Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 66:15-24

"For, behold, Jehovah will come with fire, and his chariots shall be like the whirlwind; to render his anger with fierceness, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire will Jehovah execute judgment, and by his sword, upon all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah shall be many. They that sanctify themselves and purify themselves [to go] unto the gardens, behind one in the midst, eating swine`s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together, saith Jehovah. For I [know] their works and their thoughts: [the time] cometh, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and shall see my glory. And I will set a sign among them, and I will send such as escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations. And they shall bring all your brethren out of all the nations for an oblation unto Jehovah, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith Jehovah, as the children of Israel bring their oblation in a clean vessel into the house of Jehovah. And of them also will I take for priests [and] for Levites, saith Jehovah. For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Jehovah, so shall your seed and your name remain. 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 Jehovah. And they shall go forth, and look upon the dead bodies of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh." — Isaiah 66:15-24 (ASV)

A prophetic declaration is given concerning the Lord's vengeance on all enemies of his church, and especially on all antichristian opposers of the gospel in the latter days. Isaiah 66:19, 20, set forth the abundance of means for the conversion of sinners. These expressions are figurative and express the plentiful and gracious aids for bringing God's elect home to Christ. All will be welcome, and nothing will be lacking for their assistance and encouragement.

A gospel ministry will be set up in the church, and they will have solemn worship before the Lord. In the last verse, the nature of the punishment of sinners in the world to come is represented. Then the righteous and wicked will be separated. Our Savior applies this to the everlasting misery and torment of impenitent sinners in the future state.

To the honor of that free grace which thus distinguishes them, let the redeemed of the Lord, with humility and not without holy trembling, sing triumphant songs.

With this affecting representation of the opposite states of the righteous and wicked, characters which include the whole human race, Isaiah concludes his prophecies. May God grant, for Christ's sake, that our portion may be with those who fear and love his name, who hold fast to his truths, and persevere in every good work, looking to receive from the Lord Jesus Christ the gracious invitation, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.