The timing of this prophecy is merely “then.” When? It would appear that the flow of the text points to the time after the remnant has returned, or at the same time as that return. This would fit perfectly what we know from the New Testament about the coming of the Lord. The Millennial King will be Jesus Christ, no doubt.

Still, some want to place Isaiah 11 at His first coming. Though we are talking of the same Jesus who did and was some of the same things, look closely with me and see that this final springing has not taken place.

The idea of “bearing fruit” in verse 1 reminds us that the earth is not yet under the full sway of the Lord. The final fruit of Jesus is the entire earth, not just congregations here and there.

Verse 4 points to a universal, worldwide government with Jesus fully in control, dealing lovingly with all the poor, setting in order the rod of discipline and judgment as needed.

Verse 6 reminds us of the peaceful ways of the earth that will prevail when the Prince of Peace rules.

It’s all coming. Yes, where Jesus rules in the individual heart or church today, you begin to see previews of what the Kingdom will look like, but one day the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord!

2. Isaiah 11:11. The “second” time? When was the first time?

Most Bible students will recall that Israel was scattered by the Assyrians beginning in 721 B.C., and later Judah (586) suffered a similar fate. But restoration occurred. Many Jews came back to their land and started the rebuilding process. This is history. But they will be scattered again. And brought back again. When? The flow of the chapters here indicates a time yet future to us, when the lion lies down with the Lamb, when Jesus rules a peaceful earth. This is what I glean from “on that day” in verse 11. It’s coming.

3. Isaiah 11:15. What is the “tongue” of the “sea of Egypt”?

It is not the Egyptian language. There is general agreement that it is, rather, a tongue-shaped body of water sitting next to Egypt. There is a bit of disagreement from there, some calling this the Red Sea, others, the body of water south of the Red Sea that we call today the Gulf of Suez. Others choose smaller sites to the north. But coupled with the comments about the drying up of the Euphrates in this passage, it is clear that the “destroying” of that “tongue” will mean the emptying of its waters in the last days of history. With this agrees John in his Revelation, who sees also the transformation of the Euphrates. It seems as though there shall be a new “exodus” in that day, as people flee for their lives from the coming antichrist destruction.

4. Isaiah 13:1. This chapter begins with the calling of Babylon to execute God’s judgment, and proceeds to the end time, then back to Babylon and the Medes. Explain.

In the first 5 verses we see God calling an army together “to destroy the whole land.” Verses 6-16 speak prophetically in end-time language of stars and sun being darkened, the entire world being punished, awful destructions. The Book of Revelation outlines the same sorts of horrors. Then in the final 6 verses there is talk of the Medes destroying the destroyer, Babylon. The statement is here made that Babylon will be overthrown as when God overthrew Sodom.

But here is the problem. Sodom was overthrown in a day. Babylon lingered on as an inhabited city for centuries after its first capture. It was a prize of conquering kings for many years. Alexander and the like christened themselves “King of Babylon” well into the Greek period, which followed that of Medo-Persia. Did the Medes somehow “miss God”?

Impossible. When God says something will happen, it will happen. We see in history only a preview of coming attractions.

Babylon did not fall as it was supposed to. That is why the prophecy is repeated in the book of Revelation! Babylon, wherever that is, is slated to fall again, and this time, as God said it would fall! I believe Isaiah saw the final fall of Babylon. The text demands it.

Only question in this chapter is, Who are the Medes of the last generation in history? Some equate them with the Kurds of Northern Iraq. Not far-fetched, as they would probably love vengeance on those who have persecuted them for so long. Will God raise them up to destroy Babylon?

But of course, there is one other problem. Babylon is no longer with us, and will have to reemerge from the dustbin of history to become a world power, per Revelation. Some see Babylon as the Roman church system, or the coming one world government/church.