Is it true that the Philippines is the country from the east mentioned in Isaiah 24:15 and 43:5?
As we shall see, no specific country is in view in these verses; rather it refers to “ALL COUNTRIES in the east, as well as “all countries throughout the world.” Theses references speak of a worldwide reaction to the Second Coming of Christ in countries from the EAST, WEST, NORTH and SOUTH. We will look first at Isaiah 24:14-16a:
“They raise their voices; they shout for joy; they cry out from the WEST concerning the majesty of the LORD. Therefore, glorify the LORD in the EAST, the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the COASTLANDS OF THE SEA. From the ENDS OF THE EARTH we hear songs, ‘Glory to the Righteous One’” (NASB).
This chapter deals with the final judgments of the Lord over the WHOLE EARTH when He comes to establish His kingdom on earth. Verses 1 & 3 read, “Behold, the LORD lays the earth waste, devastates it, distorts its surface and scatters its inhabitants…..The earth will be completely laid waste and completely despoiled, for the LORD has spoken this word.” As we read on in verses 4-13, we see the utter desolation of the earth. Why will the Lord bring such judgment upon the earth? Ah, because they had defiled the earth with their sins! “The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and FEW MEN ARE LEFT” (verses 5-6). This “desolation” will begin with the pouring out of God’s judgments during the seven-year Tribulation Period (see Revelation chapters 6-18) and it will culminate with the Coming of the Lord in judgment (see Revelation chapter 19 along with Zechariah 12:1-9 and 14:1-9). Yet the “few men” that are left will be believers who will, as we have seen in verses 14:16a, “raise their voices” and “shout for joy” as they praise the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11-16). They will sing “Glory to the Righteous One,” for they will acknowledge that His judgments were righteous. So, this passage does NOT speak of a specific nation or country; it speaks of believers from every country throughout the world giving glory to God. By contrast, verses 16b-23 speak of the terrors and distress that will be the portion of the unbelievers in that solemn day. Now let’s read Isaiah 43:5-7:
“Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the EAST, and gather you from the WEST. I will say to the NORTH, ‘Give them up!’ and to the SOUTH, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ENDS OF THE EARTH, everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”
This speaks of God, in grace, bringing His earthly people Israel (the “believing remnant” who will receive Christ as their Messiah during the Tribulation Period and at His Second Coming) to the land of Israel where they will enter into His Millennial Kingdom here on earth. Though God had restored Israel back to the land after their captivity in Babylon centuries ago, that could not answer to what we read here, for as we have just read this restoration will be from EVERY DIRECTION AROUND THE WORLD. All believing Israelites in that day will be gathered from every country they are living in. We read of this glorious event in Matthew 24:29-31, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and THEY WILL GATHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, FROM ONE END OF THE SKY TO THE OTHER.” Again, the country of the Philippines is not in view here but ALL COUNTRIES from the east, west, north and south; wherever God’s chosen people Israel had been scattered, from there they will be gathered by angels and brought to the land of Israel to be blessed as they enter into the kingdom of their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. (DO) (537.5)