What is peace? - Webster’s Dictionary describes it this way:
1) Freedom from war;
2) An agreement to end war;
3) Law and order;
4) Harmony - concord;
5) Serenity or quiet.
Peace is much more than the absence of war. Peace is contentment - with the hope of a future free of worry that conflict brings to all levels of one’s surroundings.
But everywhere we look today, there is conflict. Anxiety and perplexity reigns at every level of society - international, national and local. We cry out for peace, but it is nowhere to be found.
We’ve just concluded a year full of conflict and the one just entered (2010) looks to be no better. The reason this is obvious is because the large majority of inhabitants of this planet continue to reject the only ONE who can bring peace. This rejection signifies the increase of evil that is prophetically scheduled to grow worse. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:13, “But evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
These seducers and impostors in this generation are everywhere and are inciting war and deadly conflict all over the geopolitical landscape. Look, for example, at the most volatile area on our planet - the Holy Land - which ultimately will be the host of the world’s final conflict - Armageddon.
As we speak, the “Prince of Persia” is constantly antagonizing God’s chosen people and nation, inciting the likes of Iran’s leadership to create weapons that can destroy her. This, of course, would derail God’s prophetic plan to install the King of Kings upon the Throne of David.
We are seeing alliances being made before our very eyes concerning Ezekiel’s Gog-Magog coalition (Ezekiel, Chapters 38-39). - One day the “evil thought” mentioned in 38:10 will come into a Russian leader’s mind and all “hell” will break loose, thus fulfilling this portion of prophetic scripture.
--And what about here in our own land? - Our political leaders continually lie to us, promising resolution to civil and economic strife that have virtually no chance of improvement, based upon their skill levels and self serving motives and intentions. They seduce us with innuendo -- deluding words that come directly from the great deceiver, the father of lies!
As for our religious leaders -- even supposed Christians - they fare not much better. They, in many cases, are moving their flocks away from, and not toward, the God in Heaven who has the only true prescription for a peaceful life while here on this ever-darkening planet. As we’ve witnessed in Europe, we see the gospel light dimming here in America. What was once considered a Christian nation would now be hard-pressed to prove it.
Still however, the delusion of man-made peace prevails over our world. Look once again at the Holy Land. It seems that just about every nation on Earth has a solution for its resolution to conflict. - We must remember that this land - the region to host the worst and final war - was prophesied to have cries for peace and safety that would prevail at the times of the end. In fact, they dominate today’s headlines.
But we know these cries for peace are not working. -- Not yet, anyway. -- But soon the “prince that shall come” (Daniel 9:27) will confirm a covenant of peace that will temporarily bring euphoria to a fearful world. This, of course, will be the great deceiver, the Antichrist, who will forge this peace treaty with Israel. This, as we know, will be the beginning of the seven-year tribulation period.
So what is the point? - All this gloom and doom for this new year is depressing you say? -- But hold on!! -- The hope in all this is glorious beyond imagination!! It is the “blessed hope” of Titus 2:13 who remains in complete control.
For the student of Bible prophecy, whose Lord is the King of Kings, all of the signs of this world’s passing away means that Christ’s return to make everything right must be very near indeed! - The true Prince of Peace is about to intervene into the disastrous affairs of man. - Hallelujah!
Luke 21:28 says, “Lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.”
Until next time,
Red