Isaiah 26:19

Your dead will live: There is hope for the remnant. Some hold the minimal interpretation that this means the people would be restored to the land after the exile in Babylon (see Ezekiel 37:11–12) or that the Lord would preserve Jerusalem (see Isaiah 29:4, 6–8).

More likely, it refers to the resurrection of the body from the grave (see Isaiah 25:7–8). The Old Testament says little about the resurrection, but this text anticipates more detailed discussion in the New Testament (see 1 Corinthians 15:12–58).

The godly pray for the end of oppression and the full establishment of God’s kingdom. Isaiah encouraged the godly to persevere as they wait for their final vindication and the resurrection of the body.

This part of the Little Apocalypse (see study note on Isaiah 24:1–27:13) is a song of praise and a prayer for salvation.

This section is often called the Little Apocalypse. It is given this name because it has similarities to the book of Revelation.

In these chapters, Isaiah moves from his present time into a vision of the future. The language is broad and universal. Because of this, it is difficult to connect the events to one specific historical situation.

These chapters are not meant to provide a detailed timeline of future events. They are not a historical blueprint. Instead, Isaiah uses vivid images to describe a dramatic future world that is both similar to and different from the present.

The vision includes elements of both the old age and the new age. For example, the people of Zion are described as righteous (new), yet they still wait for their full redemption (old). This pattern fits with the New Testament teaching that the future age has already begun but has not yet fully arrived (2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 1:4).

Peter wrote that believers were already living in the last days (1 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 3:3). At the same time, he said that the final day of the Lord is still future (2 Peter 3:10). These passages show that the present age and the future age overlap.