(9)  But before ills can be healed, all of man's mistakes and selfish institutions must be destroyed. Daniel 2:44 tells us that this will be one of the first things God's kingdom will do. "And in the days of these kings will the God of heaven set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed. This kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it will stand forever." God's kingdom is here described as a mountain that fills the whole earth. -- Daniel 2:35.

(10)  In many other places the Bible uses the term "mountain" to describe God's kingdom. One of these places is in Isaiah 25:6: "And in this mountain will Yahweh of armies make a feast of fat things for all people, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees."

(11)  Isaiah 2:2-4 tells us about the effects that God's kingdom will have upon mankind. Verse 2 reads: "Now it will come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of Yahweh's house will be established on the top of the mountains, and will be exalted above the hills; and all nations will flow to it." Here again God's kingdom is referred to as a "mountain" "the mountain of Yahweh's house." Isaiah's people, the nation of Israel, knew of "the mountain of Yahweh's house" as it existed in his day. The capital site of Israel's government then was located on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. It was from here that King David ruled over the kingdom of Israel, God's chosen people. However, Isaiah is pointing out that the time would come when God's kingdom would reach much farther than just the small kingdom of Israel. Yes, for "all nations will flow to it."

(12)  Does this mean that we should look for the fleshly successors of King David now here on earth to take power and rule from Jerusalem? It is true that the "house of Yahweh" in Isaiah's time consisted of the descendants of David as the ruling family. (2 Chronicles 6:5,6) When Jesus came to earth he came as a permanent heir to the kingdom of David. (Mark 10:47; Matthew 1:1; Luke 19:37,38; 1:33) Of Jesus we read: "He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become sons of God." (John 1:11,12) To these "sons of God" Jesus made a covenant or promise that they would share with him in his kingdom. (Luke 22:29; Romans 8:17) Some are foretold to reign with Christ for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4,6) But God desired many people of faith to share with his son in his kingdom. In order to obtain the needed number of heirs to share the kingdom with Jesus, it was necessary for Yahweh to look to nations other than Israel for people of faith to "to take out a people for his name." (Acts 15:14) Some of these are given a promise of reigning with Christ as kings, not on Mount Zion here on earth, but in "the heavenly Jerusalem" "the Jerusalem above." (Romans 8:16-19; Hebrews 12:22; Galatians 4:26) All nations are said to flow to this mountain. How will this be?

(13)  The prophecy in Isaiah gives further details in the next verse: "Many people will come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.'" Does this mean that these peoples will have to physically travel to Mount Zion in Jerusalem to learn of Yahweh's ways? No. In all ruling houses, there is not only those who are kings, but there are also "princes" and "princesses". In God's ruling house there will also be those whom he "will make princes in all the earth." (Psalm 45:16) These "princes will rule with justice." (Isaiah 32:1) These "princes" will be the earthly representatives of the heavenly Jerusalem. As such all the peoples of the earth will not need to physically go to Jerusalem in the middle East. But by flowing to these representatives here on the earth, they will be figuratively "going up to the mountain of Yahweh."

(14)  Indication that they do not have to physically go to earthly Jerusalem to learn Yahweh's ways is given as the prophecy continues: "For out of Zion will go forth the law, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem." This indicates that a great teaching work will take place earthwide. People from all nations will come to learn from the "princes", who will be all over the earth. Many of these princes will be those faithful "fathers" of Jesus, such as Jacob, Abraham, and Isaac, who become the "sons" of Jesus. -- Psalm 45:16.

