THE LAW WILL GO FORTH FROM ZION

Isaiah 2:2-4

INTRODUCTION.

1. This is a Messianic prophecy. Although the Messiah Himself is not mentioned, it clearly is about the kingdom He would establish. The Messiah Himself appears in Isaiah 4 as the Branch of the Lord.

2. The prophet gave a dark picture of Zion (Jerusalem) as a forsaken shelter in the midst of desolation (1:8) and as an unfaithful wife who has become a harlot (1:21). Now he sees Zion glorified above all cities and nations in the last days.

3. There are three important truths in this prophecy that pertain to the kingdom of Christ, the church.

I. THESE THINGS WILL COME ABOUT IN THE LAST DAYS.

A. The reference to the last days defines the time when the prophecy would be fulfilled. When do the last days refer to?

1. Some say it only has to do with events immediately preceding Christ’s return.

2. Others believe it refers to a literal 1000-year reign of Christ on earth after His return.

3. But the scriptures tell us the last days began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and continue until now.

B. Daniel referred to events that would occur in the last days, the days of the Roman Empire (Dan. 2:28).

C. On Pentecost Peter applied Joel’s prophecy (2:28) as finding their fulfillment in the last days (Acts 2:17-18). He claimed the prophets told of his own time (Acts 3:24).

D. Jesus was manifested “in these last times” (1 Pet. 1:20).

E. God has spoke through Christ in these last days (Heb. 1:2).

F. Thus Isaiah spoke of the period in which God would make know His law through Jesus Christ. The last days began on Pentecost and continue until now.

II. THE LAW WILL GO FORTH FROM ZION

A. The mountain of the house of the Lord will be established. What is this mountain?

1. “Mountain” sometimes signified a government or seat of authority. Babylon was described as “destroying mountain” (Jer. 51:25).

2. Zion was a name for physical Jerusalem, especially the hill in the southeastern section of Jerusalem where David built his fortress and Solomon built the temple. Zion became the symbol of a stronghold against enemies and the dwelling of God among His people (Zech. 8:3).

3. The prophets came to speak of Zion as the spiritual Zion or spiritual Jerusalem to come, the dwelling of God among His redeemed where they would find security and peace.

B. So what is this Mt. Zion, this mountain of the house of the Lord?

1. It is the “church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven” (Heb. 12:18-29; cf. 1 Tim. 3:15).

2. It is the kingdom of the new covenant, consisting of those redeemed by Christ’s blood (Col. 1:13-14).

C. It will include “many people” (vs. 3), that is, Gentiles.

D. It will be a kingdom wherein there is teaching and instruction of the word of the Lord. This is a prerequisite for citizenship in this kingdom (Isa. 54:13; cf. John 6:44-45; Matt.28:18-20).

III. THE LORD WILL RULE OVER A KINGDOM CHARACTERIZED BY PEACE.

A. God will be the ruler and thus the final judge in all matters. His word will be the standard of His reign and of judgment.

B. God will judge who is and who is not in the kingdom (Heb. 12:23).

C. This kingdom and its citizens will be peaceable in character. The New Testament shows that the kingdom of Christ is spiritual in nature and its methods are spiritual.

1. Matthew in reporting Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem applied the prophecy of Zechariah (Matt. 21:5; Zech. 9:1-10). It was to be a kingdom based on the principle of peace.

2. The gospel is a message of peace to both Jews and Gentiles (Eph. 2:11-17).

3. The weapons of Christ’s kingdom are spiritual, not carnal (2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-17).

4. Let us ever share the glad tidings of peace and reconciliation to our friends and neighbors. While we preach the gospel and contend for the faith, let us not lose sight of the central principle that in the Lord’s kingdom we do not resort to carnal, fleshly tactics. The word of God is all the weapon we need. God will lead us to victory.

CONCLUSION.

1. In a day of rebellion against God and impending judgment, this message offered hope.

2. We are the beneficiaries of these promises.

3. Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord…