When Eschatology Puts Politics in its Place
By Josh Buttram
I’m pretty interested in politics, but I often find political writings and speeches to be very discouraging, especially during an election. I tend to come away feeling afraid, angry, discouraged, and even disheartened. I think many of us have the same experience. Our government falls far short of what we think it should be. Folks on both sides of the aisle can quickly come up with a huge list of what’s wrong with our government today. With all the political bickering and uncertainty, I am increasingly longing and praying for the reign of King Jesus in the new heavens and new earth – true government as it ought to be. The opening verses of Isaiah 2 paint a compelling glimpse into the future:
(Isaiah 2:2-5)
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.
O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
How encouraging to picture what the rule of King Jesus will be like! Imagine God and his Word being honored above everything else. Visualize a universe where Christ’s ways and the path of life are widely considered to be the best way of living.
Imagine throngs of people being fascinated with the Lord’s way of thinking - millions of people travelling far to be taught by God himself. The Word of the Lord will be front and center – very visible, very honored. Huge numbers of people will embrace it as the guide to wise living.
At last, politics will be as they should be. The threat of war and oppression will be things of the past. We will have one undisputed world ruler. He will be abundantly wise, compassionate, kind, and just. His arbitration will be so effective that war machinery will be obsolete. Stealth bombers will become passenger planes. Cruise missiles will provide spectacular fireworks displays. We’ll no longer need the defense industry. Military training academies will become historical sites – places for tourists to remember what life was like back when war was a thing.
We have such an exciting future to look forward to - not only individual Christians, but the whole universe! The King will return, and he will make everything right. Brothers and sisters, let’s walk in the light of the Lord. Let’s stay the course, keeping an eye on our unshakable destiny.
Amen. Come Lord Jesus!
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