Chapter Thirty-One – Finally—World Peace!
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The world is filled with war, terrorism, and threats of more war and terrorism. This has been a constant in every age. Yet, all nations long for peace. Leaders negotiate for it. Millions pray for it. Of course, armies fight for it. Everyone wants it. Yet it remains more elusive than ever. The second horse and rider foretold by Christ—the red horse of war—certainly makes clear that an end to war is not yet just beyond the horizon.
Universal Desire
All people long for happy, peaceful, abundant lives. But how many today actually enjoy this kind of wonderful life?
Knowledge is exploding! Mankind has produced astonishing materialistic progress. Breakthroughs in science and technology have never been greater. But have they been able to bring a rich, full, joyful life to everyone? Have education and the knowledge explosion brought this? Has religion succeeded in producing peaceful, abundant lives worldwide? Have governments found the answers to mankind’s greatest questions? Are statesmen providing the example leading to the way that produces true happiness?
In every case, the clear answer is NO! Plain answers are lacking.
Vast new frontiers of expanding scientific knowledge have not brought the happiness that leaders and scientists foretold would accompany them. Neither have laborsaving devices, which were supposed to bring people more leisure time to “enjoy themselves.” Instead, mental illness, loneliness, self-pity and despair, suicide, alcoholism, drug addiction, as well as other forms of escapism, and general dissatisfaction with life, are everywhere.
Thousands of wars have been fought in the name of religion. Hundreds of millions of lives have been wiped out in the name of peace! Still there is no peace! Humanly devised solutions always fail to bring lasting peace—anywhere in the world.
Efforts are being made by economists, politicians, sociologists, and other “thinkers.” But it will notturn out all right. Religion, politics and other conservative movements, however well intentioned, will fail—abysmally.
At every turn, mankind has bungled and botched all efforts to solve its biggest problems. As a result, humanity suffers from every conceivable evil and ill. Misery, confusion, unhappiness, discontent, desperation—and military confrontation!—abound.
But there is a way that produces true happiness and peace.
Ugly History
War is the primary means by which nations have settled disputes throughout history. It is considered a natural state of affairs, while peace has been considered a time of recuperation from the previous conflict, and when preparation is being made for the next war.
Georges Clemenceau, the WWI French statesman, said this: “I don’t know whether war is an interlude during peace, or peace is an interlude during war” (Quotes for the Air Force Logistician, United States Air Force Logistics Management Agency, p. 66).
Recall General Douglas MacArthur’s famous speech, stating man’s dilemma in the starkest terms: “We have had our last chance. If we will not devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door” (April 19, 1951, speech to the United States Congress).
But the Bible says world peace will come—and soon!
The presidential historian and columnist, Peggy Noonan, summarized the jumbled, awful course that has been man’s history: “In the long ribbon of history, life has been one long stained and tangled mess, full of famine, horror, war and disease. We must have thought we had it better because man had improved. But man doesn’t really ‘improve,’ does he? Man is man. Human nature is human nature; the impulse to destroy coexists with the desire to build and create and make better” (“His Delicious, Mansard-Roofed World,” The Wall Street Journal, Oct. 26, 2001).
While men have created many amazing technological inventions, they cannot “create” peace. Scientists have unleashed the power of the atom, but are powerless to “unleash” peace upon Earth. Astronomers have discovered much about the size, majesty and precision of the universe, but they cannot “discover” the way to peace. They can find galaxies far away throughout the universe, but they cannot “find” peace here on Earth. Neither can leaders end famine, disease, poverty, overpopulation, religious confusion and hatred, as well as every other misery, evil and woe that unchecked human nature can produce.
I repeat: The Bible declares that peace, and solutions to all these troubles, will come—and soon.]
One World Government?
Men today are planning a world government behind the scenes—a new world order. Discussions are well underway in certain corners of Europe toward this end. Various treaties have begun to point the way.
In 1966, as God began to reveal His truth to me, I had the opportunity to meet with my United States Congressman—William McCulloch—a highly respected man in his time. I was nominated to attend the United States Naval Academy. All nominees were required to have a personal interview with their Congressman prior to acceptance. When the interview ended, Mr. McCulloch asked if I wished to ask any questions.
I had only one.
I was learning about a world-ruling government to be established at the Return of Jesus Christ. So I asked the Congressman’s opinion of one world government—if it were in the hands of men. His answer was immediate and emphatic, “I do not believe it would work, but if I did, I would shout it from the housetops.” This made a lasting impression on me. I never forgot what a Congressman of over 30 years’ experience in the world’s most powerful government stated.
Since that time, many have suggested one world government IS the only way to world peace and stability. But many questions arise. Who would bring it? How would it be phased in? What laws would it administer? How would they be enforced? Would sovereign nations relinquish authority to it? Would it succeed, or would it eventually oppress and enslave all mankind? These questions always stop thinkers, planners, leaders and scientists in their tracks!
Therefore, world peace remains elusive as ever. Seemingly everyone yearns for it, but no one knows how to obtain it. Why? Why cannot the experienced leaders and intelligent thinkers of our time find the way to peace? Why do people understand the only solution that could bring peace is one world government, yet at the same time acknowledge this is utterly impossible if left to men? We might ask: If men are incapable of governing their own individual lives, how could they possibly govern the entire world?