24:6Isaiah 24:6

The curse devours the earth because its inhabitants have transgressed God's laws, changed His ordinance, and broken the everlasting covenant.GC88 657.1–2+2 At Christ's second coming the wicked over the whole earth are consumed by the brightness of His glory, the earth is emptied of its inhabitants, and Christ takes His people to the city of God.GC88 657.1–2+2 The inhabitants are burned and made desolate until few men are left, with the mirth of tabrets and the joy of the harp ceasing as the sure result of defying God's law.ED 180.1–2+4 That ruin is already foreshadowed now as violation of God's commandments and health laws brings disease and physical, mental, and moral decline, yet even those sunk in deep degradation remain prisoners of hope who are to be urgently reached with salvation.Ms 103, 1900, par. 5–6+3

The curse devours the earth because its inhabitants have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, and broken the everlasting covenant.GC88 657.1–2+4 That breach of divine law is the reason the earth is made empty and waste, turned upside down, scattered of its inhabitants, made desolate, burned, and left with few men remaining.GC88 657.1–2+4 The same disobedience ends human rejoicing, so that the mirth of tabrets, the noise of them that rejoice, and the joy of the harp cease.ED 180.1–2+1

Such transgression does not merely bring legal guilt but defiles the earth itself, degrading it and bringing the curse upon it.Ms 103, 1900, par. 5–6+2 The earth is cursed because of the sins of those who dwell in it and is left desolate, groaning under human iniquity.Lt 416, 1907, par. 6+2 This defilement is seen in a corrupted world sunk low by worldly pollution, strong drink, and sensual and fleshly indulgence, among whom are many once wealthy or highly educated.Ms 103, 1900, par. 5–6

As transgression becomes prevalent and widespread, its ruinous effects spread in proportion.Lt 59, 1898, par. 9–11+1 Disregard for the law thus brings both land and people under a curse that leaves its inhabitants desolate.Lt 59, 1898, par. 9–11+1 That spreading curse touches man and beast together, bringing disease and suffering as the consequence of departing from the commandments, while obedience places men under protection and blessing.Lt 59, 1898, par. 9–11

This verse reveals one of the great final scenes in the history of the world and the judgment day, which the Bible alone views correctly.ED 180.1–2+1 These coming events already cast their shadows before them, causing the earth to tremble and men's hearts to fail for fear.ED 180.1–2 The devastation belongs to the coming final crisis, in which angels now hold back the forces of strife while the world is warned, but when God releases them overwhelming conflict and ruin come upon the earth.RH Nov 23, 1905

Its desolation comes just before Christ's second coming, soon to take place when the world is stirred with the spirit of war and the prophecy of Daniel 11 has nearly reached complete fulfillment.9T 14.2–15.4 At Christ's coming the wicked over the whole earth are blotted out, consumed and destroyed by the spirit of His mouth and the brightness of His glory, the earth is emptied of its inhabitants, and Christ takes His people to the city of God.GC88 657.1–2+2 The earth is thus left burned and like a desolate wilderness.GC88 657.1–2

The inhabitants are burned and made desolate until few men are left, as the Lord punishes the earth's iniquity and warns of punishment that will leave few alive.PK 726.1–2+3 Human rejoicing ends in that judgment, with widespread loss and grief and the ceasing of the mirth of tabrets, the noise of rejoicing, and the joy of the harp, showing the sure result of defying God's law.ED 180.1–2+4

The curse upon the earth has not remained static but has grown heavier through successive generations as God's commandments and health laws have been violated, leading to the withdrawal of His prospering hand and bringing disease with physical, mental, and moral decline.SG4 122.2–123.2 That departure from God's commandments brings disease and suffering upon both humans and animals, and as transgression becomes widespread its ruinous effects spread in proportion.Lt 59, 1898, par. 9–11 Obedience, by contrast, places people under God's protection and blessing.Lt 59, 1898, par. 9–11

The chapter's picture of a corrupted, ruined world is seen in people brought low by worldly pollution, strong drink, and sensual and fleshly indulgence, many of whom were once wealthy or highly educated.Ms 103, 1900, par. 5–6+1 Even those sunk in deep degradation, spiritually dead and unable to restore themselves, remain prisoners of hope who can still hear God's call.Ms 103, 1900, par. 5–6+1 They are to be urgently helped and reached with salvation and entreated to come in.Ms 103, 1900, par. 5–6+1