The Kingdom According to Isaiah

Much of what believers know about the kingdom of God comes from the New Testament, particularly from Jesus’ parables in the four Gospels. However, Jesus’ teachings on the kingdom of God, as well as the rest of the New Testament’s teachings about it all, have foundations in what was already taught to the people of Israel in the Hebrew Scriptures. The concept of the kingdom of God was not new to the Jewish people when Jesus spoke about it; rather, His parables developed and built upon the existing understanding of God’s kingdom and the hope it gave His people.

The book of Isaiah, in particular, paints a picture for the people of Israel of the kingdom of God, which the Messiah would usher in. This kingdom involves the rule and reign of the Messiah, the fulfillment of promises made to King David and the nation of Israel, the lifting of the curse on earth brought about by the fall, peace among Israel’s enemies, and redemption from sin. 

The Rule and Reign of the Messiah

Isaiah describes the kingdom of God when the Messiah reigns:

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6–7)

Despite the nation of Israel having endured very flawed human rulers, the Israelites could have hope in a perfect heavenly King. Today, we also have hope that the kingdom of God is a perfect, eternal kingdom ruled with peace, justice, and righteousness. 

When describing the kingdom of God to the people of Israel, Isaiah places much emphasis on peace between nations and the righteous reign of the Messiah. In chapter 2, Isaiah relays how the Messiah will rule the kingdom of God: “And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples. . . . Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war” (Isaiah 2:4).

Promises to King David and Israel

Ultimately, we can have hope that in the fullness of the kingdom of God, all the promises made by God to King David and the nation of Israel will be fulfilled. The Lord promises that in His kingdom, the people of Israel can have hope in a new heaven and earth as well as joy, eternal life, peace, and no more harm or evil (Isaiah 65:17–25). He also promises that all nations and tongues (even those who do not yet know Him) “shall come and see My glory” (Isaiah 66:18–19). The Lord’s promises do not go unfulfilled; He tells Isaiah, “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). It is because of God’s unchanging (Numbers 23:19) and faithful (Hebrews 10:23) nature that we can have hope that, in God’s kingdom, all of God’s promises were, are, and will be fulfilled!

The Lifting of the Curse on Earth

The book of Isaiah also tells us we can look forward to the lifting of the curse on the earth (Genesis 3:17–19) once and for all. Ever since the fall, the earth has been cursed with sin and death; Paul states, “For the creation was subjected to futility 
. . . the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now” (Romans 8:20a, 22). However, Isaiah gives the people of Israel hope that this curse will one day be lifted by the Messiah when the kingdom of God arrives:

For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, and it will be a memorial to the Lord, for an everlasting sign which will not be cut off. (Isaiah 55:12–13)

Not only will our sinful bodies be redeemed and resurrected, but the kingdom of God will bring redemption and transformation to the whole of creation, not just to humanity! The Lord says, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17). In His kingdom, we have hope in the renewal of all creation, as well as in the union between Israel and her God:

It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,” nor to your land will it any longer be said “Desolate”; but you will be called, “My delight is in her,” and your land, “Married”; for the Lord delights in you, and to Him your land will be married. (Isaiah 62:4) 

Peace Among Enemies

In the kingdom of God, nations that were once at war will be at peace with one another and Israel will be blessed among them:

In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.” (Isaiah 19:23-25)

Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, Israel endured conflicts with multiple different empires and nations. Conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere continue to this day. However, in the kingdom of God, these conflicts will be no more; violence, war, and bloodshed will cease, and the Prince of Peace will reign.

This hope for a future without war or bloodshed in which nations live in peace with one another—and with Israel as a blessing to the world—under the rule of the Messiah is an immense comfort both to the Jewish people and to Gentiles. In a world where the news is constantly filled with stories of war, death, and bloodshed, what a great hope we have that Messiah Jesus will one day rule the nations in peace! 

Redemption from Sin

Isaiah 53 emphasizes the redemption from sin that will occur through the Messiah in the kingdom of God: “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). In the Hebrew Scriptures, a picture of future and full forgiveness and the blessings that come from obedience were made available through the sacrifice of bulls and goats, but they never took away sin. Full redemption would only come through faith in the Messiah who would be the final, once-for-all sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 7:27). The system of animal sacrifice established in the Torah served not only as a temporary atonement for sins but also as a reflection of the hope that the people of Israel could have in a permanent redemption from sin in the kingdom of God. Believers in Jesus have hope that our sins are forgiven and redeemed because of the promised Messiah, who has fulfilled the Hebrew Scriptures and redeemed us from sin in His life, death, and resurrection!

Conclusion

The book of Isaiah paints a detailed picture of what we can hope for in the kingdom of God. It is important to remember that the kingdom of God is not some faraway reality we just sit and wait around for; it is both present and future, now and not yet (Mark 1:15). The spiritual aspects of the kingdom are enjoyed today by those who put their trust in Jesus the Messiah, but the fullness and earthly nature of the coming Davidic kingdom awaits His return to reign in Jerusalem on the promised throne of David. When Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would arrive, He answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed. . . . For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Luke 17:20–21). In God’s kingdom, we have hope in redemption from sin, the rule and reign of the Messiah, peace among enemies, the lifting of the curse on the earth, and the fulfillment of promises to King David and the nation of Israel.