The Golden Age is Coming
Prophecy in Scripture and Friday Wrap Up 1-24-2025
Today’s Verse and Thought
“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.’”(Revelation 11:15)
From yesterday- These historically fulfilled prophecies give us great assurance that the unfulfilled ones in Isaiah regarding Jesus second coming fill us with immense hope! We have a bright future.
What are these prophecies about the second coming in Isaiah and do we have any hints as to when will they be fulfilled?
The future of earth according to men - a human utopia imagined (source)
The Golden Age of Jesus Christ Ruling as Our King
Recently we heard our president announce that a new “Golden Age” is coming upon America. He declared a time of prosperity and peace for our nation with great visions of technological advancements, regaining a moral compass, and creating a robust economy. We even have aspirations for colonizing Mars.
“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”(Proverbs 29:2)
I’m personally hopeful that a moral, mature, and capable leadership will govern the country; we can all pray for that. But as far as a true “Golden Age” at the hands of men? I think we’re grabbing the wind if that’s what we expect.
But this isn’t where we place our hope.
No matter what an earthly government does (or doesn’t do) you and I have a beautiful future because our hope is in the Lord.
As a Christian, we are guaranteed a utopian Kingdom that so many men throughout history have failed to achieve. The Kingdom of Heaven is where our treasures are waiting for us. That’s our hope.
As we’ve been looking at the fulfilled prophecies in Isaiah, we can trust in the reliability of the verses regarding this futuristic ones as well. Isaiah contains several prophecies that point to the future of the Kingdom of God.
One fact that all Christian faiths agree on: God will establish His Kingdom.
This is the most comforting future prophecy in Isaiah. And all throughout the New Testament, we read about Jesus and His disciples preaching about this coming Kingdom.
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”(Matthew 4:17)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 7:21)
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”(Matthew 24:14)
This is the Golden Age of the Kingdom of Christ that we are to keep watching for. As I mentioned yesterday, some of the prophecies in the Bible can have dual meanings regarding Jesus’ first and second comings. So let’s take a look at these and see what we can learn.
The Peaceful Kingdom
"It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say:“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; 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..” (Isaiah 2:2-4)
This passage speaks of a time when the Lord’s kingdom will be established throughout the world. It promises a time of peace when there will be no more war, and all nations will worship and gather in the Lord’s house during the millennial reign of Christ during the second coming. This will be a time of peace and righteousness reigning on earth.
Dual Meaning: While it could be partially fulfilled in the early church (when the gospel spread and many nations worship Jesus), the ultimate fulfillment is seen when Christ returns to establish His kingdom.
The Branch from Jesse
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit…They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”(Isaiah 11:1)
*See below for the full passage
Isaiah 11:1-10 speaks about a future righteous ruler, the “Branch from Jesse” (from the line of King David), who will bring true justice and peace to the earth. This is the passage that many are familiar with that speaks of the time when the lamb and lion (or wolf) will lay down together, and children will play with snakes unharmed.
This prophecy describes a time of peace and harmony in creation under the reign of Jesus. The “Branch from Jesse” is a direct reference to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, from the line of David. The imagery of animals living in harmony reflects the peace under His rule.
Dual Meaning: The first coming of Christ began to fulfill this prophecy, as He inaugurated God’s kingdom on earth. However, the complete fulfillment, where the earth itself will be free again and restored to peace and justice, will finally be accomplished at Jesus’ return to earth.
“…that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”(Romans 8:21)
The Lord’s Judgment Against the Satanic Realm and Those Aligned With it
"On that day the Lord will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth.
They will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit; they will be shut up in a prison, and after many days they will be punished. Then the moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed, for the Lord of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and his glory will be before his elders.." Isaiah 24:21-23
This passage describes a time of cosmic upheaval in the heavenly realm as well as judgment of the nations on earth. It is often seen as describing the events surrounding the Great Tribulation and the final Age, when God will judge the wicked, and the physical world will experience dramatic changes. The imagery of the sun and moon being “ashamed” means that the lights we have on earth will “pale” in comparison to the overwhelming glory of God’s presence when He returns.
Dual Meaning: The immediate context of this prophecy was a judgment on Israel and other nations, but its ultimate fulfillment is believed to occur at the second coming of Christ, when God's final judgment is executed.
The Great Feast
"On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.””(Isaiah 25:6-9)
This passage describes a future time of celebration and restoration, where death will be defeated, and sorrow will be wiped away. The imagery of a banquet symbolizes the provision, joy and fellowship of God's kingdom, which many interpret as a depiction of the new heaven and new earth following Christ’s second coming and the end of the Millennial Kingdom. At the end of the Age all tears will be wiped away forever and everything will be made new.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”(Revelation 21:4)
Dual Meaning: While it could refer to the joy and unity found in the church through Christ’s first coming, the ultimate fulfillment is when death and suffering are finally eradicated forever.
Resurrection of the Dead
"Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you;
hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by. For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity,
and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain.”(Isaiah 26:19-21)
This is a direct reference to the resurrection of the dead during the Rapture, which is a key event in Christian eschatology before the second coming. The dead are raised to life, and the faithful are rejoicing. Verse 21 references the time of Tribulation that will come on the earth.
Dual Meaning: This prophecy could have a near-term fulfillment with the revival and restoration of Israel, but its ultimate fulfillment will be in the final resurrection at the end of the Kingdom when all things are restored.
The Restoration of Israel
"In that day from the river Euphrates to the Brook of Egypt the Lord will thresh out the grain, and you will be gleaned one by one, O people of Israel. And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem." (Isaiah 27:12-13)
This passage speaks of the gathering of Israel from all nations. It implies a restoration of the people of God, who will be brought back to the land under the reign of Christ. Remember from our earlier study this week we saw the judgements of God and the ten tribes were scattered by the Assyrians. And here we see the hope that God gives to bring them back to Him.
Dual Meaning: While it can refer to the physical return of the Jewish people to their land in 1948, it ultimately points to the full restoration of Israel in the end times when Christ returns.
The Righteous Reign of the King
"Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; they will behold a land that stretches afar…And no inhabitant will say, “I am sick”; the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity.”(Isaiah 33:17-24)
This passage speaks of the time when Christ, the righteous King, will reign, and His people will experience peace, prosperity, and security. The imagery of seeing the King in His beauty suggests the full revelation of Christ’s glory. This will be the true Golden Age.
Dual Meaning: While partially fulfilled in Christ's first coming (through His life, death, and resurrection), the final, complete fulfillment will take place at His second coming, when His reign is established in its fullness.
New Heavens and New Earth
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind…The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.”(Isaiah 65:17-25)
Once again we see the reference of peace within the animal kingdom. This passage again speaks of the new creation, a transformed world where there will be no more sorrow, sin, or death. It is often interpreted as a prophecy of the ultimate state of the world after Christ’s second coming, when God creates a new heaven and new earth (as also described in Revelation 21).
Dual Meaning: While the imagery could be seen as metaphorical for spiritual renewal in the present age, the ultimate fulfillment is expected to occur after the second coming of Christ, when the old order of things passes away.
The Glory of the Lord
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”(9. Isaiah 60:1-3)
This passage speaks of the manifestation of God's glory, and many believe it refers to the world being filled with the light of Christ’s presence in the millennial kingdom. Nations will come to the light of God’s glory, which we see as the reign of Christ after His second coming.
Dual Meaning: It could refer to the spreading of the gospel in the early church, but the complete fulfillment will be when Christ returns in glory and establishes His kingdom on earth.
As we have seen this week, Isaiah offers a multitude of prophecies that are both fulfilled and futuristic. Since we have the historical proof of those that have come to pass, we can be assured that those we are waiting for will also happen just as the Scriptures indicate.
And while we know that there can be variations in interpretations, we all agree that a time is coming when Jesus will return just as it was promised. This week we have looked at some of these future promises, but are there any indications in Isaiah of the timing of things?
To be continued…
Today’s Question
Today’s Prayer
Father, I pray today for your Kingdom to come and your will to be done. I know that you have given us a bright future to look forward to. While we feel a sense of loss at the thought that what we know now will be different, we don’t have to be like those who have no hope. We have a beautiful future that you are preparing. Nothing in this life will compare to what it is that you are preparing for us, your children. Give us wisdom and insight as we study your Word so that our faith grows and our understanding becomes clear. In you we have peace. If we hold to this world, we will reap corruption, but you have provided a way for us to enter into your glorious presence in the coming Kingdom of Jesus. Father it is hard for us to imagine how wonderful it will be. All I can say is, “thank you! I can’t wait to see your glory!” May all honor and praise be yours. Amen.❤️
Isaiah 11:1-10
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.
9 They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.