The New Jerusalem

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.

Many peoples will come and say,

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

to the house 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.

Isaiah 2:2-3

 The text for the sermon came from Isaiah 2:1-5 and Revelation 21:9-13, 21-27.  Pastor said Isaiah begins to describe a new temple, a new Jerusalem and a new church; and that Revelation completes that description.

Pastor said that, at the time Isaiah wrote, Jerusalem had just been destroyed by its enemies; and John wrote Revelations from a prison camp.  Yet, this new temple is peaceful because people from all nations have discovered that the Lord is a fair judge.  Therefore instead of making war, they bring their disputes to God, the Righteous Judge.  Now that they have no more need to make war, they can convert their weapons into agricultural tools.

 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.

Come, O house of Jacob,

let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Isaiah 2:4-5