Isaiah 2
THE first chapter showed that the coming day of blessing on earth would not be introduced without the punishment of the wicked.
The second chapter begins with a very important statement about Jerusalem, —that in the last days God’s dwelling place on earth will be there, and that all the nations shall flow unto it. This prophecy has not yet been fulfilled, and wars and rumors of wars continue as of old.
Before it can be fulfilled, several things must happen. The Lord Jesus must return to the world in power; the devil must be shut up; the world must be cleansed by judgment, there must be a change of nature both in the Jew and in the Gentile nations so that they will be lovers of God; Jerusalem and the Holy Land must again be the home of Israel.
That this prophecy is shortly to be fulfilled, is, we believe, certain. Recent years have seen the revival of the Jewish hope of a national home in the land of their fathers, and other changes have taken place, or are in process which lead to the conclusion that the day of the Lord is now not far off.
Before it dawns He will have called away all who now trust in Him, to be His heavenly people, His body and His bride. Then a new work will begin, centering in the Jews, some of whom will believe, and a new gospel message will go worldwide.
From verses 6, 7, 8 we gather that though, like the Church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22), the house of Jacob was rich and increased with goods that are valued in this world, they were desperately poor toward God. They were filled with what the east could provide; they used auguries (soothsaying) like the Philistines (see Deuteronomy 18:10-12, and 2 Chronicles 33:6); they allied themselves with the children of foreigners; their land was full of silver and gold and there was no end of their treasures; it was full of horses and there was no end of their chariots; also it was full of idols. They had forgotten that they were to be a separate people, and had joined hands with the world around, disregarding God and His Word given to them through Moses and Joshua (Deuteronomy 6 and 7; Joshua 23). The loss was great indeed.
Because of this, God will yet enter into judgment with the Jews. He gave them up to captivity under the Babylonians, but this chapter looks on to the coming day. In that day the Lord alone will be exalted; man will be humbled, and the false gods on which he has leaned, will be thrown away in the terror of the judgment scene. We know that the judgments will be poured out on Gentiles as well as Jews (Revelation 6:14-17).
This is what the Scriptures promise concerning this world, and not the gradual conversion of all men by the spreading of the gospel. Meanwhile, the gospel is being received into human hearts, and thus the Holy Spirit is gathering out of the world a people for heaven.
Has that gospel found lodgment in your heart?
ML 03/26/1933