DECLARING THE END

Time is in HIS hands.

Isaiah 46:9-11 KJV

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,  (10)  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:  (11)  Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

INTRODUCTION

The context of this chapter in Isaiah is that GOD is rebuking Israel for their idol worship. (1)  HE states that the idols, false gods, they have made are clearly NOT gods.  They were not powerful to deliver you from captivity, they cannot even move themselves! (2)  In fact, men need to carry around these wood/gold idols on their animals and on their wagons, and on their own shoulders. (2, 3)  It is ironic that the Israelites were carrying these or similar idols out of captivity on their wagons when they crossed the red sea from Egypt, and they are still carrying these idols on their wagons when they go back into captivity in Babylon. (4) 

Of course this belief in idols is absurd.  It is completely backwards from reality.  We do not carry our GOD around; it is GOD who carries us!  HE gives us life and breath, carries us throughout life, and it is HE alone who can deliver us! (5)  GOD is reasoning with Israel here to make this point.  HE contrasts the absolute lack of power of their idols with the absolute and infinite power which HE possesses.

To make the point of HIS absolute power, HE puts on display in the next verses HIS divinity, holiness, and sovereignty.  HE does this by looking at history, at what HE has done, and explaining how it happened that way.  This is easily seen by working slowly through the verses nine to eleven.

HISTORY (verse 9a)

GOD states, “Remember the former things of old: “

HE calls attention to history to demonstrate HIS faithfulness, and our sin.  Some examples of the “former things of old” are:

• HE said in the day we ate the forbidden fruit we would die; HE cursed
• HE said to Noah HE would destroy the earth; HE caused the flood
• HE said to Abraham I will give you descendents; HE multiplied Israel
• HE said I will bring them out of Egypt; HE delivered
• HE said I will give Israel this land; HE brought them in
• HE said I will bring you into captivity; HE destroyed

The command to “remember” these things should teach us how to view history.  We should not see history as GOD simply reacting to men's choices, or waiting to see what men will do.  But rather, in the context of GOD proclaiming HIS power, we see history as GOD doing what HE has said HE would do.  All of history bears witness to the fact that GOD does what HE says HE will do.

HISTORY EXPLAINED (verse 9b)

GOD states, “for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, “

Here GOD tells us how to interpret the former things of old:  they demonstrate that HE is GOD!  In the second half of verse nine GOD gives the reason why the former things happened they way they did.  The reason is:  I AM GOD!

HE uses the parallel structure and repetition to emphasize this point.

• I am GOD, I am GOD; only GOD is able to demonstrate a history of perfect accomplishment of HIS will.  This is GOD’s statement of HIS divinity.
• None else, none like me; no created being can do this.  GOD is unique in HIS existence.  This is GOD’s statement of HIS holiness.

HISTORY REVEALED (verse 10a)

GOD states, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, “

Having already explained that history happened as it did because HE is GOD, HE goes further and says that HIS prerogative is to actually declare the end from the beginning.  This is a primary way in which HE, the Creator, is distinguished from every created being; HE alone can declare what will be.  So now GOD is saying that history happened as it did because HE is GOD, and because HE declared it to be that way.

There are at least two common interpretations of this verse, and what the word “declaring” actually implies.  The first is that GOD simply foretells the future.  In this belief, GOD can know what will happen because HE has jumped ahead and read the last chapter.  However, this raises problems related to the Nature, or Attributes of GOD.  How can HE be all knowing (omniscient) if HE needs to read the last chapter to find out what will happen?  Did HE have to wait until HE had created space and time to see how they would behave?  If so then HE is limited and does not know how his creations will work.  And how can HE look through time, when HE made time?  How can HE be all powerful (omnipotent) if HE needs men to respond in some way in order for HIM fulfill HIS purpose?  Is GOD mighty to save … as long as men agree?  This would mean that the sovereignty of GOD is limited by the will of men.  Unfortunately this is why many prefer this belief; pride, plain and simple!  They do not want to admit that they are completely under GOD’s control.

The second interpretation of “declaring” is that GOD decides and determines what will be.  Therefore it is only natural for GOD to declare the end from the beginning; it is HIS plan.  HE declares things that are not yet done, simply because HE has not done them yet!  This belief does not raise any problems related to HIS omnipotence, omniscience or other attributes.  This is a historic and well known position; summarized in the Westminster Catechism as the “Decrees of GOD”. (6)  Also, this belief is in agreement with the context of this chapter of Isaiah (i.e. GOD comparing his power against powerless idols).  A god who can foretell the future is not that different from the priests and oracles of the pagan religions.  Just foretelling the future does not make HIM all powerful, it doesn’t even make HIM unique.  But, determining the future, all of history from beginning to end, that makes HIM all powerful, and unique!  This is GOD’s statement of HIS sovereignty.

