More than ten years ago, in the August 2010 issue of The Christian, we discussed the subject of world peace. At that time, the United States and Russia had just signed another disarmament treaty, with a view to reducing the stockpile of nuclear weapons in each country. Other nations commended this move and felt that it was one more step toward world peace. But needless to say, ten years later the sought-for peace is more elusive than ever. More and more trouble spots have flared up in the world, and most have defied all efforts to quench them. Serious difficulties and civil war in Syria and Lebanon continue to rock the Middle East, as well as continued hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians. (The massive explosion in the port of Beirut, Lebanon, on August 4, 2020, with a large number of casualties and tremendous structural damage, has further complicated the peace process in the Middle East.) The Taliban is gaining ground in Afghanistan, while Yemen is racked by civil war, resulting in thousands of casualties from both war and famine. Despite the presence of U.S. troops, Iraq continues to be unstable, and Iran threatens the world with its push to acquire nuclear weapons. Various countries in Africa, such as Libya, Nigeria and Somalia, rumble with unrest.
China and North Korea
The largest difficulties, however, concern China and North Korea. In the same year that the United States and Russia signed the disarmament treaty to which we have referred, China overtook Japan to become the second largest economy in the world. Since then China has flexed its muscles both economically and militarily, and it has tried to dominate Southeast Asia and the South China Sea. Its aggressive maneuvers, such as creating new islands on which to build airport landing strips, have angered other nations and fueled tensions in the area. Their recent curtailment of liberty in Hong Kong has resulted in widespread protests and likewise has outraged other nations. Meanwhile, North Korea has continued its challenge to the world, and to the United States in particular, having persisted in building and testing nuclear weapons, while impoverishing its people.
The Western Hemisphere
Even in the Western Hemisphere, drug wars in Mexico between rival gangs have escalated to the point where the government seems unable to deal with them, and there are also serious trouble spots in South America, such as Venezuela and Colombia. In the United States, incidents of alleged police brutality and racism have erupted into serious riots and anarchy, and they have further divided the country. There seems to be no area of the world where potential trouble does not exist.
The Pandemic
Added to all this has been the coronavirus pandemic, which has enveloped the entire world, seriously damaged trade and commerce, and killed hundreds of thousands of people. Before the pandemic settles down, many more will likely die, not only as a result of the virus, but also from disruptions in the world food supply, which was already precarious in a number of areas. Tensions between nations have predictably increased, as each seeks to protect its own interests, protect the health of its people, and preserve its economy. Many in poorer countries are throwing up their hands in despair, as they wonder which is worse — to die through economic collapse and famine or from catching the COVID-19 virus. Where is true peace to be found in such an environment?
The Prince of Peace
As we pointed out in the article on “World Peace” ten years ago, the root of war is selfishness, and the root of selfishness is sin. Very few in this world actually choose war; rather, man chooses selfishness, and the result is war. When God sent His Son into this world as “the Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:66For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)), this world rejected Him with one consent and chose a man who combined in his character many criminal tendencies. The world is no different today. Two years ago, during an interview, a Roman Catholic archbishop was asked why the name of Jesus Christ was not invoked more frequently in speeches to the U.N. by representatives of the Vatican. The archbishop defended their approach by saying that they preferred “using the language of human rights that’s common in the U.N. system” in order to “try to reach out to all people, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, people of all persuasions.” This attitude is general, for while man may, in a conventional way, acknowledge the existence of God, his natural heart hates the revelation of God in Christ.
God is now offering peace to man, as individuals, if they will repent and come to Christ, and He has sent out His servants “preaching peace by Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:36). As the blessed result of there being “peace in heaven” (Luke 19:3838Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. (Luke 19:38)), all who believe can have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Nothing that happens in this world can touch the source of that peace, and thus the believer in the Lord Jesus can enjoy “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Phil. 4:77And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)), in all the trials and difficulties of life in this world.
