TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Isaiah 2:1–5. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The particular title of this sermon (Isa 2:1) is the same with the general title of the book (Isa 1:1), only that what is there called the vision is here called the word which Isaiah saw (or the matter, or thing, which he saw), the truth of which he had as full an assurance of in his own mind as if he had seen it with his bodily eyes. Or this word was brought to him in a vision; something he saw when he received this message from God. John turned to see the voice that spoke with him. Rev 1:12.
This sermon begins with the prophecy relating to the last days, the days of the Messiah, when his kingdom should be set up in the world, at the latter end of the Mosaic economy. In the last days of the earthly Jerusalem, just before the destruction of it, this heavenly Jerusalem should be erected, Heb 12:22; Gal 4:26. Note, Gospel times are the last days. For 1. They were long in coming, were a great while waited for by the Old Testament saints, and came at last. 2. We are not to look for any dispensation of divine grace but what we have in the gospel, Gal 1:8, Gal 1:9. 3. We are to look for the second coming of Jesus Christ at the end of time, as the Old Testament saints did for his first coming; this is the last time, Jo1 2:18.
Now the prophet here foretels,
I.The setting up of the Christian church, and the planting of the Christian religion, in the world.
Christianity shall then be the mountain of the Lord's house; where that is professed God will grant his presence, receive his people's homage, and grant instruction and blessing, as he did of old in the temple of Mount Zion. The gospel church, incorporated by Christ's charter, shall then be the rendezvous of all the spiritual seed of Abraham. Now it is here promised, I. That Christianity shall be openly preached and professed; it shall be prepared (so the margin reads it) in the top of the mountains, in the view and hearing of all. Hence Christ's disciples are compared to a city on a hill, which cannot be hid, Mat 5:14. They had many eyes upon them. Christ himself spoke openly to the world, Joh 18:20. What the apostles did was not done in a corner, Act 26:26. It was the lighting of a beacon, the setting up of a standard. Its being every where spoken against supposes that it was every where spoken of. 2. That is shall be firmly fixed and rooted; it shall be established on the top of the everlasting mountains, built upon a rock, so that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, unless they could pluck up mountains by the roots. He that dwells safely is said to dwell on high, Isa 33:16. The Lord has founded the gospel Zion. 3. That it shall not only overcome all opposition, but overtop all competition; it shall be exalted above the hills. This wisdom of God in a mystery shall outshine all the wisdom of this world, all its philosophy and all its politics. The spiritual worship which it shall introduce shall put down the idolatries of the heathen; and all other institutions in religion shall appear mean and despicable in comparison with this. See Psa 68:16. Why leap ye, ye high hills? This is the hill which God desires to dwell in.
II.The bringing of the Gentiles into it.
1.The nations shall be admitted into it, even the uncircumcised, who were forbidden to come into the courts of the temple at Jerusalem. The partition wall, which kept them out, kept them off, shall be taken down.
2.All nations shall flow into it; having liberty of access, they shall improve their liberty, and multitudes shall embrace the Christian faith. They shall flow into it, as streams of water, which denotes the abundance of converts that the gospel should make and their speed and cheerfulness in coming into the church. They shall not be forced into it, but shall naturally flow into it. Thy people shall be willing, all volunteers, Psa 110:3. To Christ shall the gathering of the people be, Gen 49:10. See ch. 60:4, 5.
III.The mutual assistance and encouragement which this confluence of converts shall give to one another.
Their pious affections and resolutions shall be so intermixed that they shall come in in one full stream. As, when the Jews from all parts of the country went up thrice a year to worship at Jerusalem, they called on their friends in the road and excited them to go along with them, so shall many of the Gentiles court their relations, friends, and neighbours, to join with them in embracing the Christian religion (Isa 2:3): "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord; though it be uphill and against the heart, yet it is the mountain of the Lord, who will assist the assent of our souls towards him." Note, Those that are entering into covenant and communion with God themselves should bring as many as they can along with them; it becomes Christians to provoke one another to good works, and to further the communion of saints by inviting one another into it: not, "Do you go up to the mountain of the Lord, and pray for us, and we will stay at home;" nor, "We will go, and do you do as you will;" but, "Come, and let us go, let us go in concert, that we may strengthen one another's hands and support one another's reputation:" not, "We will consider of it, and advise about it, and go hereafter;" but, Come, and let us go forthwith. See Psa 122:1. Many shall say this. Those that have had it said to them shall say it to others. The gospel church is here called, not only the mountain of the Lord, but the house of the God of Jacob; for in it God's covenant with Jacob and his praying seed is kept up and has its accomplishment; for to us now, as unto them, he never said, Seek you me in vain, Isa 45:19. Now see here,
1.What they promise themselves in going up to the mountain of the Lord; There he will teach us of his ways. Note, God's ways are to be learned in his church, in communion with his people, and in the use of instituted ordinances - the ways of duty which he requires us to walk in, the ways of grace in which he walks towards us. It is God that teaches his people, by his word and Spirit. It is worth while to take pains to go up to his holy mountain to be taught his ways, and those who are willing to take that pains shall never find it labour in vain. Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord.
2.What they promise for themselves and one another: "If he will teach us his ways, we will walk in his paths; is he will let us know our duty, we will by his grace make conscience of doing it." Those who attend God's word with this humble resolution shall not be sent away without their lesson.
IV.The means by which this shall be brought about:
Out of Zion shall go forth the law, the New Testament law, the law of Christ, as of old the law of Moses from Mount Sinai, even the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. The gospel is a law, a law of faith; it is the word of the Lord; it went forth from Zion, where the temple was built, and from Jerusalem. Christ himself began in Galilee, Mat 4:23; Luk 23:5. But, when he commissioned his apostles to preach the gospel to all nations, he appointed them to begin in Jerusalem, Luk 24:47. See Rom 15:19. Though most of them had their homes in Galilee, yet they must stay at Jerusalem, there to receive the promise of the Spirit, Act 1:4. And in the temple on Mount Zion they preached the gospel, Act 5:20. This honour was allowed to Jerusalem, even after Christ was crucified there, for the sake of what it had been. And it was by this gospel, which took rise from Jerusalem, that the gospel church was established on the top of the mountains. This was the rod of divine strength, that was sent forth out of Zion, Psa 110:2.
V.The erecting of the kingdom of the Redeemer in the world:
He shall judge among the nations. He whose word goes forth out of Zion shall by that word not only subdue souls to himself, but rule in them, Isa 2:4. He shall, in wisdom and justice, order and overrule the affairs of the world for the good of his church, and rebuke and restrain those that oppose his interest. By his Spirit working on men's consciences he shall judge, and rebuke shall try men and check them; his kingdom is spiritual, and not of this world.
VI.The great peace which should be the effect of the success of the gospel in the world (Isa 2:4):
They shall beat their swords into ploughshares; their instruments of war shall be converted into implements of husbandry; as, on the contrary, when war is proclaimed, ploughshares are beaten into swords, Joe 3:10. Nations shall then not lift up sword against nation, as they now do, neither shall they learn war any more, for they shall have no more occasion for it. This does not make all war absolutely unlawful among Christians, nor is it a prophecy that in the days of the Messiah there shall be no wars. The Jews urge this against the Christians as an argument that Jesus is not the Messiah, because this promise is not fulfilled. But,
1.It was in part fulfilled in the peaceableness of the time in which Christ was born, when wars had in a great measure ceased, witness the taxing, Luk 2:1.
2.The design and tendency of the gospel are to make peace and to slay all enmities. It has in it the most powerful obligations and inducements to peace; so that one might reasonably have expected it should have this effect, and it would have had it if it had not been for those lusts of men from which come wars and fightings.
3.Jew and Gentiles were reconciled and brought together by the gospel, and there were no more such wars between them as there had been; for they became one sheepfold under one shepherd. See Eph 2:15.
4.The gospel of Christ, as far as it prevails, disposes men to be peaceable, softens men's spirits, and sweetens them; and the love of Christ, shed abroad in the heart, constrains men to love one another.
