Isaiah 66:17 — A Prophecy of Judgment at Messiah’s Return
“Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the center, who eat swine’s flesh, detestable things and mice, shall come to an end together,” declares YHWH.
— Isaiah 66:17 (AMP)
1. Context Matters — This is an End-Time Prophecy
Isaiah 66 is about the final judgment — the Day of YHWH.
Look at verses 15–16:
“For behold, YHWH will come in fire and His chariots like the whirlwind, to render His anger in fury… For by fire will YHWH execute judgment on all flesh.”
This is not about Old Testament times — it’s describing Messiah’s return in judgment.
2. Swine’s Flesh and Mice — Still Called “Detestable”
The text condemns eating unclean animals like pigs and mice.
“Detestable things” is a term often used in Torah to refer to abominations (Hebrew: toʿevah), including forbidden foods (see Leviticus 11).
If the dietary laws were truly “done away with,” why does YHWH still call these foods detestable at the end of the age?
3. Linked to Idolatry and False Worship
The people in this verse are going to sacred gardens (pagan ritual sites).
They follow “one in the center” — likely a pagan priest or false messiah.
They’re attempting to purify themselves — i.e., a false sanctification outside YHWH’s Torah.
This points to religious apostasy involving unclean practices as part of rebellion.
4. Echoes Leviticus — Unclean Foods Still Unclean
Leviticus 11:7–8 calls swine (pigs) unclean — “It is unclean to you. You shall not eat their flesh.”
Isaiah repeats the same warning — but places it in the final judgment timeline, not the Mosaic covenant alone.
The command has not changed — even in the New Covenant context.
5. Messiah’s Return Does Not “Cancel” the Law — It Enforces It
Isaiah 66:23
“From new moon to new moon and Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says YHWH.
Even Sabbath and New Moons are part of the restored worship when Messiah reigns — not abolished.
So Why Does This Matter?
If someone argues, “Jesus declared all foods clean,” this passage directly contradicts that idea at the second coming:
YHWH still cares what His people eat.
Swine’s flesh and mice are still offensive to Him.
Those who eat them while engaging in false religious purification will be destroyed when Messiah returns.
Conclusion:
Isaiah 66:17 clearly shows that Torah dietary laws are not abolished, and that eating swine’s flesh remains detestable to YHWH, even in the Messianic future.
This proves that the holiness standard of Leviticus still applies — and those who violate it while claiming sanctity will be judged.
