Isaiah 66:19

This verse is part of the concluding chapter of the book of Isaiah, where the prophet describes the future restoration of Jerusalem and God’s judgment on the wicked. Let’s break it down and explore its meaning in context.

“And I will set a sign among them”: The “sign” mentioned here refers to a miraculous manifestation of God’s presence and power. It signifies a divine intervention or supernatural occurrence that catches the attention of the people.

“I will send those that escape of them unto the nations”: This phrase speaks of the survivors or remnants of God’s people who have been preserved or rescued from a time of trial or judgment. These survivors are sent as messengers to the nations.

“To Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off”: These are geographical references that represent distant lands and nations. Tarshish is often associated with a distant seaport, possibly referring to regions in Spain or beyond. Pul is thought to be a reference to the Assyrian king Tiglath‑Pileser III. Lud could refer to Lydia in Asia Minor. Tubal and Javan may represent regions or peoples, possibly in modern‑day Turkey or Greece. Overall, this verse indicates that messengers will be sent to various distant lands.

“That have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory”: These lands and nations have not yet had the opportunity to hear about God’s fame or witness His glory. This emphasizes the universal scope of God’s message and His desire for all people to come to know Him.

“And they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles”: The messengers from God’s people will proclaim and declare His glory to the Gentiles, meaning the non‑Israelite nations. This verse indicates a mission to spread the knowledge of God’s greatness and salvation beyond the boundaries of Israel, bringing His message to the ends of the earth.

In summary, Isaiah 66:19 speaks of a future time when survivors from God’s people will be sent as messengers to distant lands, reaching out to nations that have not heard of God’s fame or seen His glory. They will declare His glory among the Gentiles, extending the knowledge of God and His salvation to the ends of the earth. This verse highlights God’s universal plan of salvation and His desire for all people, regardless of nationality or background, to have the opportunity to hear about Him and experience His glory. It reminds us of the mission to share the good news of God’s love and salvation with the world, emphasising the inclusiveness of God’s redemptive plan.