TELESCOPE ON PENTECOST
                           ISAIAH 2:1-4

     The day of Pentecost (Acts 2) was one of the most exciting days in the history of the
world.  It is the day that Peter called "the beginning" (Acts 11:15).  It is on this day that
Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled.  How do we know that?  Look at Luke 24:46,47.  Jesus said,
"Thus it is written..."  Where was it written?  This prophecy was given twice by the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Micah 4:1-4), thus suggesting the significance of the subject. 
There are four stages to the kingdom: promise; prophecy; preparation; and perfection. 
This particular text concerns itself with the second stage...prophecy.  As the prophet
focused his telescope on Pentecost, what did he see?  He clearly saw these four things:

I.  THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION OF TIME.  "In the last days..."
     A.  There are three dispensations of time. Heb. 1:1,2; Mt. 19:3-9.
     B.  The "last days" began on Pentecost. Joel 2:28-31; Acts 2:15-17.
     C.  The church is to last throughout all ages (Eph. 3:21); and the great commission
           until the end of time (Mt. 28:20).  This is the last times.

II.  THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH.  "...house shall be established..."
     A.  The Lord's house is His church.  I Tim. 3:15.
     B.  It has pre-eminence because in it and no where else is salvation.  Acts 4:12; Eph.
           5:23; 4:4; Col. 1:18.
     C.  There was no church before Pentecost!  Not with Abraham!  Not with John the
           Baptist!  Acts 20:28; Mt. 11:11; Mk. 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4.
     1.  A church that started before Pentecost is too old!
     2.  A church that started after Pentecost is too young!

III.  THE WORLD-WIDE COMMISSION.  "...and all nations shall flow into it."
     A.  No longer to be exclusive (Jewish only).  Jn. 1:12,13; Gal. 3:28.
     B.  The great commission invites all nations.  Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15,16; Lk. 24:
           46,47; Mt. 11:28-30.
     C.  Peter on Pentecost and after.  Acts 2:39; 10:34,35; 15:7.

IV.  THE PROCLAMATION OF THE NEW COVENANT.  "His ways...and...His paths..."
     A.  The Old Law that went out from Sinai was to be done away with.  Amos 8:5,9;
           Mt. 27:45; Col. 2:14; Jn. 1:17.
     1.  The highest authority some can give is Moses or David!
     2.  We are to listen to Jesus.  Jn. 6:68; Mt. 17:5; Heb. 1:1,2.
     B.  Pentecost is the right time and place.  "Out of Zion...from Jerusalem..."
     1.  A message that began someplace other than Jerusalem is not the truth!
     2.  Any message that contradicts the Jerusalem Gospel is not the saving
           message!  Mt. 16:18,19.
     C.  Peter proclaimed Christ's law because the answer he gave corresponds with the 
           terms of the great commission. Acts 2:38; I Pet. 3:21; Jn. 3:3-5.

V.  THE BLESSING OF RECONCILIATION.  "...swords...into pruning hooks..."
     A.  Sin alienates man from God.  Isa. 59:1,2.
     B.  Jesus came to be the Prince of Peace.  Isa. 9:6; Lk. 2:14.
     C.  The church is a place of peace.  Eph. 2:11-17.
     1.  Here we have peace with God.  Acts 2:38,41,47.
     2.  Here we have peace with our fellow man.
     3.  Here we have the peace within.

     We have come to Mt. Zion (Heb. 12:22) and we have received the kingdom (Heb.
12:28).  Therefore, this prophecy has been fulfilled.  It is by being in the church that we
partake of the wonderful blessings and promises of the Lord.