READING FOR DECEMBER 11, 2025: ISAIAH 2, REVELATION 7, PSALM 120 ISAIAH 2 The first four verses of Isaiah 2 have been interpreted differently based upon the reader’s belief about the last days, called eschatology. The main views are presented and how each understands this passage
| Categories | Amillennial | Postmillennial | Historic Premillennial | Dispensational Premillennial |
| Israel and the Church | Church is the new Israel. No distinc- tion between Israel and church. | Church is the new Israel. No distinc- tion between Israel and church. | Some distinction between Israel and church. Future for all Jews, but church is spiritual Israel. | Complete distinction between Israel and church. Distinct program for each. |
| Second Coming of Christ | Single event; no distinction bet- ween Rapture and Second Coming; introduces eternal state. | Single event; no distinction bet- ween Rapture and Second Coming; Christ returns after Millennium. | Rapture and Second Coming simultane- ous; Christ returns to reign on earth. | Second Coming in two phases; Rapture of church; second coming to earth 7 years later. |
| Resurrection | Resurrection of believers and unbelievers at second coming of Christ | Resurrection of believers and unbelievers at second coming of Christ | Resurrection of believers at begin- ning of Millennium. Resurrection of unbelievers at end of Millennium. | 1. Church at Rapture; 2. Old Testament and Tribulation saints at Second Coming; 3. Unbelievers at end of Millennium. |
| Judgments | Judgment of all people. | Judgment of all people. | Judgment at Second Coming. Judgment at end of Tribulation. | 1. Believers' works at Rapture 2. Jews/Gentiles at end of Tribulation; 3. Unbelievers at end of Millennium. |
| Tribulation | Tribulation is experienced in this present age. | Tribulation is experienced in this present age. | Posttribulation view: church goes through future Tribulation | Pretribulation view: church is raptured prior to Tribulation |
| MillenniumChart adapted from Wayne House Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine | No literal Millen- nium on earth after second coming. Kingdom present in church age | Present age blends into Millennium because of progress of gospel | Millennium both now and future. Christ is reigning in heaven. Millennium not nec- essarily 1,000 years | At Second Coming Christ inaugurates literal 1,000-year Millennium on earth. |
| Isaiah 2:1-4 | This is the reign of Jesus in the Church at the present time. It shouldn’t be taken literally but as a figurative description of a victorious Church. | God’s holy reign will come about via gradual conver- sion. All nations are currently incrementally streaming to God’s mountain (vs 2). | The phrase “in the last days” refers to the Kingdom of God as will be experi- enced in the milleni- um. God’s rule will be established and there will be peace. | At this time, the millenni- al reign will begin, and Christ will reign over the earth at this time from His capital in Jerusalem. Throughout His reign, there will be no war. |
The next verses are a plea for Judah to really see who they are: people hiding from the Lord. They have been negatively affected by eastern religious beliefs. They have entered into relationships with other countries that have brought economic wealth but spiritual idolatry. Could this be a danger for us today in our financial security? As we read starting with verse 11, the proud will be brought low. Their wealth will be thrown away.
READING FOR DECEMBER 12, 2024 CONTINUED: REVELATION 7, PSALM 120 REVELATION 7: Before the seventh seal is open, there is another scene of worship around the throne. It involves 144,000 people who have been chosen from the tribes of Israel and a great multitude that no one could count. They are joined in worship by the angels, elders and living creatures. Today we want to focus on verse 14, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” It was this verse that led the hymn writer to write:
1) Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
2) Are you washed in the blood, In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
3) Are you walking daily by the Savior's side? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Do you rest each moment in the Crucified? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? 4) When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
5) Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There's a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, O be washed in the blood of the Lamb!
In 7:15-17 there are some specific promises for those who have been washed by the blood:
- They will stand before the throne of God
- They will serve God
- God will spread his tent over them
- They will not hunger or thirst
- They will not be scorched
- Jesus will be their shepherd
- Jesus will lead them to springs of living water
- God will wipe away every tear
Take a moment and reflect on each one of these. For those who are saved, thank Jesus for removing the stain of sin from our lives through the cleansing power of his blood.
PSALM 120 This is the first of the 15 Psalms of Ascents, commonly thought to be so named because they were sung by pilgrims on the way up to Jerusalem. Likely Jesus sang these Psalms as he traveled as a youth from Nazareth to Jerusalem. This one begins with the Psalmist in distress. That almost seems like the default position for many of us as we age. The specific distress the Psalmist here faces is liars. Has anyone spread false stories against us? It is frustrating and painful. Often it happens when we are trying to do something good for others. If you read the trials of Jesus, notice the lies spoken against Him, even as He was giving Himself for the world’s sins. What should we do in these cases? Most times getting even or complaining to others doesn’t work, but “complaining” to God does. Verse four says God will defend us with burning coals. Paul takes a similar approach: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head” (Rom. 8:20). The Psalmist laments that people in his town always change the subject to hostility. Instead, let’s be peacemakers: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt. 5:9).
