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Isaiah 26:3 and the Other Verses of Isaiah 26

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“As Moses lifted up the serpent [the serpent made of bronze described in Numbers 21:8–9] in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life, for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten [uniquely born] Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

“…for by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, lest any man should boast.”

Above is the content of John 3:14–16 and the content of Ephesians 2:8–9, respectively.  Itʼs worthwhile to refrain from receiving the mark referenced in Revelation 13:11–18 and to instead receive eternal life for free by believing that Jesus is the Savior.  Before doing any Bible studying and before praying to God the Father, it is useful for a person who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior to try to think of any sins that one might have committed since one last confessed oneʼs known post-salvation sins to God the Father, and if one has indeed committed any, to then silently confess those sins to God the Father—confessing only one time for each sin—in accordance with what is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This webpage could be periodically updated.  If there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, and if the original author of this webpage is amongst those people disappearing en masse, then it is possible that this webpage will no longer be updated.  Also, if there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, it is worthwhile to consider the possibility that those people have exited from the earth on the occasion known as the Rapture instead of assuming that that mass disappearance involves extraterrestrials abducting those people or involves the annihilation of those people or involves anything else other than the Rapture.  

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Also, it is possible that it is worthwhile to print this content in case of time periods involving lack of Internet connectivity.  

When studying the Word of God, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Hebrews 4:12:  

“Indeed, the Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joints and the marrow and is a critic of thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Note:  The heart refers to the mind.  

It is also beneficial to keep in mind the content of 2 Timothy 3:16–17 when studying the Word of God:  

“All Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be mature, having been thoroughly furnished unto all good work.”

It is the responsibility of a pastor-teacher to endeavor to correctly understand the Word of God and then to accurately teach the Word of God, as per the content of 2 Timothy 2:15:  

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.”

A pastor-teacher is a communicator rather than a crutch on which to be leaned.  In that regard, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping a pastor-teacher.  Likewise, a believer should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping anyone other than the Trinity [God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit], as per Joshua 24:15, the content of which references Joshua speaking to the Israelites:  

If it is disagreeable/bad/evil/wrong/wretchedness/displeasing in your sight to serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, choose for yourselves today whom you serve/worship:  whether the gods ['elohiym / false gods] which your fathers have served/worshiped which were beyond the river or the gods ['elohiym / false gods] of the Amorites in whose land you are living.  As for me and my house, we serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.

Note:  Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Joshua had been serving as the assistant of Moses while Moses was the leader of the Israelites, set the example for the Israelites.  Joshua chose to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship God the Father rather than Joshua choosing to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship the lesser of multiple evils amongst multiple choices of 'elohiym [el-oh-HEEM].  The word 'elohiym with a lowercase e can refer to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges.  The word 'Elohiym with a capital E refers to the Trinity.  The word 'elohiym can also be used to refer to might as in mightiness.  In that regard, the use of the word 'elohiym in reference to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges involves the connotation of mightiness in comparison to an average human.  When a person puts oneʼs trust in and thereby serves as a devoted follower of and thus worships an angel or human, that angel or human is that personʼs false god.  Regarding the foregoing, the content of Joshua 24:15 involves Joshua calling attention to the choices that the Israelites had, and that content involves Joshua permitting the Israelites to make their choices while Joshua led by example with his choice.  

The gift of pastor-teacher is for the purpose of each pastor-teacher functioning as a messenger who communicates the Word of God rather than functioning as a priest between the Trinity and mankind.  In that regard, the time period that can be referred to as the Church Age started fifty days after the Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected, and all Church Age believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are priests.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest of Church Age believers, and believers should be willing to acknowledge/confess/profess to people the believersʼ faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as per Hebrews 4:14–15:  

Therefore, since we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the acknowledgment/confession/profession.  Indeed, we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek [mel-KIZ-uh-dek], who was the ruler of Salem when Abraham was still named Abram.  Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, as per Genesis 14:18, which references Melchizedek greeting Abram:  

Then Melchizedek king of Salem has brought out bread and wine, and he is a priest of 'El [AYL] 'Elyown [el-YOHN] / God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] Most High.

The Lord Jesus Christ is also both a king and a priest because the Lord is the Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, as per Hebrews 7:14–17:  

Indeed, it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.  Also, it is still much more evident:  that according to the similarity of Melchizedek, Another of a different type of priest arises, Who has become such not on the basis of a law of fleshly command / physical requirement but according to the power of an indestructible life.  Indeed, it is attested:  “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER, ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

Note:  The Lord Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah.  Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is qualified to be a priest because He was resurrected and therefore has an indestructible body.  The above content in all capital letters is a reference to Psalm 110:4.  

Because a king is royalty, a king who is a priest is a royal priest.  In that regard, Church Age believers are royalty because they are members of the Lord Jesus Christʼs family.  Therefore, all Church Age believers are royal priests, as per 1 Peter 2:9–10:  

However, you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR ACQUISITION/PRESERVATION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are GODʼS PEOPLE.  You had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Note:  Before the Church Age, Gentiles were not Godʼs people.  In the Church Age, both Jewish and Gentile believers are Godʼs people.  The content of 1 Peter 2:10 references Hosea 2:23.  In that regard, Peter uses references involving Israel in the Old Testament to refer to Church Age believers.  

Itʼs the message rather than the messenger that should be the focus of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Put succinctly:  itʼs the message rather than the messenger.  In that regard, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Revelation 22:8–9, which was written by the apostle John, who, in addition to writing The Revelation to John, wrote The Gospel According to John, The First Epistle of John, The Second Epistle of John, and The Third Epistle of John:  

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things, but he says* to me, “Do not do that.  I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who keep the words of this book.  Worship God.”

*Note:  The word says is in the Greek historical present tense.  By means of the Greek historical present tense, past action or future action can be described from the perspective of someone seeing the action as it occurs.  

Regarding messages, believers should use the Word of God to examine what is being communicated.  That is what the Bereans who are mentioned in Acts 17:10–12 did:  

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, who, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews.  Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness / readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.  Therefore, many of them believed, and not a few prominent Greek women and men.

Note:  The phrase not a few means “quite a few.”  

Today, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds on the occasion of the Rapture is one day closer than it was yesterday.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  It is possible that the Rapture will occur during the time when the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh] would occur.  The Feast of Trumpets was one of the seven feasts that the Israelites were supposed to celebrate each year under the regulations of the Mosaic Law.  The term Mosaic Law refers to the laws communicated by Moses to the ancient Israelites.  Because Moses communicated those laws, they are known collectively as the Mosaic Law.  The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Law by being judged on the cross for the sins of humanity.  Now that the Lord Jesus Christ has fulfilled the Mosaic Law, no believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are under the regulations of the Mosaic Law.  