5.The primitive Christians were famous for brotherly love; their very adversaries took notice of it.
6.We have reason to hope that this promise shall yet have a more full accomplishment in the latter times of the Christian church, when the Spirit shall be poured out more plentifully from on high. Then there shall be on earth peace. Who shall live when God doeth this? But do it he will in due time, for he is not a man that he should lie.
Lastly, Here is a practical inference drawn from all this (Isa 2:5): O house of Jacob! come you, and let us walk in the light of the Lord. By the house of Jacob is meant either, 1. Israel according to the flesh. Let them be provoked by this to a holy emulation, Rom 11:14. "Seeing the Gentiles are thus ready and resolved for God, thus forward to go up to the house of the Lord, let us stir up ourselves to go too. Let is never be said that the sinners of the Gentiles were better friends to the holy mountain than the house of Jacob." Thus the zeal of some should provoke many. Or, 2. Spiritual Israel, all that are brought to the God of Jacob. Shall there be such great knowledge in gospel times (Isa 2:3) and such grat peace (Isa 2:4), and shall we share in these privileges? Come then, and let us live accordingly. What ever others do, come, O come! let us walk in the light of the Lord. (1.) Let us walk circumspectly in the light of this knowledge. Will God teach us his ways? Will he show us his glory in the face of Christ? Let us then walk as children of the light and of the day, Eph 5:8; Th1 5:8; Rom 13:12 (2.) Let us walk comfortably in the light of this peace. Shall there be no more war? Let us then go on our way rejoicing, and let this joy terminate in God, and be our strength, Neh 8:10. Thus shall we walk in the beams of the Sun of righteousness.
Historical interpretation
Eleven Centuries of Reception
6 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Long ago did Isaiah declare that “out of Zion should go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem,” some other law, that is, and another word. In short, he says, “He shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people,” meaning not those of the Jewish people only, but also of the nations which are judged by the new law of the gospel and the new word of the apostles, and are among themselves rebuked of their old error as soon as they have believed. And as the result of this, “They beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears (which are a kind of hunting instrument) into pruning hooks.” That is to say, minds that once were fierce and cruel are changed by the gospel and the word of the apostles into good dispositions productive of good fruit.
The gospel will be this “way” of the new law and the new word in Christ, no longer in Moses. “And he shall judge among the nations,” even concerning their error. “And these shall rebuke a large nation,” that of the Jews themselves and their proselytes. “And they shall beat their swords into plowshares”; in other words, they shall change into pursuits of moderation and peace the dispositions of injurious minds, hostile tongues and all kinds of evil and blasphemy.… You learn here that Christ is promised not as powerful in war but pursuing peace.
Who is the one who has done this, or who is the one who has joined together in peace people who once hated one another, except for the beloved Son of the Father, the Savior of all, even Jesus Christ, who because of his own love suffered all things for our salvation? For from ages past the peace he would initiate was promised.
Not only would the church be firm, steadfast and indestructible, but it would also gain great peace for the world. Governments and monarchies will be destroyed; there will be but one kingdom put together for all people, and, unlike in times past, its greater part will be at peace. For, in the past, all craftsmen and men in public life were trained in warfare and took their place among the ranks. After the coming of Christ, all that was done away with, and wars were confined to widely separated areas.
(Verse 4.) And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. All the eagerness for war will be turned to peace, and instead of discord there will be harmony throughout the world. Swords will be transformed into plowshares, and spears into pruning hooks, so that, having set aside the frenzy of warfare, they may serve agriculture, and with fruitful sickles they may reap abundant harvests. This can also be understood spiritually, when every hardness of our hearts is broken by the plowshare of Christ, and the thorns of vices are uprooted, so that the seed of God's word may grow into fruits: and afterwards we shall enjoy the fruits of our labors, when those who sow in tears shall come in joy, carrying their sheaves (Psalm 126:6).
