Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122:1-9, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44.
A). AN ORACLE OF HOPE.
Isaiah 2:1-5.
The first thing that we notice in this text is that the prophet “saw” the word of the LORD (Isaiah 2:1).
In olden times, explains 1 Samuel 9:9, a Prophet used to be called a Seer. As such, the Prophet offers a deeper level of discernment in relation to the things of God.
The Oracle begins, “In the last days” (Isaiah 2:2). The Seer is lifting his eyes beyond the present circumstances of the kingdom of Judah towards a future hope which embraces the whole world.
Prophets see things as through a temporal prism: like gazers at the night sky who see clusters of stars with no gauge to determine which are nearer, and which further away.
With the kingdom of Judah under the yoke of Assyria, this prophecy could envision better days: seeing through the Babylonian exile (which still lay in the future), and beyond it to the restoration and rebuilding of Jerusalem - and its Temple. Perhaps then the mountain of the LORD’s house would be established, and all nations flow to it?
According to the Apostle Peter, however, ‘the last days’ began at Pentecost (Acts 2:16-17).
The earthly Temple was only ever temporary, as implied in Jesus’ words to the disciples as He left the second Temple for the last time (Matthew 24:1-2).
The priests in the Temple were permitted to ‘profane’ the Sabbath when they offered sacrifice and went about their other duties on that day. Yet, said Jesus, ‘a greater than the Temple is here’ (Matthew 12:5-6).
Jesus is none other than the One who inhabits the Temple (Matthew 23:21) - for who else could be greater than the Temple?
Jesus did not come to abolish the sacrificial system, but to fulfil it, and to offer Himself as the supreme and final sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:25-26).
When Jesus’ work upon the Cross was finished, the veil in the Temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom (Matthew 27:51). Although the Temple rituals continued for a transitional period, the need for sacrifice had been met in His death.
In the days when Jesus walked this earth, the Jerusalem Temple was only partially fulfilling the function of a place of worship for all peoples.
The Temple was also the site of many of the scenes in the Gospels and Acts, and it was from here that the message of Jesus went forth to all the world. It is possible that the picture of many nations coming to the house of the God of Jacob represents the progress of the gospel from that place (Isaiah 2:3).
As the word of God goes forth from Jerusalem, there is a change in the whole of society. People may easily forget that the gospel came from that city, and fail to take stock of the amount of good which the message of Jesus has done in the world. In saying this, I am not ignoring the downright evil which has sometimes been done by some of those who profess to be ‘Christians’!
Where the gospel rules, God judges (Isaiah 2:4). Not only this, but the nations begin to use their resources for something other than war. So there is hope for us, as well as for Isaiah’s original hearers.
Isaiah’s last word to the faithful remnant in this Oracle is, “Come, let us walk in the light of the LORD” (Isaiah 2:5).
Whether in Advent, Easter, or the post-Pentecost season - this is sound advice.
B). LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.
Psalm 122:1-9.
The “house of the LORD” encompasses this Psalm (Psalm 122:1; Psalm 122:9). Jerusalem, in turn, encompassed the house of the LORD (Psalm 122:2; Psalm 122:3; Psalm 122:7). Jerusalem thus became the place of pilgrimage and thanksgiving (Psalm 122:4).
“Jerusalem” also represents the place of right judgment (Psalm 122:5; Isaiah 2:4). At times in her history she failed miserably in this respect, and hence the exile became inevitable - but when Nehemiah became Governor the city walls were rebuilt (Nehemiah 2:15-18). However, when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem He again found cause to lament, and the cycle of history was repeated (Luke 19:42-44).
There is a play on the word “house” (Psalm 122:5), such as we see also in 2 Samuel 7:5; 2 Samuel 7:10-11. The “house of David” represents his dynasty, reaching all the way down to Jesus. The “thrones of judgment” are “the thrones of the house of David” - and reach down to Jesus’ climactic judgment at the end of time.
We “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). We pray for the peace which flows from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3) - ‘peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 5:1). We pray for the salvation of Israel.
To the Jews, says Paul, were committed ‘the oracles of God’ (Romans 3:2). The Israelites, according to the Apostle, are those to whom pertains ‘the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as pertaining to the flesh Christ came’ (Romans 9:4-5). The Apostle to the Gentiles goes on to declare that Israel is still of some accountability in the purposes of God (cf. Romans 11:12; Romans 11:15; Romans 11:25-27).
Those who love Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), and pray for her peace and prosperity (Psalm 122:7), shall themselves prosper (Psalm 122:6). This takes us back to the promise to Abraham: ‘I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curses thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed’ (Genesis 12:3). For the sake of our spiritual kinsfolk (both Jew and non-Jew) - and on behalf of our companions in the pilgrimage towards ‘the Jerusalem which is above’ (Galatians 4:26) - we invoke God’s blessing of peace upon Jerusalem (Psalm 122:8).
