The writers of the Old Testament visualized a world where there would be no further conflict. This is symbolically described by Isaiah as the Lord's house, which would be established in the top of the mountains, and all nations would flow unto it. Those who assembled in this exalted place were not to present merely a victorious people, triumphant in battle, who had set to flight or conquered their enemies. All nations flowing together here were assured of a unity which would be permanent, because it would be based on spiritual reality. In the top of this mountain all nations would come together because they were of one purpose, impelled by one desire, to learn of God, to walk in His paths, to obey His law. Here there would be found no occasion for rivalries and suspicions, for aggression and pitilessness; there would be found none of those factors which make for war.
There is a description in Isaiah of one called Lucifer, who brought terror and weakness to the nations and shook kingdoms. Complete and final was his downfall, and when he was overthrown, men wondered at the mesmeric power which he had wielded. With his defeat came divine assurance of safety, on behalf of those who were weak and small, not less than those who were rich and strong. In the place thereof was the reign of harmony, for "the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it."
The establishment of Zion, the sense of abiding security, does not come to nations any more than it does to individuals as the result of destroying their enemies, of exterminating dire phases of evil. The guarantee of no recurring Lucifers lies not merely in the violence of their downfall, in the effectiveness of the conflict waged against them, but in the recognition and establishing of that sanctuary with which they must be replaced. The Lucifers which rule the lives of men and nations in their tyranny of greed and ambition, of human might or human weakness, will be cast down when men understand the nature of the Zion which awaits them, revealing to them right ways, instructing them in laws which spell beneficence and peace.
While those who love justice and seek mercy have been found, throughout all ages, resolute and courageous enough to sacrifice everything they hold humanly dear in their desire to exterminate that which weakens individuals and therefore nations, they have varied in their method of accomplishing it. The Christian Scientist, instructed as he is in the scientific recognition of the fundamental reality and allness of good, knows that there is only one place where permanent peace can be established, and that is "in the top of the mountains." He knows that, whatever the conflict, involving sometimes himself and his nation, in the measure of his own consecration and clearness of vision, his refusal to see enmity and annihilation as the heritage of the world in which he lives, will hasten the time when all nations flow to mount Zion in unity of will and accomplishment.
On page 10 of her Message to The Mother Church for 1900, Mary Baker Eddy has written: "Certain elements in human nature would undermine the civic, social, and religious rights and laws of nations and peoples, striking at liberty, human rights, and self-government—and this, too, in the name of God, justice, and humanity!" And in the same paragraph she has given us the remedy for all such problems which beset the race. She says, "Here our hope anchors in God who reigns, and justice and judgment are the habitation of His throne forever."
The desire to establish unity among nations, to organize federations of peoples pledged to peaceful methods of adjusting their multifarious problems, is uppermost in the thoughts and hearts of many at the present time. An experienced statesman has recently declared that to find a solution of the world problems which present themselves to our attention today challenges the highest genius of man.
Intelligently and lovingly the Christian Scientist will encourage all reasonable and constructive efforts, the object of which is to render powerless methods of domination and usurpation, wherever and however exercised. But he knows that that which weakens men and nations, undermining their faith, darkening their vision, producing hatred and distrust, will find no lasting remedy in the valleys of human systems and mere human co-operation, however brilliantly conceived and organized. Such can be found only upon the mountaintop of Soul, whither all nations will flow in final sublime certainty of their consciousness of spiritual unity.
Christ Jesus, whose thought dwelt continually in heaven, even while he dealt unerringly with every phase of evil that presented itself to him, saw a universe not of duality, but of oneness. He knew that those other sheep, not yet aware of what was theirs, would be brought, they would hear his voice, and there would be "one fold, and one shepherd."
The Revelator beheld with even greater clarity and consummation of vision than did Isaiah what would bring the warfare to an end and establish the house of the Lord "in the top of the mountains." In commenting on this apocalyptic vision, the establishment of divine Principle governing men in accordance with spiritual law alone, Mrs. Eddy has written on page 565 of her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "Christ, God's idea, will eventually rule all nations and peoples—imperatively, absolutely, finally—with divine Science."
With this revelation of Truth, as it has come to us in this age through the discovery of Christian Science, there can be no postponement of participation. It is our work to see where and how this government maybe made practical in the affairs of men. In this government by divine Principle there is no vacillation, no compromise, no temporary interregnum, no divided loyalty. Here all nations and people, recognizing the supremacy of Spirit made manifest in man, find the fulfillment of these words: "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."
