Scripture Reading : Isaiah 14
Theme : King of Babylon Foreshadows Antichrist
Taunt against King of Babylon (1-11) – In the end times, Israel will be captured as slaves, but then through the Messiah of Isaiah 11:1, they will take captive those who were their captors. Then Israel will taunt the antichrist who is prefigured in the person of King of Babylon, who ruled the Middle East. After the antichrist is defeated there will be peace on earth (v.7), which is referring to the Millennial Kingdom.
Satan Energizes Antichrist (12-23) – Just as Satan was behind the serpent who tempted Eve, so Satan will be behind the antichrist. This agrees with Revelation 13:4. Satan fell because of his pride. He wanted to be like God.
The Assyrian Foreshadows Antichrist (24-27) – Again God uses the historical king of Assyria to foreshadow the antichrist (cf. Micah 5:2-6; Isaiah 9:4).
Oracle Concerning Philistia (28-32) – Philistia (modern day Gaza) will also play a role in the end times.
Praying the Scripture
- Pride is one of the most deadly sins there is. It caused Satan to fall and it is the enemy of faith and submission to God. We must not have any self-righteous pride or any personal pride that is based on our possession, position, intellect, or strength. Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. Jeremiah 9:24, “but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Pray that you will boast in God, not in yourself.
- It is amazing how many times the OT foreshadows the antichrist. He is a central figure in God’s plan to destroy His enemies and crush Satan’s head (Gen. 3:15). And then God will reconcile the whole world to Himself in His glorious Messianic Kingdom. This is the hope that we have been living for. Pray that you will be even more consecrated to God as you prepare to meet Jesus, who is coming back soon.
经文：以赛亚书14
主题：巴比伦王是敌基督者的预示
对巴比伦王的嘲讽（1-11）。末日时，以色列会被掳作奴，但借着以赛亚书11:1的弥赛亚，他们会征服俘虏他们的。然后，以色列将嘲弄统治中东的巴比伦王；他就是敌基督者的预示。敌基督的被打败后，世界将得享安宁（7节）。这即指千禧年国度的降临。
撒旦激励敌基督的（12-23）。当蛇试探夏娃时，撒旦就在幕后操控一切；同样的，它将操控敌基督的。这与启示录13:4的记载一致。撒旦是因着自己的骄傲跌倒的——它渴望能像神。
亚述人预示敌基督的（24-27）。神再次使用历史中的亚述王预示未来的敌基督者（参：弥5:2-6；赛9:4）。
关乎非利士的预言（28-32）。非利士（现代加沙）也将在末日时扮演重要的角色。
用经文祷告
- 骄傲是世上其中最致命性的罪。骄傲使撒旦堕落，也是人信靠与顺服神之敌。我们不能凭着自己的资产、地位、聪明和力量产生自义或个人的骄傲，但夸口的，当指着主夸口。耶利米书9:24：“‘夸口的却因他有聪明，认识我是耶和华，又知道我喜悦在世上施行慈爱、公平和公义，以此夸口。’这是耶和华说的。”祈求你会指着主夸口，而不是因自己夸口。
- 旧约无数次预示了敌基督者的到来；这是非常奇妙的。他是神计划中一个举足轻重的人物，是消灭神敌人并压伤撒旦之头的工具（创3:15）。接着，神将在祂荣耀的弥赛亚国度里使全地与祂和好。这就是我们为之而活的盼望。祈求你能加倍侍奉神，预备朝见耶稣，因为祂即将到来。