While it is possible that the Rapture will occur during the time when the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh] would occur—which is referenced as a single day in Leviticus 23:24–25 and Numbers 29:1–6 and which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during the time period of September 10th, 2026, at 11:51 A.M. – September 14th, 2026, at 1:08 P.M. in the Eastern Daylight Time zone or the time period of October 10th, 2026, at 11:13 A.M. – October 14th, 2026, at 12:29 P.M. in the Eastern Daylight Time zone, it is worthwhile for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to get into the habit of being prepared every day for the return of the Lord, just in case the Rapture will occur during a time other than the time of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah.  Furthermore, it is worthwhile to be in the habit of being prepared for the Rapture so that if it does occur during the time of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah, one can be prepared for that time because of already being in the habit of being prepared.  Examples of being prepared for the Rapture include applying the content of 1 John 1:9 whenever one sins, being unselfish, and whenever circumstances are such that an opportunity arises, sharing the gospel—the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life.  Regarding sharing the gospel, one could also have a written or printed message containing the gospel with that written or printed message located somewhere where it could be easily noticed so that if a person or people were to read or hear that written or printed message either before or after the Rapture occurs, that person or people would thereby read or hear the gospel by means of that written or printed message.  

Whether the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah in 2026 would occur during September or October depends on whether barley crop in Israel in 2026 was first in a status known as abib [ah-BEEB] (also known as aviv [ah-VEEV]) in March or April, respectively.  Also, if barley crop in Israel in 2026 was first in a status known as abib/aviv in February, then the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah would have occurred during the time period of August 12th, 2026, at 12:25 P.M. – August 16th, 2026, at 1:49 P.M. in the Eastern Daylight Time zone.  On which day and at what time in August, September, or October the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah would start depends on the time of the last sunset over Jerusalem before the first sliver of a crescent new moon after that sunset.  The crescent new moon is the illumination of a sliver of the waxing moon.  The moon is waxing when it is becoming more and more illuminated after what some people refer to as the astronomical new moon, the time when there is an absence of illumination of the moon—in other words, when there is an absence of reflection of light from the moon.  On which day and at what time in August, September, or October the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah would end depends on whether the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah lasts one day or two days and whether the time of day of the end of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah is at sunset, at the end of civil twilight, at the end of nautical twilight, or at the end of astronomical twilight.  

Regarding information about the Rapture, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51–52:  

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again—and we do indeed believe that Jesus died and rose again—so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  Indeed, this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive who remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep, for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with a voice of an archangel and with a trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52

Behold, I tell you a mystery:  we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

After the Rapture will be the seven-year Tribulation.  The believers who will be alive on the earth when the Rapture occurs will escape the Tribulation.  1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 covers that topic.  In that regard, in the book 1 Thessalonians, the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 is immediately followed by the content of 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11.  

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you, for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.  While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.  However, you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, for you are all sons of light and sons of day.  We are not of night nor of darkness; therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be alert and sober.  Indeed, those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.  However, since we are of day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and benevolence/goodwill, and as a helmet, the hope / absolute confidence of deliverance, for God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.  Therefore, comfort one another and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Note:  In this context, the day of the Lord is the time period that consists of the Rapture, the seven years of the Tribulation, and the Second Advent.  In that regard, deliverance from the Tribulation is the deliverance in this context.  Also, unspecified is who will be saying “Peace and safety!”  In this context, sleeping refers to a lack of alertness.  The alertness in this context involves being ready for the Rapture.  In order to be ready for the Rapture, a believer needs to be filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and to pay attention for historical trends such as people saying “Peace and safety!” and for historical trends that match the pattern of the world being on the brink of tremendous calamities like those that will occur during the Tribulation.  Regarding being filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

The verse of the day for August 27th is Isaiah 26:3.  The full name of the book Isaiah is “The Book of Isaiah.”  When the book Isaiah was written, Judah was an independent country; therefore, it had not yet become the Roman province Judea [joo-DEE-uh or joo-DAY-uh].  The word Judea can also be spelled Judaea or Judæa.  The character æ is a ligature [LIG-uh-chuhr or LIG-uh-choor] of a and e.  Before the Romans conquered the region known as Judea, the name of the country of the Jewish people was Judah.  The inhabitants of Judah can be referred to as Judahites [JOO-duh-ights].  The inhabitants of Judea can be referred to as Judeans [joo-DEE-uhnz or joo-DAY-uhnz].  

The first king of Israel was King Saul, the second king of Israel was King David, and the third king of Israel was one of Davidʼs sons, King Solomon.  After King Solomon died, Israel was split into two nations.  Ten tribes formed the Northern Kingdom, which kept the name Israel and is also known as Ephraim.  Two tribes formed the Southern Kingdom, which is also known as Judah.  The twelve tribes of Israel are listed as follows, in order of birth of the sons of Jacob:  Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.  The ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom are Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, and Joseph.  Also, the tribe of Joseph is subdivided into the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.  In that regard, Joseph has a double portion.  In some parts of the Bible, the tribe of Ephraim is referred to as the tribe of Joseph.  The two tribes of the Southern Kingdom are Judah and Benjamin.  Below is a link to a map showing the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah).  For reference, Jerusalem is located in grid coordinate C6.  

https://Classic.NET.Bible.org/images/maps/ot5.jpg

If the above link is inaccessible, the below link can be tried instead.  

https://NETBible.org/media/images/maps/ot5.jpg

Many Israelites of the Southern Kingdom, which is also known as Judah, were exiled to Babylon in 586 B.C.  Israelites returned to the land in 516 B.C., which was seventy years later.  In that regard, the prophets are categorized as pre-exilic, exilic, and post-exilic prophets.  Isaiah is categorized as a pre-exilic prophet.  

For geographical reference, below is a link to a map of the Assyrian and Babylonian Empires.  Jerusalem is located at grid coordinate C4.  Babylon is located on the edge of grid coordinates E3 and E4.  For reference, the city Babylon is on the edge of grid coordinates E3 and E4 on that map.  

https://Classic.NET.Bible.org/images/maps/ot6.jpg

If the above link is inaccessible, the below link can be tried instead.  

https://NETBible.org//media/images/maps/ot6.jpg

Because it is useful to study verses that share the same context, below is content related to Isaiah 26.  

