The Age of Restoration

Isaiah 11 reveals a marvellous picture of life in the millennium as the dispensational age of restoration. In this chapter we see the wolf dwelling with the lamb, the leopard laying down with the kid and even the lion eating straw like the ox! (vv.6-9a). Such a description indicates a dealing with the sinful element originally injected into the creation through Satan's rebellion through the administration of Jehovah, with Christ's restoring power causing a change in the inward nature of even the animals. Therefore we see a pleasant, peaceful and loving situation accomplished through the knowledge of Jehovah filling the whole earth.

Since the church life today, is a foretaste of the millennial period, so we too should expect to see the restoration of life, with the absence of "wolves", "cobras", "vipers", "lions" and "bears" etc. (in this instance, persons) with the opportunity to "sleep in the woods", indicating a safe and secure environment (Ezekiel 34:25) free from the "beasts". As the Life Study of Ezekiel makes clear (p.83) this state of affairs characterises the proper church life in which saints should not be afraid to talk to an elder, and through transformation, Christ should arbitrate (or referee) among the saints, accomplishing a "pleasant, peaceful and loving" environment.