Isaiah 2:1 marks the beginning of a new section which runs through Isaiah 4:6 and is generally an "upbeat" hope filled section with several glorious divine promises to Israel (and by way of application to all those who are in Christ by grace through faith.)

This is virtually identical to Isa 1:1...

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem...

John Walvoord comments that in this section we see that...

Isaiah predicted the future kingdom of the Messiah. He wrote, “In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it” (Is 2:2; Zech. 14:16). Jerusalem was described as the capital of the world in a time of peace rather than war, a time when the Lord will teach His ways (Isa. 2:3, 4, 5). This will be fulfilled in the Millennium. (Walvoord, J. F. The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books)

Word...saw - This suggest Isaiah saw a vision of future events that deal with Judah and Jerusalem. Compare Isaiah's statement with the fact that John turned to see the voice that spoke with him Revelation 1:12 (note). In addition the fact that Isaiah saw the word suggests that the revelation contained both visionary and verbal elements.

Judah and Jerusalem - This prophecy which actually continues through Isaiah 4 is directed towards the southern kingdom Judah and its capital Jerusalem.

John Martin comments that...

Prophetic Passage - Isaiah 2:1-4 is a prophecy which will be fulfilled at the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the last half of Daniel's Seventieth Week, at the end of the 3.5 year period ( the Great Tribulation) at which time the Messiah establishes His literal, earthly Millennial Kingdom.

Micah a contemporary prophet of Isaiah gives a virtually identical prophecy...

And it will come about in the last days That the mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, And the peoples will stream to it. 2 And many nations will come and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they train for war. (Micah 4:1-3)

In view of the truth that ALL Scripture is God breathed (2Ti 3:16-note) and that the Holy Spirit moved in men of old to speak God's word (2Pe 1:21-note), this repetition in Isaiah and Micah emphasizes the supreme importance of this great  truth concerning Jerusalem's future. It behooves believers to pay close attention to such repetition and not to ignore it (or become involved in wrangling about words or speculation such as who wrote first, whether one prophet copied the other, etc - cp Paul's admonition to his young disciple Timothy - 2Ti 2:14-note, 2Ti 2:23-note). As emphasized so often, one of the important aspects of prophecy is to give believers a future and a hope, and to motivate a godly, holy life (cp 1Ti 4:7, 8-note, 1Ti 4:9, 10, 11-note , 1Pe 1:14-note, 1Pe 1:15, 16-note, 1Pe 1:17-note; 2Co 7:1-note) in this present evil age (Gal 1:4). What you are looking for (forward to) will greatly influence what you are living for (1Jn 3:2, 3, cp 2Co 5:7, 2Co 4:16, 17, 18)

Grogan adds that...

If we accept supernatural inspiration (Ed: Which I accept!), then we cannot exclude the possibility of independent revelation in the case of each prophet.  (Grogan, G. Isaiah: Expositor's Bible Commentary 7-Volume Old Testament. Zondervan Publishing or Pradis = computer version)

Chuck Smith writes that...

In the Kingdom Age Jesus Christ will establish His throne on Mt. Zion. We will also go there to be taught by Him. (Rev.1:6, 3:21, 19:15, 5:9-10.)

So Isaiah goes from the dark, bleak history and now he jumps forward to a day yet future when Jesus Christ the Messiah comes and establishes the kingdom. And the Jews, as the scripture said, will look upon Him whom they have pierced, and they will recognize Him and they will weep over Him. Weep over their national blindness and their failure to recognize that He was their Messiah. And He will establish His kingdom there on the top of the mountains in Jerusalem.

Traditionally, it is felt that the top of Mount Zion will be the place of the throne of Jesus Christ in the Kingdom Age. And this is going ahead now to the Kingdom Age. All nations show flow unto it. (Chuck Smith Commentary)

S Lewis Johnson rightly reminds us...

One thing that we can say about prophecies is that it provides us not simply satisfaction for our curiosity concerning the future, but it is designed ultimately to give us consolation and edification through the knowledge of the future. (Messianic Prophecies in Isaiah)

THE LAST
DAYS

The last days - The last days is a term found in the NT and identifies a time period that from. Hebrews 1:2 and Acts 2:17 appears to begin with the first coming of Christ. And passages such as Is 2:2 and Micah 4:1 identify events that will occur in the last days, specifically that Christ will come a second time (see Second Coming) to establish His Millennial Kingdom.

John MacArthur writes that in the New Testament the term last days speaks of...

the period beginning with the first advent of Jesus Christ (Ac 2:17; 2Ti 3:1; He 1:2; Jas 5:3; 2Pe 3:3). Old Testament prophets, being without a clear word regarding the time between the Messiah’s two advents, linked the expression to the Messiah’s return to establish His earthly kingdom, i.e., the millennial kingdom spoken about in Re 20:1-10

Grogan explains that the last days...

is a technical eschatological expression...The NT, making explicit the fact that the Messiah comes twice, applies the phrase both to the period of His first advent (e.g., Acts 2:17; Heb 1:2) and to His second (e.g., James 5:3; 1Peter 1:5). (Ibid)

The writer of Hebrews in one sentence encompasses the first and second comings of Christ, which in effect define "the last days"...

