To understand the context of what is written below, it is essential to read  the previous parts of this series. — Natan

Interestingly, in this Isaiah 42 passage, YHVH Elohim demands that the heathen demon-gods present themselves to us “that we may consider them, ”  “or declare to us” (v. 22; also v. 23 where we occurs twice). Who is the we and us in these verses? It is referring to the Heavenly Counsel of Elohim—the same Elohim in the Shema Passage of Deut 6:4, and the same Elohim who created the heavens and the earth in Gen 1:1. While there is a true Elohim-Godhead, there also is a cadre of false elohim who feign to be the true Elohim, and who are not only deceiving the heathen nations, but who are attempting to draw YHVH’s treasured people away from him or out of covenant relationship with him. As Isaiah 42 indicates, these idol demon-gods, false elohim promise much, but deliver nothing, even as the people of Israel discovered in Elijah’s confrontation with Baal and his followers on Mount Carmel. This is why YHVH Elohim calls them nothing and their work nothing in Isa 41:24. Elohim holds these false elohim accountable, and even calls them in to his heavenly courtroom on occasion (e.g. Job 1:6–12; 2:1–7), and will ultimately pronounce full, final and eternal judgment upon them for the evil they have done on the earth (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10). As Isaiah meant for this truth to be an encouragement to the downtrodden and discouraged people of Israel, even so, in our day, YHVH’s oppressed saints need to hold fast to the ultimate and irrevocable righteous judgments of YHVH Elohim against those who persecute and oppress them in these last days, and against the demon-god or false elohim behind these evil-doers.

In the mean time, we see in other Scriptures where YHVH Elohim through his prophets sets himself in opposition to these false idol, demon-gods of the nations. In Isaiah 46, the prophet contrasts dead idols with the living Elohim by lampooning the idols of the heathen, and at the same time Elohim passionately attempts to reason with his stubborn and rebellious people to choose him and obedience to his Torah-laws over fall prey to these worthless idols. The psalmist expresses similar sentiments in  Psalm 115:3–8.

Gibson sums up this conflict between YHVH Elohim and the elohim of the nations as follows:

Other gods are threateningly real in the problems they pose both for [YHVH] and his people Israel; but he is King of heaven no less than of earth, and is as able to deal with other gods as he is [able] to deal with their human counterparts like Egypt and Babylon; and that is why he alone is worthy of Israel’s undivided allegiance. (Language and Imagery in the Old Testament, p. 32, by J.C.L Gibson)

YHVH Elohim as the sovereign Creator of the universe will deal with his evil opponents, but he alone chooses his the timing, place and manner of his battles. In accordance with his ineffable wisdom and according to his divine plan and will known only to him, he chooses when and whether to engage his rivals or not. From our earthly perspective as humans, we often wonder why YHVH doesn’t seem to stop the evil that is occurring on the earth more than he does. This is a question that righteous people have been asking virtually since the beginning. Nevertheless, at the end of the age, a final grand showdown will occur between YHVH Elohim and the false demon-elohim because it is written in his word. His prophetic word is the saints’ advance intelligence information as to what Elohim will do and when. This is why it is imperative that we study and know his word well. This final judgment will occur when he judges the nations at the end of the age. This final showdown between Satan and his demon-gods and Elohim will occur at the battle of Armageddon.

YHVH will be awesome to them, for He will reduce to nothing all the gods/elohim of the earth; people shall worship Him, each one from his place, indeed all the shores of the nations. (Zeph 2:11)

Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of Elohim Almighty. “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. (Rev 16:12–16)

After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to YHVH our Elohim! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” … Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of Elohim. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty Elohim. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great Elohim, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. (Rev 19:1–2, 11–21

Be assured, these devil-backed evil gods and their human counterparts won’t relinquish control over this earth willingly or easily with out a monumental fight. But YHVH Elohim will destroy them. Yeshua the Messiah is not coming to the earth this time as a babe in the manger, but as a Conquering King on a war stallion to destroy his enemies once and for all (read Rev 19)!

As YHVH Elohim judged the demon-gods of Egypt and that reduced to nothing that nation that had oppressed his people, so likewise in the last days, the Almighty Creator will bring judgment against the false elohim and their human counterparts who rule the earth who perpetrate evil far and wide, and who are in charge of every aspect of the life on this planet as they attempt to control all humans for their personal benefit—for the love of money and power. The system they have constructed for their greedy and nefarious purposes is slowly but surely becoming like a tightly woven web that is controlling nearly every human endeavor. The Bible calls this demonic system Mystery Babylon the Great. It’s a demonically inspired and controlled system that has at its core tenet the worship of Satan and rebellion against YHVH Elohim. Its end goal is the exploitation and ultimate elimination of humans and especially the destruction of YHVH Elohim’s plans and purposes here below as expressed and carried out by his people—the obedient redeemed saints.