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Isaiah 2:1-51NIV New International Version Translations
1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 5 Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

godmountainBackground

We begin a new sermon in chapter 2 and it continues for the next two chapters. The subject of this sermon is Judah and Jerusalem as we see in verse 1.

Biblical Truths and Theology

Isaiah speaks of:

  • the glory of the Christians, Jerusalem, the gospel-church in the latter days;
  • in the accession of many to it (v. 2, v. 3) to this new church; and
  • the great peace it will bring into the world (v. 4).

Verse 5 calls all to the duty to walk in this new “light.” (v. 5).

Items for Discussion

  • Why do you think that virtually every religion has as a component of it, an ending of these times and a beginning of eternal times?
  • What are the major differences between now and then (the end times)?
  • Why is peace so impossible in this world? Or in other words, why do we have to wait for another time to have peace?
  • How do you think God will settle the disputes between people? Why will this bring peace?
  • In what way(s) was Isaiah talking about Christ here?

Matthew 24:36-44
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Background

In Matthew chapter 24 we find a sermon from Jesus himself. While Christ’s preaching was mostly practical, in this chapter, we have a prophecy, a prediction of things to come. Its purpose had a practical side, as it was intended, not to gratify the curiosity of his disciples, but to guide their consciences and conversations. It ends with a practical application. The church has always had prophecies, besides general promises, both for direction and for encouragement to believers; but they have been mostly observable. Here Christ preached this prophetical sermon in the close of his ministry, just as the Apocalypse is the last book of the New Testament, and the prophetical books of the Old Testament are also placed last. This order is important because we must be well grounded in plain truths and understand them before we dive into those things that are dark and difficult to understand.

Biblical Truths and Theology

In chapter 24 we begin with:

  • The timing of this discourse
  • The discourse itself, in which we have,
    • The prophecy of diverse events, especially referring to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the utter ruin of the Jewish church and nation about forty years after Christ’s death
    • The events that led to that destruction and consequences of those events.

We end, however with a practical application of this prophecy for the awakening and quickening of his disciples to prepare for these great and awful things (v. 32-51).

Items for Discussion

  • When reading this prophesy from Christ, do you feel it is still pertinent in today’s times?
  • Should people take this seriously? Why or why not?
  • How would you expect people to act if they believed in this prophecy?
  • Is Jesus’ return going to be a good thing or a bad thing?
  • Why do we need to learn about our God and Savior before we delve into the latter days?

Discussion Challenge

  • What is the church’s role in removing the fear that might be generated by prophecies of this type?
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