So Christ also, having been offered once (First coming - beginning of "the last days") to bear the sins of many , shall appear a second time (see Second Coming- which marks the termination of "the last days") for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. (He 9:28-note)

Below are all the uses of the phrase the last days in the NAS...

Jeremiah 23:20 "The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; In the last days (latter days = Je 23:20ESV) you will clearly understand it.

Jeremiah 49:39 'But it will come about in the last days (latter days = Je 30:24ESV) That I shall restore the fortunes of Elam,'" Declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 38:16 and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It will come about in the last days (latter days = Ezek 38:16ESV) that I shall bring you against My land, in order that the nations may know Me when I shall be sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog."

Hosea 3:5 Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days (latter days = Ho 3:5ESV).

Micah 4:1 And it will come about in the last days (latter days = Micah 4:1ESV) That the mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, And the peoples will stream to it.

Acts 2:17 'And it shall be in the last days,' God says, 'That I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams;

2 Timothy 3:1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

Hebrews 1:2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

James 5:3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!

2Peter 3:3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,

THE LATTER
DAYS

Another Biblical phrase which has eschatological overtones and is virtually synonymous with the last days is the phrase the latter days (7 occurrences in the NAS)...

Deuteronomy 4:30 "When you are in distress (ESV = "tribulation" Dt 4:30ESV) and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days, you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.

Deuteronomy 31:29 "For I know that after my death you will act corruptly and turn from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days, for you will do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger with the work of your hands."

Job 42:12 And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning, and he had 14,000 sheep, and 6,000 camels, and 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. (This is clearly not a prophetic allusion, but is included for completeness)

Jeremiah 30:24 The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back, Until He has performed, and until He has accomplished The intent of His heart; In the latter days you will understand this.

Jeremiah 48:47 "Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab In the latter days," declares the LORD. Thus far the judgment on Moab.

Daniel 2:28 "However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. (which is essentially God's Plan for the Ages!) This was your dream and the visions in your mind while on your bed.

Daniel 10:14 "Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future."

THE DAYS
TO COME

A third related phrase is the days to come...

Genesis 49:1 Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, "Assemble yourselves that I may tell you what shall befall you in the days to come. (NET Bible has "in the future")

Numbers 24:14 "And now behold, I am going to my people; come, and I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the days to come ("the latter days" = Nu 24:14ESV)."

Isaiah 27:6 In the days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will blossom and sprout; and they will fill the whole world with fruit.

The ESV Study Bible comments that the phrase the last days...

sometimes refers specifically to the time of the Messiah (Ho 3:5). It is not immediately clear here whether Isaiah is so specific, but the way Isa 11:4 echoes Isa 2:4 shows that the oracle speaks of the Messianic era. NT authors use the various Greek translations of the expression (generally rendered “in the last days”) in the belief that, since Jesus inaugurated His Messianic kingship by His resurrection, the latter days have arrived in a decisive way, while at the same time the last days await their complete realization and final fulfillment at the end of the age (Ac 2:17; 2Ti 3:1; He 1:2; Jas 5:3; 2Pe 3:3; and probably 1Pe 1:20; 1Jn 2:18).  (ESV Online Study Bible Crossway)

House (01004 )(bayit) means house, dwelling, temple, household (family). In context this refers to the rebuilt Jewish Temple (see Ezekiel 40:5ff)

The mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations will stream to it: (Is 30:29; Ps 68:15,16; Da 2:35,45; Zec 8:3; Re 20:4; 21:10-27) (Established - Isa 11:10; 27:13; 49:6; 60:11,12; Ps 2:8; 22:27; 72:8,17, 18, 19; 86:9; Je 3:17; Mal 3:12; Re 11:15)

Used by permission  Middletown Bible Church

The mountain of the house of the LORD- The house of the LORD refers to the rebuilt Temple which will be situated on the mount, specifically on Temple Mount, the site in Jerusalem which is currently under Muslim control. In other words, the mountain of the house of the LORD (cp Ezek 40:2 - Ezekiel describes the Millennial Temple in Ezek 40-48) is a reference to the site of Messiah's Millennial Temple, from which He shall rule and reign for 1000 years.  Isaiah frequently calls Mt. Zion the “holy mountain” (Is 11:9; 27:13; 56:7; 57:13; 65:11,25; 66:20).

There is a similar description in Chronicles where we read that...

He (Manasseh after coming to know Jehovah Elohim - 2Chr 33:13) also removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, as well as all the altars which he had built on the mountain of the house of the Lord (i.e., he removed the pagan altars on the Temple Mount area) and in Jerusalem, and he threw them outside the city. (2Ch 33:15)

There is another aspect to keep in mind when interpreting mountain...mountains, for elsewhere in Scripture mountain is used figuratively as a symbol of a kingdom...

Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone (Christ) that struck the statue (representative of all the kingdoms of the ages) became a great mountain (The Millennial Kingdom) and filled the whole earth (cp Isaiah's phrase "the chief of the mountains"). (Da 2:35)

Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring now, that we may drink!” (Am 4:1).

Constable alludes to the two meanings of mountain writing that...

If Isaiah was using “mountain” as a figure of speech, he meant that Israel and her God would be the most highly exalted in the earth eventually. This will be the case during Messiah’s earthly reign. The reference to “the mountain of the house of Yahweh” (Is 2:2), however, may indicate that the prophet had a more literal meaning in mind. He may have meant that the actual mountain on which the temple stood would be thrust higher in elevation. This may happen (cf. Ezek 40:2; Zec 14:4, 10), but the primary implication seems to be that Israel and Yahweh will be exalted in the world. (Isaiah - Expository Notes)

The ESV Study Bible comments that mountain of the house of the LORD refers to

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem, though unimpressive from the lofty gaze of human religion, was God's choice (Ps 68:15, 16) and the true hope of the world (Ps 48:1, 2). (ESV Online Study Bible Crossway)

Criswell writes that...

The mountain of the Lord's house is a reference to Mount Zion not as a geographical location, but as the very center of God's government over the world. Zion at the end of days will be not merely the center of Israel's national worship, but the very fountain of the spiritual life of the nations. (Criswell, W A. Believer's Study Bible: New King James Version. 1991. Thomas Nelson)

Guzik writes that...

During the Millennium, Israel will be the "superpower" of the world. It will be the leading nation in all the earth, and the center of Israel will be the mountain of the LORD's house - the Temple Mount, which will be the "capital" of the government of the Messiah. All nations shall flow to the "capital" of the government of Jesus.

The chief of the mountains and will be raised above the hills - In pagan religions, the so-called gods (cp 2Chr 13:9, Acts 19:26, Ga 4:8) were often associated with mountains (cp "high places" [some passages refer to the True God], Nu 22:41; 33:52; Deut 32:13; 33:29; Jdg 5:18; 2 Sam 1:19, 25; 22:34; 1 Kgs 3:2f; 12:31f; 13:2, 32f; 14:23; 15:14; 22:43; 2 Kgs 12:3; 14:4; 15:4, 35; 16:4; 17:9, 11, 29, 32; 18:4, 22; 21:3; 23:5, 8f, 13, 19f; 2Chr 11:15; 14:3, 5; 15:17; 17:6; 20:33; 21:11; 28:4, 25; 31:1; 32:12; 33:3, 17, 19; 34:3; Ps 18:33; 78:58; Pr 9:14; Isa 15:2; 36:7; Jer 7:31; 17:3; 19:5; 26:18; 32:35; Ezek 6:3, 6; 16:16, 39; Hos 10:8; Am 4:13; 7:9; Mic 1:3; 3:12; Hab 3:19), the mountains being the "homes" of the gods. Isaiah states that the Temple Mount on which sets the Holy Temple in which sits the Holy One of Israel is to be the foremost site of worship.

Martin emphasizes that...

The theme of the prominence of the temple mount in Jerusalem is repeated often in Isaiah’s prophecies all the way to the end of the book (Is 11:9; 25:6, 7; 27:13; 30:29; 56:7; 57:13; 65:11, 25; 66:20). Isaiah clearly wanted his readers to be aware that God will protect His covenant nation despite their spiritual insensitivity and even though they would go into captivity. (Ibid)

Henry Morris adds that...

 In such prophecies, mountains are symbolic of kingdoms. In the coming kingdom age, the Lord will be acknowledged as King over all the earth (Isaiah 9:6,7), with His throne at Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3; Zech 14:9). (Morris, Henry: Defenders Study Bible. World Publishing)

Charles Ryrie echoes Morris writing that...

As in Mic 4:1-5, a description of the Millennial Kingdom. God's government (mountain) will be established over all the kingdoms of this world; Gentiles (nations) and Jews (peoples) will do the will of God; justice and peace will reign. (The Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Translation: 1995. Moody Publishers)

All the nations will stream to it - Nations in the OT almost always is a synonym for the Gentiles (but always check the context) and here Isaiah states that even the Gentiles (all of the Gentile nations) will come to Jerusalem where presumably they will worship the Holy One of Israel.

The stream "flows" the opposite direction in Jeremiah...

I will punish Bel in Babylon, And I will make what he has swallowed come out of his mouth; And the nations will no longer stream to him. Even the wall of Babylon has fallen down!  (Je 51:44).

The ESV Study Bible has an picturesque comment on the nations streaming to Temple Mount writing that

by miraculous magnetism, a river of humanity will flow uphill to worship the One true God (cp Jn 12:32). (ESV Online Study Bible Crossway)

CAVEATS ON
COMMENTS ON ISAIAH
IN "OLDER" COMMENTARIES

Matthew Henry is an example of a godly commentator who for the most part fails to take the promises to Israel as literal and therefore ends up with an interpretation that completely ignores the covenant keeping God's faithfulness to His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In place of Israel, Henry substitutes the church. As we have discussed in these notes the church is neither mentioned nor prophesied in the Old Testament for in Ephesians Paul writes...

that by revelation (apokalupsis [word study] = an exposing to full view that which was hidden) there was made known to me the mystery (musterion [word study] = a truth heretofore unknown to men and knowable only by supernatural revelation from God), as I wrote before in brief. And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men (Ed: And this would include "other generations" and "sons of men" such as the prophet Isaiah!) as it has now (the first century AD) been revealed (verb apokalupto - that which was previously hidden had the veil removed) to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body (Ed: The body = Jews + Gentiles = The church), and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. (Eph 3:1, 2, 3-note, Ep 3:4, 5-note, Ep 3:6, 7-note)

Keeping this background in mind, Matthew Henry comments...

Now the prophet here foretells, the setting up of the Christian church, and the planting of the Christian religion, in the world (Ed: That  Henry's interpretation is not accurate is made clear by Paul's teaching in Eph 3:1-7). Christianity shall then be the mountain of the Lord's house (Temple Mount was literal when Isaiah recorded this prophecy and is a literal place in our own time. It will be a literal place when Messiah returns and reigns from this sacred mountain!); where that is professed God will grant his presence, receive his people's homage, and grant instruction and blessing, as he did of old in the temple of Mount Zion. (Ed: Can you see how confusing this statement is? Henry substitutes a literal "profession" ["where that is professed"] for the literal place! God's presence, etc, is then explained as a spiritual presence rather than a literal [and spiritual] presence.)

The gospel church, incorporated by Christ's charter, shall then be the rendezvous of all the spiritual seed of Abraham (Ed: To mistake Isaiah's prophecy as speaking of the NT Church can only lead to further misinterpretation as we see in Henry's comments that follow). Now it is here promised, I. That Christianity shall be openly preached and professed; it shall be prepared (so the margin reads it) in the top of the mountains, in the view and hearing of all. Hence Christ's disciples are compared to a city on a hill, which cannot be hid, Matthew 5:14 (Ed: This is a true statement by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount but it does not relate specifically to Isaiah's prophecy!)... 2. That it (Ed: Henry is still referring to the Church) shall be firmly fixed and rooted; it shall be established on the top of the everlasting mountains, built upon a rock, so that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Ed: This is an allusion to Jesus' announcement of the Church [Mt 16:18], which represents the first revelation of the church in Scripture. However, even Jesus did not further explain the nature of the church, but left that job for Paul to complete), unless they could pluck up mountains by the roots.

The point of highlighting Matthew Henry's comments is to caution the reader to be very careful and discerning (Maintaining an Acts 17:11 "Berean" mindset) when utilizing the "older commentaries" (especially those written prior to 1900 including those by Adam Clarke, Matthew Henry, John Gill, Albert Barnes - these commentaries are widely available free of charge on the internet and are the primary commentaries available at popular sites like studylight.org, blueletterbible.org, et al). On the other hand one of the better "older" commentaries in my opinion is Jamieson, Fausset and Brown (JFB) (Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible). Below are some of JFB's comments on Isaiah 2:1-4 and notice there is no association whatsoever with the NT church...

last days--that is, Messiah's: especially the days yet to come, to which all prophecy hastens, when "the house of the God of Jacob," namely, at Jerusalem, shall be the center to which the converted nations shall flock together (Mt 13:32; Lk 2:31, 32; Ac 1:6, 7); where "the kingdom" of Israel (Ed: not "of the church") is regarded as certain and the time alone uncertain (Ps 68:15, 16; 72:8, 11)...

Isa 2:3. If the curse foretold against Israel has been literally fulfilled, so shall the promised blessing be literal. We Gentiles must not, while giving them the curse, deny them their peculiar blessing by spiritualizing it. (Ed: Bolding added for emphasis) The Holy Ghost shall be poured out for a general conversion then (Jer 50:5; Zec 8:21, 23; Joe 2:28).

from Jerusalem-- (Lk 24:47) an earnest of the future relations of Jerusalem to Christendom (Ro 11:12, 15).

RECOMMENDED WEB BASED
COMMENTARIES

A more modern commentary that is readily available on the Web is the work of David Guzik whose comments on the Old Testament Scriptures, although generally somewhat brief, are excellent. (See David Guzik's Commentaries on the Bible).

As mentioned elsewhere one of the "older" commentaries that tends to take a more literal approach to interpretation is Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible.

CAVEATS ON OTHER
MODERN COMMENTARIES

Ed Young (professor of Old Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary) has written what many would consider the most authoritative commentary on Isaiah (The Book of Isaiah, Volume 1-3) and indeed it is a laudatory work as Young comments on Isaiah verse by verse and even phrase by phrase, which makes it easy to study his comments. While I would agree with many of his commentary notes (and will utilize them where appropriate in these verse by verse notes), unfortunately Young approaches the interpretation of Isaiah from a non-literal perspective. For example in his concluding remarks on Isaiah 2:2 he writes...

In the light of the New Testament we may say that the reference of this prophecy (Ed: He is referring specifically to Isaiah 2:1-4) is to the church which Jesus Christ founded. Beginning at Jerusalem the disciples went throughout the world proclaiming the true salvation. (Young, Ed: The Book of Isaiah - Volume 1, Chapters 1-18. Page 102. Eerdmans Pub. 1992-hardcopy or Logos or Wordsearch)  (Bolding added)

And so as one reads Young's comments on Isaiah's prophecies, one encounters a distinct tendency to avoid a literal interpretation of Israel, etc, instead interpreting the passages as speaking of and being fulfilled in the church. For example in his comments on Isa 2:3, Young feels that...

