Will the Lord plead... — Better, will the Lord hold judgment. The thoughts of the seer pass on to the retributive side of the Divine righteousness. Fire and sword have been used by the enemies of God against His people, and shall, in turn, be the instruments of His vengeance. The “sword” may, however, be the symbol of the Divine judgment, apart from any reference to its human instrument (Deuteronomy 32:41; Revelation 1:16).
Related Commentaries of Isaiah 66:16
Isaiah 66:16
16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.