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. – Isaiah 2:2

Today’s Scripture Reading (January 25, 2020): Isaiah 2

Throughout history, there have been many world leaders who have sought to rule over the entire known world. They have set up their empires and tried to become the world’s chief influencers. Some of the most powerful of these empires are the Roman Empire, which reached its height in power just over 100 years after the time of Christ, the Mongolian Empire, which dominated or struck fear into significant portions of the world during the 13^th Century, the British Empire who ruled the seas (the sun never set on the British Empire) from the 18^th until the early 20^th century, The Soviet Union, who just based on their incredible size and resources, ruled the world during the middle part of the 20^th Century, alongside the current world powerhouse, the United States. These Empires were military forces to be reckoned with, and which struck fear into the hearts of many. The problem with each of these Empires is that fear often leads to resistance, and the downfall of every superpower, except for the United States, is written in the pages of our history books. No empire, regardless of how powerful they might be, lasts forever. Reigning over the world is hard work.

Isaiah sees a vision of what he calls “the last days.” Traditionally, this is understood as “the day of the Messiah.” Isaiah likely believed it would occur at the first coming, but as Christians, we know this prophecy as concerning the Messiah’s return. On that day, Isaiah says that Temple Mount will be elevated in importance, and all nations will flood toward Israel. On that day, Israel will become the reigning superpower in the world, and the Messiah and his government will reign from the Temple in Jerusalem.

But this superpower Israel is not the reality that Isaiah saw with his eyes. With his eyes, he sees the current threat of Assyria, the past threat of Egypt-, and he cautiously looks at the growing danger that is hiding in Babylon. They are the superpowers of Isaiah’s day. But in the last day, all of that will change, and Israel will enjoy the power and prestige that they had experienced during the reigns of David and Solomon.

With this understanding, it is no wonder that some could not accept Jesus as the Messiah the first time that he came. It was not this concept of a political superpower that Jesus had on his mind as he ministered throughout Canaan during the First Century.

And maybe we still need to be cautious with Isaiah’s words. After all, while Israel did not become a political superpower because of Jesus, it did become a spiritual one. And today, people of all nations flock to Jerusalem because of what the city means spiritually to them. Maybe rather than waiting for the political superpower Israel to emerge, we need to recognize the elevated importance of Jerusalem as it stands today; a city to which many people come, and a city that instills many emotions into the people of the earth. Jerusalem is the birthplace of our spiritual roots, especially for those who call themselves Jews, Christians, and even Muslims. And its importance today cannot be underestimated.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Isaiah 3