Three major tests try the loyalties of God’s end-time people. If they pass all three, they will be numbered among God’s elect and inherit the earth during its millennial age of peace. If they fail one or more tests, they may either perish with the wicked in God’s Day of Judgment that is now imminent or possibly survive by wading through the evil time. Each of the tests is a deliberate challenge God presents that can propel them to a higher spiritual status with him.
The archtyrant demands all people’s allegiance (Isaiah 1–38)
Babylon’s idols seduce people away from God (Isaiah 39–48)
Ecclesiastical leaders persecute God’s servants (Isaiah 49–66)
Resembling the literary pattern of the Greek Odyssey, God’s servants are tested by the end-time king of Assyria, the equivalent of the Cyclops. He requires the submission of all peoples on pain of death. The allure of Babylon’s idols and their glamorous purveyors present a second challenge only pure worshipers of God surmount. Ecclesiastical leaders who once were trusted friends and mentors now seek to deprive God’s loyal servants of their spiritual heritage.
Test One—the king of Assyria
Isaiah 37:10–11Speak thus to Hezekiah king of Judah: Let not your God in whom you trust delude you into thinking that Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. You yourself have heard what the kings of Assyria have done, annexing all lands. Shall you then escape?
Isaiah 36:13–16Then Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in Judean, Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria! Thus says the king: Do not let Hezekiah delude you! He cannot deliver you. Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in Jehovah by saying, Jehovah will surely save us; this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. Do not listen to Hezekiah! Thus says the king of Assyria: Make peace with me by coming out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and his own fig tree and drink water from his own cistern.
Isaiah 33:6Your faithfulness in time [of trial] shall prove to be a strength, your wisdom and knowledge your salvation; your fear of Jehovah shall be your riches.
Test Two—the idols of Babylon
Isaiah 42:17–20Those who trust in idols and esteem their images as gods shall retreat in utter confusion. O you deaf, listen; O you blind, look and see! Who is blind but my own servant, or so deaf as the messenger I have sent? Who is blind like those I have commissioned, as uncomprehending as the servant of Jehovah — seeing much but not giving heed, with open ears hearing nothing?
Isaiah 44:9–11All who manufacture idols are deranged; the things they cherish profit nothing. Those who promote them are themselves sightless and mindless, to their own dismay. Who would fashion a god or cast an idol that cannot benefit them? Their whole society is confused; their fabricators are mere mortals. Were they all to assemble and take their stand [before me], they would at once cringe in fear.
Isaiah 44:20They are followers of ashes; their deluded minds have distracted them. They cannot liberate themselves [from them] or say, Surely this thing in my hand is a fraud.
Test Three—false brethren
Isaiah 66:5Hear the word of Jehovah, you who are vigilant for his word: Your brethren who abhor you, and exclude you because of my name, say, Let Jehovah manifest his glory, that we may see cause for your joy! But it is they who shall suffer shame.
Isaiah 61:7Because their shame was twofold, and shouted insults were their lot, therefore in their land shall their inheritance be twofold and everlasting joy be theirs.
Isaiah 65:13–15Thus says my Lord Jehovah: My servants shall eat indeed, while you shall hunger; my servants shall drink indeed, while you shall thirst; my servants shall rejoice indeed, while you shall be dismayed.
My servants shall shout indeed, for gladness of heart, while you shall cry out with heartbreak, howling from brokenness of spirit. Your name shall be left to serve my chosen ones as a curse when my Lord Jehovah slays you.