Muslims believe that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has “taken” the covenant from the Jews and given it to them the Muslims through Prophet Muhammad – whom Muslims believe to be the last, final, and most powerful prophet ever to have walked the earth.
I have been examining this theory in depth for a long time, but my findings are not yet conclusive. When trying to read prophecies and the fullfilments of prophecies in the Bible and other religious texts, it is my opinion that one should never be too assertive. We can never be 100% sure, in my opinion, that our interpretation of that scripture is correct. Many prophecies are written in symbolic and coded language and cannot be deciphered by the average man. Therefore, we must rely on divine revelation to be 100% sure that our interpretation of prophetic scriptures are correct. And at the same time, we must be 100% sure that the divine relation which we think we may have not had is real and not some kind of delusion or illusion.
With that being said, I’d like to examine Isaiah 66 under the lens of possible Islamic Prophecy.
Isaiah 66
Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
It appears in this verse that God is speaking to the Jewish people and referring to the Jewish temples, such as the Temple of Solomon, that the Jews had built to worship God.
2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
It’s possible that Verse 2, above could be a reference to prophet Muhammad. Muhammad did come from humble beginnings, and he might have had a contrite spirit. Further, he did “tremble” at the word of God if it is true that God revealed the Koran as the final revelation through him.
3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
In verse 3 above, God is talking about the Jewish tradition of offering animal sacrifices and hinting that he might do away with it because the people who offer them are not pure in heart.
4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
In verse 4 above, God is promising to chastise his chosen people, the Jews to “delude them and bring their fears upon them” because they were rebellious and disobedient to the God of Israel and did things unpleasing in the sight of God – another possible hint that God would give the covenant to their brothers (descendants of Ishmael).
5 Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
In verse 5 above, God may be speaking to his new chosen people: the Muslims “who tremble at the word of God.” He tells them, “your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake….” The Jews did have animosity for the descendants of Ismael and considered themselves chosen. But in verse 5, it seems like God is making a promise to a new people, who was cast out by their brothers.
6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
In Verse 6 above, God seems to be promising vengance on the Jews who disobeyed Him. He promises that a voice of noise will come from the city, the temple, and from the Lord.
7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
In verse 7 above, God is promising his people a new birth. Of course, labor pains come before birth, but in this case, it seems the verse is saying that the birth of a new religion will come before labor pains.
8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
In verse 8, God seems to be promising Zion (His Holy City) the birth of a new nation.
9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
In Verse 9, God says that if He starts a process, he will not stop it when it is time to come forth.
10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
12 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
In Verse 12, God refers to the “glory of the Gentiles.” Islam, unlike Judaism, and like Christianity, is a religion of the Jews.
13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
15 For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
This may be a reference to the advent of Islam because this is how it was established: Muhammad conquered the whole world and claimed he was doing so on instructions from God.
16 For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.
With the advent of Islam, Muslim conquests across the whole known world left many dead, including many Jews, possibly fulfilling this scripture, “the slain of the Lord will be many.”
17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord.
18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.
21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the Lord.
22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.
23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.
Interestingly, Muslims use the New Moon to start Eid al Fitr. Muslims all around the world bow in prayer at the exact same time.
24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and discussion purposes only. The author is not asserting that Isaiah 66 is a reference to Islam, but is speculating on the possibility. The author of this article is an evangelical Christian. Learn more in “Spirituality by Patrick Carpen.”