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It is not my purpose to explain the history behind these verses, as the army of Sennacherib descended on Jerusalem from Assyria. Neither is it my purpose to explain the prophetic significance of these verses, showing Sennacherib as a prototype of the coming Antichrist. It is interesting to study the history of the past and prophecy of the future. But it is not my purpose tonight to teach you history or prophecy. In fact, it is not my purpose to teach you at all. The purpose of my sermon is to alarm you by giving a direct application of the truths in these verses. And if some of you are alarmed by what I say, I hope it will motivate you to enter into Christ.

I. First, these verses give a description of Hell.

“And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire” (Isaiah 33:12).

The Lord Jesus Christ had much to say about Hell. Every one of the following statements were given by Jesus Christ. Jesus said,

“But whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:22).

Jesus said,

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Jesus said,

“As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:40-42).

Jesus said,

“So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:49-50).

Jesus said,

“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matthew 23:33).

Jesus said,

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

Jesus said,

“It is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched”
      (Mark 9:45-46).

Jesus said,

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments” (Luke 16:23).

Our text says the same thing.

“And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire” (Isaiah 33:12).

Dr. Gill gives this comment,

Like chalk-stones that are burnt to make lime of; which may [describe] not only the hardness and impenitency, which brought upon them…the wrath of God; but the miserable condition into which they are brought, and the torture they should [experience] (John Gill, D.D., An Exposition of the Old Testament, The Baptist Standard Bearer, 1989 reprint, vol. 5, page 189).

“And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire” (Isaiah 33:12).

Isaiah 33:12 gives a description of Hell.

II. Second, the next verse gives an encouragement to listen.

“Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might” (Isaiah 33:13).

You should hear what God says about judgment. Many of you have sat while we preached about Hell. But you have not heard about it in a way that affects you. Jesus said,

“Let these sayings sink down into your ears” (Luke 9:44).

But those to whom He spoke did not let His words sink down into their ears.

What about you? Will this simply be another sermon on Hell, or will you let it sink down into your ears, so that you actually think about Hell?

Then God says, “Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done” (Isaiah 33:13). Some of you are newer people. You haven’t been coming to church very long. You haven’t heard preaching like this before. “Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done.” Before you ever came to church, Hell was a real threat to you, although you did not know it. But now you are here with us. And now it is time for you to hear what God has done to save you.

The human race was ruined by sin, and headed for judgment. God sent Christ to die on the Cross to pay the penalty for sin. If you trust Christ, you are delivered from the wrath of God. But if you reject Christ, “the wrath of God abideth on [you]” (John 3:36). Jesus said,

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).

Do not go on as you are and be damned to Hell!

“Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done” (Isaiah 33:13).

“Hear what I have done for you on the Cross!”

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Hear what you must do as well.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”
      (Acts 16:31).

Christ has done everything already. All you must do is believe on Him. Christ suffered and bled and died to save you from the penalty of sin.

“Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done.”

And to those who have heard this all many times before, God says,

“And, ye that are near, acknowledge my might” (Isaiah 33:13).

That is really your problem. You do not acknowledge God’s might. You twist in the wind, thinking about yourself. You are so busy examining yourself that you never acknowledge God’s might! All of this self-examination will do you no good.

“But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isaiah 57:20-21).

Your self-examination only casts up mire and dirt. Why? Because there is nothing within you but mire and dirt – that’s why! As long as you examine the mire and dirt in your own heart and mind, you will never find rest and peace, for “there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Be finished with self-examination! No more of it!

“And ye, that are near, acknowledge my might” (Isaiah 33:13).

“Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save” (Isaiah 63:1).

There is Christ! His clothing is clotted with Blood. He has trodden the winepress of the wrath of God for you! He has gone alone to Gethsemane and sweat as it were great drops of Blood. They lash His back until He wallows in His own gore. Let those who think this is too graphic recall the words of the prophet,

“As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations” (Isaiah 52:14-15).

He wallows in His own Blood for you. They take Him to the Cross. He sweats, He cries, He receives the nails, pounded into His hands and feet. The spear is thrust into His side. Water and Blood gush forth. All is done for your salvation. See His Blood spattered clothing! This is Jesus, “mighty to save” (Isaiah 63:1).

“And ye, that are near, acknowledge my might” (Isaiah 33:13).

“I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save” (Isaiah 63:1).

Acknowledge His might and He will save you! But if you do not acknowledge His might, He will soon come upon you with judgment.

“For I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury” (Isaiah 63:3).

III. Third, the next verse shows us what a surprise 
is waiting for those who reject Christ.

Let us stand and read Isaiah 33:14 aloud.

“The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”
      (Isaiah 33:14).

You may be seated.

Tonight, as I look out across this room at your faces, I ask that question.

“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?”

As I look at each of your faces, I ask,

“Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”

Will it be you? Will it be you? Will it be you?

“Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments” (Luke 16:23).

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire” (Matthew 25:41).

“And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night” (Revelation 14:11).

“The sinners in Zion are afraid,” but it is too late now! They should have been afraid while they lived. “Fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites,” but it should not have – because they were warned time and again while they were alive.

“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” (Isaiah 33:14).