Micah chapter 4
Characteristics of the future kingdom. Four events preceding the kingdom.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FUTURE KINGDOM
VERSE 1. But in the latter days, it will happen that the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established on the top of the mountains, and it will be exalted above the hills; and peoples will stream to it.
NAB translation. In days to come the mount of the LORD’S house shall be established higher than the mountains; it shall rise high above the hills, and peoples shall stream to it:
in the latter days. Biblical authors use the phrase “in the latter days.” In some cases it means “the present day.” But in other cases, it means “the future” or “The End of Days.” Read more »
the LORD’S house shall be established. The LORD God is always building his house. There’s always some new ministry project launching somewhere.
higher than the mountains. These new ministries will rise higher than the mountains. They will become well-known.
rise high above the hills. They will rise high above the hills. That is, they will be esteemed and famous and sought out.
peoples shall stream to it. People will stream to them. Lots and lots of people will take in their teaching.
VERSE 2. Many nations will go and say, “Come! Let’s go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the law will go out of Zion, and the LORD’s word from Jerusalem;
NAB translation. Many nations shall come, and say, “Come, let us climb the mount of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, that we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Many nations shall come. People from many nations will come to these new ministries. People from around the globe will frequent them. They will be a truly international outreach.
The Old Testament foresees Gentiles coming to faith in the One God of Israel and bringing gifts to Jerusalem. Here are the key Bible verses about this »
and say. Through the influence of these new ministries, people will become confident to speak the faith.
Come, let us climb the mount of the LORD. People from many nations will summon one another to walk with the LORD God.
That is, through these new ministries, people will evangelize their unbaptized friends. Also, they will disciple those who come to faith and baptism.
That he may instruct us in his ways. People will instructed in walking with God.
That is, people will come to these new ministries for the very reasons they exist: to build people up in their faith, to be encouraged, to help them become articulate in the faith, to help them evangelize and disciple.
from Zion shall go forth instruction. People will receive solid teaching from these new ministries.
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. People will receive solid biblical preaching from these new ministries.
VERSE 3. and he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more.
many peoples. People from all over the world will approach the LORD God. And accept his decisions.
beat their swords into plowshares The world’s resources will be used for good instead of for warfare.
VERSE 4. But every man will sit under his vine and under his fig tree. No one will make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of Hosts has spoken.
sit under his vine and under his fig tree. This depicts security.
2 Kings 18:31. Don’t listen to Hezekiah.’ For the king of Assyria says, ‘Make your peace with me, and come out to me; and everyone of you eat from his own vine, and everyone from his own fig tree, and everyone drink water from his own cistern;
VERSE 5. Indeed all the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.
we will walk in the name of the LORD our God. They chose to “walk” with the LORD God.
VERSE 6. “In that day,” says the LORD, “I will assemble that which is lame, and I will gather that which is driven away, and that which I have afflicted;
I will assemble. The LORD God will regather his people.
VERSE 7. and I will make that which was lame a remnant, and that which was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD will reign over them on Mount Zion from then on, even forever.”
The Bible describes a uniquely faithful group of believers called “the remnant.” Are they Jewish or Christians? Now or in the future? Who are they really? Read more »
VERSE 8. You, tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come. Yes, the former dominion will come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.
the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem. This future kingdom will be headquartered in Jerusalem.
FOUR EVENTS PRECEDING THE KINGDOM
VERSE 9. Now why do you cry out aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished, that pains have taken hold of you as of a woman in travail?
Is there no king in you? The FIRST event preceding the future kingdom is that Israel will be exiled to Babylon.
VERSE 10. Be in pain, and labor to give birth, daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for now you will go out of the city, and will dwell in the field, and will come even to Babylon. There you will be rescued. There the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.
There you will be rescued. The SECOND event preceding the future kingdom is that Israel will be rescued from Babylon.
VERSE 11. Now many nations have assembled against you, that say, “Let her be defiled, and let our eye gloat over Zion.”
many nations have assembled against you. The THIRD event preceding the future kingdom is that many nations will gather against Israel.
Let her be defiled. These nations want to defile Israel. They will defile it by destroying it.
VERSE 12. But they don’t know the thoughts of the LORD, neither do they understand his counsel; for he has gathered them like the sheaves to the threshing floor.
VERSE 13. Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs bronze. You will beat in pieces many peoples. I will devote their gain to the LORD, and their substance to the Lord of the whole earth.
MICAH
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.