Isaiah 14 vs 1-32

Isaiah Chapter 14 Verses 1 – 2

·    Last chapter and most of this chapter describe the fall of Babylon which is essentially the enemy of Israel. Babylon the Great, the enemy of Zion. And so, what we see here is that as the enemy of Israel falls, Israel receives the blessing. That’s sort-of how it works. As your enemy falls, well, you rejoice. And the next verses describe in detail the final fall of the fallen one, the enemy of my soul and of yours.

Isaiah Chapter 14 Verses 3 – 4

·    Here we are introduced to the “King of Babylon.” Now skip ahead just for a moment to verse 12. “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer…” Another very clear point as to why Mystery Babylon, Babylon the Great is indeed the world under the system of sin and not just a geographical land in the Middle East.

·    The King of Babylon, “the god of this age” (2 Cor 4:4), “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31), is Lucifer the fallen highest of angels. He had worship all throughout him. As we will read in this chapter. The most beautiful, the most-wise, the most symphonic as he led the heavenly host in praise… But amidst all of his abilities, talents and popularity, he exalted himself in his heart of hearts…

·     Now listen, God is yet sovereign. And the authority and ability Lucifer has exists within the confines and boundaries that have been set for him. Jesus is a perfect example of this. Lucifer offers Jesus the entire world and all of the glory of the kingdoms within it, that was his authority…and yet Jesus refused him. That was God’s authority. Make sense?

·    And so, while this whole world order, what I refer to as “The Fallen,” Babylon the Great, while it all is under the sway of the evil one, his authority stops at Jesus. So, what does that mean for you and for me? And this is critically important to know and to hear… Satan’s granted dominion (for a time – as we read in this chapter), is over those that are not with/in Jesus. Satan has NO authority, dominion, ability or rule over the believer.

·    This is why we read in 1 John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” “The devil made me do it,” is an impossible statement for the Christian. Because through the power of the Holy Spirit, Satan’s authority crashes and crumbles at your will. And so yes, here is the King of Babylon, but the King of kings is in YOU!

·    Now notice, notice just for a moment, when you do walk in the flesh (which is nothing but self-exaltation), notice the power you hand over and what happens to you in your mind, soul, heart and strength. It says here in these verses that the work of the King of Babylon is to create sorrow, place you in hard bondage and force you to serve him… Don’t miss that. And some Christians I know are so used to serving themselves they can’t even hear or see or realize that by doing so they are serving the enemy of their own souls, Lucifer himself…

Isaiah Chapter 14 Verses 5 – 8

·    Notice, when the poor leader is overthrown (one who leads out of anger – striking the people, suffering himself or herself from wrath from within), notice, the people rejoice. Check this out, when the good leader leads, that’s when the people rejoice also. And here we have a line drawn…

·    The poor leader is one that strikes… One who is suffering internally themselves (wrath), and one who rules with anger. That word “anger” in the Hebrew means as much as just an unkind countenance… Intense, right!? The point is, (well there are many), you will never be a good leader until the first person you seek to deal with is yourself. Good leaders are folks that are peaceful inside. Poor leaders, ones that strike those that God has given them to lead, who even greet with a poor countenance, all of that is simply because they won’t stop exalting themselves and rather deal with themselves.

·    And the day will come in which God will depose you and, in that day, the people will rejoice. How much better to cause the people to rejoice as you lead them? This is what will happen to all of creation when Lucifer is cast down… Even the trees will rejoice because now Romans 8:22 tells us, “The whole of creation groans” today under the rulership of Lucifer.

Isaiah Chapter 14 Verses 9 – 11

·    Hell has never met Lucifer. Isn’t that a crazy thought? Since he was removed for his pride, ever since the very day that he fell, he has been here on earth. Job 1:7, “And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So, Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and from on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

·    Here is the taunt against him. Hell is excited to meet you. And that greeting, this is incredible, “Have you also become as weak as we? Have you become like us?” It takes courage, strength, brawn and brains to learn humility and serve something greater than yourself. Of those that are cast into the Lake of Fire at the final judgement, the first characteristic we find of them is Revelation 21:8, “But the cowardly…shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

·    Hard on the outside. Superior. Condescending. Cruel. Always learning but not able to come to the knowledge of the truth…. I know what’s really going on… fear, and that’s on you. 2 Timothy 1:7, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” The coward stays the coward because they do not come near to Jesus… And truly, choosing to be just how you are for whatever reason and not choosing to strive to become more like Jesus, its just weakness. No judgement, I feel sorry for you…just facts.

·    And notice, the most beautiful of all angels falls. Beauty is less than skin deep, truly…and along with his beauty, it says here, “the sound of your stringed instruments.” Lucifer has music all about him…

Isaiah Chapter 14 Verses 12 – 15

·    We gaze with amazed judgment at what he did, but this is the same action we take when we live day after day, week after week, year after year, resisting the Holy Spirit and the ways in which He desires us to change. When we know what is right, and yet we disregard and stay as we are…this is exactly the same action…

Isaiah Chapter 14 Verses 16 – 17

·    You see, there it is really, summed up. “You did not open the house of your prisoners.” No heart to soften self. No choice of will to serve or forgive. There is so much wrapped up in that indictment. You’ve put people in prison…and you won’t make it right… Jesus had no fault in putting people into any prison and yet He gave His life to get us all out… Where are you at? Because this is the one single indictment that changes Lucifer into Satan…

Isaiah Chapter 14 Verses 18 – 27

·    So, notice this… We know from this chapter that Satan, Lucifer is the “King of Babylon,” which is the whole earth according to verse 26. But apparently, he is also the King of Assyria according to verse 25. And check this out, according to Daniel 10:13, he is also the Prince of Persia. And…according to Ezekiel 28, he is also the King of Tyre. How is it that he was able to take Jesus to a high place in Matthew 4 and offer Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory? Because he is the king who has set himself upon every kingdom and nation… there is none that serve God, no not one.

·    But he is no king…he is an imposter. He tried to revolt, usurp the throne, and he was not successful. So, he made his own crown and proclaimed his own name… And by deception, took the position he has today as the king of nations… But he is no king, and a kingdom without a king is simply “dom” (dumb), HA! And he will fall… His weakness being fully revealed in his destruction… and every moment that he has ever lived on this earth for him personally will be shown to have been completely wasted when he dwells alone forever removed from everything and everyone.

·    Don’t be like him. Fight the good fight. Learn strength. Resistance training is what builds strength! If all we ever do is run (because we are to run our race as Christians) then we will be skinny and bony, ha! We need to train in resistance and James tells us to resist what…the devil. Resist serving yourself, or you absolutely risk wasting your childhood, your parenthood, your marriage, your ministry…your life…

Isaiah Chapter 14 Verses 28 – 32

·    Did you get into some poison ivy? Your bumps and itches reveal it. Have you eaten some rotten Christmas pudding? Your running to the bathroom reveals it. Just like that…have you been serving yourself and are you filled with fear? Your softlessness, lovelessness and restraint from humility reveals it. There is a refuge for you. The Lord has founded Zion. Jesus has overcome and He is the answer but its all in or nothing if you want to be made well…

·    Says here, “The poor of His people shall take refuge in it.” Until you’re not afraid anymore of not being enough, not afraid anymore of being hurt again and again and again, until you’re not afraid anymore to stop serving yourself…until you can trust that God will take care of you, you’ve rejected this idea of “personal poverty.” Perhaps tonight you will face and see what is so easily seen in and about you…that you’re just afraid…and perhaps tonight you too could find refuge and learn strength.