Of Lions and Lambs

We have only known the lion and lamb as complete opposites. One as kingly terror, the master hunter of prey, the other as a meek and lowly creature, prone to wander and fall prey to predators. 

But the bible gives a glimpse of a different world where these two opposites relax together in a peaceful coexistence. This is something different, strange, unbelievable by all evidence we have ever known. 

It is a world that operates on different rules. No tooth and claw domination, predator and prey, strong and weak, survival of the strongest. A new Creation based on mutual support and the interconnected benefits of every living thing supporting every other living thing. A life where all are winners and there are no losers. A life of thriving in full satisfaction of a continual giving that results in continual receiving that you may give again. No selfishness. 

Truly a world that is foreign to our present world experience. Yet it is a new world that God has promised to all those who love Him.

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. — Isaiah 11:6 ESV

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” — 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord . — Isaiah 65:25 ESV

And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety. And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.  — Hosea 2:18‭-20 ESV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” — Revelation 21:1‭-‬4 ESV

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. — Revelation 22:14‭-‬15 KJV

How wonderful is the goodness you have reserved for those who honor you! In front of everyone you give this goodness to those who come to you for help. — Psalm 31:19 FBV