34 The nations will not lift sword against nation, nor will they learn war anymore. Let us revisit the ancient histories, and we will find that until the twenty-eighth year of the reign of Caesar Augustus (in whose forty-first year Christ was born in Judaea), there was discord throughout the whole world, and each nation rose up against its neighboring peoples with a desire for battle, so that they would strike and be struck. But when the Lord and Savior arose, at the time when a census was first taken of the whole world under the governorship of Syria by Quirinius, and peace was prepared for the Evangelical doctrine by the Roman Empire, all wars ceased, and they were no longer exercised in battles through towns and villages, but were instead devoted to the cultivation of the land, with the duty of fighting against barbarian nations being entrusted solely to Roman soldiers and legions. This was when that song of the angels was fulfilled: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will (Luke 2:14); and in his days justice and a multitude of peace arose.
When Christ was born, when the whole world lived under one ruler, peace abounded on the earth. Therefore it was a fitting time for the birth of Christ, for "He is our peace, who hath made both one," as it is written (Eph. 2:14). Wherefore Jerome says on Is. 2:4: "If we search the page of ancient history, we shall find that throughout the whole world there was discord until the twenty-eighth year of Augustus Caesar: but when our Lord was born, all war ceased"; according to Is. 2:4: "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation."
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Summary
Isaiah 2:4 presents a profound and enduring prophetic vision of universal peace and divine justice in the "latter days." It vividly describes a future era where God's righteous rule will transform the nations, leading to the complete cessation of warfare. Instruments of destruction, such as swords and spears, will be repurposed into tools for agriculture, symbolizing a radical reorientation of human priorities from conflict and conquest to productivity and flourishing. This verse stands as a cornerstone of biblical eschatological hope, portraying a world where the very concept of war becomes obsolete under the sovereign authority of the Lord.
Context
Literary Context
Isaiah 2:4 is an integral part of a larger prophetic oracle spanning Isaiah 2:1-5, which describes the glorious future of Zion in the "latter days." The preceding verses, specifically Isaiah 2:2-3, establish the setting: the mountain of the Lord's house will be exalted above all others, and all nations will stream to it. Their purpose in coming is to learn God's ways and walk in His paths, for "out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." The peace and disarmament depicted in verse 4 are presented as the direct, inevitable outcome of this universal pilgrimage to receive divine instruction and judgment. This sequence emphasizes that true, lasting peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a positive state born from adherence to God's righteous law and His sovereign rule.
Historical & Cultural Context
The historical backdrop for Isaiah's prophecy was one of pervasive geopolitical instability and constant warfare in the ancient Near East. Israel and Judah were small kingdoms caught between powerful, aggressive empires like Assyria and later Babylon, facing perpetual threats of invasion, subjugation, and exile. War was a constant reality, deeply ingrained in the political, economic, and social fabric of the time. Kings measured their power by their military might, and national security was perpetually precarious. In such a violent world, the vision of "swords into plowshares" would have been utterly revolutionary and deeply comforting, offering a radical counter-narrative to the prevailing cycle of violence. The imagery of agricultural tools would have resonated strongly with an agrarian society, highlighting a transformation from destructive military endeavors to life-sustaining, productive labor, symbolizing a profound shift in societal values and national purpose.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to Isaiah's prophecy and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of Universal Peace and Disarmament, portraying a future where conflict ceases entirely, and the instruments of war are transformed into tools of productivity. This peace is not a human achievement but results from Divine Judgment and Rule, as the Lord Himself "shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people." This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty and His role in establishing justice and order that transcends human political systems. Furthermore, the passage speaks to a radical Transformation of Priorities, where human energy and resources are redirected from destruction and conquest to sustenance and flourishing, reflecting a world remade according to God's design. This eschatological vision is foundational to understanding God's ultimate purposes for humanity and creation, echoed in other prophetic texts like Micah 4:1-5.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This word signifies more than merely passing a verdict; it encompasses the active roles of governing, vindicating, or punishing. In this context, it implies God's authoritative intervention to establish justice and order among the nations, resolving disputes and enforcing His righteous standards. This divine judgment is the prerequisite for the ensuing peace, as it rectifies wrongs and sets the foundation for harmonious coexistence.
