THE WOLF AND THE LAMB


        In Isaiah 11:1ff, the prophet directs his attention far into the
    future towards the Messiah's kingdom. He describes a reign of peace
    among those who seek refuge in Christ. Graphic symbols are employed to
    convey the message. Creatures that are natural enemies (e.g., the wolf
    and the lamb, the leopard and the kid, etc.---vs. 6), live in harmony.
    Even the normally carnivorous lion eats straw like the ox (vs. 7), and
    children play safely among vipers (vs. 8).
        Premillennialists view the language of this passage literally and
    suggest that it is a description of the Earth during Christ's
    "millennial reign." But neither the context nor the overall teaching of
    the Bible admits this interpretation. The fact is, Isaiah is showing
    the power of the Gospel to change men's hearts as they come into God's
    "holy mountain" (vs. 9). This is made evident when one consults Daniel
    2:35,44. Observe how Daniel connects the "mountain" of verse 35 with
    the "kingdom" of verse 44. That kingdom is the church of the New
    Testament period (cf.  Matthew 16:18,19; Colossians 1:13; Revelation
    1:4,6). Comparative Bible study shows that the "mountain" of Daniel's
    prophecy finds its fulfillment in the Gospel age, not in some theor
    etical millennium.
        In verse 10, the text continues by asserting that in the Christian
    era the "root of Jesse" (Jesus) would function as a rallying banner,
    and unto Him would the Gentiles look for glorious rest. Mark this
    passage, and in the margin of your text make this notation: "See Romans
    15:12." In this New Testament context the inspired apostle applies
    Isaiah's prophecy to the Gospel age.
        I have found it exceedingly strange that some premillennial
    commentators, in discussing Isaiah 11, have totally ignored the New
    Testament usage of Isaiah's prediction.

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