In Isaiah, chapter two, verses six through nine, these verses describe the apostasy and worldliness of the nation of Judah. They had rejected God, accepted idols and the occult, taken pleasure in the ungodly ways of the heathen, and looked for their security in money, foreign alliances, and military might. Thus, Isaiah prayed that they would not be forgiven until God had dealt with them so severely that they genuinely repented, as in verses seventeen to twenty-one of this theme chapter. He knew that the superficial forgiveness of religious ritual would only make matters worse. True repentance must precede forgiveness.
The theme verses under, “the day of the Lord” section, depict a time when the arrogant and those who claim supreme will discover they are not but the Holy One who made them. The things they believe in will eventually fail them. Many attempt to escape, but as God found Jonah, so He will with anyone and everyone because He is everywhere. People today who believe they are more important than others, in critical positions, disregard the Creator who created the heavens and the earth, and all humanity. There are leaders in families and countries who know but fail to acknowledge God and allow their people to live ungodly.
When the demonstration of God comes into existence, then some behave like a Pharaoh, only to revert to their ungodly ways after things calm down. Similar to people who do wrong to hurt others. They will express such remorse when the consequences face them. However, when they receive pardon, they continue with their old ways. An example is with people on an airplane. Passengers will be enjoying themselves, carrying on, saying and doing all their heart desires. Then, suddenly, they experience a little turbulence, and then they call upon God.