The Old Testament pictures God’s chosen people being blessed as a nation, that they might bless the nations. (Gen 12.3) In Isaiah’s vivid pictures of the future Kingdom this blessing take practical shape as we see the nations coming to the place of God’s dwelling to seek wisdom for life, in particular, for him to settle their disputes and teach them to live in peace (Isaiah 2.1-5; also in Micah 4.1-4); and to celebrate a banquet for all nations (Isaiah 25.6-8)
Jesus teaching in the gospels bring much focus on peacemaking and reconciliation: He blesses the peacemakers (Matt 5.8); calls us to be seek out the person who has something against us and be reconciled (Matt 5.21-26); to not resist and evil person (Matt 5.38-42); to love our enemies (Matt 5.43-48); to forgive people their sins against us (Matt 6.12-15); to not quickly judge but reach out in grace (Luke 6.38-39); to deal with the log in our own eye before someone else's speck (Luke 6.41-42).
In the teaching of the early church, Paul's revelation on all things coming together under one head (Ephesians 1.9-10) is realised as Christ shatters dividing walls of hostility so making peace (Ephesians 2.11-22). We can thus become a rainbow people, a multicultural demonstration of the power of God to bring unity in our diversity. (Ephesians 3.10: "manifold" = multifaceted like a diamond, in other words making white light into a many coloured rainbow, or vice versa.)
Finally the Revelation presents a picture of the tree of life restored to human presence, with its leaves bringing healing to the nations (Rev 22.1-3). We live in anticipation of that future Kingdom hope, and in response to that vision as well as Isaiah’s pictures of the kingdom of God, we pray the words Jesus taught us: "Lord, may thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!"