Note:  The content of Isaiah 26 references the Millennium, which is the 1,000-year period during which the Lord Jesus Christ will be reigning on the earth.  Regarding the Millennium, below is a synopsis of human history as categorized into time periods known as dispensations.  In the below synopsis, there is the term hypostatic union [high-PUH-stat-ick YOON-yuhn].  This refers to the Lord Jesus Christ being 100% Deity and 100% humanity.  The English word hypostatic is derived from the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek word ὑπόστασις [pronounced hoo-PAH-stah-sees and transliterated as hypostasis].  After the Lord Jesus Christ was judged for the sins of humanity, His body was in the grave for three days and three nights.  He was then resurrected, and He was on the earth for forty days after He was resurrected.  He then ascended to Heaven, and ten days after that, the Day of Pentecost [PEN-tih-kahst] occurred.  The Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the Church Age.  The word Pentecost is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντηκοστή [pronounced pen-tay-kah-STAY and transliterated as pentēkostē].  That word is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντήκοντα [pronounced pen-TAY-kahn-tah and transliterated as pentēkonta], which means “fifty.”  Therefore, the word Pentecost is derived from the fact that that day occurred fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  In that regard, the Church Age began fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  The Church Age will end with the Rapture.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  Absent from the Bible is anything specifically indicating the precise date and time when the Rapture will occur, although it is possible that the Rapture will occur during the time when the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh] would occur—which is referenced as a single day in Leviticus 23:24–25 and Numbers 29:1–6 and which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during the time period of September 10th, 2026, at 11:51 A.M. – September 14th, 2026, at 1:08 P.M. in the Eastern Daylight Time zone or the time period of October 10th, 2026, at 11:13 A.M. – October 14th, 2026, at 12:29 P.M. in the Eastern Daylight Time zone.  

Regarding the word judgment, the proper way to spell that word is without an e between the dg and the m.  In that regard, the e of the root word judge is dropped when the suffix ment is added to that root word.  The formation of the word judgment is shown below.  

judge −e +ment

= judg +ment

= judgment

Another way to categorize human history is by means of civilizations.  Civilizations begin only with believers.  Regarding the timing of civilizations and dispensations, the first civilization began with Adam and ended on the occasion of the Great Flood (also known as the Flood).  That civilization is known as the antediluvian civilization and the predulivian civilization.  In that regard, the prefixes ante and pre mean “before.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time before the Flood.  Those spellings include antediluvian, ante-diluvian, prediluvian, and pre-diluvian.  

After the Flood, there were only eight believers on the earth:  Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their sonsʼ wives.  With the removal of the unbelievers from the earth on the occasion of the Flood, a new civilization was started.  That civilization is known as the postdiluvian civilization (also known as the postdiluvial civilization).  Regarding the terminology, the prefix post means “after,” and the adjectives diluvian and diluvial mean “having to do with a flood.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time after the Flood.  Those spellings include postdiluvian, post-diluvian, postdiluvial, and post-diluvial.  The postdiluvian civilization will end on the occasion of the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.  On the occasion of the Second Advent, the Lord will remove all unbelievers from the earth.  Their removal will be by means of physical death just as the removal of all unbelievers was by means of physical death on the occasion of the Flood.  This is called the Baptism of Fire, which is either a metaphorical description because fire can be used to represent judgment or a literal reference to the use of fire in the judgment of unbelievers on the occasion of the Second Advent.  The Baptism of Fire is referenced in Matthew 3:11–12; Luke 3:15–17; and 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9.  

Just as a new civilization started after the Flood, so also a new civilization will start after the Baptism of Fire.  That civilization is called the Millennium.  The Millennium is both a civilization and a dispensation.  The Eternal State is also both a civilization and a dispensation.  

Isaiah 26:1

In that day, this song is sung in the land of Judah:  “We have a strong city; He sets up walls and ramparts/bulwarks/walls for deliverance.

Note:  The uses of a present tense in the verbs in this verse are references to the future.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the future can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine future events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is whether the references to the fortifications of a city are literal or metaphorical.  If the references are literal, then Jerusalem will have protective walls during the Millennium.  If the references are metaphorical, then those metaphorical references refer to the Lord Jesus Christ providing protection for the city Jerusalem during the Millennium.  Of course, the Lord Jesus Christ will be providing protection for Jerusalem during the Millennium even if Jerusalem will literally have protective walls during the Millennium.  

The Hebrew word translated as “deliverance” in this verse is יְשׁוּעָה [pronounced yesh-OO-ah and can be transliterated as yeshuw`ah and yeshu`ah and yeshuah], which is an inflected form of the root word יְשׁוּעָה [pronounced yesh-OO-ah and can be transliterated as yeshuw`ah and yeshu`ah and yeshuah].  (Hebrew is written and read from right to left.)  The Hebrew word yeshuah can be transliterated into Koine [KOI-nay] Greek as Ἰησοῦς [pronounced ee-ay-SOOS and transliterated as Iēsous].  In that regard, the use of yeshuah foreshadowed the Koine Greek name Iēsous.  The correspondence between yeshuah (יְשׁוּעָה) and Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς) is listed below.  

Regarding the use of the Koine Greek letter ς [SIG-muh] to transliterate the Hebrew letter ה [HAY], below are examples of such usage.  (Hebrew is written and read from right to left.)  

• The letter ς [SIG-muh] is used to transliterate the letter ה [HAY] at the end of אֵלִיָּה (Elijah) to result in Ἠλίας (Elias).  

• The letter ς [SIG-muh] is used to transliterate the letter ה [HAY] at the end of יִרְמְיָה (Jeremiah) to result in Ἰερεμίας (Jeremias).  

• The letter ς [SIG-muh] is used to transliterate the letter ה [HAY] at the end of זְכַרְיָה (Zechariah) to result in Ζαχαρίας (Zacharias).  

The Koine Greek name Iēsous is used in the New Testament to refer to the Lord Jesus Christ.  That Koine Greek name is the name from which the English name Jesus is derived.  The correspondence between Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς) and Jesus is listed below.  

The content of Isaiah 26:1 is repeated below for reference.  

Isaiah 26:1

In that day, this song is sung in the land of Judah:  “We have a strong city; He sets up walls and ramparts/bulwarks/walls for deliverance.

Isaiah 26:2

“Open the gates so that the righteous nation may enter, the one that keeps faithfulness / remains faithful.

Note:  In the Millennium, the amount of Israelites who will be believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who regularly obey the Word of God will be such that the nation of Israelites can be referred to as a righteous nation.  

