Isaiah’s second chapter abounds in words of judgment. But its opening paragraph is absolutely glorious! If taken literally (which we plan to do) it can only point to some yet future time … on earth.

“The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isaiah 2:1-4

It would be hard to merely “spiritualize” this Text, because it mentions both “Jerusalem” and “Judah” in its opening line! A real City and a real little Nation!

Then too … it would be hard to relegate this Text to some time in the distant past. It is patently said to occur “in the last days.” 

Also notice the geography Isaiah builds into his sermon. “The MOUNTAIN of the LORD’S house shall be established in the TOP of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the HILLS.” Topographically correct!

Yes. Jerusalem is a mountainous city. And its highest point is the Temple (often called the Temple Mount) … here called “the Lord’s House!” 

Then there is Isiah’s evangelistic emphasis! (This recurs so often through his whole Book.) “Nations” being “saved” and coming to the Temple to worship!

“All nations,” think of the scope of that phrase!

“Many people,” sounds like anti-Semitism may some day be a thing of the past!

Next comes what I consider to be the greatest Fact in the whole Paragraph. “Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and HE will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” THE LORD IS THERE!

This Event, this Sequence, occurs after Jesus has returned to earth, the second time.

Read Malachi 3:1 here … “The Lord (that’s Jesus), Whom ye seek, shall SUDDENLY come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, Whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come.”

Well, He’s here … in our Isaiah Pericope!

And (during Jesus’ Reign) world-wide Revival occurs! Nations saying … “and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Amazing!

“WE WILL WALK IN HIS PATHS!”

And should there be any rebellion, even a scintilla … “And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people.” (Of course that golden Age begins with what Bible teachers often call “the judgment of the nations.” Recorded in microcosm in Matthew 25. Verses 31 and 32 set the mood: “When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His Glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.”)

And lastly, it is going to be a time of “peace!” Because … the “Prince of Peace” has come to rule and reign! (One of Isaiah’s many honorable Names/Titles for Jesus the Messiah, found in Isaiah 9:6.)

Peace, world-wide, and to that virtually unprecedented degree? “And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

This is astounding.

And exciting.

And faith building.

So great a truth that the Prophet Micah borrows the Sermon from Isaiah and uses it in his ministry! Let me quickly show you … “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Micah 4:1-3

Twice said (prophesied, promised), once by a Major Prophet and once by a Minor Prophet!

Sounds like one of Jesus’ 25 “Verily Verily” Statements, doesn’t it?

I close.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (The Bible’s very last prayer and the energizing heart-throb of every growing Christian, Revelation 22:20.)

— Dr. Mike Bagwell