Hope for a Better Day

MEMORY SELECTION: “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

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Micah 4:1-5; 5:2-4

DURING the holiday season, and especially on Christmas day, men and women the world over turn their attention to the birth of our Lord and the meaning of his birth. Although closer study of the Scriptures shows that Jesus was not actually born on December 25th, nevertheless it is proper to investigate those prophecies in connection with the long-promised Messiah as the Savior of the world.

We are glad for the divine promise which assures us that God has been preparing for the kingdom of righteousness which will be established by Christ. We are also glad that the call to be part of that kingly arrangement for the blessing of all the families of the earth continues to go out to those who have a hearing ear.

The world’s hope for a better day rests in promises such as this one from the prophecy of Micah. He says (Micah 4:1): “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.” Although this is written in prophetic language, we catch a glimpse of that future kingdom which is spoken of as the “mountain of the house of the Lord.” This means that God’s kingdom will be established above all others over the earth and that the people will “flow unto it,” or will be drawn to it through its righteous administration.

At that time all nations will be gradually drawn to the provisions of that kingdom and will learn the ways of truth and righteousness. The prophecy continues (vs. 2): “And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” There will be no fear at that time, and the poor groaning creation will be eager to learn of the marvelous grace of God. They will be glad to say to their neighbor, “Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord … and he will teach us of his ways.”

When that kingdom will have been established over all the earth, Christ will judge men in righteousness. Some will need more discipline than others, as noted by Micah (vs. 3):”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.” All will be required to make progress under the administration of that kingdom. Then the implements of war will be of no use to anyone, and the present preparations for war will be completely done away with and forgotten.

As mankind comes to an appreciation of his Creator, they will then have the law of God written in their hearts, and there will be no fear of any kind. And “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.” (vs. 4) What a wonderful hope for the future! And it is one of the promises spoken by God.

When that glorious time comes, Micah (vs. 5) says that “all people will walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.” Other passages of scripture tell us that the kingdom of Christ will last one thousand years for the restitution and blessing of all the families of the earth. All the willing and obedient will be blessed at that time, and if they continue to walk in the ways of God there will be no reason to grow old and die. They will have an opportunity to live and enjoy the blessings of that kingdom forever and ever.

The world’s hope for a better day has been made possible by the sacrificial death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We should look to him in thanks, not only at Christmastime, but throughout the year.

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