A Coming Peace

Isaiah 2:1-5

There have been wars, various smaller armed conflicts, and political tension going on in different parts of the world for as long as I can remember.  As a matter of fact, there has not been a time in recorded history when there wasn’t some type of war happening somewhere on earth.  Because of this, we tend to honor those who make an effort to try and bring peace between warring nations and groups.  Much as people may try, though, no one has ever been able to bring a lasting peace or keep peace indefinitely.  That is why every country keeps a standing military force.  Even officially neutral countries like Switzerland have a military.  Though we may hate to use them, countries need to keep military weapons.  However, we have some good news, and that is that one day in the future, we will not need military weapons anymore.  As a matter of fact, they can and will be turned into useful, non-military tools.  There is a time coming when Someone will bring the world lasting peace.  Our Scripture for today tells of this coming time.

The Old Testament reading for this first Sunday of Advent is a passage from the prophet Isaiah, where he gives a prophecy pointing to the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ during the Millennium (Revelation 20:1-6), and the peace that He alone can bring.  As our Scripture opens, Isaiah speaks of a vision he had, concerning both Judah and Jerusalem.  In the last days, in future times, the mountain where the Lord’s house is, will be exalted, and all nations will come to it (vs. 1-2).  The Lord’s house was the Temple, which was built upon Mt. Zion in Jerusalem.  Both the first and second temples were built there, and when Jesus returns He will establish His throne there in Jerusalem, as well.

Jerusalem is a city that has not known much peace at all throughout its long history.  From its founding days as a Canaanite stronghold, throughout the days of Joshua and the Judges, on through when David made it his capital, and then the subsequent kings, there were frequent conflicts and battles fought in and around the city.  Then on through the time of the Persian, Greek, Roman, Muslim, the Crusades, Ottoman control, and on to today, there has been little peace for Jerusalem.   However, as Scripture declares, God has an ultimate plan for peace, justice, and worship all centered in Jerusalem.  That city beloved by the Lord, will be the spiritual and political center of the world under Jesus’ reign.

As we read, people of all nations will desire to come to Jerusalem to seek God’s instructions (vs. 3).  Today, most people want nothing to do with God or the Lord Jesus.  The thought of traveling to Jerusalem to learn God’s Word would not be popular.  However, when Jesus returns and sets up His kingdom there, people will be eager to go and learn His Word.  The nations will willingly submit to Him.  The prophet Micah echoes the same message in Micah 4:2, and Zechariah speaks of nations coming to Jerusalem from year to year to worship the Lord there (Zechariah 14:16).

Verse 4 is one that many people are familiar with, as it speaks of beating swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.  When Jesus returns He will judge the nations, rebuking the people and countries who refused to follow Him.  He will also bring an end to all wars.  This is not man-made peace treaties which never last, but His divine authority.  True peace will only come through Jesus’ righteous rule, not through any human diplomacy.  Isaiah ends his message with a call for believers to walk in the light of the Lord (vs. 5).  This admonition is also repeated by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:8, and by the Apostle John in I John 1:7.

As we see through this Scripture, although they don’t today, one day people from all around the world will seek out the Lord Jesus.  They will listen to Him and obey Him, and there will be no more war.  Jesus said that when He would be “lifted up” (crucified), He would draw all people to Himself (John 12:32-33).

Jerusalem, which has long known war, battles, and bloodshed, will one day know peace and greatness.  It is not great in itself, but because of what God has used it for.  Jerusalem is honored above all cities because this is where Jesus taught.  It is where He suffered and died.  Jerusalem is where Jesus was buried and then rose again.  And it is where His Word went out into all the world.

We can have peace in our hearts now, knowing that Christ’s reign is coming, and will put an end to all conflict.  Isaiah’s prophecy points us forward to the Millennium, but also calls us to faithful living now.  This vision of peace and righteousness in the reign of Jesus should inspire in us hope, holiness, and a desire to spread His message to others.