JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

January 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your question concerning Micah 4:5.

The context shows that the time setting of this verse is after Christ has returned to earth and put an end to war. Notice verse 3. Strong nations will be rebuked and implements of war turned into tools of agriculture. No longer will nations fight one another, nor will they learn to wage war any more. As nations learn the way of peace, true prosperity will blossom all over the earth (verse 4).

True and right education will be disseminated from Christ's headquarters at Jerusalem. People will worship the true God in their mother tongues, and the Israelis in their tongue -- modern Hebrew. However, all nations and races will be taught one pure language in order to communicate with one another (see Zephaniah 3:9). The indication is, then, that native languages will exist side by side with one international language -- as is the case in many lands today (Mic. 4:5).

Whenever we can assist you further with your study of the Bible, we hope you will let us know. It is our pleasure to serve you.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT