Additional notes on chapter 4&5 of the book of Micah
We find in chapter 3 that the Temple will be destroyed and will become a patch of thorns and thistles. (3: 11).
Chapter 4
The term latter days only means some time later (in this case after the temple is destroyed).
But 4:1 uses the term the last days which means the last days of God's theocratic reign over Israel. God's theocratic reign over Israel ended at the Cross and was completed with the destruction of the Temple the second time (the entire book of Hebrews or 70 A.D.).
The United Nations has Micah 4:1 engraved in the U.N. Building in New York as if, the U.N. Is Mt. Zion.
Also noted, that the old Temple was built on Mt. Moria h (Isaiah and Micah) but the new Temple is the be on Mt. Zion. Thus, if the earthly Temple being rebuilt is the correct interpretation (and it isn't), but if it were, the Temple would be built somewhere other than the old Temple site.
Mt. Zion has nothing to do with the earthly Temple. According to Isaiah and Micah the New Jerusalem of Micah 4: 1-2 is to be on Mt. Zion. The book of Hebrews tells us that Mt. Zion is not on this earth but in the Heavenly City of God (Heb. 12:22) Conclusion, anyone who advocates the rebuilding of the earthly Temple is all wet. Also see Gal. 4: 26 for the Jerusalem that is in Heaven.
2:2b. The word of the Lord will go forth from Jerusalem. Could be Acts the 2nd chapter or it simply means that God's new Israel will start in Jerusalem (we use the English word 'church' even tho there is no such word as 'church' in the New Testament. As most of you know, the word is actually the assembly or congregation but translated to church.
V. 3. The over arching theme of this new Kingdom (the one that is established in the latter days) will be Peace. V.3 is the opposite of the the same passage found in Joel. Where in Joel they were to prepare for war, in Micah they are to prepare for peace.
v. 4. In this new Kingdom there will be Prosperity and least in a mild sense.
v. 5, Micah makes a distinction between the lost and the saved in this New Kingdom.
v. 6. IN THAT DAY (ASK YOUR SELF WHAT DAY?) The answer is when all the things just mentioned above have happened. God will gather up people from every walk of life. (the lame the outcast etc.). He will rule over these people from Mt. Zion (v.7). If Mt. Zion is in Heaven who is it that God is now ruling over). Answer The remnant or the what we call the church!
v. 8. A promise that Davids Kingdom will be restored. It was in Acts chapter 2: 25ff (to the end of the chapter).
v. 9 Can your earthly king save you and the answer is a resounding NO.
v.10 Israel (Judah) becomes a metaphor for a woman in childbirth. The will be carried into captivity for their own protection and because the woman is pregnant. The question becomes, who is the child that Israel gives birth to. The answer is once again what we call the church.
2
Chapter 5.
Israel's rulers will perish v. 1.
v.2 but a new ruler will come from Bethlehem one who is eternal.
v. 3. Therefore, Israel will be abandoned until the birth of Christ and the rest of His brothers (Gentiles) join Israel. (See the Book of Romans to find out who the New Israel is)
v. 4 Jesus will lead the flock to the ends of the earth.
v. 5. The term Assyrian is just a metaphor for all enemies of Israel (since it was Assyria in Micah's day who was attacking them) But the entire section means that the new ruler born in Bethlehem will protect His flock from the enemy.