April 06, 2008

The Promised Last Days

Isaiah 2:1-4

Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD …”
Isaiah 2:3

— 

In the midst of all the talk about God’s anger and judgment against sin, we already see clear glimpses of hope and salvation. The God of the Bible is not only faithful to his promises but also persistent about restoring us to intimate fellowship with himself.

Isaiah “saw” days of blessing emerging in the very places where the sins of God’s people were fanning the flames of divine anger. Isaiah saw far into the future to a time “in the last days” when many would say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD …” It took several hundred years before those prophetic words were fulfilled. But those words became a reality on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

Jesus had instructed his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the blessed outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They joyfully did, and for ten days they met together at the temple. People from “every nation under heaven” were there (Acts 2:5). In their own native languages (tongues) these people heard the good news.

That was the beginning of the spread of the gospel (“good news”). From Jerusalem the gospel has been proclaimed to the entire world (Acts 1:8). The liberating and unifying truth of Christ is spreading to all nations. It has reached you—and today it will reach others for the first time. Hallelujah!

How faithful and wonderful you are, O Lord. Thank you for fulfilling your promise of salvation to all peoples. Help us never to doubt the truth of your Word. In Jesus, Amen.

About the author — Victor Atallah

Rev. Victor Atallah is the broadcast team leader for The Back to God Hour Arabic ministry and the general director of Middle East Reformed Fellowship. These meditations are based on texts of Arabic broadcasts aired a few years ago and an Arabic commentary on the book of Isaiah prepared for publication. Rev. Atallah and his wife, Lisa, live in Larnaca, Cyprus, where The Back to God Hour Arabic ministry is based. The ministry reaches Arabic-speaking people throughout the Middle East and North Africa, introducing them to Jesus Christ, Savior of the nations.

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