“And people shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of His majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth,” (Isaiah 2:19 ESV).
There is a song we sang in church when I was a kid. It was called “He Is Lord,” and had a line that went, “Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” That line was obviously taken from Philippians 2:10-11. As a child, I always assumed that at the end of time, everyone who didn’t believe in Jesus would be forced to worship Him anyway. But reading this verse in Isaiah has made me wonder if that’s not quite how it will work.
This verse doesn’t say that before the majesty of the Lord, people will be forced into caves and holes. It says they shall enter. They choose to go there. This humbling, this fear, is a natural response to the presence of the splendor of the Lord. And that makes me wonder about the day which is to come. What if everyone is not forced to worship? What if God’s enemies do not honor Him that day out of compulsion? What if it is a natural response to finally coming into His presence? What if there is no other option than to respond in humility?
Either way I look forward to that day. I will gladly choose to humble myself, whether it’s a natural response or a choice. I hope I can choose to do the same today.
Your thoughts?
Todd
Having a hard time keeping up with you these days. That’s okay, it’s a good problem. I’m still working on the last blog you posted (that one hit hard) and I still haven’t finished that dissertation.
Like you, I always thought that the “every knee shall bow” verse meant that once people had to face that fact that God is really God, they would bow. But that sort of flies in the face of human nature and what we see in the world. People can come face to face with God’s presence and God’s truths and decide that they don’t want Him in control of their lives. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about people who believe they’re too smart for God. This can be seen throughout history, in the Bible and elsewhere. God is patient, but He is also just. It troubles me that some in the church misrepresent grace and salvation to the point that people believe they can do anything and live anyway they want and God will be alright with it. That isn’t what the Bible tells us. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” I’ve read Jeremiah this week, and it leaves me greatly concerned for today. God will not be mocked. But He is abundantly good!! His love knows no bounds, but His love isn’t squishy and sentimental like the love of the world. It leads Him to do whatever is necessary to save those who would be saved, even if it hurts. Thanks be to God for not giving up on me! May I serve Him well. And… on humbling oneself, doesn’t it make sense that if we really know Him, we have to alternative but to be humbled?? May we know Him well. Blessings Todd. You take care of you now, Tess
I never thought about that verse in this way. I always thought that when God does come back that once everyone saw how good and holy He is that they would bow in humbleness because they would then know the truth and realize how not-good (un-holy, unclean, I don’t know which is the best word to place here) they/we really are. When you realize how much someone, or God truly loves you, it can be very humbling and you willingly want to love them in return.
Thanks for informing us about the webcast last night, that was a pleasant surprise since I won’t be able to see your show in Chandler, Tx. I hope you feel better for tonight’s show in Sierra Vista. That is my second home and the town holds a lot of memories for me there. Many of my friends are still there and hopefully will get to see you tonight. I pray for healing and strength, may God bless you and your family and friends.
The passage in Isaiah has an interesting connection to a passage in Revelation 6:15-17 (ESV): “Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?'”
It’s interesting that throughout the book of Revelation, the only ones mentioned who fall down to worship are those who love God. John says people are given numerous opportunities to repent, but some openly defy God and align themselves with Satan, even when they have observed the power and glory of God on the earth.
Then when they finally come before God at the white throne judgement (Rev. 20:11-15), John writes that he “saw the dead, great and small, STANDING before the throne.” Is this the ultimate attitude of arrogance and rebellion? Then God pronounces judgment.
I’ve never thought about the possibility that God might not force them to bow down and worship Him until reading your blog. But could it be possible that forcing people and beings to bow down would be contrary to God’s character since He is defined by love and freedom? All I know for sure is . . . my knees will be bowed and I will willingly submit to His glory because He has already captured my heart.