This term means to correct, convince, or reprove. It suggests a process of divine instruction and conviction that leads nations to acknowledge their wrongdoing and align with God's will. This "rebuking" is not simply condemnation but a transformative act that leads to repentance and a fundamental change in behavior, specifically regarding the pursuit of warfare. It implies a divine persuasion that turns hearts and minds away from conflict.
This word means to teach or to learn, often implying diligent instruction or training, even to the point of becoming accustomed or expert. The phrase "neither shall they learn war any more" is profoundly significant. It suggests a complete cessation of military training, strategic planning, and the very mindset of conflict. War will not just stop; its knowledge and practice, the very art of it, will be eradicated from human memory and culture, signifying a complete reorientation of human intellect and effort.
Verse Breakdown
"And he shall judge among the nations,"
This initial clause introduces the divine agent of transformation. "He" refers to the Lord, whose supreme authority will be universally recognized and submitted to. His judgment is not merely punitive but restorative, establishing righteous order and equity among all the diverse peoples and ethnic groups of the earth, resolving their long-standing conflicts.
"and shall rebuke many people:"
Following His judgment, the Lord will actively correct and instruct humanity. This "rebuking" implies a divine intervention that brings conviction and leads to a change of heart and behavior among the masses, turning them away from their former ways of conflict and self-interest towards alignment with God's will.
"and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,"
This is the iconic image of disarmament and repurposing. "Swords" (H2719, chereb), instruments of death, violence, and destruction, are transformed into "plowshares" (H855, ʼêth), tools for cultivating the earth and producing life-sustaining food. This signifies a complete redirection of national resources, human ingenuity, and societal energy from war to agriculture, productivity, and prosperity.
"and their spears into pruninghooks:"
This parallel imagery powerfully reinforces the theme. "Spears" (H2595, chănîyth), another primary weapon of war used for thrusting and combat, are converted into "pruninghooks" (H4211, mazmêrâh), specialized tools used for tending vineyards and ensuring fruitful harvests. The transformation is comprehensive, affecting all forms of weaponry and symbolizing a profound shift from a culture of violence and conquest to one of peaceful productivity and flourishing.
"nation shall not lift up sword against nation,"
This clause emphasizes the universal and absolute nature of the peace. The cessation of war is not limited to certain regions or temporary truces; it is a global, permanent condition where national conflicts are eradicated. "Lift up" (H5375, nâsâʼ) implies not just engaging in war but even the preparation, threat, or hostile posture of it, indicating a complete absence of aggression.
"neither shall they learn war any more."
This final, powerful declaration signifies the profound depth of the transformation. It is not just that wars will cease, but the very knowledge, skills, strategies, and mindset associated with warfare (H4421, milchâmâh) will be abandoned and forgotten. This implies a fundamental change in human nature and societal values, where the pursuit of peace becomes the universal and ingrained norm, and the very concept of armed conflict becomes obsolete.
Literary Devices
Isaiah 2:4 is rich in literary devices that amplify its powerful and hopeful message. The most prominent is Metaphor and Symbolism, particularly in the vivid imagery of "beating swords into plowshares, and spears into pruninghooks." This profound transformation of instruments of war into tools of agriculture powerfully symbolizes a radical shift from destruction to production, from conflict to cultivation, and from death to life. This is not merely a practical repurposing but a symbolic representation of a transformed human heart and society, where the very purpose of existence is reoriented. The verse also employs striking Parallelism, especially in the latter half: "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." This poetic structure reinforces the comprehensive nature of the peace, emphasizing both the cessation of outward conflict and the eradication of the internal desire or knowledge of war. Furthermore, the passage uses a form of Hyperbole or Idealism to paint a picture of absolute, uncompromising peace, a divine ideal that transcends human capability and points to God's ultimate eschatological intervention.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Isaiah 2:4 stands as a monumental declaration of God's ultimate intention for humanity and creation: a world governed by His righteous justice, leading to profound and enduring peace. This vision is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of God's sovereignty and His redemptive plan to restore creation from the ravages of sin. The peace described is not merely a political truce or the absence of conflict, but a holistic shalom, encompassing justice, well-being, and harmony, flowing directly from the Lord's presence and instruction among the nations. It reflects the eschatological hope that God will fully establish His kingdom, where the destructive forces of human pride, rebellion, and conflict are finally overcome by divine authority and transformative grace. This prophecy serves as a powerful reminder that God's ultimate purpose is not endless strife but a reconciled world living in peace under His benevolent rule.
Reflection and Application
Isaiah 2:4 offers a breathtaking glimpse into God's ultimate future for humanity, a world perfected under His rule, free from the scourge of war. While the full realization of this prophecy awaits the Lord's appointed time, it serves as a profound call to action and a source of enduring hope for believers today. It compels us to actively participate in God's redemptive work, even in a fallen world. We are challenged to embody the values of this future kingdom now, seeking justice, promoting reconciliation, and dismantling the systems and mindsets that perpetuate conflict. This means not only praying for peace but also being agents of peace in our homes, communities, and global interactions. It calls us to repurpose our own "swords"—our destructive tendencies, our divisive words, our selfish ambitions, our critical spirits—into "plowshares" for building up, nurturing, and creating life-giving relationships and environments. Living with this eschatological hope transforms our perspective on current events, reminding us that despite present darkness, God's promise of ultimate peace is sure and will one day fully break into our reality, motivating us to live as citizens of that coming kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is the prophecy in Isaiah 2:4 literal or figurative?
The prophecy in Isaiah 2:4 is best understood as both literal in its ultimate fulfillment and profoundly figurative in its imagery. The transformation of "swords into plowshares" and "spears into pruninghooks" is a powerful metaphor for the complete cessation of warfare and the redirection of human effort from destruction to productive, life-sustaining activities. While the specific act of melting down weapons might be symbolic, the outcome—a world utterly free from war and the very knowledge of it—is presented as a literal, historical reality that will be established by God's direct intervention in the "latter days." It speaks to a fundamental reordering of society and human hearts under divine rule, where peace is not merely an absence of conflict but a pervasive state of shalom.
When will this prophecy be fulfilled?
This prophecy is widely understood to be an eschatological promise, meaning its full and complete fulfillment belongs to the end times, specifically with the establishment of God's perfect kingdom on earth. Many theological traditions associate its ultimate realization with the second coming of Jesus Christ and His millennial reign, or the new heavens and new earth described in Revelation 21. While believers are called to pursue peace now, as exhorted in Matthew 5:9, the universal and absolute peace described in Isaiah 2:4, where nations no longer learn war, is a divine work that transcends human capacity and awaits God's ultimate intervention in history.
How can we work for peace now if the full fulfillment of this prophecy is a future divine act?
While the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah 2:4 is God's sovereign work, it serves as a divine ideal and a powerful inspiration for believers to participate in God's redemptive purposes in the present. We are called to be "peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9) and to live out the values of God's kingdom. This means actively pursuing justice, advocating for reconciliation, challenging systems of oppression, and transforming our own hearts and communities to reflect God's shalom. Every act of kindness, forgiveness, and bridge-building is a foretaste of the peace promised in Isaiah 2:4, demonstrating the transforming power of God's Spirit in a broken world and pointing towards the day when Christ's reign will bring complete and everlasting peace.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Isaiah 2:4 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the "He" who "shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people." As the promised Messiah, Jesus is the righteous King and the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6) through whom God's just and peaceful reign will be established. His first coming inaugurated the kingdom of God, breaking the power of sin and death, which are the fundamental root causes of all conflict and division in the world. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ reconciled humanity to God and broke down the dividing wall of hostility between peoples, making "peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20; Ephesians 2:14). While the full realization of nations beating "swords into plowshares" awaits His glorious second coming, when "the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ" (Revelation 11:15), His present reign through the Holy Spirit is already transforming hearts and empowering believers to be agents of peace in a warring world. Ultimately, it is Christ's perfect rule that will bring about the complete cessation of war and the learning of it, ushering in an era of universal shalom where all things are made new (Revelation 21:5).