Will the Gospel tame wild animals?

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What’s Your Question, for Feb. 28

Isaiah’s prophecy about wild beasts and vipers getting along with tamed animals and children (Is. 11:6-9), has been interpreted literally by some religious people. The next verse says the "Root of Jesse" would reign and Gentiles would be saved. This verse is quoted by Paul and applied to Christ and the salvation of Gentiles as well as Jews (Rom. 15:8-12).

In describing the same period of time, Isaiah later said, "No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on" the Highway of Holiness (Is. 35:8,9). Both statements are true, because Isaiah was talking about the spiritual kingdom of Christ in which men are transformed into peaceful beings (Eph. 2:14-17). The gospel tames the viciousness in men, not in beasts or snakes!