Zion is the center of truth. If a man wishes to hear the truth he must go to the place where the truth is to be found, namely, the church of the living God, where the truth of the gospel is taught. (Ibid, Page 103).

And so according to Ed Young, Zion is not really Zion but the church! This genre of spiritualization (or allegorizing) of Isaiah, makes it very difficult to comprehend the original intent of his prophecies, given the fact that they were clearly spoken to Judah and Jerusalem (Is 1:1, 2:1). (See Dr Tony Garland's discussions [1] A The Art and Science of Interpretation,  [2] The Rise of Allegorical Interpretation) [3] Understanding Symbols and Figures)

Raymond Ortlund, an excellent writer (far better than the one you are reading in these notes), in the generally excellent series of commentaries edited by R K Hughes, entitled "Preaching the Word" is the author of the respective tome on Isaiah. Unfortunately, Ortlund like Young takes a non-literal, generally "spiritualizing" approach to the interpretation of Isaiah commenting for example on Isaiah 2:2 commenting that...

in the latter days the nations will abandon their worldviews and ideologies and gladly give to the church their esteem as the world’s leader in worship. (Ortlund, Raymond: Isaiah God Saves Sinners - Preaching the Word Series. Crossway. 2005) (Preaching the Word Series on computer or Individual book =Logos or Wordsearch) (Bolding added for emphasis).

Non-literal commentators encounter considerable difficulty when they come to passages like Isaiah 2:4 which are clearly unfulfilled prophecy and which clearly speaks of a Person Who in context can only logically be interpreted as the Messiah. Ortlund has an interesting approach to such a clear cut Messianic passage writing...

Look how desirable it is, from a universally human point of view, to be allured to Christ (Ed: So far this sounds like a literal interpretation but read on)...When the gospel finally sweeps over the world, there will be neither the practice of nor even the inclination to engage in war. No widows and orphans will be left behind by a fallen soldier, no money consumed on military hardware, as Jesus settles our disputes with perfectly satisfying justice and mercy. All that money and talent and genius and effort will be deployed for life-enriching purposes. That is God’s promise. It is our only hope. And what is the power of that hope right now? (Ibid, page 52).

And so Ortlund literally (and I think correctly) states that the Messiah will settle disputes, there is no explanation of where Jesus will be when He accomplishes this wonderful objective. And because Ortlund never makes mention of the Millennial Kingdom in 496 pages (!), he is forced to be somewhat vague.

Play these beautiful songs...

Paul Wilbur - Up to Jerusalem

Paul Wilbur - Praise Adonai

Paul Wilbur - I Lift Up My Eyes

Paul Wilbur - Kadosh

Paul Wilbur - Hinei ma Tov (Behold How Good) - for brothers to dwell together in unity

Paul Wilbur - Who is like the Lord

In the  Millennial Kingdom, the peoples of the earth will seek the God of Jacob (cp Is 14:1, 27:13, 66:23, Zec 8:23, Zec 14:16) in His holy habitation, the Millennial Temple in Jerusalem. And why will they come? The next phrase explains what attracts the nations to the Holy One in the Holy City.

How will the peoples come to the mountain of the LORD? Isaiah mentions a highway of holiness (Isa. 11:16; 19:23; 35:8) which  will be a literal highway from Egypt to Assyria, on which the nations will travel the temple where Messiah be reigns (Is 9:6, 7; Ezek. 43:7; Zec 14:1, 2, 3, 4, 5,9,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21).

That He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths: (Dt 6:1; Ps 25:8,9; Mt 7:24; Lk 11:28; Jn 7:17; Acts 10:33; Jas 1:25)

That He may teach us - This is why the nations will be attracted to the mountain of the LORD. It is only fitting that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself should be the primary attraction.

Us...we - Isaiah is a Jew, writing to Jews. All of the Jews who enter Messiah's (Millennial) Kingdom will be regenerate or born again (cp Zec 13:8, 9, Ro 11:26, 27-note).

Teach us...we may walk in His paths - Messiah will teach the Jewish believers and they will walk in His paths (cp Ezek 36:27). Note that sound doctrine (His ways) precedes sacred duty (walk in His paths). To think lightly of the study of sound doctrine is to jeopardize our fulfillment of God's command for us to be holy as He is holy (Lv 11:44, 45 1Pe 1:14-note, 1Pe 1:15, 16-note). Remember that as D L Moody once said "A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine."

Isaiah records...

Pay attention to Me, O My people, and give ear to Me, O My nation; for a law will go forth from Me, and I will set My justice for a light of the peoples. (Is 51:4)

He will teach all (both Jews and Gentiles) who are in the Millennial Kingdom for Isaiah writes that...

the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. (Is 11:9)

From Zion...from Jerusalem - These are synonyms in this passage (cp  Is 4:3; 40:9; 52:1; 62:1). Isaiah refers to Zion more than any other OT writer...

Zion - 46 of 154 uses in the OT are by Isaiah - Isa. 1:8, 27; 2:3; 3:16, 17, 4:3, 4, 5; 8:18; 10:12, 24, 32; 12:6; 14:32; 16:1; 18:7; 24:23; 28:16; 29:8; 30:19; 31:4, 9; 33:5, 14, 20; 34:8; 35:10; 37:22, 32; 40:9; 41:27; 46:13; 49:14; 51:3, 11, 16; 52:1f, 7f; 59:20; 60:14; 61:3; 62:1, 11; 64:10; 66:8

He may teach us - Who? In context the God of Jacob, the Messiah. When comparing Scripture with Scripture, this is a reference to the rule and reign of Christ as King in the Millennium, ruling in Zion or Jerusalem.

Dwelling Places of God - In the Garden of Eden, God walked with Adam and Eve (cp Ge 3:8) and then man (Enoch, Noah) walked with God (Ge 5:22, 24; 6:9). Then God desired to dwell with him (Ex 25:8, 29:45, cp 1Ki 6:12, 13). His glory came to the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34), but when Israel sinned, the glory departed (1Sa 4:21, 22). The glory dwelt in the temple (1Ki 8:10,11), but then departed again because of the sins of the people (Ezek 11:22,23 - see related study on the Glory of the LORD: Past, Present, Future). God's promise to Israel was that He would dwell in their midst (Zech 2:10 partially fulfilled in Jn 1:14, but the complete fulfillment including Zec 2:11, 12 awaiting His glorious return to take His throne in Jerusalem, Mt 25:31, Rev 20:4-note, Zech 8:21, 14:16, 17, Isa 2:3-note). The glory came in the person of Jesus Christ (Jn 1:14) but His own rejected Him (Jn 1:11). Today He dwells now in believers individually (1Co 6:19, 20-note) and the church collectively (1Co 3:16, Ep 2:20, 21, 22-note).  In the Millennium Jehovah will reveal Himself as Jehovah Shammah - The LORD is There (Ezek 48:35) taking His throne in the earthly city of Jerusalem. And finally one wonderful day God’s glory will be revealed in the New Heaven and the New Earth and the perfect city, a heavenly Jerusalem, where His people will dwell forever (Rev. 21:3-note, Re 21:22-note).

For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem: (Is 51:4,5; Ps 110:2; Lk 24:47; Ac 1:8; 13:46,47,48; Ro 10:18)

John Walvoord comments that...

Jesus Christ (is) the supreme King of the millennial kingdom. In Psalm 2:6, in spite of the opposition of the kings of the earth, God declares His purpose: “Yet I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” This purpose will be fulfilled in the millennial kingdom in the reign of Jesus Christ as the Son of David. As Lewis Sperry Chafer has succinctly stated:

Every Old Testament prophecy on the kingdom anticipates His kingly office:

(a) Christ will yet sit on the throne as David’s heir (2Sa 7:16; Ps 89:20–37; Is 11:1-16; Je 33:19, 20, 21).

(b) He came as a King (Luke 1:32, 33).

(c) He was rejected as a King (Mk 15:12, 13; Lk 19:14; cf. Ge 37:8; Ex 2:14).

(d) He died as a King (Matt 27:37).

(e) When He comes again, it is as a King (Re 19:16; cf. Lk 1:32–33)” (L. S. Chafer, Systematic Theology, VII, 233).

A HYMN
and
A PRAYER...

Come, Lord, and tarry not;
Bring the long looked for day;
O, why these years of waiting here,
These ages of delay?

Come, and begin Thy reign
Of everlasting peace;
Come, take the kingdom to Thyself,
Great King of righteousness.
(Cp, Ps 122:6 - Pray for the peace of Jerusalem...;
Mt 6:10 [note] - Thy kingdom come...)

He will judge - This is clearly not yet fulfilled. This describes the glorious reign of the Messiah. Clearly even in the Millennial reign of Christ, nations will still have disagreements with one another, but instead of settling them by conflicts as in the current age, differences will be settled by the just Judge, whose decisions are perfectly righteous. In Proverbs we read...

By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. (Pr 8:15)

Between the nations...peoples - both terms often refer to Gentiles in the OT.

Thus there is no uneasy calm but peace based on righteousness (cf. Is 11:1-9; Ps 72). In the abolition of every cause of conflict, war itself disappears; and peace, with its economic consequences (cf. v.4 with passages like 35:1-2), takes its place. The words "swords" and "plowshares" occur in reverse order in Joel 3:10.

Chuck Smith writes that...

When Jesus reigns in the Kingdom Age no one will have to fear war anymore.

And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks: (Is 9:7; 11:6, 7, 8, 9; Ps 46:9; Ho 2:18; Joel 3:10; Mic 4:3; Zec 9:10) (Is 60:17,18; Ps 72:3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Hammer their swords into plowshares - The opposite of Joel 3:10 (Time context of Joel's prophecy = nations of the world are exhorted to prepare for war at the Second Coming)

Beat your plowshares into swords, And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, "I am a mighty man."

Gary Smith rightly reasons that...

All war preparations can end when people focus on God, Who is the true source of their security. (New American Commentary – Volume 15a: Isaiah 1-39.)

Guzik comments that...

During the reign of the Messiah, there will be no more war. There will still be conflicts between nations and individuals, but they will be justly and decisively resolved by the Messiah and those who reign with Him (He shall judge between the nations, and shall rebuke many people).  It isn't the reign of the Messiah itself that will change the heart of man. Citizens of earth will still need to trust in Jesus and His work on their behalf for their personal salvation during the millennium. But war and armed conflict will not be tolerated. (Isaiah 2 - David Guzik's Commentaries on the Bible)

Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war:

Play Paul Wilbur's beautiful rendition of  SHALOM JERUSALEM

Never again learn war - This is the peace filled "New Age" which this perennially contentious world has longed for throughout history but has never up to this point been realized. It is only when the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6) reigns and rules that this world with perfect righteousness, that the world will experience this time of blessing and bliss.

MacDonald explains that...

As a result, there will be universal disarmament. (This verse—minus the opening words about God—are inscribed on the United Nations Building in New York City) The funds formerly spent on munitions will be spent on agricultural equipment.  (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson or Logos)

Guzik comments that...

It is important to see that this is not the peace of capitulation. This is the peace of enforced righteousness. There is no more war, and no more need for swords and spears, so why not make them into plowshares and pruning hooks? But there is no more war because there is a new ruler on earth, Jesus Christ. Psalm 2:9 tells us what the Messiah will do to the disobedient in that day: You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel. We long for the day when there is no more need for a military budget, when the money that goes for weapons and armies can go to schools and parks. But we are only safe doing that when the Messiah reigns among us!

"Men yearn for peace, but they will not acknowledge the hopelessness of their own efforts to achieve it. It is only when the word of the Lord goes forth from Jerusalem, when He Himself is reigning over the nations, that lasting peace will come." (Martin) (Isaiah 2 - David Guzik's Commentaries on the Bible)

Walvoord concludes that based on Is 2:1-4...

it is evident that Jerusalem is to be the capitol of the world, that from Zion the law will go forth, and all nations will be under the sway of this righteous government.

J. Dwight Pentecost gives an excellent summary of the important place of Israel in the millennium in the following statement: “Israel will become the subjects of the King’s reign (Isa 9:6–7; 33:17, 22; 44:6 ;Je 23:5; Mic 2:13; 4:7 ; Da 4:3; 7:14, 22, 27 ).

In order to be subjects, Israel, first, will have been converted and restored to the land, as has already been shown.

Second, Israel will be reunited as a nation (Jer 3:18; 33:14 ; Ezek 20:40; 37:15-22; 39:25; Ho 1:11).

Third, the nation will again be related to Jehovah by marriage (Is 54:1–17; 62:2, 3,4, 5 ; Ho 2:14–23).

Fourth, she will be exalted above the Gentiles (Isa 14:1, 2; 49:22, 23; 60:14, 15, 16, 17; 61:6, 7).

Fifth, Israel will be made righteous (Isa 1:25; 2:4; 44:22–24; 45:17–25; 48:17; 55:7; 57:18,19; 63:16; Jer 31:11; 33:8; 50:20, 34; Ezek 36:25, 26; Hos 14:4; Joel 3:21; Mic 7:18, 19; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:2, 3).

Sixth, the nation will become God’s witnesses during the millennium (Isa 44:8, 21; 61:6; 66:21; Jer 16:19, 20, 21; Mic 5:7; Zeph 3:20; Zec 4:1–7; 4:11–14; Zec 8:23).

Seventh, Israel will be beautified to bring glory to Jehovah (Isa 62:3; Jer 32:41; Hos 14:5, 6; Zeph 3:16, 17; Zech 9:16, 17)” (“Biblical Eschatology,” unpublished Doctor’s dissertation, pp. 651-52).

The lesser role of Gentiles in the millennium is the subject of many Old Testament Scriptures such as the following: Isa 2:4; 11:12; 16:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 18:1–7; 19:16-25; 23:18; 42:1; 45:14; 49:6, 22; 59:6–8; 60:1–14; 61:8, 9; 62:2; 66:18–19; Jeremiah 3:17; 16:19–21; 49:6; 49:39 ; Ezek 38:23; Amos 9:12; Micah 7:16, 17; Zeph 2:11; 3:9; Zechariah 8:20–22; 9:10; 10:11, 12; 14:16, 17, 18, 19 (cf., Pentecost, ibid., p. 652). Outstanding in these Scriptures is the fact that, first, the Gentiles will share many of the spiritual and economic blessings of the millennial reign of Christ. Second, they will, however, occupy a subordinate role to Israel (Isa 14:1, 2; 49:22-23; 61:5, 6, 7, 8, 9). Third, as indicated previously, only Gentiles who are declared righteous by the King will be allowed entrance into the millennial kingdom at its beginning. (The Doctrine of the Millennium — Part I The Righteous Government of the Millennium -- By John F. Walvoord) (Theological Journal Subscription info) (List of 22 journals - 500 yrs of articles searchable by topic or verse! Incredible Online Resource!)