The remaining portions of this passage also provide context for understanding the word “declaring”.  Interpreting scripture in the light of scripture is the correct method of understanding.  So how do verses 10b and 11 interpret “declaring”?

SOVEREIGNTY DEFENDED #1 (verse 10b)

GOD states, “saying, My counsel shall stand, “

This is how GOD is “declaring”.  HE is making HIS counsel to stand.  Counsel is a noun in this context, and means a plan, or plan of action. (7, 8)  GOD is saying that HE has, from the beginning created a plan of action, and HE will make that plan to stand.  HIS plan will not be stopped or changed, and it will achieve all of the purpose which HE intended.  This is not at all like GOD foretelling the future!

SOVEREIGNTY DEFENDED #2 (verse 10c)

GOD states, “and I will do all my pleasure:  “

This is how GOD is “declaring”.  HE is doing all of the things that HE was pleased to do when HE created HIS plan.  Pleasure is a noun in this context, and means purpose, or desire, or will. (7, 8)  This leaves no room for man's will to influence GOD.  Where were we when HE laid the foundations of the earth?  We did not exist before GOD created us, therefore we were not a motivation or a factor in creation; we are created to serve HIS purpose.  HE has declared the end from the beginning by HIS pleasure!  In fact, all things are created for HIS pleasure! (9) 

SOVEREIGNTY DEFENDED #3 (verse 11a)

GOD states, “Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: “

This is an example of how GOD controls history.  Cyrus King of Persia is this “bird”, and he was used by GOD, for GOD’s purpose.  This verse explicitly states that GOD called Cyrus, and Cyrus executed HIS counsel!  Even nations and kings are controlled by GOD to bring to pass HIS counsel and pleasure.  Therefore GOD has declared the end from the beginning by making HIS counsel to be done.

SOVEREIGNTY DEFENDED #4 (verse 11b)

GOD states, “yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; “

This is how GOD is “declaring”.  HE "brings it to pass".  This is one of the most explicit proofs of GOD’s active control over history.  HE does not foretell what will happen, or wait to see what will happen.  HE brings it to pass!  And the things that HE brings to pass are the things that HE has spoken.  Here again, declaring the end from the beginning means that HE has planned it, and now HE will do it.

SOVEREIGNTY DEFENDED #5 (verse 11c)

GOD states, “I have purposed it, I will also do it.”

The is how GOD is “declaring”.  HE does what HE has purposed to do.  It is HIS purpose, will, and desire.  HE actively controls all of history to do what HE has purposed.

CONCLUSION

In all of these explanations, GOD is specifically NOT looking ahead in the future to see what will happen.  Rather, HE is bringing to pass what HE has decided to do!  The power and knowledge of GOD are destroyed if HE needs to look through time to foretell; because there would be something that HE did not know, or was not in control of.  In reality, GOD cannot "look through time", or "explore time", because GOD created time!  If GOD must contend with man’s decisions HE is limited.  In fact, in this interpretation HE is taken completely off the throne and man is put on the throne in stead.  This is simply against the teaching of Scripture.

The plain teaching of this passage is that HE declares the end because HE decided what it will be.  HE makes HIS counsel stand, does HIS pleasure, brings HIS word to pass, and does HIS purpose.

It is not the desire or will of men that determine the end; it is the sovereignty of GOD!

REFERENCES

(1)           Isaiah 46:8 KJV  Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

(2)           Isaiah 46:1-2 KJV  Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.  (2)  They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.

(3)           Isaiah 46:7 KJV  They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.

(4)           Ezekiel 20:6-8 KJV  In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:  (7)  Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.  (8)  But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

(5)           Isaiah 46:3-4 KJV  Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:  (4)  And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

(6)           Westminster Catechism, Question 7. What are the decrees of God?
Answer. The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass [a]. [a]. Ps. 33:11; Isa. 14:24; Acts 2:23; Eph. 1:11-12

(7)           Canadian Oxford Dictionary, 1998, ISBN:  0-19-541120-X

(8)           Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary, H6098, H2656

(9)           Revelation 4:11 KJV  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

(10)        Isaiah 45:1 KJV  Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;