This is my second article on the subject of ‘peace’.

To see the first one, please click this link:

https://thebiblicalway.blog/2018/02/22/peace/

John 16:33 ‘“These things I have spoken to you, and in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”’

Peace is what most of us dream about. Every day we hear of relentless destruction, havoc and death, caused by waring factions in different parts of the world. Strife, pain and suffering is experienced by many people. We ask God, “Why?” and the answer comes back, “Because of sin,” which is the natural disposition of men and women (Romans 3:23) since the time of Adam when he rebelled against God (Romans 5:12).

Satan, once an angel in heaven (Luke 10:18), was the perpetrator of rebellion. He and his angels warred against Michael and his angels, and he was cast to the earth (Revelation 12:7-10), where he roams to this day (Ephesians 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8). In the form of a speaking serpent (Genesis 3:1) he craftily sought Eve in the Garden of Eden, and tricked her into believing she could be like God (Genesis 3:5). She need only take things into her own hands and eat of the forbidden fruit, which she foolishly did (Genesis 3:6).

Adam followed suit (v 6), and we all know of the disastrous consequences for his offspring, who, being like him rebel against God. As a consequence, no one can do good (Romans 3:12). Their desire is to do evil (Proverbs 4:14-17; Micah 7:2-4).

But for the past two-thousand years there has been a way out, whereby this cycle of rebellion could be broken. God’s only begotten Son (John 3:16) came to the earth for this very reason, to overcome sin and satan (1 John 3:7, 8). By dying on a cross and by rising from the dead He demonstrated his power over sin, death and satan, and He freely frees His elect from their clutches (Romans 5:15-17).

Meanwhile, He allows satan to continue roaming the earth with his demons (Luke 11:17-20) of destruction. In coalition with the unregenerate, they make war, maim, kill and destroy, and they will continue to do so (Matthew 24:6, 7: Luke 21:9, 10) until Jesus returns to the earth (Luke 21:27) to execute justice (Psalm 99:4; 146:7; Isaiah 66:14-16) and to bring peace (Jeremiah 33:6). Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and He will surely establish peace (Psalm 29:11; 37:11) in His new heaven (Luke 19:38, 42), new earth and new Jerusalem (Isaiah 66:12, 13).

Fortuitously through Him, there is a way out from the cycle of evil, and that is for people to trust in Him and His saving power (Psalm 31:1, 14). When they trust in Him and repent (Mark 1:15), He rescues them from the dreadful consequences of their former rebellion (Psalm 103:4; Titus 2:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:10). No longer are they destined for hell (Psalm 49:15); instead, they can look forward with joy to a bright future (Revelation 5: 9, 10). They will be raised from the dead (Romans 8:11) in the likeness of their Saviour (1 John 3:2).

They will know and experience His peace (John 14:27; 16:33).

Some Biblical texts containing references to peace.

Leviticus 3:6 ‘If his offering as a sacrifice of a peace offering to the Lord is of the flock, whether male of female, he shall offer it without blemish.’

Leviticus 26:6 ‘I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land.’

Numbers 6:26 ‘The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.’

2 Samuel 24:25 ‘And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel.’

1 Kings 8:63 ‘And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the LORD, twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred  and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.’

1 Chronicles 22:9 ‘Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.’

Psalm 29:11 ‘The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.’

Psalm 34:14 ‘Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.’

Psalm 37:11 ‘But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.’

Psalm 119:165 ‘Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.’

Psalm 122:6 ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”’

Isaiah 9:6 ‘For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’

Isaiah 26:3 ‘You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.’

Isaiah 42:7 ‘I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD do all these things.’

Isaiah 48:22 ‘“There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”’

Isaiah 52:7 ‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”’

Isaiah 53:5 ‘But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.’

Isaiah 57:18 ‘“I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says the LORD.’

Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”

Luke 2:14 ‘“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”’

Luke 12:51 ‘“Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.”’

Luke 24:36 ‘Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”’

John 16:33 ‘“These things I have spoken to you, and in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”’

John 20:21 ‘So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”’

Romans 5:1 ‘Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’

Romans 15:33 ‘Now, the God of peace be with you all. Amen.’

Ephesians 2:14 ‘For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,’

Philippians 1:2 ‘Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.’

Colossians 1:19, 20 ‘For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fulness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood on the cross.’

Colossians 3:15 ‘And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.’

2 Thessalonians 3:16 ‘Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.’

James 3:18 ‘Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.’