fall at his heels. So here, Egypt is specifically made mention, and Isaiah chapter 19 will talk at some length about Egypt. Now, let's go over to Isaiah chapter 19.

If you've got a marker, you might want to put a marker here. We'll go to a few other scriptures.

But again, it looks like as we start going through Isaiah 19, that this is just some prophecy about Egypt. But is it really? Or is there, again, more to the story than what we just see here? Look at chapter 19 of Isaiah, verse 20.

And it shall be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt, for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors—this is Egypt crying because of what the king of the north is doing—and he will send them a Savior and a mighty one, and he will deliver them. Well, that Savior, that mighty one, that deliverer is Jesus Christ.

We're talking about the second coming of Christ here. So there are issues here in Isaiah 19 that deal with more than just Egypt. Now, to outline the chapter for you, Isaiah 19, verses 1 through 15 talk about judgment on Egypt and the rest of the world.

Judgment on Egypt and the rest of the world. And I think, brethren, as we go through these first 15 verses, you're not only going to see Egypt. I think you're going to see the United States of America and some of the things that are happening in our country today. Verse 1, The burden against Egypt, behold, the Lord rides on us with cloud, and he will come into Egypt. The idols of Egypt will totter at his presence, and the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.

So there comes a point in time where God says, enough is enough. He is now going to take matters into his hands and begin to work with these peoples of the world. And here we see the judgment coming against Egypt from God. God is pictured as riding on us with cloud. In mythology, Baal was the one who would ride on the cloud. Baal was the one who would give rain. However, as we're going to see later on in this chapter, Egypt is going to suffer tremendous drought and not receive rain. And again, just like God was working with Egypt back in the days when Israel was the days of the Exodus, God loves all people. He doesn't just love the Israelites. He loves the Egyptians as well, and he wants to teach them vital lessons. Now, put a marker here in Isaiah, and let's go over to Psalm 104. Psalm 104 and verse 3.

Psalm 104 and verse 3. He lays the beams of his upper chamber in the waters, who makes the clouds his chariot, who walks on the wings of the wind.

So again, we see a discussion about how God is the great God. God is being magnified here in Psalm 104, just as he's being magnified in Isaiah chapter 19. God's purpose is not just to judge the Egyptians, but to teach the Egyptians. God is now working with the Egyptians on a spiritual basis.

They're not being converted right now, but God is working with them. He's chastising them, just as God will be chastising our nation. And in that sense, he's working with us as his children.

You know, our people will be called, you know, after the return of Jesus Christ—no, those who aren't being called now will be called in the millennium if they live that long, or if they die, they'll be resurrected into the second resurrection.

But God is going to be working with our people through all these various things that are happening.

So starting now in verse 2 of Isaiah 19, God is going to—he's depicting details of the judgment that's going to come upon Egypt. And again, brethren, these plagues that are going to come upon Egypt are much like the plagues of the Exodus. And what was God doing then? I said to put a marker here in Isaiah 19, but let's—I'm sorry, let's go to Exodus. What was God's—you know, he wanted to liberate Israel, but what else was God doing during the time of the Exodus? Let's go Exodus 7. Exodus 7, verse 17. Here we're looking at the very first plague upon the Egyptians. Exodus 7, verse 17. 7-17. Notice. So again, God was working with them. They're long dead now. They've turned to dust. But when God resurrects them in that second resurrection, in their mind, in that spirit of man that they each have, they'll remember what took place in their lifetime. Chapter 9 of Exodus. Here we've got the seventh plague. Chapter 9, verse 14. Chapter 9 of Exodus, verse 14. For at this time I will send all my plagues to your very heart on your servants and on your people, that you may know there is none like me in all the earth. Egypt was a people who had all, you know, all just so many different types of gods. But God has teach them that their gods were nothing. Their gods could not stop the true God. Chapter 9 of Exodus, verse 16. But indeed, for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show my power in you, that my name may be declared in all the earth. So God was using something here in his seventh plague to not only help the Egyptians, but all people who would understand this story afterwards. Chapter 14 of Exodus.

Chapter 14 in verse 4. Then I will harden Pharaoh's heart, so he will pursue them, and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all of his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord, and they did so.

Okay, now we go back to Isaiah chapter 19. Let's take a look at these various plagues. Look at the trials that come upon Egypt at the end of the age. And also remember, brethren, I believe a lot of these things will also be happening to our nation. And as we read these things, you ask yourself if these things aren't happening in our nation right now.

The first trial we see in chapter 19 of Isaiah, verse 2. I will set Egyptians against Egyptians.

Everyone will fight against his brother, and everyone against his neighbor.

City against city, kingdom against kingdom. So the first trial upon Egypt, there would be civil strife, disorder, upheaval, rioting, rebelling. Are we seeing any of that in this nation?

I think we're seeing a great deal of that in this nation. Entire neighborhoods ripped apart by looting, fire, destruction, people turning against one another, brother against brother.

That's the first thing that we see happening here to Egypt. Verse 3.

The spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst. I will destroy their counsel, and they will consult with the idols and with the charmers, the mediums and the sorcerers. Here in verse 3, we see a number, we see a couple of different trials. It says, the spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst.

Here we're seeing a trial of despair, of hopelessness that would grip people's hearts, people being demoralized, having no faith in the future, feeling all hope was gone, a sense of desperation. Do we see any of that happening in this nation?

I think we see a lot of that happening in this nation.

Also, in verse 3, it says, I will destroy their counsel.

We're going to see in Egypt political confusion gripping the nation. Are we seeing political confusion gripping our nation? Politicians devise plans to handle the problem. The plans don't work.

People aren't eating, aren't listening. Politicians find it impossible to make anything work.

Are we finding that true in this nation?

End of verse 3. They will consult with the idols and the charmers, the mediums and the sorcerers.

A fourth trial facing them is empty religion. You can read article after article now, today, how the churches are more and more empty. How people aren't going to church anymore.

Church is not relevant to people anymore.

So, in the hour of their desperate need, the people would like to turn to somebody, who knows, they would like to turn to religion, but there's no good religion for them to turn to.

Verse 4, Isaiah 19, verse 4, And the Egyptians I will give into the hand of a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them, says the Lord, the Lord of hosts.

So, here you've got the King of the North, the King of the North being spoken of. In your notes, you might want to jot down Revelation 9.

I think this very much is also talking about the first woe during a day of the Lord.

Revelation 9.

And all is taking place there.

Okay, verse 5 and 6 of Isaiah 19.

The waters will fail from the sea, and the rivers will be wasted and dried up. The rivers will turn foul, and the brooks of defense will be emptied and dried up. The reeds and the rushes will wither.

And so, you have ecological disaster taking place upon a nation.

The great river Euphrates drying up. All the tributaries drying up.

The canals drying up. Things that were in the canal dying because it doesn't have any water. Things, great stench in the country.

Verses 7 through 10.

The papyrus reed by the river and the mouth of the river, and everything sown by the river will wither and be driven away and be no more.

The fishermen will also mourn and those who lament who cast hooks into the river. And they will languish who spread nets on the waters.

Moreover, those who work in fine flax and those who weave fine fabric will be ashamed.

And its foundations will be broken and all who make wages will be troubled of soul.

So here we see in verses 7 through 10 a seventh plague coming upon the nation, and that is economic devastation, economic ruin.

The lack of irrigation parks the land, devastating agriculture and fishing industries.

Basically, you're seeing the collapse of the, like I said, the economic system of the nation.

And lastly, verses 11 through 15, we see the last trial that God's bringing upon this nation. And again, I really believe we're seeing indications of what God will be doing in our nation as well.

Verse 11, surely the princes of Zoan are fools.

Pharaoh's wise counselors give foolish counsel.

How do you say to Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? Where are they? Where are your wise men? Let them tell you now. Let them know that the Lord of hosts has purpose against Egypt.

The princes of Zoan have become fools. The princes of Nop are deceived. They have also deluded Egypt. Those who are mainstay of its tribes, the Lord has mingled a perverse spirit in her midst.

And they have cursed, caused Israel to err in all of her way, or Egypt in all of her ways.

As a drunken man staggers in his vomit.

Neither will there be any work for the Egypt, which the head or the tail, palm branch or bulwish may do.

So no matter who you are, the head, the high and the mighty, or the tail, the man in the street, the palm branch or the bulwish, those who are high and those who are low, nothing is available.

Again, this trial is a trial of unwise counselors ruling the nation.

Do we have unwise counselors ruling our nation today?

You know, just this last week, Mary sent me a video clip of what's happening in a school in New York. This school charges the parents $55,000 a year for a child to go to that school. It's an elementary school.

They are teaching, by use of videos depicting little cartoon characters, little six-year-old children, boys and girls, about what you and I would consider abominable sexual practices.

Parents, even some of the liberal parents, are up in arms. We're paying $55,000 a year and you're basically showing our children pornography in terms of cartoons.

I can't get into what they were actually doing, but the teachers were actually doing and supported by the school as some sort of enlightened teaching. One parent said, hey look, if you were doing this on the street to a little boy or girl, you'd be thrown in jail.

You'd be thrown in jail as a sex offender. And some of these teachers are now teaching, well, you know, grandma and grandpa can't go up and hug their kids, the grandkids.

You must ask the grandchildren, do I have permission to come and hug you?

Do we have foolish counselors running our nation today? Not just the highest political office, but in school boards, school systems. It is horrible what is happening. Look at verse 14, Isaiah 19.14, the Lord has mingled a perverse spirit in her midst.

I believe, brethren, that is true for the United States of America.

I believe that God has allowed a perverse spirit in our midst.

People today talk about how we are progressive. Boy, I hate that term. Well, they're progressing along the lines of Satan. That's how they're progressing.

They're never learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

And I would just simply say this.

Many of us in this room have grandchildren.

If your kids have not looked into your grandchildren's books, maybe you should.

Maybe you should ask your children to bring your grandchildren's books home.

And you take a peek at what is being taught.

And you may be very much surprised at what you see.

So here we see the first part of this chapter.

Some very negative things, but it's going to get really positive really quick.

So a lesson learned here is a time of God's judgment.

A time of God's judgment. A time of God's judgment nationally.

A time of God's judgment individually.

Not only on Israel, but by this time there is no more United States of America. There is no more Britain. There is no more Canada. Not as we know it.

Because we've progressed to what I believe to be the parallel in Revelation 9, where we've got the last kingdoms, the King of the North, battling it out with the Asians.

Let's take a look at Matthew 7. Matthew chapter 7. We go to Matthew chapter 7.

Because, rather, we need to be careful.

Well, I'll tell you what. First, let's turn to Matthew 24. I'm going to call an audible here and go to some place that wasn't in my notes. Matthew 24. Here is a section of Scripture dealing with the time of the end.

The time when there's going to be persecution upon God's church. Matthew 24 verse 9. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you. And you will be hated by all nations for my namesake. I mean, right now, you've got the woke culture in full bloom. You've got the canceled culture in full bloom. If you don't say things that the liberal people want you to say, they will shut you down. There's coming a time when that will happen to us as a church. The Bible talks about there coming a famine of the Word. But notice to the degree, then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you.

And many will be offended. It's talking about church people now. Many will be offended. And as they are offended, they will betray one another. Church people. And will hate one another. Church people. And many false prophets will arise and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. These scriptures are talking about people in the church of God.

But he who endures to the end shall be saved. So the things we've read about in Egypt, those things are going to be happening in our nation as well. And you can see them happening right now. Somebody said the other day, I forget who I was listening to, but they were saying that in China, the Chinese are teaching their children strong minds, sharp minds. In the United States of America, we're taking our children's minds and turning them into mush. We hate to say those things. I've got two little grandchildren who are five years old in July. I've got a grandson who will be three years old at the first of August.

I don't like the world I see them growing up in. I remember back in the day when I was growing up. Remember the back of the day when you were growing up? The raciest thing we could watch was Leave at the Beaver or Adobe Gillis. Father knows best, Donna Reed, the Beverly Hillbillies, really racy stuff.

And now there are things on television. There are times when Mary and I, after working a long day, like to watch a little TV to unwind. We're getting to the place where there's not much to watch anymore. You'd be watching a show and all of a sudden you've got two men hugging and kissing, or two ladies hugging and kissing.

And we're not watching that show anymore. So now it's gotten to the place where one of the things I enjoy watching is Home Garden TV. We found out that there's all these different shows. Hawaii Life, where they take you to one of the four Hawaiian islands. You watch a couple as they are looking for a home on one of the four islands. They'll take you and show you three different homes that the couple's looking at. In some ways I could care less about the homes. I'm always watching to see the ocean shots and the people surfing and the beaches and the sunsets.

So I find myself, there's Hawaiian life, there's Bahamas life, there's Mediterranean life. It's really quite not only entertaining, but educational. What was the place in Europe that we thought was so beautiful? Yeah, the Mediterranean life in the Mediterranean. Croatia. I never knew Croatia was such a beautiful nation. I couldn't help but believe as we were watching Mediterranean life. Again, they're all the same kind of thing, just different parts of the world. I wonder how much time Apostle Paul took off. He was traveling some pretty nice parts of the world there in the Mediterranean. I wonder if he ever had a chance to stop and rest and watch. I wonder if he liked walking on the beach and getting a little tan.

Who knows? We've got to be careful with what's happening in our world. We see Matthew 24 here and what's going to happen to the church. We saw something we didn't think was ever going to happen back in 1995, and yet we see something worse happening here in Matthew 24. Let's go to Matthew 7. Matthew 7, verses 21-23.

Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, you enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. So it's not enough just to come to services. It's not enough just to go to the feast. It's not enough just to send off a tithe check or an offering check. Our heart has actually got to be in it. As one person said, being in church doesn't make you a Christian any more than sitting at McDonald's makes you a hamburger. Many will say to me in that day, verse 22, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons, and you've done many wonders in your name?

Verse 22 is talking about ministry. It's not just about membership. Ministry as well. Prophesy, cast out demons—this is something a minister does. But these ones aren't—God's not happy with these ones either. And then I will declare to them, I never knew you, but you depart from me, you who practice lawlessness. Let's go back now to Isaiah 19 and see the rest of the story.

We've kind of waded through some of the dark times on planet earth, the dark times of end-time prophecy, but let's take a look at the beautiful time that we see here at the very end of this chapter. Isaiah 19, as we're outlining the chapter, verses 16-25, where we see God bestowing His grace on Egypt and the rest of the world. And so much of the prophecy and history of the Bible, you see, though Egypt symbolizes false religion, but there's coming a time when Egypt will become a symbol of worship to the great God. This is truly a turnaround that we can rejoice in.

Truly a turnaround we can rejoice in. Let's look at Isaiah. Let's look at the end of the story here, and then we'll kind of work our way back a little bit. Isaiah 19, very last verse, verse 25. Isaiah 19-25, The Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed is Egypt my people.

Boy, isn't that something interesting to read and beautiful to read. And Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance. Here you've got three nations who in history have been long enemies to one another. But now there's coming a time when Egypt will be called God's people.

Assyria the work of God's hands, Israel my inheritance. These are truly wonderful times to be looking forward to. A time of blessing. So let's look back now and see how this comes about. Verse 16. In that day Egypt will be like women, and will be afraid in the fear because of the wavering of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which he waves over it. And the land of Judah will be as a terror to Egypt. Everyone who makes mention of it will be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the Lord of hosts, which he has determined against it.

So what's verses 16 and 17 talking about? Verses 16 and 17, the first blessing we see here are people learning the fear of God. You know, in ancient times, if you were a woman, you basically were helpless. That's what this is talking about here.

In that day Egypt. And notice the phrase, in that day. The phrase we always associate with end-time prophecy. In that day Egypt will be like women, learning to fear God, and be afraid because they now see that when God waves his hand, things happen.

Verse 17, in the land of Judah will be a terror to Egypt. Why? Because the Egyptians appreciate the God of Judah, the God of the Exodus, the God who did all at the end of the age that he did, and now the same God who's going to give peace to the world after the return of Jesus Christ. None of this happened back in the days of the northern and southern kingdoms. Now this is going to take place over a period of time.

This is not going to, you know, Christ is not going to return on day one, and on day two everyone's singing kumbaya. You know, it's not going to happen that quickly. We'll look at it, Scripture just shows that in just a little bit. Let's look at Proverbs. Proverbs chapter 3. Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5 through 10. People will understand these Proverbs and live by them. At the time we're now talking about, trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not to your own understanding.

People will see what that did for them back in the day prior to the return of Christ, and see where the earth got to the place where people could hardly draw a breath. In all your ways acknowledge him, he shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from evil. He'll be health to your flesh, strength to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your possessions, with the first fruits of all your increase, so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. So again, you obey God and you will be tremendously blessed. People are going to see that after the return of Jesus Christ in that day. Going back to Isaiah chapter 19 verse 18.

Here we see another blessing. That is people learning the way of God. They began—people are beginning to learn the fear of God. Now they're going to be learning the way of God. Verse 18, In that day five cities of the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan, and swear by the Lord of hosts, one will be called the city of destruction. So here we've got people, again, who— there's going to be one beautiful language. We see that in Zephaniah chapter 3 verse 9. Let me read Zephaniah 3.9 to you.

Notice it says, restore.

Not one accord to do all sorts of awful, wicked things, like we see happening at the time of Babel, but to love God and to serve God. Can you imagine what it's going to be like at a feast of tabernacles in the world tomorrow? You know, sometimes at some of our feast sites we're lucky if we've got 10 people to be in the choir. I remember when we were there at the feast in Okanama Walk, we had a children's choir—I think it was only five or six kids.

And it was kind of encouraging to see little kids, but it was kind of discouraging to see the numbers. But when we're thinking about, after the return of Christ, as people begin to get in line properly, the tremendous choirs will have, the tremendous music.

When people stop developing perverted music and wrong kinds of instrumentation, we don't want heavy metal in the world tomorrow. We want beautiful, melodic music that serves God. All we need to have is perhaps just a glimpse as human beings of a heavenly choir singing something beautiful. This is the kind of thing we're going to be having—people learning the way. And here in verse 18, it's talking about some of the cities of destruction, and the one called the city of destruction.

The worst city—that city is going to be one of the cities that will be one of the better examples of worshipping the great God. Again, this is not going to happen overnight. Verses 19 and 20. Here we see the state religion will be the truth of God, the church of God. In that day there shall be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border.

It will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt, for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a mighty one, and He'll deliver them. So this is going to be true not only in Israel, not only in Syria, not only in Egypt, but around the world. Let's look at Ezekiel. Ezekiel 11. We'll see this happening in people's hearts and minds.

Ezekiel 11. Ezekiel 11, Verses 19 and 20. Then I'll give them one heart, and I'll put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them, and they shall be my people, and I shall be their God.

Now, this is not only about Israel, this is talking explicitly about Israel, but it will happen to all the peoples of the world. All the peoples of the world. Something that you and I can just be so thankful that things are happening this way. Going back now to Isaiah 19. We see the healing of Egypt again.

This is an example of what's going to happen to the rest of the world. Starting here in verse 20. I've read verse 20, verse 21. Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering, yes, will make vow to the Lord and perform it. So, a tremendous happening here. Verse 22.

The Lord will strike Egypt, He will strike them and heal it, and they will return to the Lord, and He will be entreated by them and heal them. Verse 21 says, And they will know the Lord. They will know the Lord. He will be known to the Lord, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day.

How does one know the Lord? Well, let's take a look at John 6. Basic Scriptures. John 6. How do we know the Lord? John 6, verse 44. No one can come to me unless the Father who has sent me draws him, and I'll raise him up at the last day.

It is written in the prophets, and they shall all be taught by God. How do you come to know the Lord? For first, God has got to call you. Just like God called you, God's way of working with people is always the same. And to me, that's always been encouraging.

Acts 2. When people began to see what they needed to do, they went to the ministry and they said, What shall we do? We know we need to do something, but what shall we do? Specifically, what shall we do? Repent and be baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit. That's the same thing we do today. 2 Timothy 2. How do we know the Lord? God calls us, but then something else happens. 2 Timothy 2.

I'll get there one of these years. 2 Timothy 2. 2 Timothy 2. Verse 25.

Let's start in verse 24. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be gentle to all, able to teach and patient, in humility, correcting those who are in opposition. Naturally, you and I are in opposition to God's way. We've got human nature. If God perhaps will grant them repentance, so they may know the truth. We've gone over this any number of times. God has to grant us repentance, but God has to grant the Egyptians and all the other nations repentance, and He will do so.

Then we go to 1 John 2 and verse 13.

1 John 2 and verse 13.

1 John 2 and verse 13.

I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. Here we see people beginning to live the way of God, truthfully understanding the way of God. Malachi chapter 1 has something interesting to say along these lines as well. Malachi chapter 1 and verse 11.

Malachi 1, 11. For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, my name shall be great among the Gentiles. In every place incense shall be offered to my name. That's the key of this verse. In every place incense shall be offered to my name.

And a pure offering from my name shall be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. Yes, there will be a temple in Israel. There will be other places of worship, designated places of worship, in every nation around the earth. Jances are, various schools, I don't know what we're going to do for education in the world tomorrow, if it's all going to be homeschooling.

I don't know if we're going to have public education, but whatever we have is going to be education by God. And you'll very much be a part of that. But here we see in every place incense shall be offered. Incense is offered in a temple. I may mention, and we can go now over to the book of Zechariah, just before Malachi, Zechariah chapter 14. This is not all going to happen overnight. Zechariah chapter 14 verse 16.

And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came up against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the king, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come to Jerusalem to worship the king, the Lord of hosts, on them there shall be no rain. So obviously what we're seeing here, there are some nations who just are going to drag their feet about worshiping the true God.

If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they'll have no rain. So again, Isaiah 19 is talking about the salvation of Egypt. But again, this is not going to be something that happens overnight. If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter it, they shall have no rain. They shall relieve the plague, which with the Lord strikes the nations, who do not come up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations, who do not come up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

People say, you know what's interesting? I've known a number of people who have walked away from the church, but they would say, but I know that in the world tomorrow, the feast be kept. I said, now wait a minute. You saw where the feast was being kept in the Old Testament. You see where Jesus Christ kept the feast.

You see where the feast is going to be kept in the world tomorrow. So why not now? And I'll say, well, you know, we're a new covenant. I said, well, I'm new covenant too. Jesus Christ said to Matthew 28 to teach what He had taught. He taught keeping the Sabbath.

He taught keeping the Holy Days. So there's a little bit of a lack of understanding in their thinking when they say those things. Let's go back now to Isaiah and finish up. Isaiah 19. In that day, verse 23, end time prophecy. In that day, there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians will come into Egypt, and the Egyptians into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. Life thine enemies, working together. In that day, Israel will be one with three, with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, blessed is Egypt, my people, Assyria, the work of my hands, Israel, my inheritance.

So here we see now these three nations connected. In that day, the peace will be established on the earth. Only Jesus Christ can do that. That has never happened before. When Jesus Christ returns to earth, there's going to be a highway of peace built between empires of Egypt and Assyria, those nations of old. They will reconcile with God. They will worship the great God. And God says, now you are my people.

So Isaiah, I chose to skip a couple of chapters to get to chapter 19, because to me, chapter 19 is such a beautiful chapter. It shows, yes, God has got to spank the nations, because they deserve a spanking, because they've been sinful. But in the end, Jesus Christ returns. Jesus Christ establishes the kingdom, and eventually people will see the value, those hard-hearted people who don't see it right at the beginning, and there may be many of those. There's another discussion about that. We have some other time. What we see in Revelation, chapter 20, the Bible talks about people as the sand of the sea.

But we see something very beautiful here with the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the kingdom of God.