spears are broken and turned to ploughshares; strife and hatred
the saints alone shall possess it (Dan 7:18 ). The "sceptre of this kingdom is a righteous sceptre" (Psa 45:6). He who wields it is the righteous King (Isa 32:1); "and in his days shall the righteous flourish" (Psa 72:7). It is a "crown of righteousness, " that is laid up for us (2 Tim 4:8). And then shall "the work of righteousness be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever" (Isa 32:17). The righteousness of this kingdom makes it unspeakably attractive to those who have been wearied out with the unrighteousness of an unrighteous world. The thought that "the morning" is to bring in that righteous kingdom, comforts us amid the clouds and thick darkness of this night of weeping.
5. It is a kingdom of peace. War has by that time run its course; its spears are broken and turned to ploughshares; strife and hatred have fled. The storm has become a calm, and the vexed sea is still. Holy tranquillity breathes over earth. "The mountains bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness;—there shall be abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth (Psa 72:3-7). "Upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, there shall be peace for ever from the Lord" (1 Kings 2:33 ). Far more truly than in the days of Solomon there shall be "peace on all sides round about" (1 Kings 4:24 ); yea, the Lord God will give rest on every side, so that there shall be "neither adversary nor evil occurrent" (1 Kings 5:4). Every where shall be inscribed the motto upon Gideon's altar, "Jehovah-Shalom" (Judg 6:24 , margin). "The beasts of the field shall be at peace with us" (Job 5:23); for "the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them; and the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain" (Isa 11:6). The groans of creation shall then be over, and its deliverance accomplished. All shall be peace; for the great peace-maker is come. His name is King of Salem, that is, King of peace (Heb 7:2). He is called "the Prince of Peace," and "of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end" (Isa 9:6, 7).