MP3: Rise Up, You Complacent Ones – The Message of Isaiah 32
Hosts: Nathan Jones & Vic Batista
[Note: In a recent episode of the ministry’s podcast, The Truth Will Set You Free, Nathan Jones and Vic Batista addressed the global response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk in light of Isaiah 32.]
In Part 1, we looked into the stunning global response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk in light of Isaiah 32. In Part 2, we saw how Isaiah contrasted the fate of God’s children with that of those who remain in rebellion against Him. In this final part, we’ll see how Isaiah calls the spiritually complacent into action.
Nathan Jones: Isaiah 32 deals with complacency. Over the past few decades, our society has been feeling cowed by the very loud Leftist voices who have been forcing political correctness on us. This new Atheism—Satanism, really, when you get down to its spiritual roots—has forcefully been telling anyone who disagrees with their godless views to be quiet. “Shut up and agree with us, or else!” With the rise of Donald Trump, and now with the assassination of Charlie Kirk, it appears this complacency that’s been forced on Conservative Christians is now being lifted.
Let’s pick up with Isaiah 32:9-11.
Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech. In a year and some days you will be troubled, you complacent women; for the vintage will fail, the gathering will not come. Tremble, you women who are at ease; be troubled, you complacent ones; strip yourselves, make yourselves bare, and gird sackcloth on your waists.
Vic Batista: And now let’s look at Isaiah 32:12-15.
People shall mourn upon their breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city; because the palaces will be forsaken, the bustling city will be deserted. The forts and towers will become lairs forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks—until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest.
Nathan, what a tragic word used there—complacency. And what a powerful response by God.
Nathan Jones: In the previous section in Isaiah 32, the prophet addressed the princes as men. Now, in this section, he’s addressing the complacent as women. The context suggests that Isaiah is not being gender-specific, as if to say, “All men will be princes and all you women are complacent and so need to get your act together.” Instead, he’s just pointing to one group or another and using them as an example. All humans fail, and the point is that the Lord does not like complacency.
When we read about the seven churches of Revelation in chapters 2-3, the seventh church is Laodicea. The Lord accused it of being a complacent church, meaning it neither acted hotly nor coldly for the Lord. They were just simply there. He called them out for being spiritually lukewarm. They hoped to escape all the spiritual warfare and turmoil found in the world, so that it would not affect them.
But God responds with, “Time to put yourself in sackcloth.” Putting on sackcloth was an Old Testament way of showing people that a person was suffering a time of mourning and distress. The one mourning would replace their clothes with uncomfortable, itchy sackcloth. Then they’d pour ashes over their heads. Appearing in public like this lets others know that you are in a time of grief and mourning.
The Lord, through Isaiah, warned the people to stop being complacent, for it was, in reality, a time to mourn, as they were living in a day of great evil. “Get up and do something about it, because judgment is coming!” He warned that the bustling cities would be deserted, the palaces would be forsaken, the forts and towers would become animals’ lairs forevermore. In other words, judgment is coming upon the world.
When the Lord does finally come, the wicked will suffer His wrath. But, for the faithful, the spirit of the Lord will be poured upon them. Hence, the wilderness will become fruitful again, the forests will return, and a great bounty of food and spiritual blessings will be poured out upon the righteous. Both occur when the King comes to the earth in all His glory.
Vic Batista: What an important word, and such an important warning, because it does indeed seem like the majority of the world wallows in complacency. Most people act like they just don’t care. They’re living in their own tiny world, and so don’t wish to be bothered by any external realities.
Isaiah’s scary exhortation reminds me of a passage from the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus stated in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” The broad way—unbelief, apathy, rebellion—leads to eternal destruction in Hell. Many people decide to travel that road. In contrast, those who wish to travel the narrow way—faithfulness, obedience, fear of the Lord—few will follow it to eternal life in Heaven.
Most of the world has chosen to walk along the broad path, unaware of its destiny leading to destruction. Complacency can be found everywhere. When compared to eight billion people living in this day, so very few of them by comparison are seeking out the truth. And what is the truth? John 14:6 reveals, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'”
Complacency can also become an issue for believers in the Church. Christians are no strangers to falling into complacency. After the initial fire that comes with salvation, spiritual apathy begins to creep into the Christian life. That’s why we need the Holy Spirit to reignite us, fill us with God’s Spirit, and give us wisdom, because it’s very easy to fall into the clutches of complacency.
