2. Prince of Peace

Prince of Peace-Part 2.pdf

NKJV (Isaiah 9: 6) 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, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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In the previous article we have seen that politicians – who call themselves Christians – display a questionable and worldly behavior towards the persecuted Christians in the world. We saw that Christians can maintain peace by not being afraid and to believe in Jesus’ words.
Furthermore, the announcement of the promised Prince of Peace in the Old Testament was discussed.

In Jesus’ days it were not the Jewish leaders, but it was the Jewish people who understood that the long-awaited King had come.
They were delighted with the Messenger of peace from heaven:

NKJV (Luke 19:38) 38 (the people) saying: “‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

They realized very clearly, that Jesus came to them in the Name of God. (YHWH)
A large part of the Jewish people were alert to the coming of the Messiah, but not all:

NKJV (Luke 19:42) 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

But are also the current disciples of Jesus alert now and are all Christians awaiting Jesus’ 2nd coming? All Christians fortunately do believe in Jesus’ words, but only few look forward to the Second Coming or Parousia of the Christ.
There are therefore few Christians who experience Christianity as it is intended.

NKJV (Luke 13:24) 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

The theme of this article is; The unique teachings of Jesus about inner peace and the age of the Prince of Peace on the new earth.

The big Christian institutions have captured many Christians with their dogmas.
(See also: 2. Community https://www.dojc.nl/?p=6093&lang=en)
The Christian way of life must therefore return to the roots, to a personal experience.
Towards the house communities, as with the first Christian congregations, as small-scale study groups:

NKJV(1 Corinthians 14:26) 26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Christians themselves must read Scripture and ponder for themselves, what is meant with God’s word.
If you find out that you have been taught wrong teachings or practices, do change them.
If you do no longer encourage others to get to know Jesus, then start doing that again.
The big Christian institutions have pressed the Christians to experience an impersonal and anonymous experience with all kinds of own dogmas and questionable rituals such as infant baptism.
Or they declare that you must be affiliated with their organization in order to be saved.

Many Christians know little about the content of Scripture or about the pure Christianity and rely on the opinions and knowledge of people of this world.
They have come to believe in the theories of science such as evolution or seek wisdom from self-proclaimed Messiahs, prophets, and gurus.
With those, Christians are moving on the path of idolatrous practices.
That is also the main reason for the prophesied Christian rebellion. (2 Thess. 2: 3)

At this moment, there is worldwide – with the approval of many worldly leaders – again an attack on the Christian faith. A takeover by Islam, the Islam that does not even recognize Jesus as the Son of God, who do not recognize His sacrifice, let alone that they recognize His Kingship as Prince of Peace.
It is this struggle that is being encouraged by the media and worldly politicians that Jesus was talking about. A struggle that will give fear, pressure and division within the Christian households:

NKJV (Luke 12: 51-53) 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
NKJV (Matthew 10:34) 34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

The peace on earth disappears

One of the 4 riders in Revelation, a rider on a red horse, gets the power to take peace from the earth:

NKJV (Revelation 6: 4) 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

This rider on the red horse symbolizes the war between the nations and the war between religions. (10. The great war at Har–Mágedon https://www.dojc.nl/?p=4171&lang=en )

We now thus live in the phase in which the rider on the red horse is riding with his sword.
Everyone can see for himself, how the peace of the world is being taken away right now.
How tensions rise between the US as a world power with China and Russia.
How much violence is used worldwide in the name of Islam:

NKJV (Luke 21: 9) 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”

Unfortunately, a number of Christians who do not want to bow to idolatry and continue to bear witness about Jesus and about God’s word will be literally slaughtered in this war:

NKJV (Revelation 6: 9-11) 9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
NKJV (Revelation 20: 4) 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands….

