The question of when the peace described in Nahum 1:15 will come is an important one for Christians seeking to understand God’s plan for the future. Nahum 1:15 says, “Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows, for never again shall the worthless pass through you; he is utterly cut off.” This verse comes in the midst of a prophecy about the judgment coming upon Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire, which had oppressed the kingdom of Judah. The “worthless” one who will be cut off is a reference to the king of Assyria. The verse promises that Judah will experience peace and be able to celebrate their religious feasts without fear of invasion once God judges and destroys their enemies.
There are a few perspectives on when this promised time of peace will be fulfilled:
Partial fulfillment in the past
Some see the prophecy as having a partial or temporary fulfillment in the past, when the Assyrian empire fell and Judah regained independence. Around 612 BC, Nineveh was conquered by a coalition of Babylonians and Medes, removing the Assyrian threat against Judah. King Josiah was then able to institute religious reforms and the people enjoyed a brief period of peace before the rising threat of Babylon. So this prophecy saw an initial fulfillment historically, but the language of “never again” and the permanent cutting off of Judah’s enemies points to a more complete future fulfillment.
Still future literal fulfillment
Others see the prophecy as having a still future literal fulfillment for the nation of Israel. In this view, the peace described will come specifically when Jesus returns to earth to reign. The enemies of Israel will be defeated, like Assyria in the original context, and Israel will experience permanent peace and security in their land. This relates to prophecies in other parts of Scripture about the Messianic Kingdom reign, where Judah will finally “dwell securely” (Jeremiah 23:6). So the complete fulfillment is taken to be still future.
Fulfillment in Christ’s first coming
Some scholars argue that the prophecy was ultimately fulfilled spiritually in Christ’s first coming and his victory over sin and spiritual enemies through the cross. Jesus brought the good news of peace and made peace with God possible for all who believe (Ephesians 2:14-17). The “worthless” enemy who is judged could be seen as Satan or sin itself, defeated by Christ. The feasts and vows could represent the spiritual worship and obedience of believers. So in this view, the final fulfillment came in a spiritual sense when Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant.
Fulfillment in Christ’s peace and the church
A related perspective sees the prophecy fulfilled in the spiritual peace that Jesus gives believers and the peace experienced in the life of the church. Jesus said his peace is not like the temporary peace the world offers (John 14:27) and he promised this peace to all who trust in him, no matter what circumstances they face (John 16:33). As the church spreads this good news of Christ’s finished work, the peace he provides is experienced by more and more people, spreading from Judah to all nations.
According to this view, while the church still struggles with enemies, the ultimate fulfillment came through Christ’s victory and the church now experiences that peace. The feasts and vows represent celebrating Communion and living out baptismal vows as believers. The worthless enemies cut off could represent spiritual powers of evil defeated by Jesus. The mountains refer to the church expanding globally. So Nahum’s prophecy finds fulfillment in the unshakeable peace Christ gives believers in him.
Partial now but future completion
A final perspective is that the prophecy’s fulfillment has already begun with Christ’s finished work and the peace and security believers now have in him, but will see completion in the physical peace and security for Israel at Christ’s second coming. There is already a spiritual peace and a defeat of spiritual enemies based on the cross, but in the future literal enemies of Israel will also be vanquished when Jesus returns to reign from Zion.
According to this view, Nahum’s prophecy was given specifically to Judah and finds fulfillment first spiritually but will ultimately be fulfilled for Israel nationally as well at the second coming when they experience permanent peace in their land. The feasts will then be celebrated annually in the rebuilt temple during the millennial reign of Christ over the earth (Ezekiel 40-48).
In summary, there are a few perspectives on when this promise of peace will ultimately be fulfilled:
- In the past historically after Assyria fell
- Still future when Jesus returns to establish his kingdom on earth
- At Jesus’ first coming spiritually in the gospel and the church
- Partially now but finally and completely in the future
All of these perspectives see the prophecy having some fulfillment in Christ and the peace he provides. The differences mainly relate to the extent to which a literal/physical fulfillment is expected for the nation of Israel in addition to the spiritual fulfillment in Christ. But all agree God’s promises are trustworthy and there is an assured hope that the peace promised to God’s people will be experienced in its fullness when Jesus returns.
