“Thy Kingdom Come”

MEMORY VERSE: “He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” —Isaiah 2:4

ISAIAH 2:2-4

IN THIS Scripture lesson we have an outstanding prophecy of the establishment of the messianic kingdom, which is described as taking place “in the last days”—not the last days of time, or the last days of the earth, but the last days of the reign of sin and death upon the earth. There are no “last days” for the earth, for it “abideth forever.”—Eccl. 1:4

Messiah’s millennial kingdom is, in this prophecy, symbolized by a mountain, and called “the mountain of the Lord’s house,” the “house” being the Heavenly Father’s divine ruling house of sons, with Jesus as the Head. These associated sons of God are called from among mankind—first from the Israelites, with the full complement designed by the Creator being completed from among the Gentiles.—John 1:11,12; Acts 15:14

The kingdom, or “mountain” of the Lord is not considered established and operative until all these who will be associated with Jesus as rulers are raised from the dead and united with him in heavenly glory. It will be then that it will be “exalted above the hills”; that is, superseding all other governments of the earth. It will be then also that the people of all nations will “flow unto it.”

How wonderful the assurance that “many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” The “Zion” of the prophecy seems to illustrate the spiritual, or invisible phase of the messianic kingdom; while “Jerusalem” symbolizes its earthly rulership phase, made up, as the Scriptures clearly show, of the resurrected worthy servants of the Lord who laid down their lives in his service prior to the first advent of Jesus.

How glad we are for the further assurance that the Lord “shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks,” and, as our memory verse assures us, will learn war no more!

ISAIAH 9:2-7

Here we have a prophecy of the birth of Jesus, “The Prince of Peace.” “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.” This prophecy is projected to the time of Christ, for he was the “great light” which came into the world, but he was seen and appreciated only by a few.

“To us a child is born.” Here again the prophecy is projected to the time of Jesus’ birth. “To us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (RSV) Jesus will be the great Mediator and Judge of the people during the thousand years of his kingdom. He will be recognized as a “Mighty God,” but, of course, not the Almighty. He will be the “Everlasting Father”; that is, the Father who will give everlasting life to all who accept the provision of his blood, and obey the laws of his kingdom.

And Jesus will, of course, be the “Prince of Peace,” and “of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David [See Luke 1:31-33], and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Jesus explained to Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world. It is not to be established by military strength, nor will it function by the power of arms. Instead, as the prophecy states, “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” It is God’s provision for the blessing of all mankind with peace and life, and his zeal will accomplish this loving purpose, the blessings of health and life under the rulership of the kingdom having been provided by the sacrificial work of Christ.

QUESTIONS

What is one of the scriptural symbols of the messianic kingdom?

What is meant in our lesson by “Zion” and “Jerusalem”?

By what authority and power will the messianic kingdom function?

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