The words of Isaiah are prominent in the New Covenant. “The importance of the book is indicated by the frequency with which it is quoted in the New Testament. Isaiah is quoted by name 21 times, slightly more than all the other writing prophets taken together, and there are many more allusions and quotations where his name is not given.” (The Zondervan’s Pictorial Bible Dictionary, p. 385). Wayne Jackson has written, “The New Testament quotes more from the book of Isaiah than all other prophecies combined. There are 308 quotations from, or references to, Isaiah in the New Testament and these involve forty-seven of the sixty-six chapters. The prophet is cited twenty-one times and all three of the so-called divisions are credited to him” (Isaiah, p. 5).

In this writing, we’ll consider an amazing prophecy about a coming house. Let’s notice …

House Established

Isaiah 2:2, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills” (cf. Micah 4:1).

Time: The latter days (NKJV), or the last days (KJV). Let me suggest that “the last days” refer to the last days of Israel’s existence. “The last days” existed in the first century (Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:1-2). The phrase seems to include not only a period post-Pentecost (Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:1-2), but also pre-Pentecost (Hebrews 9:26). It seems to refer to a period prior to 70 A.D. (Acts 2:17 cf. Joel 2:28-32 cf. Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24-25).

Established: The mountain of the LORD’s House. David had been told of a house which would be built for the LORD (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17). Paul refers to the church as “the house of God” (1 Timothy 3:15).

Place: In the top of the mountains. Later, “Zion” and Jerusalem” are mentioned (Isaiah 2:3). Jerusalem was built on mountains, Mt.Zion (2,550 ft.) and Mt.Moriah (2,450 ft.).

Exalted: Above the hills. “Mountain” and “hills” could be understood as governments or powers or greatness (e.g., Jeremiah 51:24-25). This house is far greater than any earthly establishment.

House Grows

Isaiah 2:2-3, “… And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (cf. Micah 4:1-2).

People: All nations. Jews and Jewish proselytes from various nations heard the word of God proclaimed on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). However, the gospel message wasn’t only for the Jews. It was a message for all nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 10-11, esp., vv. 34-35; Galatians 3:26-28).

Spread: Out of Zion, from Jerusalem. The gospel message spread from Jerusalem into Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8).

Miscellaneous observations: (1) The people were not forced. Instead, they responded of their own will, saying, “let us.” (2) The people were taught. Christianity is a taught religion. (3) They said, “We shall walk in His path.” Christianity is to be practiced (James 1:22). (4) Notice, it is the law that was to go forth. Man is under the law of Christ (Romans 8:2; 8:7; 9:31; Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 10:16; James 1:25; 2:8). If man was not under some law, then man could not sin (Romans 4:15; 5:13; 1 John 3:4).

House at Peace

Isaiah 2:4, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (cf. Micah 4:3). Micah adds, “Everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid.”

Language: This is language of peace. Instead of military service, the people are working on farms. They dwell under vines and fig trees (cf. 1 Kings 4:1, 24-25).

Character: Homer Hailey wrote, “Here the prophet is certainly not speaking of the world … but rather of all nations and many people who will come to the mountain of Jehovah’s house… He is describing the character of the kingdom … to which men of all nations may and do come today” (Isaiah, p. 4a).

Thought: Whether this refers to the hereafter, or to the character of those who walk in His way in this life … one thing is certain, we’re to be a peaceful people. “If it be possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). “Pursue peace with all men … without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).