Isaiah 26:3

“The steadfast of mind You keep in perfect peace because he trusts in You.

Note:  The truth of the Word of God in the thinking of a believer provides inner tranquility for that believer.  

Isaiah 26:4

“Trust in Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One forever, even in Jah Jehovah / Yah Yahweh / I am I am I am I am / the existing One the existing One, an everlasting Rock.

Note:  Jah and Yah are contractions of Jehovah and Yahweh, respectively.  Also, in this verse, there is a repetition involving the contraction of the name followed by the full name.  

Isaiah 26:5

“Certainly, He has brought low those who dwell on high, the unassailable city.  He lays it low.  He lays it low to the ground.  He casts it to the dust.

Note:  In Isaiah 26:5, the word city refers to evil people during the time period of the Tribulation.  Regarding the usage of the word unassailable in this verse, the evil people during the time period of the Tribulation might be powerful, but the Lord Jesus Christ is more powerful than those evil people.  The certainty that the Lord is more powerful than those evil people is indicated by the use of the perfect tense in the phrase He has brought low.  In that regard, the use of the perfect tense in that phrase is a reference to the future.  Such a use of the perfect tense has a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, why would verbs in the perfect tense be used to refer to what will happen in the future?  Doing so in reference to something being indicated can communicate that what will occur in the future is 100% certain to happen and that because it is 100% certain to happen, it is as though it has happened already.  

The uses of a present tense in the phrases those who dwell on high, lays it low, lays it low to the ground, and casts it to the dust are references to the future.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the future can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine future events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

It is possible that the content of this verse involves literal references, metaphorical references, or both literal references and metaphorical references.  If the content of this verse involves literal references, then the reference to dwelling on high could be a reference to skyscrapers.  Such references can evoke a memory link of the account of the tower of Babel, which is referenced in Genesis 11:1–9.  In that regard, the Hebrew word that can be translated as “Babel” in Genesis 11:9 is בָּבֶל [pronounced bah-BEHL and can be transliterated as Babel].  In other verses, that same Hebrew word can be translated as “Babylon.”  The word Babylon is also used in the New Testament.  In that regard, the content of Revelation 14, 16, 17, and 18 references evil people, and those evil people are referred to as Babylon.  Such references to evil people as Babylon can also evoke a memory link of the account of the tower of Babel.  If the content of Isaiah 26:5 references literal skyscrapers, then the content of that verse indicates that the evil peopleʼs skyscrapers will all be completely demolished to the ground.  

If the content of Isaiah 26:5 involves metaphorical references, then the reference to dwelling on high could be a reference to the powerfulness of the evil people.  In that regard, the content of that verse could indicate that the evil people will be deprived of their power.  A metaphorical reference could also involve haughtiness.  Haughty people are arrogant people who think that they are superior to others.  In that regard, the content of this verse could indicate that the evil people will be haughty and that those evil people will then be humiliated.  

Of course, any metaphorical references in this verse could refer both to the power of the evil people and to the haughtiness of the evil people.  Also, as mentioned further above, this verse could involve both literal and metaphorical references.  Regardless of whether those references are literal or metaphorical or both, and regardless of the details of what is literally referenced, metaphorically referenced, or both literally and metaphorically referenced, the content of this verse indicates that the Lord Jesus Christ will defeat those evil people.

Isaiah 26:6

“The foot tramples it—the feet of the afflicted, the steps of the helpless.”

Note:  The Lord Jesus Christ will help the helpless believers.  On the occasion of the Second Advent, the Lord will do the work of defeating the evil people, and the helpless believers will get to share in the victory that the Lord will accomplish.  Similarly, the Lord did the work for people to have eternal salvation.  In that regard, the Lord was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity, and each person can then receive eternal life by believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged for the sins of humanity.  

Isaiah 26:7

The way of the righteous is uprightness.  O Upright One, You ponder / You prepare the path of the righteous.

Note:  God the Father makes it possible for believers to behave properly.  In that regard, God the Father has made the Word of God available so that believers can learn how to behave properly.  Also, God the Father has a plan for each believer.  In that regard, God the Father wants all believers to learn and obey the Word of God.  

Isaiah 26:8

Indeed, regarding the way of Your judgments, O Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, we have waited for You eagerly.  Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of the soul.

Note:  In this verse, Isaiah refers to believers who regularly obey the Word of God.  Each such believer desires to remember information about God the Father.  

Isaiah 26:9

At night, with my soul I have longed for You.  Indeed, with my spirit within me I seek You diligently, for when Your judgments are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world have learned righteousness.

Note:  In this verse, the word spirit refers to the human spirit of a believer.  At the moment of salvation, each believer in the Lord Jesus Christ receives a human spirit, which is a believerʼs essence that involves thinking of Bible doctrine—in other words, thinking that involves the Word of God.  An unbeliever lacks a human spirit.  In contrast with a human spirit, a soul is a personʼs essence that involves thinking in general.  Each unbeliever has a body and soul; therefore, unbelievers are dichotomous [digh-KAHT-uh-muhs].  Each believer has a body, soul, and human spirit; therefore, believers are trichotomous [trigh-KAHT-uh-muhs].  

Isaiah 26:10

The wicked is shown graciousness.  He has not learned righteousness.  He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness and does not perceive the majesty of Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.

Note:  It should be unsurprising that when someone is gracious towards a wicked person, that wicked person refrains from learning how to behave properly.  

Isaiah 26:11

O Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, Your hand has been lifted up.  They do not see it.  They see zeal of people and are put to shame.  Indeed, fire devours Your enemies.

Note:  The reference to a hand in this verse is an anthropomorphism [an-thruh-puh-MOR-fiz-uhm].  An anthropomorphism is a usage of terminology involving a physical characteristic to describe a characteristic of the Trinity.  The anthropomorphism involving a hand in this verse is a metaphor that calls attention to the power and wrath of God the Father.  

Also, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding ones is whether the phrase zeal of people refers to zeal that people have or to zeal that is directed towards people.  Regardless of to what that phrase refers, verses 10 and 11 indicate that unjust people will at some point be put to shame.  

In addition, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding ones is to what the word fire refers.  Also, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding ones is whether the word fire in this verse is used literally or metaphorically.  Regardless of whether that word is used literally or metaphorically in this verse, the enemies of God the Father will be judged.  

Isaiah 26:12

Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, You establish peace for us since You have also performed for us all our works.

