Ep. 156. Isaiah 11, 65; Jeremiah 33 | The Righteous Branch

EPISODE 156

THE RIGHTEOUS BRANCH: ISAIAH 11, 65 AND JEREMIAH 33

We all have an End Times view, even if it isn't remarkably polished. We all have a basic framework of some critical events or realities we expect to take place. Almost everyone agrees that there will be an Antichrist. Every faithful Christian believes Christ will return. Beyond that, there are so many differences. One of the more significant differences concerns the Thousand Year Reign of Christ. Some people, like myself, believe in a literal 1000-year reign, while others think it is figurative and that we are currently in it. (I have some questions I need help answering if you fall into that second camp) We all agree that Christ will rule (or is already ruling) as King.

In that, I land at a more literal view of the reign; I see things like the wolf and the lamb as a literal earthly peace between all creatures rather than just a figurative peace. If it is figurative and the wolf and the lamb are supposed to be people groups at peace with one another, then I have to wonder when that is going to happen. Especially if the argument is that Christ is already reigning. But I digress, and if I'm being honest, I am not smart enough to talk about these things in great detail.

I find it interesting that so many of us were convinced since childhood that "the lion will lay down with the lamb" was the correct reading of the text. Not only does it not teach that, it never did. It leaves me wondering why I was taught that over and over again. Does no one read the Bible? Did our teachers tell us what they had already been told? The artists, of which there are a great many, who have painted the lion laying beside the lamb will be disappointed when they discover that the lion should have been a wolf.

To me, it is painfully clear that these things recorded for us in Isaiah 11 and 65 have not come about and will not come about until the events in Revelation. Thankfully, I still have about six and a half months to get prepared for our episodes on Revelation. Maybe I'll be wiser by then and have more to offer you. If you are interested in my personal thoughts on the matter, I would be happy to discuss them with you anytime.

ADDITIONAL READING: Isaiah 61:1-3; Revelation 19:11-16; Romans 15:12; Revelation 16:12; Romans 10:20; Revelation 21; Revelation 7:17