READING • ISAIAH 35
Peace on earth — when?
At the birth of Jesus, the heavenly host praised God and spoke of peace on earth. Yet lasting peace has not filled the world. The Bible points forward to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14 • King James Version
A worldwide Kingdom
The Old Testament gives many pictures of the peace, justice and prosperity of the coming Kingdom. Psalm 72 describes the reign of God's appointed King and makes clear that his rule will not be limited to Israel.
“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.”
Psalm 72:8 • King James Version
Psalm 2 gives the same worldwide picture. In the language of the King James Version, the 'heathen' are the nations beyond Israel:
“Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”
Psalm 2:8 • King James Version
“And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”
Zechariah 14:9 • King James Version
Jerusalem and the rule of Christ
The Kingdom will be worldwide, but its centre will be Jerusalem. Jesus called Jerusalem 'the city of the great King' (Matthew 5:35). Isaiah describes nations coming to learn God's ways, and God's law going out from Zion.
“For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 2:3 (excerpt) • King James Version
The pattern of the Kingdom
A righteous King, a world centre at Jerusalem, divine law and teaching, and nations learning peace: these themes appear repeatedly throughout the prophets.
What will this Kingdom be like?
If we were asked to describe an ideal society, most of us would want security, justice, useful work and freedom from fear. The prophets give a picture like this, but with one essential difference: peace comes because people are taught the ways of God and Christ rules with righteousness.
“And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Micah 4:3 • King James Version
“But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.”
Micah 4:4 • King James Version
Peace will be founded on righteousness
Human beings have often wanted peace without accepting God's standards. Scripture presents the order the other way round: righteousness first, then peace. Christ will judge justly, defend the poor and deal firmly with wickedness.
“And with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.”
Isaiah 11:4 (excerpt) • King James Version
Who will be in the Kingdom?
GROUP
CONDITION
PLACE IN THE KINGDOM
THE FAITHFUL
Immortal
Faithful disciples from past ages will be raised and accepted at Christ’s return. Together with faithful believers who are alive, they will receive everlasting life and share in the work of Christ’s Kingdom.
ISRAEL
Mortal nation
Israel will recognise the Messiah and Jerusalem will become the world centre of worship and instruction. Those living naturally will remain mortal.
THE NATIONS
Mortal peoples
People who survive the judgments associated with Christ’s return will live under his rule, learn righteousness and receive the blessings of the Kingdom.
“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Revelation 5:10 • King James Version
“At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem.”
Jeremiah 3:17 (excerpt) • King James Version
“For when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”
Isaiah 26:9 (excerpt) • King James Version
Prosperity and abundance
Psalm 72 pictures extraordinary fruitfulness. Even places normally unsuitable for crops are used to express the abundance of the age to come.
Psalm 72:16 pictures even the mountain tops producing an abundance of corn, while Isaiah 35 describes the wilderness itself rejoicing and blossoming.
“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.”
Isaiah 35:1 • King James Version
Healing and renewed strength
During his first ministry Jesus healed the sick by the power of God. Isaiah's picture of the Kingdom includes restoration of sight, hearing, strength and speech.
“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing.”
Isaiah 35:5–6 (excerpt) • King James Version
Zechariah also pictures ordinary mortal life continuing safely in Jerusalem, with people reaching old age and children in the streets.
“There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.”
Zechariah 8:4 • King James Version
The sure word of God
These promises would be uncertain if they depended only on human strength. They rest instead on the purpose and word of God. Isaiah records God's assurance that His word will accomplish what He intends.
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:11 • King James Version
A hope we can trust
The Kingdom is God's promised order, established through His Son and governed according to His righteousness.
A thousand-year reign
Revelation 20 describes a thousand-year reign of Christ, often called the Millennium. During it, immortal rulers and mortal peoples will exist together under his rule.
It is not the final stage of God's purpose. After the final judgment, sin and death are abolished and Christ delivers the Kingdom to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24–28).
From the present age to “God all in all”
STAGE
WHAT THE COURSE TEACHES
PRESENT AGE
Human kingdoms continue, with sin, conflict, suffering and death. Believers wait for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
RETURN OF CHRIST
Christ returns to the earth, the responsible dead are raised, judgment takes place, and the faithful receive immortality.
THE MILLENNIUM
Christ reigns on earth for a thousand years. Jerusalem is the centre of his worldwide Kingdom. Immortal rulers assist him while mortal peoples learn God’s ways.
THE END OF THE MILLENNIUM
There is a final rebellion, followed by resurrection and judgment for those accountable from the Kingdom age.
FINAL PERFECTION
Sin and death are finally removed. Christ delivers the Kingdom to the Father, so that God may be “all in all”.
What does this mean for us?
The Bible does not describe the Kingdom simply to satisfy our curiosity about the future. It gives us a hope to live by. If we truly pray, 'Thy kingdom come', we are asking for God's will to be done on earth and committing ourselves to learn that will now.
A practical response
Read the Scriptures, believe the promises of God, learn the character of the coming King, and seek now to live by the righteousness, peace and faithfulness that will characterise his Kingdom.
SUMMARY
The Kingdom of God — peace on earth
1
Christ will be King over all the earth.
His rule will extend from Jerusalem to all nations, with God’s law going out from Zion.
2
Peace will rest on righteousness.
Christ will judge justly, teach the nations and bring an end to war and fear.
3
The faithful will receive immortality.
Those accepted by Christ will share in the work of ruling and teaching in the Kingdom.
4
Mortal peoples will share the Kingdom’s blessings.
Israel and the nations will experience safety, abundance, healing and instruction while ordinary mortal life continues.
5
The Millennium leads to final perfection.
After the thousand years, sin and death are finally removed and God is “all in all”.
Chapters to read
Psalm 72; Micah 4:1–7
LEARN BY HEART • PSALM 22:27–28
“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.”
Psalm 22:27–28 • King James Version
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