Note:  The people who will be singing the song that is covered in the content of Isaiah 26 will recognize that God the Father ensures that there is peace for them during the Millennium and that it is because of God the Father that those people are able to do all that they do.  In that regard, each Member of the Trinity performs a different role.  Regarding the roles of the Members of the Trinity, God the Father does the planning, God the Son executes the plan, and God the Holy Spirit reveals the plan.  The Lord Jesus Christ is God the Son.  

Isaiah 26:13

O Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One our 'Elohiym [el-oh-HEEM] / Godhead, other masters besides You have ruled us.  Through You alone, we make mention of / we remind about Your name.

Note:  In this verse, Isaiah indicates that the Israelitesʼ honoring of God the Father was by means of God the Father rather than by means of human masters.  Unspecified is in what way human masters would be involved in the Israelitesʼ honoring of God the Father.  

Isaiah 26:14

The dead do not live.  The deceased do not rise; therefore, You have punished, and You destroy them, and You wipe out all remembrance of them.

Note:  The content of this verse refers to the enemies of Israel.  

Isaiah 26:15

You have increased the nation, O Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.  You have increased the nation.  You have been glorified.  You have extended all the borders of the land.

Note:  The content of this verse indicates that during the Millennium, the population of Israel will be increased and the size of the Land of Israel will be increased.  The Land of Israel is also known as the Promised Land.  The Promised Land is the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Israelites.  At the time the Israelites entered it, the land was inhabited by Canaanites.  In that regard, that land can also be referred to as the land of Canaan.  

God the Fatherʼs promise of land to Abraham is part of God the Fatherʼs promises to Abraham.  Also, the content of Genesis 12:3 involves some of God the Fatherʼs promises to Abraham.  God the Fatherʼs promises to Abraham are called the Abrahamic Covenant.  The Abrahamic Covenant is for Abraham, Abrahamʼs son Isaac, Abrahamʼs grandson Jacob, and the people descended from Jacob.  Jacob was renamed Israel.  In that regard, the people descended from Jacob can be referred to as Israelites.  Regarding Genesis 12:3, below is content related to Genesis 12:1–3.  

Genesis 12:1

Now Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One says to Abram, “Go away from your country and from your relatives and from your fatherʼs house to the land which I show you, 

Note:  At the time described in Genesis 12:1, Abraham was still named Abram.  In this verse, the uses of a present tense in the phrase says to Abram and the phrase which I show you are references to what has occurred in the past.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the past can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine past events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

Genesis 12:2

and I make you a great nation, and I bless you, and make your name great, and you be a blessing, 

Note:  The uses of a present tense in the verbs of this verse are references to the future.  

Genesis 12:3

and I bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I curse, and in you all the families of the earth have been blessed.”

Note:  The use of the perfect tense in the phrase have been blessed is a reference to the future.  Such a use of the perfect tense has a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, why would verbs in the perfect tense be used to refer to what will happen in the future?  Doing so in reference to something being indicated can communicate that what will occur in the future is 100% certain to happen and that because it is 100% certain to happen, it is as though it has happened already.  In that regard, the phrase in you all the families of the earth have been blessed indicated that it was 100% certain that the Savior would be descended from Abraham and that people of all racial groups would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.  

In Genesis 12:3, the phrase I bless those who bless you indicates that those who are kind to Israelites will experience blessing.  Being kind to Israelites can be referred to as being pro-Semitic.  Unspecified in this verse is in what way or ways the blessing will occur.  Also, such blessing can apply to individuals or groups of people.  In that regard, if kindness towards Israelites is widespread in a region, then that region will experience blessing.  

In Genesis 12:3, the phrase the one who curses you I curse indicates that those who are hostile towards any Israelites will experience cursing.  Hostility towards Israelites can be referred to as being anti-Semitic.  Unspecified in this verse is how soon the cursing occurs after hostility is directed towards any Israelites.  Also, such cursing can apply to individuals or groups of people.  In that regard, if hostility directed towards any Israelites is widespread in a region, then that region will experience cursing.  

The Abrahamic Covenant also involves promises related to land for Israelites.  Those promises will be completely fulfilled when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to the earth on the occasion of the Second Advent.  Below is a list of topics and related verses involving the land for Israelites.  

The land promise to Abraham when he was still named Abram is in Genesis 13:14–16.  

The dimensions of the land promise are referenced in Genesis 15:18–21.  

The confirmation of the promise to Isaac is in Genesis 26:3–4.  

The confirmation of the promise to Jacob and the Israelites is in Genesis 35:12.  

The fact that the promise of land was given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Israelites was communicated to Moses, and Moses communicated that fact to the Israelites whom he led in the Exodus out of Egypt.  That topic is covered in Exodus 6:2–9.  

The content of Isaiah 26:15 is repeated below for reference.  

Isaiah 26:15

You have increased the nation, O Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.  You have increased the nation.  You have been glorified.  You have extended all the borders of the land.

Isaiah 26:16

O Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, they have sought You in distress.  They have poured out a whisper of a prayer.  Your chastening/chastisement/correction/discipline has been upon them.

Note:  The content  of this verse references Israelites having responded positively to chastening/chastisement/correction/discipline from God the Father.  In that regard, when an insufficient amount of people in a nation are believers who study and obey the Word of God regularly, then that nation will experience divine discipline.  Regarding ancient Israel, when an insufficient amount of Israelites have regularly obeyed the Word of God, the Israelites have experienced cycles of discipline.  In that regard, the content of Leviticus 26:13–38 describes five cycles of discipline.  Those verses cover Moses communicating to the people of Israel and in so doing, quoting Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.  The content describing the five cycles of discipline was addressed to the nation Israel during the Age of Israel.  In that regard, when nations in the Church Age are disciplined, that discipline might or might not follow the same pattern as that which is described in Leviticus 26:13–38.  Even if the discipline of a nation in the Church Age does not follow the same pattern as that which is described in Leviticus 26:13–38, there will be similarities.  Regardless of the specific form of national discipline, it becomes increasingly intense.  The increasing intensity of the discipline gives people more and more opportunities to become believers who study and obey the Word of God regularly.  

For unbelievers, the divine discipline of a nation involves crisis evangelism.  In that regard, a crisis can provide an opportunity or opportunities for the sharing of the gospel—the good news that the means of receiving eternal life is—for those who believed before the Lord Jesus Christʼs public ministry was revealed—by means of believing that God the Son would take the form of the One sinless Human Who would be judged for the sins of humanity, that the means of receiving eternal life is—for those who believed after the Lord Jesus Christʼs public ministry was revealed and before the Lord Jesus Christ was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity—by means of believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is that sinless Human Who would be judged for the sins of humanity, and that the means of receiving eternal life is—for those who believe after the Lord Jesus Christ was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity—by means of believing that Jesus Christ is that sinless Human Who was judged for the sins of humanity.  For believers who refrain from regularly studying and obeying the Word of God, the divine discipline of a nation gives each such believer an opportunity or opportunities for that believer to change his or her way of life.  That change must start with that believer confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Whenever that believer becomes aware that that believer has committed any post-salvation sins that that believer has not yet confessed/acknowledged to God the Father, then that believer needs to confess/acknowledge to God the Father those sins.  Also, that believer must study and obey the Word of God.  

Some people choose to learn the hard way—in other words, rather than studying and obeying the Word of God, they refrain from studying and obeying the Word of God and then experience a circumstance or circumstances that give them an opportunity or opportunities to change their thinking.  Put succinctly:  they fool around and find out.  Of course, some people choose to refrain from changing their thinking when God the Father has them experience a circumstance or circumstances that give them an opportunity or opportunities to change their thinking.  God the Father knows the exact type and exact number of circumstances to have each person experience such that that person will have enough opportunities to change that personʼs thinking.  Each person has a limited number of opportunities to change that personʼs thinking.  In that regard, once a person who is an unbeliever physically dies, there will no longer be any opportunities for that person to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.  Once a person who is a believer who refrains from studying and obeying the Word of God physically dies, there will no longer be any opportunities for that person to receive eternal rewards.  In that regard, every moment that a believer is out of fellowship with the Trinity, that believer is missing out on eternal rewards that that believer otherwise could have received had that believer been in fellowship with the Trinity during those time periods when that believer is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  

The content of 1 Corinthians 3:11–15 covers the topic of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who refrain from studying and obeying the Word of God.  The content of those verses involves the evaluation of Church Age believers after the Rapture.  That content indicates that believers who refrain from studying and obeying the Word of God lose eternal rewards.  It is worth noting that that content indicates that each believer is still saved.  Below is content related to 1 Corinthians 3:11–15.  The apostle Paul wrote the content of 1 Corinthians.  

1 Corinthians 3:11

Indeed, no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  

1 Corinthians 3:12

Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious [or costly] stones, wood, hay, straw, 

1 Corinthians 3:13

each manʼs work will become evident, for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire.  Therefore, the fire itself will test the quality of each manʼs work [literally: of what sort each manʼs work is].  

1 Corinthians 3:14

If any manʼs work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.  

1 Corinthians 3:15

If any manʼs work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved—yet so as through fire.

The evaluation of Church Age believers after the Rapture is also referenced in the content of 2 Corinthians 5:10.  Below is content related to 2 Corinthians 5:10.  The apostle Paul wrote the content of 2 Corinthians.  

2 Corinthians 5:10

Indeed, we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for the things through the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Note:  The Koine Greek noun translated as “Judgment Seat” in this verse is Βήματος [pronounced BAY-mah-tahs and transliterated as Bēmatos].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word βῆμα [pronounced BAY-mah and transliterated as bēma].  The Koine Greek noun bēma is the word from which the term Bema Seat is derived.  At the time of the writing of the New Testament, a judgment seat was a raised seat—in other words, a seat at a higher level of elevation than the floor or ground around the seat.  

Regarding being in fellowship with the Trinity, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

Regarding the phrase whisper of a prayer in Isaiah 26:16, even though the prayers are done in a whispering manner, God the Father still hears those prayers.  Regarding praying, all prayer must be addressed to God the Father.  In that regard, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself indicated that all prayer must be addressed to God the Father.  The content of Matthew 6:1–13 covers the Lord giving an example about how to pray.  In that regard, the content of Matthew 6:9 covers the Lord commanding that prayers be addressed to God the Father.  The content of Luke 11:1–4 also covers the Lord giving an example about how to pray.  In that regard, the content of Luke 11:2 covers the Lord commanding that prayers be addressed to God the Father.  

Isaiah 26:17

As the pregnant woman approaches the time to give birth, she writhes and cries out in her labor pains.  Thus have we been before You, O Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.

Isaiah 26:18

We have been pregnant; we have writhed.  We have given birth, as it seems, to wind.  We cannot accomplish deliverances for the land, nor do the inhabitants of the world fall.

Note:  The content of this verse and the verse before it contains a metaphor involving childbirth.  That metaphor refers to the suffering with which God the Father judges Israel.  When God the Father has judged Israel, it has been because an insufficient number of Israelites were obeying the Word of God.  In that regard, the giving birth to wind is a metaphor referring to the actions of those Israelites being in vain.  

The Hebrew word translated as “deliverances” in this verse is יְשׁוּעֹת [pronounced yeh-shoo-OHT and can be transliterated as yeshuw`ot and yeshu`ot and yeshuot], which is an inflected form of the root word יְשׁוּעָה [pronounced yesh-OO-ah and can be transliterated as yeshuw`ah and yeshu`ah and yeshuah].  As mentioned in the notes for verse 1, the use of yeshuah foreshadowed the Koine Greek name Iēsous, and that Koine Greek name is the name from which the English name Jesus is derived.  Regarding the phrase nor do the inhabitants of the world fall, the context of this verse and the preceding verses is such that that phrase refers to the Israelitesʼ inability to defeat enemies.  

The content of verse 1 contrasts with the content of verse 18.  In contrast with the content of verse 1, which references the Lord Jesus Christ providing deliverance, the content of verse 18 references the Israelites being unable to provide for their own deliverance.  That contrast calls attention to the fact that peopler are unable to provide eternal life for themselves.  

Isaiah 26:19

Your dead live; their corpses rise [so with some ancient versions; Masoretic Text has my corpse rises].  You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy.  Certainly, your dew is as the dew of the lights, and the earth causes the deceased to be cast out.

Note:  The Masoretic [mas-uh-RET-ik] Text, which is a Hebrew manuscript, has the phrase my corpse rises instead of their corpses rise in Isaiah 26:19.  The Masoretic Text was composed after the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The use of a present tense in the phrase Your dead live in this verse is a reference to what will occur in the future.  Such a use of a present tense has a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the future can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine future events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

In this verse, the phrase dew of the lights seems to refer to morning dew.  Regarding the phrase the earth causes the deceased to be cast out, the context of the rest of the content of this verse is such that that phrase refers to resurrection of dead people.  In that regard, this verse references the resurrection of physically dead believers on the occasion of the Second Advent.  On that occasion, people who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior and who then died during the Age of the Gentiles or during the Age of Israel will receive resurrection bodies.  

Isaiah 26:20

Come, my people.  Enter into your rooms and close your doors behind you.  Hide for a moment until indignation passes over.

Note:  The context of Isaiah 26 is such that the content of verse 20 references the far future from the time that Isaiah wrote this chapter, and it is possible that the content of verse 20 also references the near future from the time that Isaiah wrote this chapter.  Regarding the far future from the time that Isaiah wrote this chapter, the content of this verse references the seven-year time period of the Tribulation that precedes the Millennium.  In that regard, it is possible that the reference to rooms and doors in this verse alludes to the deliverance of Noah and his family during a time of judgment—in other words, calls attention to or hints at the deliverance of Noah and his family during a time of judgment.  In that regard, the ark had a door, and Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their sonsʼ wives entered the ark.  Also entering the ark were seven of each type of clean animals and two of each type of unclean animals.  Unspecified in the Bible is what types of animals were classified as clean and unclean during the time of Noah.  

That topic of the Great Flood is covered in Genesis 6, Genesis 7, and Genesis 8.  Seven days after Noah, his family, and the animals entered the ark, water came from under the ground, and rain fell.  In that regard, the content of Genesis 7:11–24 and the content of Genesis 8:1–4 indicate that there were 150 days from the day of the start of the Great Flood until the day that the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.  Furthermore, the content of Genesis 7:11 indicates that the Great Flood started on the seventeenth day of the second month of the six hundredth year of Noahʼs life, and the content of Genesis 8:4 indicates that the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat on the seventeenth day of the seventh month of that year.  In that regard, there were five months from the day of the start of the Great Flood until the day that the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.  Dividing 150 days by five months equals 30 days per month.  A year that consists of twelve 30-day months has a total of 360 days.  In that regard, it is possible that there were 360 days in a year at the time of the Great Flood.  Coincidentally, regarding units of measure of angles, there are 360 degrees in a circle.  

On the first day of the tenth month of the year, the water had receded to the extent that the tops of the mountains were visible.  On the first day of the first month of the next year, Noah could see dry land.  On the twenty-seventh day of the second month, the earth was dry.  When the Great Flood began, Noah was six hundred years old, and when the earth was dry, Noah was six hundred and one years old.  In that regard, while the time period that Noah, his family, and the animals were on the ark might seem like a long time, that time period is merely a moment compared to eternity.  Similarly, the time of indignation during the Tribulation or any other time of judgment is merely a moment compared to eternity.  

Rather than the content of Isaiah 26:20 referring to literally hiding behind closed doors for the purpose of being safe, the content of Isaiah 26:20 metaphorically refers to believers trusting in God the Father during times of judgment and to refraining from having close relationships with people who refrain from regularly obeying the Word of God.  Regarding refraining from having close relationships with people who refrain from regularly obeying the Word of God, Noah and his family separated themselves from the people who were judged during the Great Flood.  While it is sometimes impossible to be physically separated from people who refrain from regularly obeying the Word of God, a believer can refrain from joining in the sinful activity in which those people are involved.  

Regarding the reference to hiding behind closed doors being a metaphorical reference rather than a literal reference, the content of Revelation 12:6 indicates that, during the Tribulation, Israelites flee into a wilderness and thereby escape persecution for 1,260 days.  In that verse, Israelites are referred to by means of a metaphor involving a woman.  The content of Revelation 12:14 refers to that time period as a time and times and half a time.  It is possible that the phrase a time refers to year and that the word times refers to two years and that the phrase half a time refers to a half of a year.  Therefore, it is possible that the phrase a time and times and half a time refers to three and a half years.  Dividing 1,260 days by three and a half years equals 360 days per year.  A 360-day year can be referred to as a prophetic year.  

Regarding a year that has 360 days, it is possible that during some time period or time periods of the existence of the earth, the orbit of the earth around the sun could have been closer to the sun than is the current orbit of the earth such that the earth orbited around the sun once every 360 days.  Another possibility is that while the earth has been in the orbit that the earth currently is in, the rotation of the earth could have been slower such that the earth rotated about its axis 360 times for each orbit around the sun.  Regarding the possibility of the rotational speed of the earth being different at different times, it is possible that the distribution of mass inside the spheroidal shape of the earth has been different at different times.  In that regard, if more of the mass of a spinning object moves closer to the center of that spinning object, that object will spin at a faster rate.  For example, when an ice skater is spinning with his or her arms stretched out and then pulls his or her arms close to his or her body, that ice skater will then spin at a faster rate.  Also, it is possible that during some time period or time periods of the existence of the earth, the orbit of the earth around the sun could have been a different distance from the sun than is the current orbit of the earth while simultaneously the rotation of the earth could have been either slower or faster than the current rotational speed of the earth.  

Regarding possible differences in the distance of the earth from the sun during different time periods and possible differences in the earthʼs rotational speed during different time periods, it is possible that the number of seconds in a year might have varied very little in spite of any changes in the earthʼs orbital distance, rotational speed, or both orbital distance and rotational speed.  For example, a solar year (also known as a tropical year) is approximately 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds long.  That is a total of 31,556,926 seconds.  For a 360-day year that has approximately 31,556,926 seconds, the number of seconds per day is approximately 87,658.  In terms of hours, minutes, and seconds, that is approximately 24 hours, 20 minutes, and 58 seconds.  Therefore, a 360-day year that has approximately the same number of seconds as a solar year could have a day length that is approximately 20 minutes and 58 seconds longer than a 24-hour day.  

While content in Revelation 12 references a time period of 1,260 days, the content of Daniel 12:11 references a time period of 1,290 days.  In that regard, the content of Daniel 12:11 indicates that the Second Advent will occur 1,290 days after the abolishing of sacrifices and the setting up of the abomination of desolation, which is an object the purpose of which is to give glory to the man who is the king of the West during the Tribulation.  The king of the West is also known as the Antichrist with a capital A, the beast, and the first beast.  The false prophet is also known as the second beast.  The false prophet will be supporting the king of the West.  Content related to the king of the West being referred to as the first beast is in Revelation 13:1–12.  The content of Revelation 13:11–18 references the false prophet.  The abomination of desolation is referenced in Daniel 9:27 and Matthew 24:15–16.  Below is content related to Daniel 9:27.  

Daniel 9:27

“Then he has made a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he puts a stop to sacrifice and grain offering, and on the wing of abominations he is making desolate, even until a complete destruction.  What is decreed is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”

Note:  In Daniel 9:27, the king of the West is the person referenced.  The week mentioned in Daniel 9:27 is Danielʼs seventieth week.  Adding the seven years of that week to the 483 years referenced in Daniel 9:25 equals 490 years.  Between the 483 years referenced in Daniel 9:25 and the seven years mentioned in Daniel 9:27 is the time of the Church Age.  The Church Age was a mystery for believers before the Church Age.  

In the context of this verse and the verses that precede it, the phrase the many could refer to the people of Israel or to Israel and other nations.  Also, some synonyms for the word covenant include agreement and deal.  Regarding that, the king of the West will initially be very friendly towards Israel.  Also, making a covenant with Israel is a big deal.  In that regard, it is possible that people will perceive the king of the West as being a huge deal-maker.  

After three and a half years, the king of the West will break his promise, thereby violating the agreement.  In other words, he will nullify the deal.  In addition, he will cause desolation.  In that regard, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is to what the phrase the wing of abominations refers.  Regardless of to what that phrase refers, the king of the West will be causing destruction.  Also, he himself will experience destruction.  That destruction will occur when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to the earth on the occasion of the Second Advent.  

Below is content related to Matthew 24:15–16.  The words of the Lord Jesus Christ are in red.  

Matthew 24:15

“Therefore, when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),

Note:  This verse references Daniel 9:27.  The abomination of desolation occurs during the Tribulation.  In that regard, the context of the verses around Matthew 24:15 involve the time period of the Tribulation rather than the time period when the Greek ruler Antiochus [an-TIGH-uk-kuhs] Epiphanes [ih-PIHF-uh-neez] was reigning over the Middle Eastern empire known as the Seleucid [sih-LOO-sihd] Empire.  Antiochus Epiphanes (also known as Antiochus IV) reigned over the Seleucid Empire from 175–163 B.C.; therefore, his reign occurred before the Lord Jesus Christ spoke what is in the content of Matthew 24.  

Antiochus Epiphanes was a foreshadowing of the man who is the king of the West during the Tribulation.  The king of the West is also known as the Antichrist with a capital A, the beast, and the first beast.  The false prophet is also known as the second beast.  The false prophet will be supporting the Antichrist.  Content related to the king of the West being referred to as the first beast is in Revelation 13:1–12.  The content of Revelation 13:11–18 references the false prophet.  

Regarding the term abomination of desolation, it is important to remember that rather than that term referring to the king of the West himself, that term refers to something that the king of the West causes to be located in the Temple in Jerusalem.  At the time of the composing of this message on August 27th, 2026, there is an absence of a Temple in Jerusalem.  In that regard, the Temple, which would be the Third Temple, could be built in Jerusalem before the middle of the Tribulation.  

Matthew 24:16

then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.

Note:  It is possible that on the occasion of the Second Advent, the land that was known as Judea during the First Advent might have a different name.  For example, at the time of the writing of this note, that land is known as Israel.  By referring to the land as Judea, the people to whom the Lord was speaking would understand what location the Lord was referencing.  

Unspecified is the location of the mountains referenced in this verse.  In that regard, it is possible that those mountains are outside the land of Israel.  Whether those mountains are inside or outside the land of Israel, those mountains will be a safer place or safer places than non-mountainous areas in Israel.  

Regarding the content of Daniel 9:27 indicating that the abomination of desolation will be set up in the middle of the seven years of the Tribulation, three and a half years that are each 360 days long equals a total of 1,260 days.  That is 30 days less than the 1,290 days that are referenced in the content of Daniel 12:11.  In that regard, while absent from the Bible is any mentioning of there being a leap month during the Tribulation, there is a possibility that a leap month is indicated by the reference to 1,290 days in the content of Daniel 12:11.  A leap month is an additional month added to a year.  Such extra months can also be referred to as intercalary [in-TUHR-kuh-LEHR-ee or in-tuhr-KAL-uh-ree] months.  If there is a leap month in the fifth, sixth, or seventh year of the Tribulation, then there could be 1,290 days from the middle of the fourth year of the Tribulation until the Second Advent.  

Another possibility regarding the 1,290 days referenced in the content of Daniel 12:11 is that rather than the abolishing of sacrifices and the setting up of the abomination of desolation occurring at the moment of the exact middle of the Tribulation period, the abolishing of those sacrifices and the setting up of the abomination of desolation might occur 30 days before the exact middle of the Tribulation period.  In that regard, it is possible that the reference to the middle of the week in the content of Daniel 9:27 refers to the middle year of the Tribulation rather than to the middle day of that middle year.  For example, when a person communicating in English refers to the middle of a week, such a reference can be to any time during the middle day of the week rather than to the middle of that day that is the middle day of the week.  

In the content of Daniel 12:12, there is a reference to 1,335 days.  In that regard, 1,335 minus 1,290 equals 45.  With regard to 1,290 days being referenced in the content of Daniel 12:11 and 1,335 days being referenced in the content of Daniel 12:12, it is possible that the time period of the Second Advent lasts for 45 days before the Millennium begins.  

The content of Isaiah 26:20 is repeated below for reference.  

Isaiah 26:20

Come, my people.  Enter into your rooms and close your doors behind you.  Hide for a moment until indignation passes over.

Isaiah 26:21

Certainly, behold, Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One is about to come out from His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.  The earth has revealed her bloodsheds and no longer covers her slain.

Note:  The content of this verse references the Tribulation.  In that regard, the use of the perfect tense in the phrase has revealed in this verse is a reference to the future.  Such a use of the perfect tense has a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, why would verbs in the perfect tense be used to refer to what will happen in the future?  Doing so in reference to something being indicated can communicate that what will occur in the future is 100% certain to happen and that because it is 100% certain to happen, it is as though it has happened already.  

The use of a present tense in the phrase no longer covers in this verse is a reference to what will occur in the future.  Such a use of a present tense has a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the future can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine future events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

It is possible that the reference to the earth revealing bloodsheds alludes to Cain, the first son of Adam and Eve, killing Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve.  The topic of Cain killing Abel is covered in Genesis 4, and the content of Genesis 4:10 references the blood of Abel metaphorically crying out from the ground.  In that regard, acts of murder are unhidden from the Members of the Trinity, and God the Father will ensure that there is judgment for those who commit acts of murder.  Regarding the Tribulation, even though Satan will be using people from around the world to try to destroy the Jews, God the Father will ensure that the Jewish nation will be preserved and that the people whom Satan uses to try to destroy the Jews will be judged.  

Sincerely,

John