Isaiah 11:6-9 – Our glorious hope

Having described the Messiah and how He would minister in Isaiah 6:1-5, the prophet now turned to talk about the Messianic Kingdom in verses 6-9. We can see that there will be a radical change in the nature of the ferocious animals. These aggressive animals will no longer prey on one another but instead, be transformed in their nature. Be it a wolf, a leopard, a young lion, or a bear, all will be so subdued that even a child can lead them. Verse 8 tells us that even cobras and vipers would become harmless that even children, both nursing or weaned ones, can play in their nest and not be harmed.

When Messiah’s Kingdom is established, and His holy mountain set, then the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as water covers the sea. All hurts and pain brought about by the previous deformed society will be brought under the healing grace of the Messiah. God’s people will finally be one. Peace will be the prevailing order, and no one will oppress another. The whole environment will be safe and there shall be no dark corner. There will be perfect healing. He will bring about perfect restoration. The Messiah and His domain will be the only solution to all human poverty, plight, and aggression.  

No wonder Paul could categorically say in Romans 8:18 “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Explaining further, in verse 19, the Apostle saw all creation on tiptoe eagerly waiting for that glorious moment. He then said in verse 23, that we believers …having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”

The question that confronts us is when will all these happen and who will bring it to pass? We know when Jesus the Messiah comes again, all these will begin to find their fruition. For now, God is calling on us to believe in Him and to declare the good news that He is still offering. He whom the whole world despised at His first coming will be coming again. This time He comes to rule and reign sovereignly and no one has the power to stop Him. When He ushers in His Kingdom He will reign with perfect peace and harmony. Hallelujah, what a glorious hope!