(15)  As we continue with the prophecy, we read that "He [Yahweh] will judge among the nations, and will correct many people; they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore." (verse 4) Today the nations are prepared for war. Indeed, the wisdom of man believes that the only way to keep peace is to be prepared for war. How different God's kingdom will be! Imagine! As people learn God's ways, there will no longer be any need for nationalistic armies, soldiers, or even the implements of war! No longer will parents need to be concerned about their sons being drafted to be sent to the battlefield for slaughter. This is Yahweh's way, and Yahweh's will will be done on all the earth. (Matthew 6:10) Thus war, one of the worst ills of mankind, will have ceased! (16)  As we read in verse 4 of Isaiah 2, the implements of war will be converted to farm implements. Without war, the peoples will no longer need guns, tanks, bazookas, nuclear missiles, etc. All of these horrifying weapons of destruction will be turned into whatever is needed by the people at that time for farming and harvesting, symbolizing the prosperity of that day. Micah further shows the prosperity then by stating: "Everyone will sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one will make them afraid; for the mouth of Yahweh of armies has spoken." (Micah 4:4) No more will there be "street people", living off of handouts or from garbage cans. No more will there be slums, with people living in horrible conditions. No more will there be long unemployment lines or fear of starvation! Indeed, there will no longer be anything to be afraid of nothing whatsoever! And we are given this assurance: "for the mouth of Yahweh of armies has spoken." "His word will not return to him void." -- Isaiah 55:11.

(17)  Man tries to bring peace. But today he does not understand God's ways. Therefore all he does ends in futile efforts. (Romans 8:20) "Futile is the help of man." (Psalm 60:11) "Yahweh knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile." (Psalm 94:11) As man proposes one solution, many other problems arise. "Since there are many things that increase vanity, how is man the better?" (Ecclesiastes 6:11) "Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor." (Psalm 39:5) But not so with Yahweh God! "O Yahweh of armies, who is mighty like you, O Yahweh? Your faithfulness surrounds you." (Psalm 89:8) "Look at this! I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?" -- Jeremiah 32:27.

(18)  However, even if there were prosperity and peace worldwide, this world could still be a bad place in which to live if sickness and death were to continue. We have already seen that under God's kingdom there will be nothing to be afraid of. Does this include fear of sickness and death? Yes, for the promises of God also tell us that he will do away with all sickness and even death itself! Then there will be no more need for hospitals, ambulances, doctors, nurses, etc. for "the inhabitant will not say, 'I am sick'." (Isaiah 33:24) No more mental institutions or professional mind counselors who are themselves distorted in their thinking. As people learn Yahweh's ways and submit to the wonderful counselor, Jesus, their way of thinking will become in accord with God's will. "For the earth will be full of the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea." -- Isaiah 11:9.

(19)  In Isaiah 25:6-9 we are told that God "will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations." No longer will mankind be in ignorance of their creator. Today there is a vail spread over the nations. This vail prevents people from learning of Yahweh's ways. In ignorance, they have sought many remedies for earth's ills, including the so-called mental illnesses. However, as we have already pointed out, these remedies often produce more ills. Being ignorant of Yahweh's ways, they do not know the way out their dilemma. But then the whole earth will be filled the knowledge of Yahweh. Mankind will then learn how to live and never die for God "will swallow up death in victory." (Isaiah 25:8) That great enemy death will be swallowed up by God's kingdom forever! What joy this should bring to every human heart!

(20)  But the prophecy continues in verse 8 of Isaiah 25: "And Yahweh God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of his people he will take away from all the earth; for Yahweh has spoken it." Tears are used as a symbol of sadness, sorrow, depression, and pain. No longer will there be a wicked society that imposes unrealistic demands of its youth, leading to hurt, suffering, and suicide. The world will be completely different then. Yahweh knows the needs of every individual! Concerning Yahweh David wrote: "You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." -- Psalm 145:16.

(21)  Today, those who serve God are not very popular in this world. People will make fun of a person who is serving God. They do all they can to hinder the true worship of Yahweh's people. But things will change after Yahweh cures the world's ills. Then the rebuke of God's people will be taken away from the earth. Today it is Satan the devil who blinds the minds of the nations so as to cause persecution and misrepresentation of Yahweh's people. (2 Corinthians 4:3,4; Revelation 12:9) In contrast with today, Satan will be bound during the thousand year reign of Jesus so that he will not be permitted to deceive the nations then. At that time Yahweh's people will be able to triumphantly say: "Look at this! This is our God! We have waited for him and he will deliver us. This is Yahweh. We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his deliverance." -- Isaiah 25:9. (22)  Yes, the process of deliverance from today's ills will then be going on! Man will be learning what is right. "These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmured will learn doctrine." -- Isaiah 29:24.