The preceding Scriptures sound frightening, but what is going to happen is not up to us.
We must be aware of what is going to happen and therefore it should not be kept silent.
Jesus calls this period the great tribulation. (Matthew 24:21)
Always remember that Christians do not have to fear for their death.
Jesus has assured us that those who remain faithful will receive unequivocally their reward, that they will be heirs of God’s Kingdom till eternity:

NKJV (Matthew 16:25) 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Jesus teachings about peace

Christians who read Scripture notice, that Jesus is loving us, is compassionate, invigorating, appeasable, and approachable. That is because of the peace and love that is in Him.  Jesus likes to see the same love and peace in us:

NKJV (Matthew 5: 9) 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

We should not get excited or get angry by reading the news. We know that all these terrible things must happen. Wisdom and insight give peace, fear takes peace away:

NKJV (John 14:27) 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
NKJV (John 16:33) 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Jesus emphasized time and again to love each other as Christians and also to love our neighbor:

NKJV (Mark 12: 30-31) 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Even to love and pray for our greatest enemies despite all persecution:

NKJV (Matthew 5:44) 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

Jesus asks this to us in the hope, that some enemies will have an ear for the life-giving Christian message.
Scripture writes, that in the last days there also will be a war in heaven:

NKJV (Revelation 12: 7) 7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,

Satan and his angels will be cast from heaven. (Rev. 12: 9)
Now that the Christian apostasy has taken place, – according to our research – an angel is being withdrawn as a protector for the worldwide Christian communities:

NKJV (2 Thessalonians 2: 7-8) 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed,….

The lawless or Antichrist will give a ghost to the image of the beast, which is the monstrosity (Satan) that must be worshiped in order to be able to buy / sell. (Rev. 13: 15-17)
Satan will step up the war against Christians on earth in his great anger:

NKJV (Revelation 17:14) 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
NKJV (Revelation 19:11) 11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

The Lamb will support the Christians together with the called = the great multitude, the elect = 144,000 saints and the faithful = the prophets.
This major mass attack on Jesus’ disciples (the body of Christ – 1 Corinthians 12: 12, 27) is, as far as Jesus is concerned, namely an attack on Jesus himself:

NKJV (Revelation 19:19) 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.

Jesus will therefore protect the heirs with certainty, we never have to doubt that.
They will be taken up in heaven, but each in its order.
(See: 6. The inclusion in heaven https://www.dojc.nl/?p=3596&lang=en)
But what does the future bring for the heirs? (Galatians 3: 26-29)

De Sprout, the Prince of Peace

As predicted in the Old Testament, the Prince of Peace will be King in God’s kingdom:
(See: 1. Prince of Peace https://www.dojc.nl/?p=7098&lang=en)

NKJV (Jeremiah 33:15) 15 ‘In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David A Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
NKJV (Daniel 7: 13-14) 13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.
NKJV (Ezekiel 37: 24-27 ) 24 “David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. 25 Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. 26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

De Sprout, Branch or Prince of Peace will build the new temple:

NKJV (Zechariah 6: 12-13) 12 Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the Lord; 13 Yes, He shall build the temple of the Lord. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” ‘

The people will visit the new temple, which has been built by the Sprout (Jesus), and want to be taught and want to worship God (YHWH):

NKJV (Isaiah 2: 2-4) 2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.

The new earth will become a place of justice and peace for the heirs:

NKJV (Isaiah 66: 22-23) 22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord, “So shall your descendants and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.
NKJV (Psalms 72: 7-8) 7 In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more. 8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.
NKJV (Isaiah 54: 13-14) 13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children. 14 In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you.

The saints will reign together with the King Christ :

NKJV (Daniel 7: 21-22) 21 I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.
NKJV (Revelation 5: 10) 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

Scripture is clear, in the age on the new earth there will be no more room for unrepentant, godless people.
There will be peace not only for the heirs, but also for those who receive a second chance after 1000 years. The latter group will have to adjust their lifestyle thoroughly.
In the Scriptures is written, that Jesus will rule this group with a rod of iron:

NKJV ( Revelation 2:26 ) 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations– 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’– as I also have received from My Father;
< We will return to the subject of ruling with a rod of iron in a later article >

Unfortunately, not all will be grateful for that second chance.
(See: 5. Future https://www.dojc.nl/?p=5538&lang=en)
There will be no more room for the unwilling, the new earth will not be destroyed again.

Finally:

Christians are privileged because the God of peace has raised our King Christ from the dead.
On the basis of Jesus shed blood and His sacrifice, His faithful disciples also receive life:

NKJV (Hebrews 13:20) 20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

We have the assurance that Jesus will never let His faithful disciples perish:

NKJV (John 10: 27-28) 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

In the following article we will further elaborate how we can already build peace and forgiveness into our hearts now.

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