A spectacular future vision anticipates an era of profound global transformation, where the spiritual center of humanity will fundamentally shift. A world previously fractured by conflicting beliefs and wars will eventually unite around a single point of truth. The primary approach among commentators is that this period at the end of days refers to the Messianic era, a prolonged epoch marking the conclusion of the world as it is currently known [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This time will arrive only after the exile concludes and the wicked vanish from the earth [רש״י, אברבנאל]. At that moment, Mount Moriah, the site of the future Temple, will be fully prepared, established, and perfected in absolute beauty and splendor [רש״י, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם].
As this era dawns, the mountain will achieve an unparalleled prominence, though commentators differ on the nature of this elevation. One perspective suggests a literal, physical transformation where the mountain will grow in height, towering over the surrounding hills that will merely serve to highlight its massive scale [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. An alternative approach maintains that the mountain will not necessarily change its topographic height, but will instead be elevated in its supreme status, importance, and divine holiness [מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא, אברבנאל]. The comparison to other mountains and hills is intentional. Historically, nations worshipped idols on high peaks; in the future, they will abandon these false deities and recognize the absolute supremacy of God's mountain [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. The miracles occurring there will even surpass the historic wonders witnessed at Sinai, Carmel, and Tabor [רש״י]. Ultimately, its sheer prominence serves as a metaphor for spiritual visibility, making it so striking that nations across the globe will see it from afar and yearn to reach it [שד״ל].
This intense global desire will manifest as a massive, continuous movement of people, likened to a mighty, rushing river [רש״י, רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון]. However, this creates a wondrous paradox: while a natural river flows downward to lower ground, the nations will stream upward toward the high mountain, propelled by a fierce spiritual thirst for God's word [מלבי״ם]. Through this phenomenon, the Temple will cease to be a local sanctuary for Judah and will transform into the spiritual epicenter for the entire world [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Moses actually refrained from publicizing this universal vision early in the history of the Israelites to prevent assimilation, but it is now fully revealed as the ultimate destiny of humanity [שד״ל].
The future sanctuary is specifically associated with Jacob. Unlike the First and Second Temples—which were conceptually linked to Abraham and Isaac and ultimately destroyed by enemies—this Third Temple will be whole, flawless, and eternal [אברבנאל]. Embedded within this grand universal vision is a subtle rebuke directed at the Israelites. If, at the end of days, distant nations will willingly abandon their old paths and journey far to seek the light, it stands to reason that the Israelites, who have already received the Torah, should be walking in God's light right now [שד״ל].