><>><>><>

A World At Peace - READ: Isaiah 2:1-9 - Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. --Isaiah 2:4

President Woodrow Wilson was a staunch idealist whose hope for world peace was deeply embedded in his thinking. Therefore, when he declared war on Germany in 1917, his decision cut to his very heart. It is said that when he returned to the White House, he put his head down on a table and sobbed.

World War I was seen by many as "the war to end all wars." Wilson himself became the leading advocate for the League of Nations, which he hoped would ensure peace. But World War II and many subsequent wars have dashed such hopes.

So the question remains: Can this world ever know true peace? The Bible answers, "Yes!" Two Old Testament prophets describe a future disarmament unlike any in man's history (Isaiah 2:1-4; Micah 4:1-5). And Revelation 20 declares that Satan will be bound and unable to deceive the nations when Jesus Christ comes to reign in righteousness.

What about right now? When individuals trust Jesus as their Savior, they are reconciled to God and are motivated to be peacemakers in their own world of relationships—even with their enemies. God's peace in believers' hearts is a present reality, and the Lord's return to earth is the world's only hope for lasting peace. And it will come! — Dennis J. De Haan

God gives me peace and I long to share it—
With Christ's gospel message I'll go;
I'll speak of His grace and joy that He gives me
Till He comes, then world peace we'll know. —Cetas

Only the Prince of Peace can bring lasting peace.

><>><>><>

Hope For The World - Isaiah 2:1-5 - "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" Titus 2:13

PEACE TALKS FALL APART AGAIN. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISES. TORNADO RIPS THROUGH TOWN.

These newspaper headlines selected at random tend to lead us to despair. There just doesn't seem to be any hope for this world. And yet, according to the Scriptures, the dream of abolishing war is not merely wishful thinking. The idea of prosperity for all is more than a political gimmick. The Bible tells us that the eventual taming of nature is a certainty.

The hope for this world, however, is not to be found in human efforts but in the return of Jesus Christ. He alone can solve the problems that are baffling mankind.

The prophet Isaiah said that someday "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (Isaiah 2:4). This glorious prospect will become a reality when the Lord Jesus Himself returns as "King of kings and Lord of lords" (1Ti 6:15) to set up His kingdom of peace and righteousness. We are to be "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). Because we have this hope, we can be optimistic even in the deepening gloom of this age. Keep looking up! — Richard De Haan

The only hope for world peace is the coming of the Prince of Peace.

><>><>><>

Mark Eastman has some interesting background regarding the time of Messiah's Coming...

One of the most interesting aspects of rabbinic Messianic speculation has to do with the time of his coming. Following the Babylonian captivity, which was from 606- 537 B.C.E., the rabbis began to pore through the scriptures to find clues regarding the time of Messiah's coming. As we shall see, there were many prophecies which they believed were specific indicators of the time when Messiah would be expected.

Some have stated that there have always been intense Messianic expectations throughout the ages, and that those expectations were no different during the time period of the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. However, a study of such expectations reveals this is not the case. During the first two quarters of the first century C.E., more than at any time in history, Messianic expectations were very high. Why was this so?

Was this great Messianic expectation at the time of Jesus simply because the Jews were suffering severely under the Roman yoke? Or was it because Bible prophecy pointed to that period of time as the time of Israel's appointment with Messiah?

In the book by Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, A History of Messianic Speculation in Israel, we read about the tremendous expectations at the time of Jesus Christ that the Messiah would come soon. The reasons for this hope are explained in the following quotes:

"Prior to the first century (C.E.) the Messianic interest was not excessive...The First Century, however, especially the generation before the destruction [of the Second Temple] witnessed a remarkable outburst of Messianic emotionalism. This is to be attributed, as we shall see, not to an intensification of Roman persecution, but to the prevalent belief induced by the popular chronology of that day that the age was on the threshold of the Millennium...when Jesus came into Galilee, 'spreading the gospel of the kingdom of God and saying the 'time is fulfilled' and the Kingdom of God is at hand,' he was voicing the opinion universally held that...the age of the kingdom of God-was at hand...it was this chronological fact which inflamed the Messianic hope rather than the Roman persecutions...Jesus appeared in the procuratorship of Pontius Pilate (26-36 c.e.)...It seems likely, therefore, that in the minds of the people the Millennium was to begin around the year 30 C.E. Be it remembered that it is not the Messiah who brings about the Millennium. It is the inevitable advent of the Millennium which carries along with it the Messiah and his appointed activities. The Messiah was expected around the second quarter of the First Century C.E. because the Millennium was at hand. Prior to that time he was not expected, because according to the chronology of the day the Millennium was still considerably removed."[A History of Messianic Speculation in Israel, Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, 1927, Macmillan Co., pg 5-7, ISBN 0-8446-2937-5]...

...The millennium, the one thousand year reign of the Messiah, is discussed by Rabbi Kattina in the Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 96b-99a:

"The world endures 6000 years and one thousand it shall be laid waste, that is, the enemies of God shall be laid waste, whereof it is said ,'the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.' As out of seven years every seventh is a year of remission, so out of the seven thousand years of the world, the seventh millennium shall be the 1000 years of remission, that God alone my be exalted in that day."

Later in the Sanhedrin we see another reference to the world week: