The prophet Isaiah spoke of this peaceable kingdom that would arise out of the Branch of the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11). It was God’s purpose originally that Israel should be a light to the world, and that its godly influence should spread to save all the nations. His people were to be the ambassadors of life and peace to all humans.
But when they failed to carry on their godly mission, the Lord ordained that through the seed of David a King would come and do what David and his children failed to achieve. When the nation of Israel had been cut down by its enemies, and only a stump, remained, there would come forth a Branch that would rise and save the world (Isaiah 4:2; 53:2; Revelation 5:5; 22:16).
Jesus the righteous branch
Jesus is the righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5, 6; 33:15–17; Zechariah 3:8). For He will save the world by His sacrifice (Isaiah 61:1–3; Matt. 3:16, 17). This branch will ultimately become a “tree” of righteousness, and fill the whole earth with peace and joy. His kingdom will be a golden age of happiness when all the earth will rejoice because God’s enemies will be destroyed (Isaiah 35:6–10; 65:17–25; 66:22, 23).
Jesus came not just to save the world from sin but to spread the truth and to teach people wisdom. In teaching men the fear of the Lord, He proved beyond all doubt that He was indeed the Messiah (Matt. 13:54; John 7:15). He taught not just by His Word but by His perfect life (Matt. 1:23; Luke 2:49).
Hope for the world
Isaiah’s prophecy of Christ was about sharing the gospel to all people. In every part of the earth, the Messiah was to be held up before men and women as the means of salvation from sin. Messengers of Christ were to act as His representatives, pointing to Him as the ensign to guide the peoples in the way of truth.
Through evangelism, those who find Christ find peace and rest. This was the peace that the world cannot give and that the wicked can never know. The most blessed experience possible for man is to enjoy the “rest” Christ offers, rest from the cares and burdens of sin (Matt. 11:28). Thus, man may find in this world a brief and happy foretaste of the glorious rest and peace of the eternal world.
The second coming of Christ
Chapter 11 in the book of Isaiah pictures the Messiah returning to the earth the second time to subdue His enemies and “smite” the unjust rulers of earth. The Antichrist is said to work “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:10). But Christ will come to destroy him “with the spirit of his mouth” (Hosea 6:5). As Christ created all things by the word of His mouth (Psalms 33:6, 9; John 1:1–3), even so will He destroy evil by His Word. Afterwards, He will take His children to His heavenly kingdom (Daniel 2:43, 44; Revelation 19:11–21).
A new world
In the new kingdom, the law of God’s kingdom will be the law of love. Neither death, nor sickness, nor pain will be known there. All creatures will live in perfect harmony with one another (Isaiah 11:6,7). And the kingdom of Christ will fill the whole earth (Daniel 2:35). It will be holy because God is holy and because its people will reflect His nature. There they will neither harm nor kill, because the happiness of one will not clash with another. Pride and selfishness will be gone. The only thought of people will be to love one another and love God.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
