SUBJECT: Hunting in the Millennium

QUESTION:  Will there be hunting of animals in the millennial reign of Jesus Christ?

ANSWER:

Good question.  I lean toward the conclusion that there will be no hunting. 

Prior to the Kingdom, we do have this about what the Bible says about hunting prior to the return of Christ.

Q: What does the Bible say about the hunting and killing of animals? 

A: As indicated in Genesis 1:26, God gave man control over the rest of His physical creation: “And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea…and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing…”

The Creator then went on to very clearly indicate which kinds of animals were fit for human consumption, in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14:3-21. Very plainly then, hunting and killing animals for food cannot be wrong. King David was a hunter of game, and the disciples were fishermen. During one particular trip, it is recorded (Luke 5:1-9) that Jesus Himself even helped them with that day’s catch.

It is also not wrong to kill predators.  Again, the record of David’s youth indicates in 1 Samuel 17:34-36 that he killed a lion and a bear to protect his flock of sheep.

When killing animals, one must carefully discern the purpose and attitude. Is it truly for food? Or is it more for the sport or trophy? Keep in mind that animals are, after all, part of God’s creation and, as such, should be treated with a certain amount of respect.

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Here is a Bible Dictionary on Hunting:

OCCUPATIONS
Hunter. One who pursues wild animals as a source of food, to protect crops, or for sport. Hunting for sport was common among ancient kings. It is often depicted on monuments in Egypt and Assyria. In earliest times Nimrod was a noted hunter, adept at using weapons (Genesis 10:9). Later, Esau was a hunter (Genesis 27:3).

The Mosaic Law allowed Israel to hunt and consume some wild animals (Leviticus 17:13). Other Old Testament accounts of hunting have to do with defending homes (Judges 14:5-6). Hunters used bows and arrows (Genesis 27:3), nets (Proverbs 1:17), traps (Amos 3:5), and pits (Isaiah 24:17) to capture or kill wild animals. Hunters who used traps were called trappers. ~from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary

So much for the Biblical record.  What of after Jesus returns?

As I stated, the sense I get from the millennial reign of Christ is that hunting would not be something we would do.  Your reference to Isaiah 65:25 is good.  It is stated first in Isaiah 11:9

Isaiah 11:9
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

 

Notice the commentary...

Isaiah 11:9
Nor destroy in all my holy mountain - Mount Zion; used here, as elsewhere, to denote the seat of his reign on the earth, or his church; the notes at Isaiah 1:8; 2:4. The disposition of people, naturally ferocious and cruel, shall be changed so entirely, that the causes of strife and contention shall cease. They shall be disposed to do justice, and to promote each other's welfare everywhere. ~from Barnes' Notes

Now, as you pointed out, notice the description of the animals at this time.

Isaiah 11:6-8
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

How could one hunt down and kill a wolf, leopard or lion in these settings?

Further, the nature of man will be changed, that is, they will not have this urge to hunt, which some physiologist conclude is an outlet for natural urges to hunt or survive and some to have a release of pent up emotions.  It would seem that these urges would be quieted and no longer exist.

Then there is the idea of weapons being around in the millennial reign of Christ.  I doubt that there will be guns, rifles or archery implements.  It seems contrary to the idea or the ideals of the millennium.

Notice this...

Commentary on Isaiah 11:1-9

Isaiah 11:1-9
 6-9. The condition of Christ's empire will be that of harmony and peace, based upon the true religion. The picture of the fierce predatory animals living peaceably with the weak and defenseless symbolizes the removal of all natural hostility and fear between men. (The references to the little child, v. 6, and the sucking child, in v. 8, clearly preclude construing the beasts as various types of men.) 9. The basis for this Eden-like harmony will be the full and adequate knowledge of God that all mankind will then possess, and that even brute creation will reflect (cf. Rom 8:21). ~from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary

Here is the reference in that commentary to Roman 8:21

Romans 8:21
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

 

This change in the nature of predatory animals seems to be a living analogy of the change in nature of man.  Hunting seems to be contrary to that change.

Add to all this the love God has for animals.  I gave a sermonette on this subject in Tyler once and it went out to all the churches.  I gave many examples of God's love for animals.  God even told Jonah, who was upset that God was not going ahead to destroy Nineveh, that one of the reasons He would not destroy it is because of the cattle in that city. 

Notice...

Jonah 4:11
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

 

This all seems to lead one to believe that hunting will not be a part of the millennium.

See the sermonette, “Mindful of Us” here.