Does the world feel like a peaceful, secure and safe place to you?
Is the United Nations getting any closer to their mandate of world peace
since their conception in 1941?
Is World Peace even a possibility?
Right now the Middle East is full of horrific war activity. Israel and Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. Not only war but also needless violent deaths of innocent women and children. Foreign journalists beheaded and the atrocity televised for the world to see.
Russia is at war with Ukraine. Ugly long civil wars continue in Somalia and many other countries.
In West Africa we have an E-Bola epidemic that has put the nation of Sierre Leone in quarantine.
Not only are there more wars and bloodshed but there is also more earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and famines creating more turmoil and suffering for many.
What does all this mean? We long for peace. Many pray for peace. Government leaders negotiate for peace. Yet armies still fight for peace. So peace seems to be elusive.
The desire for world peace appears to be more of a naive notion.
According to the Bible we should not be surprised by any of this.
"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for
this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in
various places." (Matthew 24:6-7)
As a Christian, I don't believe there will be Peace on Earth until Jesus restores it, on His return. Scripture teaches that wars and famines and earthquakes will increase. And when they do it means His time of return is getting closer. Until then, many can only know peace in their hearts if they live to please God and worship God.
If a historical study was performed to determine which countries have known the most peace as apposed to wars, the likely result would reveal that it is nations that love Jesus and live for Jesus.
"When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at
peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7)
But God's love and peace is for everyone of all nations and ethnic groups. God handpicked the Israelites to be His children and then Jesus opened up the love of God to everyone when He died on the cross.
So someday, everyone who chooses to love Jesus and accept His salvation, will know peace when Christ's new Kingdom is established.
In heaven there will be no war, no tears, no pain, no famine, no sickness. Heaven will be beyond our human comprehension. It will be utter perfection.
We will be in the presence of a loving, good God forever. The physical beauty of heaven will surpass the awesome views of even the Grand Canyon and go beyond what our finite minds can comprehend.
But the best part of heaven is the endless presence of God. And in His presence is peace!
I don't believe we will ever achieve world peace until God establishes it in heaven.
I am thankful that I am blessed to live in a peaceful country and I have the assurance of a peaceful eternity in heaven with a loving God.
Give Thanks!