Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Sep 8, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 36.

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

856. Isa. 34:9, 10. The Day of the Lord.

WILL you kindly explain Isa. 34:9, 10? H. R.

The whole chapter is a prophecy of God’s punishment of the wicked in the great day of the Lord. Idumea, or Edom, upon which the curse of sin has so heavily rested, is taken as the type of the destruction of the earth. “For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion.” Then follow verses 9, 10, which show that the very things which are supposed to quench fire and stay the work of destruction will but feed the fury of the heat which shall melt the earth, and purify it from sin and its effects. 2 Peter 3:10. These fires shall burn till the earth is purified, and until that is accomplished “shall not be quenched.” During that time, that great day of the Lord, the land shall not be inhabited. But when all sin and its effects are forever destroyed, out from the ashes of the old world God will create new heaven and new earth, wherein the righteous shall dwell forever. See 2 Peter 3:12, 13; Rev. 21:5; also Bible Students’ Library, No. III, “Tormented Forever and Ever,” and No. 65, “The Great Day of the Lord,” pp. 29, 30.