Read Is 14:1–23

Isa 14:1 For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land, and sojourners will join them and will attach themselves to the house of Jacob… 9 Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come; it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth; it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations. (10) All of them will answer and say to you: ‘You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!’ (11) Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, the sound of your harps; maggots are laid as a bed beneath you, and worms are your covers. (12) “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! (13) You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ (15) But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.

The mystery of Christ that St. Paul talks about, i.e. that Gentiles will be grafted unto Israel, is manifested here in verse one. It is amazing that as the Lord has compassion of Jacob and Israel, he converts his people to having faith in Christ. On top of that, with that same message, the Gentiles are also converted to having faith in Christ and are attached to Israel. (Rom. 9)

Yet we move on to verses 9 and following and we come across a passage that once was thought to refer to Lucifer aka Satan because of verse 12, the Day Star in Latin is translated Lucifer, which means bringer of light. In Isaiah’s prophecy, he is actually referring to the king of Babylon, who will not be on the scene for another hundred years or so. Like the kings of Assyria, the kings of Babylon will think they won for themselves kingdoms and subjected peoples. Yet the Lord, the King of the Universe, is the cause of both the Assyrian and Babylonian, not to mention the Greeks, Romans, French, Spaniards, English, Germans and Americans rise to power. Like many kingdoms many of these are infected with the spirit of Babylon, a desire for world power and uniting mankind under one of its rulers. Ultimately, the king of Babylon and all worldly leaders who do not give credit or have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will be received in the fashion of verse ten. Ultimately, at the end of time, the final worldly king or antichrist will raise his head and desire to be like the Most High. He may be one who comes the closest to fulfilling Babylon’s desire for the world. As close as he gets, he, the devil and his false prophets will be cast down to the far reaches of the pit.

For there can only be One King and that King is Jesus. He is the king that sacrifices himself on behalf of his people, all those that will humble themselves and put their trust in him alone. All those who give all glory to Jesus because they believe that salvation is won by Christ and his sacrificial work and glorious resurrection will join Christ in his kingdom, the New Jerusalem, the new heavens and new earth. We will find our rest in him then even as we only find our rest in him now.

Gracious God, Heavenly Father, cast down all who are proud in their hearts and those who seek power apart from you and grant them and us repentance from our sins and faith and trust in the merits and works of your Son, Jesus Christ, our only King and Lord. In his name we pray. Amen