In searching for and desiring peace we can already see that mankind is being placed in a position to accept anyone and any power that will promise the peace that they seek. Mankind is ripe like a swollen grape and ready to be taken in by a man that will rise in the midst of great turmoil, international threats of war, economic disaster on a global scale and a world that has gone mad. The Antichrist will appear on the scene in the not too distant future. It is most likely that he is already alive and being prepared for the moment that he will step out into the pages of prophetic history to begin his reign of terror that will only be halted by the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
It is no surprise that Jesus spoke these words in Luke 21:26, "Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." That doesn’t mean just heart attacks folks. It means that men will be so afraid of the threats of world annihilation, and so shaken by world economic woes that they will wring their hands in worry, depression and fear because there seems to be no answer to what is coming.
Even as you talk to people right now you can sense the panic in their voices. Most people are like a “gun shy animal”. They jump and run in terror at the slightest sound, at the first word of the news media, and they live in constant fear that they will be next victim of the next disaster.
While it is prudent to take steps to protect yourself or to be on guard against becoming easy prey for the many predators that stalk our society, our lives should never be governed by fear and we should never be driven by terror.
That is the way of the world without hope. That is the way of those who have no one to turn to that they can trust with the answer for their protection and safety. That is the way of the children of the devil whose father hates them and devises ways to steal and destroy their peace and to kill their soul in hell. The whole worlds seeks after peace and it is more elusive to them that the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Even if the world does obtain a momentary peace under the reign of the Antichrist, it will be very short-lived because the scriptures tell us in 1 Thessalonians 5:3-6,
"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
What a great promise! The peace of God can surround us and stand guard over our hearts and minds. We could stop here, rejoice, and claim the promise and all live in peace but I am afraid that real life is not as easy as that.
People need something deeper than clichés. They need real, genuine, authentic love. They need the love of our Heavenly Father and the loving arm of a community to demonstrate that love.
As humbling as this is, we have to finally face the fact that we do not have, and are not required to have, all of the answers for people to experience God’s peace.E. You cannot break peace into a formula. There is no A+B/C= PEACE. You cannot put it in a bottle and sell it.
May GOD bless you and keep you. May GOD show you His Peace forever and ever.
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