He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall decide for strong nations far away;
and 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 anymore;
This passage from Micah 4:3, along with a very similar passage in Isaiah 2:4, has been interpreted in several different ways. Some believe that this is a prophesy of the Messianic age (which would be right now), an amazing effect on the socio-political reality when people believe in Jesus throughout the nations. Others believe that this is referring to the new heavens and new earth, when there will be no more war and violence. What do you think? Should this passage be understand as the peace that the gospel should bring in the “last days” between Jesus first and second coming, or the peace that will reign in God’s kingdom to come when he returns in glory?
Posted by molly on June 26, 2009 at 7:42 am
I always understood this passage to refer to the peace that will reign when God returns in His glory but after reading the study helps and some commentaries I am questioning my understanding of this passage. I would love to hear the opinions of others on this question.
Posted by Steph on June 26, 2009 at 8:34 am
I do not have many references, but I am beginning to think that this passage should be interpreted eschatologically. In other words, for those of us living “in between the times,” I think there is an already/not yet character to this promise. On the one hand, as God’s kingdom begins to break into this world, we should be seeing a decrease of violence, at least among Christians (which is why the situation in Ireland, for example, is so sad and disastrous). But on the other hand, we will not live in a time of complete peace among the nations until Christ comes again. Does that make sense?
Posted by Wes on June 26, 2009 at 8:36 am
Whoops. That was me.
Posted by Wanda Talsma on June 29, 2009 at 10:47 am
For those of us living “in the between times” it is very difficult to believe that war will be no more when we hear every day of another outbreak of violence in the world. Ideally, God’s people will have an influence for peaceful existence. Our persecuted brothers in the Sudan, Indonesai, Darful etc. all
testify to the waging war between the devil and the forces of good. We as God’s people are committed to praying sincerely that the good will prevail in the end. The transformation of war machines to peaceful tools car only be achieved after the final battle is waged against the devil.
Wanda T.
Posted by Wes on June 29, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Thank you for your insightful comments. Surely, it is hard to imagine war being no more given our present reality. But how wonderful it is to imagine how all wars will end! As this reality continues to grip our imaginations, it become more a reality in our communities where God’s Word takes root.