The City of Peace, Finally!
Back to 1The Bible’s Greatest Prophecies Unlocked!
The capital city of the modern Jewish nation of Israel is Jerusalem. Though this city has known nothing but war, strife and bitter division throughout its history, its name means “city of peace.” This is because Christ will return there to establish His kingdom. The Prince of Peace will rule from the City of Peace. Beginning in this single city, peace will spread around the world (Isa. 2:1-4; Micah 4:1-4). Eventually, it will “break out” everywhere!
Final, true—permanent—world peace and prosperity will come in your lifetime. It is as certain as the Word of God! In the end, the world will not be disappointed! Awesome news lies ahead.
Most assume that God is trying to save the world now—that today is the only opportunity for salvation for all mankind. The whole world has been deceived about salvation and the most important questions and answers of life. Most people have no idea why they were born—why they were put on Earth. No wonder they do not understand why man cannot find peace, happiness, health and abundance on his own.
We must ask: When Jesus establishes His world-ruling government, who else might be part of the structure He establishes? If the governments of men require the efforts of many, who assist a supreme leader, is God’s government different? No!
Daniel Is Plain
Let’s examine some of what the prophet Daniel recorded about God’s kingdom.
Just before Jesus’ Return, God officially grants Him the authority to rule the world to which He is returning. Notice: “There was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed” (Dan 7:14).
Again we ask whether Christ rules alone, or are others to rule with Him? Exactly how does God intend to manage all the peoples and nations of Earth?
More verses in Daniel 7:1-28 are critical to understand: “But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever” (Dan 7:18).
Believe this verse for what it says! The ultimate calling of Christians is to join with Christ to share rulership in the kingdom of God over all nations and all peoples. Truly, Christ will be “King of kingsand Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16).
These other kings and lords can be you or anyone willing to accept God’s terms for entering His kingdom.
What could be plainer? No wonder Jesus stated, “And he that overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father,” (Rev. 2:26-27), and, “To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne...” (Rev 3:21).
Luke 1:32 revealed Christ will sit in Jerusalem on the Throne of David. When Christ Returns, the saints will rule with Him—on Earth!—as spirit-composed beings in the kingdom of God.
How Much Longer?
All want to know when Christ will return. This is why the disciples asked Him, “What shall be the sign of Your coming?” (Matt. 24:3).
Just a few weeks later, in Acts 1:1-26, prior to Jesus’ final ascension back into heaven, the disciples proved they still did not either understand or really accept His previous explanation. So they probed further. Notice: “...they asked of Him, saying, Lord, will You at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own power” (Ac 1:6-7).
But this book has removed all doubt of whether time is very short!
Think. The New Testament Church was to be established just 10 days after this encounter (read Acts 2:1). Why would Jesus answer, “it is not for you to know the times or the seasons” if God’s kingdom was to be the Church—as so many millions believe!—which was to be almost immediately established on Pentecost just 10 days later?
The same is true for us today. We cannot know exactly when Christ’s kingdom will come, but we can now know a very close approximation. At the end of Luke’s long prophecy that parallels Matthew 24:1-51, Jesus stated, “When you see these things come to pass, know you that the kingdom of God is [near] at hand” (Luke 21:31).
Jesus did want His disciples to know that “you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you” (Acts 1:8)—but not to know precisely when the kingdom would arrive. The same is true for all who are converted today. They can know that they will receive power now to grow and overcome—and to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God, until He does return.
False teachers almost universally proclaim that the kingdom of God is now on Earth. They contradict the Christ they profess to follow.
Not Activists
True Christians are not activists seeking to “make this world a better place”—thereby bringing God’s kingdom to Earth. They have their “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15). They walk through life having their “feet” covered with the knowledge of how the true gospel spells the only way to final world peace. They understand with certainty that the kingdom of God—bringing “government and peace” (Isa. 9:7)—is coming. They know what lies ahead for this world. They do not go off to serve and kill in the endless, futile wars of men and nations—or participate in the affairs of failing, doomed governments.
They do not take matters into their own hands, and try to supposedly “spread the kingdom”—or, the more popular term, get involved in “kingdom-building”—thereby attempting to neutralize God’s purpose, which is to show man that he is not capable of governing himself!
How can one spread what is not yet here?
All who understand the truths of this book are no longer in the dark about God’s Plan—or their awesome potential role within it. A new world order is coming—but it is far from what men are planning.
Citing Isaiah 52:7, Paul also recorded, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings [good news] of good things.” He further cited Isaiah: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah said, Lord, who has believed our report?” (Rom. 10:15-16).
Sadly, most people will not believe “God’s report” of what lies ahead for civilization. They will not believe that they are unable to bring world peace through human effort. Many will shout “Peace, peace”—and most will eagerly continue believing their false predictions, even in the face of abject failure.
The professing Christians of this world will continue desperately striving to bring about the kingdom of God and world peace through organizations and efforts of men. Deceived religious leaders will tell them that this is their “Christian duty.” Vast numbers will see this as the sole mission of their church.
I repeat, this is not God’s world! The devil governs a vast realm of fallen spirits. Together, they deceive, confuse and exert far-reaching influence over all the governments and activities on Earth, including the many religions of men. Get this! These governments cannot be fixed or improved. They must be removed!—by God!
But understand. True Christians never disobey—or resist—civil authority—unless that authority directly instructs them to disobey the higher authority of God (Acts 5:29). Christians never participate in protests or demonstrations, even non-violent ones, never mind violent ones—or participate in any form of war, which is of course always much more violent. Not ever! Remember Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence[meaning, from here—this world]” (John 18:36). But understand. Participating in the governments of men and obeying or submitting to them are entirely different matters. Christians do not confuse the two! They yield to—as very models of obedience—men’s governments at every level. Romans 13:1-7, among other scriptures, explain what God expects.
Millions are looking for peace and security around every corner—but they will be bitterly disappointed—in the short term. This is because world conditions, leading into a final devastating period of worldwide calamity, will get infinitely worse before they ultimately get better.