God is Coming (Isaiah 66)
Imagine you’re hosting someone important at your house. Not just a friend or neighbor, but someone who holds real authority. Maybe it’s your boss, maybe it’s a government official, or someone whose opinion carries weight. What do you do? You clean. You rearrange things. You pay attention to every little detail, because you want them to be impressed. You want to be ready.
But now imagine that it’s not your boss or a leader. Imagine it’s God. What would you do to prepare? And—here’s the bigger question—what do you think He’s looking for? Is He scanning your life for perfection? Is He looking for the “big things” you’ve accomplished? Or is He after something else?
Isaiah 66 is a glimpse into what happens when God shows up. It’s not vague. It’s not generic. It’s clear, it’s direct, and it’s breathtaking. This chapter tells us who God is looking for, what He’s bringing when He comes, and how that shapes our lives. So as we open this text, let me ask you to think about this: If God came today, would He be looking for you? Would you be ready for Him? Let’s look at what Isaiah says.
Who God Seeks (1–5)
Isaiah 66:1–5 (ESV) — 1 Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? 2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. 3 “He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck; he who presents a grain offering, like one who offers pig’s blood; he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol. These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations; 4 I also will choose harsh treatment for them and bring their fears upon them, because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight.” 5 Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name’s sake have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy’; but it is they who shall be put to shame.
When someone important is coming to visit, there’s always that question: What are they looking for? If it’s a boss, maybe it’s productivity and organization. If it’s a friend, maybe it’s just a clean, warm, and welcoming house. But what about God? If God is coming, what is He looking for in His people? That’s where Isaiah begins this final chapter. God’s people will be longing for him to “Rend the Heavens” and come down. They long for him to make things right. In the last chapter, he told them that he is coming, and it’s not going to be pretty. He’s going to judge people because they have rejected Him. That’s exactly what God does over the next 700 years. But He promises not to wipe everyone out. He will save some and provide for them.
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?’” (v. 1). Let’s stop there. What is God saying? It’s simple: You can’t contain me. Heaven is my throne. The earth is my footstool. Think about that image for a second. If the earth is God’s footstool, what kind of temple are you going to build that will impress Him? What corner of the universe is big enough to house the Creator of the universe? God doesn’t need anything from us—not our structures, not our rituals, not even our sacrifices. He’s not small enough to need our help.
But here’s what’s amazing: This infinite, transcendent God—so great that the earth is His footstool—He’s looking for someone. Not something. Someone. And He tells us exactly who that is in verse 2: “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”
Now, let that sink in for a moment. The God of the universe is looking for a specific kind of person. And it’s not the person who builds the biggest temple or prays the loudest prayer or shows up the most often in the synagogue. It’s the person who is humble. The one who knows their need for Him. It’s the person who is contrite—someone who feels the weight of their sin and comes to God with a broken spirit. And it’s the person who trembles at His word. Do you see that? God is saying, “I’m looking for people who don’t just read my word or memorize it—I’m looking for people who feel the weight of it, who stand in awe of what I say, and who live in submission to it.”
Now, before we move on, let’s not miss the contrast in verses 3 and 4. Because God’s not just telling us who He’s looking for—He’s also telling us who He rejects. Verse 3 paints a disturbing picture of people who think they’re doing the right thing but are completely missing the mark. It says, “He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck.” What’s going on here? These are people who are going through the motions of worship, offering sacrifices and performing rituals, but their hearts are far from God. And to God, those sacrifices are as disgusting as murder or pagan practices. Why? Because in verse 4, God says, “I will choose harsh treatment for them…because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen.”
Do you see what’s happening? These people are doing all the right things externally, but they’re ignoring God internally. They’re saying the prayers, offering the sacrifices, and building the temples, but when God speaks, they don’t listen. And let’s be honest—that should stop us in our tracks. Because it’s easy to show up at church, to sing the songs, to drop something in the plate, and still live with a heart that’s closed off to God. The people in verses 3 and 4 weren’t failing at religion—they were failing at relationship. And God says, “I’m not impressed.”
But then we come to verse 5, and there’s a word of hope for the faithful. God says, “Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word: Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name’s sake have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy’; but it is they who shall be put to shame.” In other words, there are people who truly revere God’s word—people who take Him seriously—and they’re being mocked and rejected by others. But God says, “Don’t worry. I see you. I’ll vindicate you.” Those who tremble at God’s word might feel out of place now, but one day they’ll see His joy. And one day, their faithfulness will be vindicated.
So, let’s pull this together. What’s the message here? When God comes, He’s looking for people who are humble, who know they need Him. He’s looking for people who are contrite, who feel the weight of their sin. And He’s looking for people who tremble at His word, who listen when He speaks and live in awe of His authority.
But here’s the hard question: Does that describe you? If you’re honest, is your heart humble, or are you too busy building your own “temples” to impress God? Do you feel the weight of your sin, or are you just going through the motions of religion? Do you tremble at His word, or are you ignoring it while still claiming to follow Him?
The good news is that if you find yourself lacking in these areas, God doesn’t leave us hopeless. He invites us to turn back to Him, to humble ourselves, to confess our sins, and to submit to His word. He’s not looking for perfection—He’s looking for surrender. And the question is: Will you be the kind of person God seeks?
What Happens When He Comes? (6–24)
If the first question is, “Who is God looking for?”, then the second question is even more pressing: “What happens when God comes?” Isaiah doesn’t leave us wondering. He pulls back the curtain and lets us see the full picture. God isn’t coming quietly or tentatively. His arrival changes everything.
God is coming with comfort for His people, judgment for the wicked, and a Kingdom so glorious that the nations will gather to declare His praise forever. This isn’t just another chapter in history—this is the culmination of everything. This is the moment where God sets all things right.
A. Comfort for the Faithful (vv. 6–14)
Isaiah 66:6–14 (ESV) — 6 “The sound of an uproar from the city! A sound from the temple! The sound of the Lord, rendering recompense to his enemies! 7 “Before she was in labor she gave birth; before her pain came upon her she delivered a son. 8 Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children. 9 Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?” says the Lord; “shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?” says your God. 10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her; 11 that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance.” 12 For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. 14 You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and the hand of the Lord shall be known to his servants, and he shall show his indignation against his enemies.
Isaiah begins with a sound. Not a whisper, but an uproar. “The sound of an uproar from the city! A sound from the temple! The sound of the Lord, rendering recompense to His enemies!” (v. 6). Can you hear it? The city is buzzing, the temple is trembling—God is coming. But here’s the first surprise: this isn’t just a sound of judgment. This is the sound of new life.
Look at verses 7–9: “Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before her pain came upon her, she delivered a son.” This is unheard of! Isaiah describes a kingdom born in an instant, without labor pains, without struggle, without delay. God is saying, “When I act, I don’t need time. I don’t need effort. I don’t need anyone’s help. I bring about my Kingdom in a moment, perfectly and powerfully.”
Think about what that means. Human history is full of struggles to bring about change. Every kingdom rises with blood, sweat, and tears. But when God acts, it’s effortless. A nation is born without labor pains. A Kingdom is established in an instant. That’s the power of God’s promise.
And then the imagery shifts to something even more tender. God invites His people to rejoice in Jerusalem (v. 10). He says, “You may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance” (v. 11). Do you see the picture here? God is like a mother, nourishing and comforting her children. He extends peace like a river and wraps His people in the security of His love.
Imagine that—peace flowing like a river, constant and unshakable. Comfort so deep that it touches your very bones (v. 14). This is what God brings to His faithful. He doesn’t just bring relief; He brings restoration. He doesn’t just dry your tears; He replaces them with rejoicing.
But here’s the question: Are you living in this peace? Are you drinking deeply from the comfort of God, or are you still thirsty because you’re looking for satisfaction in other things? God offers His peace freely—are you letting it flow into your life?
B. Judgment for the Rebellious (vv. 15–17)
Isaiah 66:15–17 (ESV) — 15 “For behold, the Lord will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For by fire will the Lord enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the Lord shall be many. 17 “Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig’s flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, declares the Lord.
Now, as amazing as this comfort is, God’s coming isn’t just about blessing. It’s also about judgment. Look at verse 15: “For behold, the Lord will come in fire, and His chariots like the whirlwind, to render His anger in fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire.”
This is not a soft image of God. This is God as a warrior, riding on chariots of fire, bringing His righteous anger against the rebellious. Verse 16 says, “The Lord will enter into judgment with all flesh.” Do you hear that? All flesh. No one is exempt.