Nathan Jones: Yes, that’s why 2 Thessalonians 2:11 reveals that those who are evil actually choose to “believe the lie.” They don’t want to deal with the truth. To quote actor Jack Nicholson’s character Colonel Nathan Jessep from the movie A Few Good Men, “You can’t handle the truth!” And, since they cannot handle the truth of Jesus Christ being the only way to salvation and everlasting life, they’re willing to accept a lie and just to be left alone by God. But God never leaves a sinner alone, for judgment is the destination for us all.
Walking the Narrow Path
Nathan Jones: For those who walk the narrow path—who seek Jesus Christ—God’s peace is promised them. Let’s finish Isaiah 32 with verses 16 through 20.
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, though hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation. Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.
Vic Batista: I particularly love the line, “Blessed are you who sow besides all waters.” It reminds me of Galatians 6:7-8, which discusses the principle of sowing and reaping. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
All that we’ve sown in this life in faith will reap incredible rewards in Heaven. Those spiritual rewards await all who dwell in the Lord.
Nathan Jones: Yes, indeed, a time is coming when the King of Kings will return to defeat all who are evil and establish His kingdom where justice dwells. Isaiah 32:16 reminds us that with God, mankind will finally get justice, righteousness, quietness, and assurance forever.
It feels like the world is drowning in so much evil, and such corruption causes many Christians to want to step back, hide themselves, and let the world rage around them and not be part of it. But that true peace, that true quietness, can only be achieved when the King comes. So, in the meantime, there is no resting place to be found in this life. Knowing this, Christians must stand up and be the Charlie Kirks and Franklin Grahams of our time period. We must stand for what is right. And, once the King has come, then all the peace that we’ve longed for will have arrived. However, we must wait for the King’s perfect timing, which means being patient and long-suffering in this life.
Vic Batista: I was born in the Dominican Republic and have returned for mission trips. The Dominican Republic has so many roosters and chickens that keep us up all night. The DR is not a peaceful habitation! I, too, look forward to that perfect peace, righteousness, and quietness of Christ’s Millennial Kingdom.
Nathan Jones: Yes. And I long for the peace of the Millennial Kingdom as well. That peace reminds me of the scene from the movie The Lord of the Rings, where Frodo is sitting under a tree in the Shire and reading a book. He has no idea of the turmoil raging outside the Shire. He’s demonstrating perfect peace and contentment. I want that peace! I want what Micah 4:4 prophesies, “But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.”
During the Millennial Kingdom, we will no longer be afraid of robbers, vandals, and soldiers. They won’t exist in that wondrous time. I long to dwell where perfect righteousness and justice are the norm, and where the King of Kings rules with His “rod of iron.” No more will we dwell in fear of being robbed or mugged, just like that poor young Ukrainian girl who was stabbed in the neck. Think of it: no war, no soldiers, no guns, and no animals attacking. Just peace. I long for that promised future. I hope the Lord comes soon because we’re all getting pretty tired of waiting for this promised peaceful kingdom.
Downpayment for Peace
Vic Batista: Once saved, we receive a down payment of that coming peace—the peace of Christ in our hearts. If you have not experienced such peace, then turn to the Lord. And if you long for this righteousness that God speaks of for His people, then today is the day to reach out and begin your personal relationship with our Savior. If you long to be rid of the fear that plagues your heart and wish to replace that fear with faith, then now is the time to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. Repent of your sins and come to faith in Jesus Christ.
Forgiveness and peace can be yours right now by praying a very simple prayer. Wherever you are, call on the name of the Lord and say:
“Lord Jesus, I recognize that I’m a sinner. But, God, right now, I ask you to forgive me for my sins. I want to invite you, Jesus, to come into my heart, to be my Lord, to be my Savior, and to be my friend. And, from this day forth, I want to follow you. Jesus, in your name I pray, amen.”
If you pray a simple prayer in faith and repentance like that, then the Holy Spirit will have moved His position from walking alongside you to living inside you. God is now going to give you that taste of inner peace and understanding, and you will live with hope in the promise of that righteous kingdom which the Lord has prepared for all who believe in Him.
We rejoice with you. There’s always good news for those who trust in the Lord!
Nathan Jones: Absolutely! There’s no better news than the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and then beat death by resurrecting from the dead. And when you put your faith and trust in him, you will be saved.
Resource
Navigating the Revelation Letters – New book by Vic Batista! Step into a timeless voyage through the seven letters Jesus entrusted to John—messages brimming with warning, hope, and promise. Each letter brings to life the struggles and triumphs of the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, offering fresh insights for living with courage, passion, and integrity.
Vic has offered to donate all proceeds from the sale of the book between September 11 and October 11, 2025, to the fund supporting Charlie Kirk’s family.