(23)  Did Jesus have anything to say about God's kingdom and its blessings? Yes, he did. "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom." (Matthew 9:35) Next to the honor due God's name, it was given the most important place in the Lord's model prayer: "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) To illustrate what God's kingdom will bring to the people, he healed all kinds of sickness and disease.

(24)  But Jesus also did something else which is promised to occur through God's kingdom. He restored the dead to life again. (Mark 5:35-42; John 11:1-44) He spoke of the time when "all who are in the graves will hear his [God's] voice and come forth those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment." (John 5:28,29) What a happy prospect! Think of seeing your dead loved ones again as they are raised to share in the kingdom's blessings!

(25)  Jesus' apostles also spoke of coming blessings through the kingdom. The apostle Peter spoke of the time when the nations will be healed. He spoke of it as the "times of restoration of all things," which he explained will take place at the return of Jesus. (Acts 3:19-24) Peter had just healed a crippled man, illustrating how man will be restored to health during the thousand year reign of Jesus. But he tells of the restoration of "all things." This includes the restoration of the dead to life, as can be seen by reading Acts 2:4. The apostle Paul gave further confirmation of the resurrection of the dead when he stated: "There will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust." -- Acts 24:15.

(26)  Paul had much more to say on the resurrection. In the 15th chapter of I Corinthians, he says: "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man death came, by man the resurrection of the dead also came. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who Christ's at his presence [Greek, parousia]." That the blessing of life restored is part of the kingdom blessings is seen from the following verses: "Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when he has put an end to all rule and all authority and power. For he must rule till he has put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death." -- I Corinthians 15:20-26.

(27)  All mankind has been waiting for a better in world in which to live. The apostle Paul tells us that what they have been really waiting for is the "revealing of the sons of God." (Romans 8: 19) This indicates the time when those who rule with Jesus will be revealed during the thousand years of Christ's kingdom. It would be sad indeed if the living generation should receive the blessing of God's kingdom and become free of all the illnesses and death, but the billions who have died should miss out simply because they died before the kingdom blessings came.

(28)  How thankful we can be that God has provided a release from death for the billions who have lived and died. All mankind has been given "to vile passions" ever since Adam disobeyed God in the garden of Eden. All of Adam's descendants since have had their share of the perversion of right living that disobedience brought. "We know that the whole creation groans and labors with pain together until now." (Romans 8:22) Yes, each generation has its share of pain, sickness, and death. All have experienced the sorrow and tears of sadness as they have seen their loved ones taken away from them by the horrible enemy death. The billions who have died will have a share in the loving provisions of God through his kingdom this by means of the promised resurrection of the dead.

(29)  The Bible writers before Jesus came also spoke of the resurrection, although they never used the word "resurrection" itself. In Psalm 90:1-3 the resurrection is indicated: "Yahweh, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. You turn man to destruction, and say: 'Return, O children of men.'" Mankind was turned to destruction back in the Garden of Eden when Yahweh pronounced the death sentence upon Adam. From then on, man has been suffering all kinds of sickness, pain and death. But the Psalmist gives us assurance that this condition is not permanent when he says: "Return, O children of men." Yes, God will someday apply the ransom benefits of Christ's death and tell all mankind to return from the state of destruction to the land of the living.

(30)  Yahweh gave a prophecy through Jeremiah concerning the resurrection of children: "'A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.' This is what Yahweh says: 'Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears. For your work will be rewarded,' says Yahweh, 'and they will come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future,' says Yahweh, 'that your children will come back to their own border.'" (Jeremiah 31:15-16) Matthew shows that the land of the enemy here is the enemy death. Sometime after the birth of Jesus Herod wanted to kill the child Jesus. Herod ordered all male children two years of old and under to be slaughtered in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas. Matthew then quoted from Jeremiah's prophecy, which demonstrates that the "land of the enemy" is the realm of our enemy death. But the prophecy relates that these children will be returned to their own border restored to life again. What a happy time that will be when, not only for the mothers of those children back there in Jerusalem, but for all mothers everywhere and in every generation, as they receive their sons and daughters back to their own border life!

(31)  Job asked the question: "If a man die, will he live again?" Then he answered his own question: "All the days of my hard work will I wait till my change comes. You [Yahweh] will call, and I will answer you. You will desire the work of your hands." (Job 14:14,15) In stating this, Job showed that he hoped to be awakened from the sleep of death when God calls him. This agrees with what Jesus said, that the hour is coming when all will hear God's voice and come forth from their graves. -- John 5:28,29.

(32)  And King David also states: "I will be satisfied when I awake in your likeness." Here David refers to the awakening from death in God's likeness. Man was originally created in the likeness of God. (Genesis 1:26) However, the likeness has been perverted through man's disobedience. (Romans 3:12) But man will be restored to God's likeness in the resurrection.

(33)  How wonderful it will be to live then! Isaiah describes the returning of the dead to life and joy to be had then: "And the ransomed of Yahweh will return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They will obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." (Isaiah 35:10) Before stating the above, Isaiah tells what will happen to bring about the healing of the nations: "Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted: 'Be strong, do not fear! Look at this! Your God will come with vengeance, even God with repayment. He will come and deliver you.'" -- verses 3,4.

(34)  God's vengeance will soon be meted out upon the nations. While we do not know the exact details of this vengeance, this vengeance will pave the way for the salvation of world. "Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the cripple man will jump like a stag, and the tongue of speechless will sing. For in the barren areas waters will break forth, and streams in the desert. The parched ground will become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water. In the living places of the jackals, where each lay, there will be grass with reeds and papyrus plants." Can you imagine such healing? How different from today!

(35)  In verse 8 we are told: "And a highway will be there, and a road, and it will be called 'The Highway of Holiness.' The unclean will not pass over it [those who refuse to become clean will not pass to its end--everlasting life], but it is for them [that is, for the benefit of those who are unclean, as a way of their becoming clean or righteous and acceptable to God]. The wayfaring ones, though fools, will not err therein. No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous beast go up on it. But the redeemed ones will walk there." (verses 8,9) Satan is described in I Peter 5:8 as a roaring lion looking for those whom he may devour. As promised in Revelation, chapter 20, Satan will be bound at this time, so as not to cause confusion as people walk up this highway of holiness to perfection, health, and life.

(36)  It is the last book in the Bible that gives us the prophecy concerning the healing of the nations. In Revelation 21:3-5, we read: "And I [John] heard a great voice out of heaven, saying: 'Look at this! The tabernacle of God is with men! And he will tabernacle with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will be no longer, nor will mourning. nor outcry, nor pain be anymore, for the former things have passed away.' Then he said to me: 'Write, because these words are true and faithful.'" It is in the next chapter (22), that we read: "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations. And there will be no more curse." (verses 1-3) And in verse 17 we read: "And the spirit and the bride say: 'Come!' And let him who hears say: 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. And whosoever desires, let him take of the water of life freely.'"

(37)  From beginning to end, the Bible gives us assurances that God will bring healing to the nations! While we could quote many more, we feel that we have already given enough to satisfy the minds and hearts of those seeking truth that God will bring healing to all nations -- in a way much beyond their expectations. What should we do, we who now live on the threshold of these promised blessings? We should remember that before these blessings can come, God will rid this earth of all evil influences. Therefore we are told: "Before the decree is issued, before the day passes like chaff, before Yahweh's fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of Yahweh's anger comes upon you, seek Yahweh, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld his justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of Yahweh's anger." (Zephaniah 2:2,3) This deliverance can only come through faith in Yahweh's Son, Jesus, for it is only by this means that we can be counted "righteous" [justified] before God. (Romans 3:20-26; 4:24-5:1; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:8,9) Putting faith in Christ means to study, listen and obey the words of the Holy Bible which tell us about him and his Father, Yahweh God. Doing so, we can lift up our heads, banish our fears, and look forward to the time when God's kingdom will fully take over earth's affairs.

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Questions

(1)  What are just some of the ills prevalent in the modern world?

(2)  How successful has been man's efforts to eliminate the world's ills?

(3)  Is there any evidence that man's efforts will ever have any lasting effect upon eliminating the world's ills?

(4)  How far-reaching is the fear of nuclear war?

(5)  What did Jesus say, as recorded in Luke 21:25,26, concerning the times in which we are living?

(6)  How does Jesus further describe these days (Matt. 24:21)? How does the prophet Daniel describe these days (Dan. 12:1)?

(7)  Will the earth become a barren waste, as often depicted in Hollywood's science fiction movies?

(8)  What does Isaiah 9:6,7 show will be established throughout the whole earth?

(9)  Before man's ills can be healed, what needs to be removed, and how will this be accomplished?

(10)  What will God's kingdom provide for all people (Isaiah 25:6)?

(11)  How far-reaching will God's kingdom be?

(12)  Where was the "house of Yahweh" in Isaiah's days (2 Chronicles 6:5,6)? Who became the permanent heir to the kingdom (Mark 10:47; Matthew 1:1; Luke 19:37,38; 1:33)? Who else will rule with Jesus (John 1:11,12; Luke 22:29; Romans 8:17)? How long is this rule (Revelation 20:4,6)? Where will the capital of the new kingdom be (Hebrews 12:22; Galatians 4:26)?

(13)  How will all nations "flow" to the mountain of the house of Yahweh (Isaiah 2:2-4)?

(14)  What work will need to be done when God's kingdom rules the earth?

(15)  Will war be permitted to continue under God's kingdom (Isaiah 2;4)?

(16)  How does the prophet Micah show that prosperity will result from the peaceful conditions under God's kingdom?

(17)  Why cannot man bring any lasting better conditions upon this earth?

(18)  Will sickness be allowed to mar the earth's inhabitants when God's kingdom rules the earth?

(19)  What prevents man from learning Yahweh's ways today, but what will happen to this hindrance when God's kingdom rules? What effect will this have on death?

(20)  Will there be sorrow in the new kingdom? What prophecy shows this?

(21)  Who or what is behind mankind's ignorance today? How will this change during the thousand years of Christ's reign, and with what effect upon the nations on earth?

(22)  What will erring mankind then learn?

(23)  What message did Jesus preach when he was on earth? How did Jesus illustrate that God's kingdom will bring healing to the peoples?

(24)  How will those who have died be able to share in the kingdom blessings, and how did Jesus show proof of this hope?

(25)  How did the apostles Peter and Paul speak of the coming time of healing from the present ills?

(26)  How does the apostle Paul show that the resurrection will be part of the kingdom work?

(27)  What has all mankind been unknowingly waiting for?

(28)  What has been the experience of each generation since Adam disobeyed God? What hope does the Bible hold out for them?

(29)  How is the resurrection referred to in the scriptures written before Jesus came to the earth?

(30)  How does the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15-16 give us hope that children who have died will be resurrected?

(31)  How did Job show that he hope to be resurrected from the dead?

(32)  How did David express his hope of a resurrection?

(33)  How does Isaiah refer to the joys to be had in the resurrection time?

(34)  How does Isaiah describe the conditions that will exist on the earth at that time as recorded in Isaiah 35:5-7?

(35)  Who is the highway of holiness for? What kinds of things will not be permitted on this highway? Why?

(36)  How does the book of Revelation show that all nations will be healed of present day ills?

(37)  What action should we now take, why and how?

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