But why? Why this fierce judgment? Verse 17 explains: “Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig’s flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together.” This is judgment against idolatry and rebellion. It’s judgment against people who go through the motions of religion while their hearts are far from God.
Here’s the hard truth: God’s holiness demands justice. He cannot overlook sin, and He will not tolerate rebellion forever. For some, this fire will purify, but for others, it will destroy. And that forces us to ask: Am I living in rebellion? Am I clinging to sin while still trying to appear righteous?
But don’t miss the hope. God’s judgment is not His final word for the repentant. Through Jesus, the fire of judgment can be avoided, and for those who trust Him, there is no condemnation. If you hear the warning of these verses, don’t harden your heart—repent, and let the grace of Christ cover you.
C. The New Heavens and New Earth (vv. 18–24)
Isaiah 66:18–24 (ESV) — 18 “For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory, 19 and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands far away, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory. And they shall declare my glory among the nations. 20 And they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the Lord, on horses and in chariots and in litters and on mules and on dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the Lord, just as the Israelites bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the Lord. 21 And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the Lord. 22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain. 23 From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the Lord. 24 “And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”
Finally, Isaiah lifts our eyes to the ultimate promise: a new creation. Verse 18 says, “The time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory.” Think about that! The nations—the same nations that have rebelled, the same nations that have ignored God—will now come and see His glory.
But it gets even better. In verse 22, God declares, “For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, so shall your offspring and your name remain.” This isn’t just about restoration—it’s about eternity. God is creating a new world where His people will dwell with Him forever. And verse 23 paints the picture: “From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me.” Worship will never cease. Joy will never fade. God’s glory will fill every corner of the new creation.
But Isaiah ends with a sober reminder in verse 24: “Their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched.” Those who reject God will face eternal separation from Him. This is not just about punishment—it’s about the reality of rejecting the very source of life and joy.
So, what do we do with this? We live with hope for the new creation, with a clear vision of eternity shaping our present. Are you investing in what’s eternal? Are you living as someone who will rejoice in God’s Kingdom, or are you distracted by the things of this world?
Wrap-Up of the Point
So, what happens when God comes? He brings a Kingdom born without labor, a Kingdom of peace and comfort for His people. He brings fire and judgment for the rebellious. And He brings the promise of a new creation, where all nations will gather to worship Him forever.
This isn’t just news—it’s the biggest news in human history. The Kingdom of God is coming. The only question is: Will you be ready? Will you drink deeply from His peace, repent of rebellion, and live with eternity in view? Because God is coming, and when He does, everything changes. Will you be part of the joy, or will you face the fire? The time to decide is now.
How God’s Coming Shapes Our Lives
If Isaiah 66 shows us what happens when God comes—the comfort for the faithful, the judgment for the rebellious, and the promise of a new creation—then the next question is this: What does that mean for us now? How does God’s coming shape the way we live today?
This isn’t just a prophecy about a distant future. This chapter is a call to action. It demands that we reflect on where we stand and resolve to live differently. Through the New Testament, we see how these truths take on even deeper meaning in Christ, and we find four clear ways God’s coming shapes our lives.
1. Live Humbly Before God
Isaiah 66 began with this truth: God is looking for the humble, the contrite, and those who tremble at His word (v. 2). He’s not impressed by outward appearances or empty rituals. He’s drawn to hearts that are surrendered to Him.
The New Testament echoes this again and again. Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount by declaring, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3). Later, He tells the Samaritan woman, “The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him” (John 4:23).
So what does this mean for us? It means we need to stop trying to impress God with our performance and start coming to Him in humility. It means we need to stop treating His word lightly and start trembling at it—letting it shape our thoughts, our decisions, and our hearts.
Action Step: This week, make humility your focus. Begin each day in prayer, asking God to reveal areas of pride in your life. Spend time in His word—not just reading it, but trembling at it. Ask, “How does this command me to change?”
2. Rest in God’s Comfort
We saw earlier that God’s coming brings peace like a river and joy like a feast (vv. 12–14). Through Christ, that peace and joy aren’t just future promises—they’re available now.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27). Paul takes it further in Philippians 4:6–7, saying, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
But here’s the problem: So many of us don’t live like this peace is real. We let anxiety dominate our hearts. We chase comfort in temporary things—relationships, success, money—things that will never satisfy. And all the while, God is offering us the comfort and joy that only He can provide.
