Scripture Reading(s)
Isaiah 2:1-5
2:1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2:2 In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.
2:3 Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
2:4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
2:5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
Reflections
The bulk of Old Testament prophecy focuses on the eternal kingdom; the kingdom that will be ushered in by the Messiah. As Christians we reserve many of these prophecies for the second coming of Jesus. The description found in many of these prophecies of eternal peace without war is what we would say is reserved for the 2nd coming of Jesus. Isaiah describes this time as such,
they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4)
Indeed when the Lord returns there will be no need for weapons and war. There will be no oppression of innocent people and there will be no more national powers plotting against other nations. The world will be at peace. It will be have “shalom”, as the OT prophets spoke of. There will be no more tear or fear or anger. We will live the light of the Son and we will be surrounded by the love of God.
We live in a world where war still rages on and many are faced with having to defend themselves. The Christian life is always faced with many threats and there are some countries in which there are those whose lives and families are destroyed because of their faith in Christ.
However, as Christians we are able to place our hope in the truth that there will one day be a day in which we no longer have to fear for our lives or like here in North America, our reputation or social status. There will forever be a time in which when Christ returns, we will experience true everlasting peace.
Some may be experiencing difficult times now due to their faith, keep your eyes focused on the present truth that God is always sustaining us each day and look to the future promise that one day we will spend eternity with Christ and there will be no more tears, hurt or sadness, only true joy and peace awaits those who place their hope in Jesus Christ.
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