World Peace
But what about lasting peace for this world? Are strife, warfare and bloodshed to continue indefinitely? Absolutely not, for God has solemnly decreed, “Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion” (Psa. 2:66Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. (Psalm 2:6)). But two things are absolutely necessary for world peace — Christ’s exaltation in this world and the absence of sin. No effort of man in himself can bring about peace; it must come from God’s intervention, and our Lord Jesus Christ must be given His rightful place. Only when “Thy judgments are in the earth” will “the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isa. 26:99With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (Isaiah 26:9)). This will take place during the 1000 years of the millennium, when our Lord Jesus Christ will reign in righteousness. During that time, “the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever” (Isa. 32:1717And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. (Isaiah 32:17)).
The Millennium
But will there be the complete absence of sin during the millennium? Apparently not, for there will be those who submit to Christ out of fear, but with no real change in their hearts. From time to time evil will raise its head, although it will be dealt with every day. “Every morning will I destroy all the wicked of the land: to cut off all workers of iniquity from the city of Jehovah” (Psa. 101:88I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord. (Psalm 101:8) JND). Righteousness will indeed reign during that blessed era. Then, at the end of that wonderful time, Satan will again be loosed and lead a final rebellion of awesome proportions, with numbers “as the sand of the sea” (Rev. 20:88And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (Revelation 20:8)). One thousand years of perfect government and prosperity will not have changed man’s natural heart; when given the opportunity, they will once again unite against the Lord Jesus Christ. When this rebellion has been put down, God will usher in a time of eternal blessing — a kingdom where righteousness will dwell.
The Eternal State
During the eternal state — the “day of God”—our Lord Jesus Christ will indeed have His rightful place, not so much in a visible kingdom on earth, but rather in that eternal kingdom that will indeed last, not merely for 1000 years, but forever. Also, sin will never be seen again, for the full result of the work of Christ will be displayed. As the “Lamb of God,” He will have taken away “the sin of the world” (John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)). Let us quote others who have described that day:
“The kingdom of God is a vast moral kingdom with the Son of Man at its head, God having committed it to Him forever (2 Peter 1:1111For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:11); John 5:2222For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: (John 5:22)). This eternal kingdom will be distinct from the millennial kingdom. In the kingdom of God, all will have a new nature joyfully subject to Christ and the Father, and grace will rule our souls in liberty and peace.
“All mankind and angels will be the inhabitants of this kingdom; all authority will be in the hands of Christ as a man forever, with the church (Rev. 21:1010And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (Revelation 21:10)). Christ will be head of the government, over the creation as a man. The heavenly Jerusalem will be the seat of the government. ‘Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen’ (1 Tim. 1:1717Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)).”
C. E. Lunden
“‘The kingdom of the world of our Lord and of His Christ is come, and He shall reign to the ages of ages’ (Rev. 11:1515And 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. (Revelation 11:15) JND). Voices in heaven announce the fact of the reign of Jehovah and of His Christ according to Psalm 2, and that He (for John, as always, unites both in one thought) should reign forever and ever, and so it will be. But both the earthly and the eternal kingdom are celebrated, only in the eternal kingdom the distinction of the worldly kingdom and of Christ’s subordination is omitted. In the thanksgiving of the elders, Jehovah Elohim Shaddai [Lord God Almighty] is also celebrated, as the great King who takes to Him His power and reigns; for it is God’s kingdom.”
J. N. Darby (commenting on Rev. 11:15-1715And 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. 16And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. (Revelation 11:15‑17))
Eternal Peace
In the presence of sin and without Christ, world peace will always be an impossible goal for mankind. But God will bring it in, in His time, and it will last for all eternity. The believer can rest in this prospect, knowing that nothing can frustrate the purposes of God in Christ.
At length — the final kingdom,
No bound, no end possessing:
When heaven and earth —
God all in all
Shall fill with largest blessing.
All root of evil banished,
No breath of sin to wither,
On earth — on high —
Naught else but joy,
And blissful peace for ever!
G. Gilpin
W. J. Prost