Isaiah 66:23

“And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.”

Context:Isaiah 66 is the final chapter of the Book of Isaiah and concludes the prophecy with a vision of the future restoration and glory of Jerusalem. In this verse, the prophet Isaiah speaks about a time when all people will come before the Lord to worship Him regularly.

Worship from one new moon to another:The phrase “from one new moon to another” refers to the monthly cycle of the lunar calendar. In ancient Israel, the new moon was celebrated as a special time of worship and observance. The verse suggests that in the future, people from all nations will come together regularly to worship the Lord.

Worship from one Sabbath to another:The Sabbath was a sacred day of rest and worship for the Israelites, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening. In this verse, the prophet Isaiah indicates that in the future, not only will the new moons be occasions for worship, but the Sabbath will also be universally recognised as a day of worship for all people.

All flesh coming to worship:The phrase “all flesh” signifies that people from every nation, tribe, and tongue will gather to worship the Lord. This emphasises the universal nature of worship in the future. It is a vision of inclusiveness and unity in the worship of God.

The sovereignty of the LORD:The verse concludes by emphasising that it is the Lord who speaks and declares that all flesh will come to worship before Him. It highlights the sovereignty and authority of God over all creation.

• Isaiah 66:23:points to a future time when worship of the Lord will extend beyond the people of Israel and encompass all nations and peoples. It indicates a vision of unity and universal worship, where people from diverse backgrounds and cultures will come together to honour and praise God. This prophecy is consistent with the biblical theme of God’s desire for all people to come to Him and worship Him (Psalm 22:27; Revelation 7:9-10).

As believers today, this verse encourages us to have a global perspective on worship and to recognise the inclusiveness of God’s kingdom. It reminds us that God’s love and salvation are not limited to a particular group of people but are available to all. It also challenges us to promote unity and understanding among different cultures and nations in our worship and service to God.

In summary, Isaiah 66:23 expresses a vision of a future time when people from all nations will come together regularly to worship the Lord, honouring both the new moon celebrations and the Sabbath. It reminds us of the universal nature of worship and encourages us to embrace unity and inclusiveness in our worship of God.