Foolish Rebels – Isaiah 66:24

“As they leave, they will see the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never go out, and they will be a horror to all mankind.”

What a contrast this verse is to the beginning verses of this chapter.

Isaiah 66:2
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.

Father God begins by making it clear that the humble, penitent one who trembles with respect at His Word will be looked upon with favor. This one receives the loving gaze and blessing of the Lord. Considering this, can there be a worse sin than prideful, self-made rebellion? (Can there really be any other kind of rebellion?). Intentionally setting one’s face against the sovereign God. It is foolishness by definition and deadly arrogance in action. Father God is by definition – omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. He has all power, all knowledge and is ever present. Because of Who He is and what He has done, He will be glorified. He forces Himself on no one, coercing none to follow; yet, because of the nature of reality those who reject Him and rebel openly against Him choose death and even destruction. Those who humbly submit choose Life.

He is Life. He is Hope. He is Truth. To rebel against Him is to rebel against these fundamental, life shaping virtues. Truly, ultimate autonomy is insanity as one must be crazy to rebelliously insist upon independence from God. Submitting to the eternal Author of Life is wisdom and truth. His love is beyond our understanding. His grace is sufficient.

Rebel against rebellion! Choose today to submit to the Lord Jesus. In humble penitence there is Hope.