18. The Branch of the Terrible Ones

“Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud; the Branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low” (Isa. 25:5). The first five verses of this chapter contemplate the Enemy’s stronghold — Babylon — and the remainder of the chapter pictures the blessedness of the millennial era. In the fifth verse the Antichrist’s overthrow is announced: “The Branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low.” With this should be compared Isa. 14:19, where of Lucifer it is said, “Thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable Branch.” This points another contrast. The “Branch” is one of the Messianic names: “Behold, I will bring forth My Servant, the Branch” (Zech. 3:8); “Behold the man whose name is the Branch” (Zech. 6:12). By placing together Isa. 4:2 and Isa. 14:19 the antithesis will be more evident. Of Christ it is said, “The Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious.” Antichrist is called “an abominable Branch”: Christ is “the Branch of the Lord;” Antichrist is “the Branch ofthe terrible ones.”