too difficult to apply this analogy God is giving us here between the two types of leaders, to all nations affected by the eventual future coming of the 'king of Babylon' (i.e. the antichrist), in stages and by degrees. Looking at the events in the middle east today, and the controls upon all nations by the super-government, i.e. 'New World Order', this Isaiah 22 parallel should be easy to grasp, as Jerusalem and the 'house of Israel' are the last stops on Satan's map to his one-world 'beast' government system (see Rev.13 & 17).

Isa 22:2   Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.

     This verse is a metaphor for those who refuse to believe that 'hour' of destruction is near. They have no true fear of our Father, because they've put their trust in the world, and those who offer the things of the world to them. Their trust is in themselves, and not in God. Amos 6 gives an excellent detail of this attitude here, with "Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;" (Amos 6:3). Even in 1 Thess.5, "For when they shall say, 'Peace and safety', then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."

 

 Rev.18:7: How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

 

 2 Pet 3:4: Read All.

 

Matt.24:48-51: Read All.

 

Amos 9:9-10: Read All.

     We are seeing this escapist attitude with many of our brethren in some of the Churches today, as their Church leaders are in this stupor of 'peace and safety', and the horn of plenty and prosperity for all. They are not preparing their flocks for the coming of the final 'king of Babylon', but teach escapist 'fly away' doctrines instead. When they should be putting The Gospel Armour on to make a 'stand', they are joining with nations for the sake of 'religion', i.e. man's religion, and not True worship in Christ Jesus by staying in His Word.

Isa 22:3   All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far.

     The historical event of this siege upon Jerusalem was of the Assyrian. These leaders of God's People fled this battle also, just as king Zedekiah fled when the king of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) came upon Jerusalem.

 

2 Kings 25: Read All.

 

. So what's our parallel in this for today? What are many of our leaders doing today? When one of our leaders sells out, because of promises made to him/her of wealth, status, or an easy way out of doing their 'duty', doesn't that symbolize this situation in Isaiah's time as a type for today? Compromise against God's People by leaders of His People makes it arduous for them to do anything else but run, once the situation is allowed to escalate. And I don't envy our leaders, but pray for them, because the deception upon the majority is so strong today, good leaders must go above and beyond their normal duty to stay aligned with our Father's Plan. God made it so to show that if they would only turn to Him, in His Truth, then their load would be made much lighter and easier to carry. It certainly is difficult to be the only 'sober' one in the midst of a bunch of drunks (that's just a saying, don't take it literal). But being 'sober' (i.e. strong minded and not deceived) is what our Lord Christ Jesus expects of us during these times.