Isaiah 33:15-19 - They are the ones who will dwell on the heights

33:15,16

“Who can dwell in the presence of the Lord” was the question at the end of the previous verse. We now get the answer. It is the one who walks righteously, who speaks what is right, who rejects false gain and does not take bribes, who does not get involved in any evil, such as murder. Such people dwell on the heights and are completely secure, and their supply is always met. So how does this help us, for no one is truly righteous before the Lord on their own merits. We know that it is Jesus who is our righteousness, but Isaiah will come to that much later. For now it is important to recognise that God’s standards have not changed. Unrighteousness and righteousness cannot mix together. People sometimes think “God isn’t bothered about my sinfulness because of Jesus”, or even “God is unjust to be bothered about my sin”. Such thoughts are completely contrary to the gospel. The standards remained the same when Jesus came, they remained the same after He was crucified, they remained the same after the resurrection and the ascension. 

33:17-19

So we might seem to be presented with an impossible standard, but the prophecy is convinced that it will be fulfilled. “Your eyes will see the king in His beauty”. We will think of the former things and wonder where they have gone. The corruption will exist no longer. The arrogant people who strutted about the place will be no more.