One of the notable themes of the Prophet Isaiah is his confidence that Israel will “conquer” the nations—the non-Jews. He showed astonishing faith that Israel would “conquer” the nations—the non-Jews—considering that the nations wielded the might and power of empires such as Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, and Persia.

Nevertheless, Isaiah assured Israel:

In the days to,

The Mount of the LORD’s House

Shall stand firm above the mountains

And tower above the hills;

And all the nations

Shall gaze on it with joy.

And the many peoples shall go and say:

“Come,

Let us go up to the Mount of the LORD,

To the House of the God of Jacob;

That he may instruct us in His paths.”

For instruction shall come forth from Zion,

The word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

(Isaiah 2:2-3 JSB).

[The time] has come to gather all the nations and tongues;

they shall come and behold my glory.

(Isaiah 66:18 JSB) (emphasis added).

 

Peter played a key role in this gathering of all the nations and tongues to come and behold the glory of the LORD.

Peter played his historic role reluctantly.

Despite a vision telling him to go with messengers from a Roman Centurion named Cornelius, Peter hesitated. As a devout Jew, he had been careful his whole life to avoid “anything impure or unclean”. (Acts 10:14).

Nevertheless, Peter eventually came to realize that he “should not call anyone impure or unclean”. (Acts 10:15,28-29).

And so—contrary to Jewish laws and customs against going to the home of a non-Jew—Peter went to the home of a Roman Centurion, Cornelius.

We are told that Cornelius “and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave  generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” (Acts 10:2).

I believe it is significant that a Roman Centurion and his family are the first non-Jews to whom Peter preached the good news about Jesus. Roman centurions epitomize the might and power of the Roman Empire—an empire mightier and more powerful than the empires of Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, or Persia.

Peter showed that such empires would be “conquered” by Israel—not by using might nor by using power—but by using the Spirit of the LORD Almighty.

Before Peter finished speaking the good news about Jesus, the Holy Spirit of the LORD:

came on all who heard the message. . . . The [Jewish] believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on [non-Jews]. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” (Acts 10:44-46).

And so, Peter had begun the “conquest” of the nations—the “conquest” of non-Jews—in the Way foreseen by the Prophet Zechariah: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6).

Peter had begun the “conquest” of the nations—the “conquest” of non-Jews—by telling them “the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:36).

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT

What people do you think of as being impure and unclean? Why?

Like Peter, will you stop thinking about people as being impure and unclean? How? Why?

How will you spread the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all?

Why must you spread this good news of peace—not by using might nor by using power—but by using the Spirit of the LORD Almighty who produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

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For related ideas, please read my blogs “Moving the Temple Mount”, “Jesus Climbs the Temple Mount”, and “The Immense, Towering Rock Overcomes the Gates of Hell”.

Please read my book Lighting the World which recounts how the early believers lit the world by letting their light shine before people so that they may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven—not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the LORD Almighty.