Here we are, at the end of 2022. It sure FEELS like the end times, doesn’t it? So many of our systems seem worn out. Things feel like they are getting worse. Armageddon. Apocalypse. The end of the world as we know it. People have a lot of ideas about Bible prophesies and what it says about the last days, the return of Christ, and the end of the world as we know it. It can be a little bit scary, especially if you get your theology from Indiana Jones, the DaVinci Code, or TikTok.

In fact, the promise of Christ’s return is good news. Prophets like Isaiah wanted to give hope and direction and perspective and encouragement to people who were scared, overwhelmed, and uncertain about the future. Jesus wanted to give hope and direction and perspective and encouragement to his followers—who were scared, overwhelmed, and uncertain about the future. My prayer today is that today’s message, based on those prophecies of Isaiah and those promises of Jesus, may offer you hope and direction and perspective and encouragement as you and I face a future that feels so often scary, overwhelming, and uncertain.

Let’s start with Isaiah 2:1-5.

Isaiah 2:1-5 (NRSV) 

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2 In days to come
     the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains
     and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
3     Many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
     to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
     and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction
     and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He shall judge between the nations
     and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
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.
5 O house of Jacob,
     come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord!