Come To The Mountain
Does Isa. 2:2-3 prophesy the establishment of the church? Before you answer, read it again, and again.
—the mountain of Jehovahs house shall be established— WHAT shall be established? — the mountain of Jehovahs house— WHAT?? —the mountain of Jehovahs house —.
—and all nations shall flow unto it. Unto WHAT? The language is very clear. It refers to the mountain. WHICH mountain? Why, the mountain of Jehovahs house. Gods people (house or family) are considered, but the obvious emphasis is given to the mountain, to which these people flow.
Read the next verse: And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob— and someone says, There, it said house of God to which I would agree. But it is the mountain that is to be established. It is the mountain of Jehovah, the mountain of Jehovahs house, or people, to which all nations flow. In doing so they become, and are associated with the people of God — but they come to the mountain.
It is not a mass of people, called a mountain. Sentence structure does not permit this interpretation; and in addition, notice the other terms used to identify the subject. —He will teach us of his WAYS, and we will walk in his PATHS: for out of Zion shall go forth the LAW, and the WORD of Jehovah from Jerusalem.
This passage says that Gods mountain shall be established in Jerusalem. Now, does this passage inform concerning the church?? I believe does!! But the emphasis is given that which makes the church what is, not to the people as a party.
The mountain is established on the top of the mountains or, as the foot-note reads, at the head. Rank is under consideration, not altitude. Gods mountain is above, superior to all other mountains. This is much like the prophecy of Daniel (2: 31-45) and the small stone which smote the image of gold, silver, brass, iron and clay. These world empires (Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman) were overwhelmed by the stone, which became a great MOUNTAIN — representing the kingdom of God. Unlike the rule of men, Gods rule shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty be left to another people.
The Messianic Kingdom was estab- lished, made operative, in Jerusalem (Acts 2:) and all, nations began to flow unto it. Unto WHAT? Unto the sovereign rule or authority of God in Christ. If you can read Acts 2: without prejudice this is exactly what becomes apparent. The Spirit outpouring was explained (with Joel 2:) a signaling the time of deliverance by Messiah; then Jesus of Nazareth was cited as one approved by divine signs and wonders — now fulfilling Davids prophecy by being resurrected to sit on his throne. Therefore.... know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:22-36
The church, then and now, consist of those who come to the mountain.