Amanda and Marci have a really good idea. You see, the prophet Isaiah wrote of a time when the lion will lie down with a calf and eat straw like an ox. Children will be able to play anywhere and not worry about wild animals or snakes biting them.
Maybe this is the way it was in the Garden of Eden before Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit. The world would also be full of peace. Sounds pretty neat, doesn’t it?
The prophet Isaiah wrote about a future time when the world will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. The good news is that you don’t have to wait for the whole world to know the Lord. You can know him now. And if you follow God now, you know his ways and enjoy the blessings of his kingdom.
God’s kingdom comes in stages. We are now in the stage where a large part of God’s kingdom is hidden. Only those who know God’s ways can see it. Jesus is ruling on his throne (Hebrews 12:2). He has sent the Holy Spirit to live inside of his people (1 Corinthians 6:19).
There was a time when God’s presence lived in a temple of stone, where priests made animal sacrifices. But now, God’s spirit lives in temples of flesh, our bodies. Christians who allow God’s Spirit to control their lives are filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). If Jesus is living through a Christian, you’ll see “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Before Adam and Eve sinned, they walked with God. All of nature worked together in harmony because sin had not entered the world. Jesus came to take away our sin so that we can enjoy God’s presence. Once again, God will make the world a place where everything works together in harmony.
Think About This: Peace in this world begins with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of Peace.
Memorize This Truth: “We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with him through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).