As we have indicated, Jerusalem’s good is tied up with “the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:9) - ‘whose house are we’ (Hebrews 3:6). Let us never forget what we owe Israel, for (as Jesus said to the woman at the well), ‘salvation is of the Jews’ (John 4:22). ‘Boast not against the branches,’ adds the Apostle to the Gentiles: ‘be not high-minded, but fear’ (Romans 11:18; Romans 11:20).
C). END TIMES OBEDIENCE.
Romans 13:11-14.
Context: Romans 12:1-15:13 is the practical application of the statement “The just shall live by faith” established so thoroughly in Romans 1-8. Those who have been made righteous through faith are not to live any longer in the ways of the world, but to be about the business of “renewing their mind” (Romans 12:2). Since the teaching of Romans 9-11 on the solidarity of Jew and Gentile within the church is no mere parenthesis, Paul also gives some guidelines on how people of different backgrounds and points of view in non-essentials are to relate to one another in the fellowship of the Gospel.
Romans 13:11.
(a) “And that” - The outworking of this “renewing of our mind” is seen in our relationship to God (Romans 12:1), in our love to our fellow believers (Romans 12:10), and in our love to our neighbour (Romans 13:8-10). Paul adds an “also this” in verse 11, thereafter establishing an eschatological reason for our Christian obedience. We know the times in which we are living!
(b) “Knowing the time” - We are living in the age of the Spirit which, according to Peter, is the “last days” (Acts 2:16-17). These days began when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost. As the return of Jesus approaches it is paramount that we discern the signs of the times (Luke 12:56) ...
(c) “Now” - Elsewhere Paul speaks of an acceptable time, the “Now” which is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2) ... In Scripture there is urgency about “Today” (Psalm 95:7-11; Hebrews 3:7-19).
(d) “It is high time to awake out of sleep” - Are we asleep? Jesus warns us against being caught napping when He returns (Mark 13:36). We must rise and shine (Isaiah 60:1) …
(e) “For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” - There is a “now” and a “not yet” in the outworking of our salvation. We are forensically justified from the moment we believe, but we must thereafter strive after holiness and sanctification, and at last we shall be glorified. We are saved by grace through faith, but we are saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:8-10).
The whole creation is groaning and travailing, waiting for the revelation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19; Romans 8:22). We also groan within ourselves, awaiting the redemption of our body (Romans 8:23). “Look up,” says Jesus: for when we discern the signs of the times we know that our redemption is drawing nigh (Luke 21:28) ...
Romans 13:12.
(a) “The night is far spent” - Jeremiah bemoans the passing of the opportunity of this time (Jeremiah 8:20) … The dawn is “even at the doors” (Mark 13:29).
(b) “The day is at hand” - There is a paradox in that we know what time it is (Romans 13:11), but may not the day and hour of the Lord’s coming (Matthew 24:36).
(c) “Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness” - Christians are not, and should not be in darkness that that day should overtake them as a thief (1 Thessalonians 5:4-7) …
(d) “And let us put on the armour of light” - The armour of light includes what Paul calls “the breastplate of faith and love” (1 Thessalonians 5:8); and “the whole armour of God” (Ephesians 6:11).
It is also important not to neglect our prayer weapon (Ephesians 6:18). At Gethsemane Jesus exhorted His disciples to engage in prayer, and when He found them sleeping He repeated the exhortation “that you enter not into temptation” (Luke 22:40; Luke 22:45; Luke 22:46).
Romans 13:13.
(a) “Let us walk honestly, as in the day” - Do not be like the servant who oppressed his fellow servants (Matthew 24:48-51) … thereby failing in love (Romans 13:8; Romans 13:10). Jesus’ command to the church in this age is the same as the command of the nobleman who went into a far country to receive a kingdom: “Occupy till I come.” (Luke 19:13) -
(b) “Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envying” - Yet there were those who hated him, and said “We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14).
Romans 13:14.
(a) “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ” - You have put Him on (Galatians 3:27), but must put Him on daily in your lifestyle decisions (Colossians 3:12-14).
(b) “And do not spend your time thinking about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” - This brings us right back to Romans 12:1-2. We are to be as living sacrifices, always about the business of renewing our mind. This is how we should live in these end times.
D). EXHORTATION TO WATCHFULNESS.
Matthew 24:36-44.
The world goes on in wilful ignorance of the doom which awaits those who are unprepared for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It shall be just like “in the days of Noah” (Matthew 24:37-39). Eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage may well be legitimate pursuits, but the reference to Noah should alert us to the nature of what is going on. There may be all kinds of excesses in eating and drinking, and the marrying and giving in marriage in the days of Noah was just the kind of mismatching which brought the wrath of God upon the earth at the time of the Flood.
When Jesus comes, suddenly and unexpectedly but amidst all the noise of the angel's shout and the trumpet blast, people will be going about their business as usual. For some it will be daytime, and of two just one will be taken. For others it will be night-time, and of two just one will be taken. This is the gathering together of God's elect from the four corners of the world. It is an awful, and final, separation.
"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (Matthew 24:42). He comes like a thief in the night - not secretly like a thief, but "in such an hour as ye think not" (Matthew 24:44).
So be watchful, dear Christian. Expect His coming, and be faithful in all that you do.
