Description of the Kingdom

THOSE who deny the application of Isaiah's testimony to the new-earth state, claim that it is fulfilled in this world. They say the text has a hidden meaning; that these beasts, the wolf, lion, kid, and lamb, are used to represent men with different dispositions, whose hearts are softened and subdued by the ameliorating influence of the gospel. The text, they say, is fulfilled when a man with a wolfish or lion-like disposition is converted, and brought into the fold of Christ, and with the lambs (Christians) feeds on the heavenly manna. We object to this application: First, when a man with a wolfish or lion-like disposition is converted, he is no longer a wolf or lion, but a lamb; and so in the sequel those who make the above application of the text will simply have two lambs feeding together, instead of a lion and a lamb. To carry out their application, it would be necessary to claim that men with unchanged hearts and lives are brought into the church, and fed on heavenly manna. Second, It is positively stated in Isaiah 65:7-25, that such a state of things will exist in the new earth. Allowing these testimonies a literal application, a glorious scene is portrayed to our mind when the curse is removed, and the "fear of man" (Gen. 9:2) is so far taken away that the beasts are again in perfect subjection to him, as in the beginning (Gen. 1:26), even to that extent that the little child shall lead the fierce lion, "the king of the forest."

Isaiah bears further testimony concerning the saints' inheritance, in chap. 35:1-7, "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose." On the great deserts, the weary traveler now plods his way, scorched with the burning rays of the sun, finding no cooling shade, beneath which to rest his aching limbs, but, faint with thirst, he lays himself down to die. No merry songsters beguile his sufferings, as his voice grows husky and still; nothing meets his vision but one vast plain of burning sand; not one beautiful flower to change the sad monotony of the desert; and in the distance is the driving simoon threatening to bury him in its column of sand. How changed will be the scene when the restitution work is accomplished. The desert shall blossom as the rose. Yes, and it shall rejoice even with joy and singing. When it is clothed with green foliage, and decked with blossoms abundant, the merry songsters will chirp from bough to bough, and warble forth their songs of praise to the Most High.

The prophey continues his description (verse 2), "It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon [the forest of Lebanon is described as the most beautiful appearance of any in the eastern world] shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon." The valley of Sharon was anciently adorned with the most beautiful flowers of every description. In view of this glorious state of things to come, the prophet says (verses 3, 4), "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you."

Who would not feel strengthened with a hope of such a glorious inheritance as this, constantly before him? These promises have been given, not only that we might know what is coming, but to impart strength to the heirs of promise. Reader, are you a believer in these glorious promises? We would say to you, when fearful amid the trials of the way, look at the hope-inspiring records respecting the future, and be strong; for in Jesus' name we are able to go up and possess the goodly land. It was thus St. Paul could say, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor. 4:17-18.

The prophet's description continues (verses 5, 6), "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." It will give us some conception of the rejoicing of those who in that glorious state shall find themselves made free from all infirmities, to look for a moment at a case of healing performed in the days of the apostles. It is recorded in Acts 3. A man who had been lame from his birth, and was daily laid at the beautiful gate of the temple, to ask alms, saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, and asked an alms. He expected no relief from his infirmity, but asked a little pittance to enable him to protract his miserable existence here. When Peter said to him, "Look on us," his expectation was raised that they would give him a portion of money; but when St. Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none," his hopes in that direction were blasted, and how unexpectedly must the next sentence have fallen upon his ears, "Such as I have, give I thee. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk! and he took him by the right hand and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle-bones received strength." What a thrill of joy must have filled his heart at this unexpected healing of his infirmities! He "entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God." If this temporary relief would cause the poor cripple to leap for joy, what must be the feelings of those in the resurrection morn, who, all their lives have been bowed down with lameness and infirmities of the flesh, when they find not only their feet and ankle-bones made straight, but their whole being glowing with vigor and energy of eternal youth! "Then shall the lame man leap as an hart." Agile as the deer bounding through the forest, they shout forth their praises to the Most High.

Again Isaiah speaks of this glorious state, "For the Lord shall comfort Zion; he will comfort all, her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord." In the garden of the Lord, planted eastward in Eden, there was every tree that was pleasant to the sight, and good for food. In the restitution, this will be tin condition of the whole earth. As stated in Isa. 55:13, "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree." Thorns are a part of the curse that was put on the earth. Gen. 3:18. But these are to be removed. In that glorious state God's people can "dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods."

We will now call attention to St. John's testimony in Revelation, concerning the new-earth state, in chapters 21 and 22. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Rev 21:1-4. Not only will pain, sorrow, and death cease to exist; but the opposite will exist,—life, joy, rejoicing, and eternal pleasures. What a contrast with the present state of affliction, weeping, and death. No raging epidemic there, sweeping its thousands into an untimely grave, and in a moment filling joyous hearts with the keenest anguish; no miasma or destructive thunderbolts; no funeral knell; no pall; no bier; no death dirge will there be sung; no grave-yards ever meet our sight, and sadden our hearts; the grave-digger's spade will find no labor there; no aching limbs and weary head; but immortality and the tree of life will forever accomplish the work of freeing the saints from all liabilities to pain or suffering. Yes, "The inhabitants will not say, I am sick."

"Death will be banished, his scepter be gone."

Said John Wesley, "We may more easily conceive the changes which will be wrought in the lower heavens, in the region of the air. It will be no more torn by hurricanes, or agitated by furious storms, or destructive tempests. Pernicious or terrifying meteors will have no place therein. We shall have no more occasion to say—

"'There like a trumpet, loud and strong,

Thy thunder shakes our coast;

While the red lightnings wave along

The banners of the host!'

"No! all will then be light, fair, and serene—a lovely picture of eternal day. And what will the general produce of the earth be?—No thorns, briars, and thistles; not any useless or fetid weed; not any poisonous, hurtful, or unpleasant plant; but every one that can be conducive, in any wise, either to our use or pleasure." Sermon 69, "Behold I make all things new."