Action Step: When anxiety rises this week, don’t carry it alone. Bring it to God in prayer. Let Him carry you like a child in His arms. Replace worry with trust and gratitude. Rest in His peace—it’s real, and it’s yours.
3. Take God’s Judgment Seriously
Isaiah 66 doesn’t shy away from God’s judgment. It’s fire and fury for the rebellious, and it’s eternal separation for those who reject Him. The New Testament is just as clear. Jesus warns about the sheep and the goats, where some are welcomed into the joy of the Father and others are cast into eternal punishment (Matt. 25:31–46). Revelation 20:11–15 describes the great white throne of judgment, where anyone whose name is not in the book of life is thrown into the lake of fire.
Let’s be honest: This is uncomfortable. But if we ignore it, we ignore the reality of God’s holiness and justice. God takes sin seriously—and so must we.
But here’s the hope: For those who repent, there is no condemnation. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” If you’re in Christ, the judgment you deserve has already been removed by the blood of the cross. That’s the gospel.
Action Step: This week, examine your heart for areas of rebellion. Where are you resisting God’s will? Confess that to Him. Repent and ask for His help to turn away from sin. And if you’ve never trusted Jesus as your Savior, don’t wait. Today is the day to repent and believe.
4. Live with Eternal Hope
The promise of Isaiah 66—the New Heavens and New Earth—is the same promise we see fulfilled in Revelation 21: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more’” (Rev. 21:1–4).
This is the future for God’s people: eternal joy in His presence, worship that never ceases, and a world where everything broken is made whole.
But let me ask you this: Are you living for that world, or are you consumed with this one? Are your decisions, your priorities, and your investments shaped by eternity, or are they tied to things that will pass away?
Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:19–20).
Action Step: This week, make an eternal investment. Share the gospel with someone who doesn’t know Christ. Serve someone sacrificially. Spend intentional time worshiping God. Let your life reflect the eternal hope you have in Him.
Bringing It Together
So how does God’s coming shape our lives? It calls us to humility and surrender. It offers us peace and joy that we can rest in right now. It warns us to take sin and judgment seriously. And it lifts our eyes to the eternal hope of His Kingdom, calling us to live for what truly matters.
But here’s the big question: Where do you stand today? Are you humble before God, or are you clinging to pride? Are you resting in His comfort, or are you letting anxiety rule your heart? Are you taking His judgment seriously, or are you playing games with sin? Are you living with eternity in view, or are you distracted by the temporary?
The time to respond is now. God’s coming is not a far-off possibility—it’s a certainty. He will bring comfort. He will bring judgment. And He will bring His Kingdom. Let’s live today as people who are ready.
Conclusion
When someone important is coming, you prepare. You make sure everything is in order because you don’t want to be caught off guard. But Isaiah 66 reminds us that God is coming—not just anyone, but the Creator, Judge, and King of the universe. And His coming is not something to fear if you belong to Him—it’s something to rejoice in, something to anticipate with hope.
So, let’s step back and take in the big picture of this chapter:
- God is looking for people who are humble, broken over their sin, and trembling at His word. That’s who He seeks.
- God is coming to bring peace and comfort to His faithful, judgment to the rebellious, and an eternal Kingdom where everything broken is made whole. That’s what He brings.
⠀And the question Isaiah leaves us with is this: Are you ready for His coming?
To be ready means living humbly before God, resting in His comfort, taking His judgment seriously, and keeping your eyes fixed on eternity. This isn’t just about a future moment—it’s about how you live now, every day, in light of what’s to come.
Think about it: God is not waiting for you to be perfect. He’s not asking for impressive displays or grand gestures. He’s inviting you to come to Him humbly, confessing your need, trusting in His grace, and living as a citizen of His eternal Kingdom.
So, where do you stand? Are you the person God seeks? Are you resting in His peace? Are you living with eternity in view? Because the truth is, God is coming, and everything will change. The time to prepare isn’t tomorrow—it’s today.
Let’s be a people who live ready, who rejoice in the comfort of His promises, who take His word seriously, and who proclaim His glory until He comes. And one day, when He does, we’ll be ready to stand before Him—not in fear, but in joy—because we know we are His.