The Bible often speaks about islands, portraying them as places of refuge, judgment, and a testament to God’s creation. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, islands are referenced in prophecies, blessings, and calls for worship. These verses remind us that God’s power extends to every corner of the earth, including the farthest islands. Let’s explore some Bible passages that highlight the significance of islands in God’s plan.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Land
Islands as a Sign of God’s Sovereignty
Throughout Scripture, islands are depicted as places that acknowledge God’s rule and majesty. They stand as reminders that God’s authority reaches even the most distant lands. Whether in prophecy or praise, the Bible affirms that islands are under His dominion.
Isaiah 42:10
“Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing his praises from the ends of the earth! Sing, all you who sail the seas, all you who live in distant coastlands.”
Psalm 97:1
“The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice! Let the farthest coastlands be glad.”
Jeremiah 31:10
“Listen to this message from the Lord, you nations of the world; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘The Lord, who scattered his people, will gather them and watch over them as a shepherd does his flock.’”
Isaiah 49:1
“Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.”
Revelation 1:9
“I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.”
Islands Rejoice in the Lord
The Bible portrays islands as places that will rejoice in the presence of God. Even the most remote regions will experience His glory, and their inhabitants will worship Him with joy.
Isaiah 24:15
“In eastern lands, give glory to the Lord. In the lands beyond the sea, praise the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.”
Psalm 72:10
“The western kings of Tarshish and other distant lands will bring him tribute. The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba will bring him gifts.”
Isaiah 51:5
“My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm.”
Zephaniah 2:11
“The Lord will terrify them as he destroys all the gods in the land. Then nations around the world will worship the Lord, each in their own land.”
Psalm 98:3
“He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.”
God’s Judgment on the Islands
The Bible also speaks of islands in the context of God’s judgment. Whether through prophecy or warnings, Scripture teaches that no land is beyond God’s reach when it comes to His justice.
Isaiah 23:11
“The Lord held out his hand over the sea and shook the kingdoms of the earth. He has spoken out against Phoenicia, ordering that her fortresses be destroyed.”
Ezekiel 26:18
“Now the coastlands tremble at your fall. The islands are dismayed as you disappear.”
Revelation 6:14
“The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places.”
Jeremiah 25:22
“The kings of Tyre and Sidon and the kings of the regions across the sea.”
Isaiah 40:15
“No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand.”
Islands Will Put Their Hope in God
Despite the warnings of judgment, the Bible assures us that islands have a place in God’s redemptive plan. Many verses describe how distant lands will hope in Him and seek His salvation.
Isaiah 60:9
“They are ships from the ends of the earth, from lands that trust in me, led by the great ships of Tarshish. They are bringing the people of Israel home from far away, carrying their silver and gold. They will honor the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has filled you with splendor.”
Isaiah 41:1
“Listen in silence before me, you lands beyond the sea. Bring your strongest arguments. Come now and speak. The court is ready for your case.”
Isaiah 42:4
“He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”
Psalm 66:4
“Everything on earth will worship you; they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs.”
Isaiah 45:22
“Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About The Sea
Islands and the Spread of the Gospel
The message of Jesus Christ is for all people, including those living on islands and in distant lands. The Bible records how the gospel would spread to the ends of the earth, ensuring that even the most remote places hear the good news.
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Titus 1:5
“I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.”
Matthew 24:14
“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”
Romans 10:18
“But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have: ‘The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.'”
Colossians 1:23
“But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.”
Islands as Places of Refuge and Provision
Islands in the Bible are sometimes depicted as places of refuge and divine provision. Whether in times of peril or as a resting place, God has used islands to sustain His people.
Acts 28:1
“Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta.”
Acts 28:2
“The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.”
Psalm 107:23-24
“Some went off to sea in ships, plying the trade routes of the world. They, too, observed the Lord’s power in action, his impressive works on the deepest seas.”
Jonah 1:17
“Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.”
Genesis 8:4
“Then, at the end of 150 days, exactly five months from the time the flood began, the boat came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.”
All Creation, Including Islands, Will Praise God
The Bible teaches that all of creation, including islands, will worship and praise the Lord. The seas, the mountains, and the coastlands all reflect His glory and majesty.
Psalm 96:1
“Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!”
Isaiah 44:23
“Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done this wondrous thing. Shout for joy, O depths of the earth! Break into song, O mountains and forests and every tree! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob and is glorified in Israel.”
Revelation 5:13
“And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.'”
Psalm 150:6
“Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
Isaiah 55:12
“You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!”