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Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:14
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We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!

Jeremiah 8:15
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Peace On Earth?           

 

 
"Man was made to worship his Creator, and when he rejects his Creator and goes his way, then he also rejects peace, and his path is one of turmoil from within, that affects everything without." - Clark Tanner

"Peace with God is the grand necessity of a fallen world. To bring in this, and all other peace in its train, was the prime errand of the Savior to this earth..." - Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

"It is the work of Christ to bring peace into all human relations - in man's relation to God, to himself (his own feelings, desires, etc.), to his life's circumstances (calamities and trials), and to his fellow men." - Unknown Writer

What is the message of Christmas?

Before answering this question, ask yourself the following questions - what is the most sought after and most elusive treasure in the world? What is the great cry of the world? What constitutes the diligent and devoted effort of world leaders and diplomats at this time?

The answer to all of the above questions is - Peace!

And the message of Christmas is - Peace!

Luke 2:13-14 explains - "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

The word - "angel" - in the Greek means messenger. Throughout the Bible, you will find countless times when an angel appeared with a message from God. In this particular instance, a "host" of "angels" appeared with a great message to announce on behalf of God.

What was that Christmas message?

"...and on earth peace, good will toward men."

"...and on earth peace..." Seriously? Were these angels mistaken? Did they deliver the right message?

One historian estimated that there had been 3,130 years of war in contrast to 227 years of peace from the 15th century before Christ to his day ("The Peace of Christmas" - Jumpstart). For every year of peace, the world has seen thirteen (13) years of war. Since December 1942, every generation has lived under the ominous cloud that threatens to unleash a nuclear holocaust. Consequently, nuclear destruction has been a major threat to civilization.

Nations have long been at odds with one another. They have long talked about peace - when can they have peace?...how can they have peace? No peace treaty that man has devised has ever been kept.

Is world peace really possible? Two world wars fought in the 20th century did not bring peace. The end of the Cold War did not bring peace. The quest for peace seems endless. It is in the news every day, yet the world grows more hostile - with the constant threat of violence and war continuing to escalate.

We have had people resort to the lighting of candles or the saying of prayers for peace - yet no peace! We have had others sign petitions, stage marches, and organize conferences - yet no peace! And then we have had those who advocated building more powerful weaponry - yet no peace!

Is peace possible? Or is it really a mirage...an unrealistic, unattainable goal...an impossible dream that can never be attained among men on this earth?

If it it so, then how do you explain the message which the angels delivered when Christ was born - "and on earth peace, good will toward men"?


Or, if the message of Christmas is "peace on earth, good will toward men," what do you do with Jesus' words in Matthew 10:34 which seem to pose as a contradiction - "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."

Thirty years after the angels gave this announcement, we find Jesus speaking these words - "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." (Matthew 24:6-10).

"...and on earth peace, good will toward men..."

Seriously?


In the above Scriptures, Jesus is predicting that the world conditions would grow worse and worse - culminating in the great tribulation. The Apostle Paul adds to that scenario with his description of the end times in 2 Timothy 3:1 - "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." These times would be characterized by selfish materialism, skepticism, blasphemy, disobedience, brutality, and the mad pursuit of pleasure.

Peace has always and will always be one of the greatest longings of mankind.

In Jeremiah 6:14, we find well-intentioned but misguided leaders attempting to bring peace - "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace."

And look how the Prophet depicted man's great longing in this particular verse of Scripture - "We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!" (Jeremiah 8:15)

"...and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Over the past 2,000 years, we have seen nothing but war, destruction, and bloodshed.

Then, what exactly is the Christmas message? What message were the angels conveying the night that Christ was born?

The message of Christmas is indeed - Peace! However, the angels were not saying that now the earth would know "peace."  Shortly after Christ's birth, we read of Herod's slaughter of the baby boys...the flight of Jesus and His parents to Egypt....the arrest and beheading of John the Baptist...and Jesus' constant conflict with the religious leaders - to name a few.

The angels were obviously talking about something other than the obvious. They were talking about something that became available to all mankind on that very special night in Bethlehem.

The answer is found in the latter portion of the Scripture - "good will toward men." The actual reading of these words is - "peace to men on whom God's favor rests"..."peace to those with whom God is pleased"...and "peace among men who please God."

So, in a sense, what the angels were saying to mankind is this - "I know your greatest longing is for peace. We are here to announce to you that the way of peace is coming to you tonight. The way to find peace is being offered to you. The peace of God is found among men with whom He is well pleased. Your answer is found lying in a manger tonight. Where Jesus is, there is Peace."  

Something that is so remarkable is that during the thirty (30) years that Jesus was on the earth, there was no record of war of any kind. History does not record a single battle having been fought during the time that He was on the earth.

Where Jesus is, there is Peace. Where Jesus is not, there is war and conflict.

The Prophet Isaiah depicted this well when speaking of the wicked who do not want God in their life - "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." (Isaiah 57:21) Then again, in Romans 3:17, the Apostle Paul said of the wicked - "And the way of peace have they not known."

Those who live lives that are pleasing to God - living in His way and walking in His path - are able to enjoy peace in its fullness.

How are they able to live a life that is pleasing to God? How are they able to have "peace" in the midst of turmoil on this earth? By turning from their sins (which separated them from God) and believing on the Savior of the world - Jesus - the Christ Child - Who came to save them from their sins.

Were the angels wrong?

Absolutely not! In their message, they were actually telling of the first and second coming of Jesus. In their announcement, they were implying that in His first coming, He was bringing salvation and peace with God. And then, in His second coming, He will bring peace on earth.

It is at this time during the Christmas season when many are depressed, lonely, despairing, sorrowful, grieving, full of self-hatred, or experiencing inner turmoil. They are looking for Peace and, oftentimes, in all of the wrong places.

Our message to them must be the same message which the angels announced on that "Holy Night" - "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Are you looking for Peace? Where Jesus is, there is Peace!

Are you experiencing inner turmoil? Where Jesus is, there is Peace!
Are you living in sin? Where Jesus is, there is Peace!
Are you experiencing mental torment - due to demonic oppression? Where Jesus is, there is Peace!
Are you plagued by hopelessness? Where Jesus is, there is Peace!
Are you experiencing guilt and regret for things done in the past? Where Jesus is, there is Peace!
Are you experiencing heartache and pain due to broken relationships? Where Jesus is, there is Peace!
Are you tormented by fear of the future? Where Jesus is, there is Peace!

Wherever Jesus is, all wars cease!

Your answer is to bring Jesus into the picture! Then you will know the fullness of peace that He promised in His coming to earth as Savior and King!

We leave you with our opening quote - "Man was made to worship his Creator, and when he rejects his Creator and goes his way, then he also rejects peace, and his path is one of turmoil from within, that affects everything without."

Never forget - Where Jesus is, there is Peace - whether it be in the life, home, marriage, relationships, business, career, ministry, government, or nation!  

Don't pray for "peace on earth." Pray more specifically that mankind will come to realize that their attempts for peace are futile. Peace will only be realized by those in whom God is pleased - by those who have given up their war with Him (as a result of their sin) and have become reconciled to Him through His Son - Jesus Christ.

Pray at this time that all will come to realize that - where Jesus is, there is Peace!   
 
 

May God Bless His Word,

Connie   
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.  (Isaiah 54:17)
                                    
� COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved