This Article: (4 Pages)
- 1. Jesus ( Yahshua) Relies on... the Prophets
- 2. The Disciples Taught from... the Prophets
- 3. The Voice of the Prophets -... Common Themes
- 4. Future Peace on Earth
3) The Voice of the Prophets - Common Themes
Ezekiel devotes a large proportion of his prophecy to a Temple. He writes of Israel scattered and regathered, a major war followed by peace and righteous rule. Ezekiel is not the only prophet who refers to a Temple, to a House of the Lord. The Temple that Ezekiel then describes in so much detail has not yet been built. So much of his prophecy was devoted to this Temple, that we must conclude that it is important in the Divine scheme.
Other prophets, although in not so much detail, refer to a house of the Lord, which is to be built in the future. They all clearly agree on its location.Isaiah states that “in the last days that the mountain of the Lord's House shall be established... all nations shall flow unto it.” There will be a time of peace and the Law of the Lord shall go out of Zion and Jerusalem. This chapter, in verse 21, states that the Lord will arise “to shake terribly the earth.” This is also developed in other prophecies. Haggai 2:6 records that “I will shake the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land.” Isaiah 24:15-23 describes judgements that will come on the inhabitants of the earth. “The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard and shall be removed like a cottage,” and then “Yahweh of Hosts shall reign in mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his ancients gloriously.”
House of Prayer Detailed
In Isaiah 56:6-7, Israel and the sons of strangers (Jew and Gentile) “that join themselves to Yahweh, to serve him, and to love the name of Yahweh... even them will I bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my House of Prayer.” Again there is here an association of a House of Prayer and a mountain, an altar, sacrifices and burnt offerings. It shall be called “an House of Prayer for all people.” Isaiah refers to the gathering of the “outcasts of Israel” (Isa. 58:6) which would have to refer to modern Israel since 1948. “The Lord Yahweh which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.” In his ministry, the Messiah quoted from this section of the old testament.
Isaiah 60 describes a glorious time when the Lord “will glorify the house of my glory.” This house has walls, offerings and gates (etc). Verse 14 speaks of the “city of the Lord, the Zion” as a literal house and location. Isa 66 describes Jerusalem and a time of peace when “when all flesh come to worship before me.” People will come on horses, in chariots and on swift beasts to bring an “offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.” (verse 20) If this is not a literal house,why are there such vivid images of vessels in the house and the transportation of people created? There is no event in history that can be related to this prophecy.
Joel 3 states that when the “Lord your God (is) dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain, then shall Jerusalem be holy.” Amos 9:10-14 presents a time of trouble after which the Lord “will raise up the tabernacles of David... I will raise up its ruins and I will build it as in the days of old” and in verse 14, the time is clearly specified, “I will bring again the captivity of my people and they shall build the waste cities.” Since 1948 the Jews have once again established their homeland and brought the land of Israel from a wasteland to a productive land and established cities as prophesied.
Micah 4:1-3 states that “in the last days... shall the mountain of the house of the Lord be established.” Many nations shall “go up to the Mountain.” People will be taught of God, for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” God will judge the nations. Here, again, in this prophecy, the vision is given of the House of the Lord and its situation is Mt Zion near the city of Jerusalem. The topography of the land will be greatly changed. Zechariah 14:4 states that the mount of Olives shall “cleave in the midst thereof... half of the mountain shall remove toward the north and half of it toward the south” with the effects of an earthquake. “All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem” A massive earthquake will change the landscape and cause widespread devastation in Israel and elsewhere.
Haggai 2:6-9 presents the shaking of the earth. God says that “I will fill this house with my glory” and that “the glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former.” The former house built by King Solomon was destroyed and the prophet here states that another house of prayer will be built.
Zechariah 14:8-9, 16, 20 describes a time of turmoil and upheaval followed by peace. “The Lord shall be king over all the earth.” The people will go up to Jerusalem to worship and keep the “feast of tabernacles.” Verse 20 details the “Lord's house”, “pots” and “bowls”, which indicates a literal building. What reason could there be for such detailing of these things other than to impress upon us that there will be a house of prayer built in the future?
In Zechariah 6:12-13 we are told that the Branch (the Messiah) “shall build the Temple of the Lord.” He shall sit upon the throne and in verse 15, “they that are afar off shall come and build in the Temple of the Lord.” Here also is a reference to “strangers”, the Gentiles, being involved in the construction of this house. Zechariah 8:3,22 states that the Lord “will dwell in Zion” and Jerusalem will be “called a city of truth.” In verse 22 it is recorded that people from many nations will go up to Jerusalem to pray and worship.
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