War
or Peace
With all the action going on here and abroad, we are getting close to the final days of this world age. We are past the part of wars and rumors of wars and are heading to the end of time where all the nations will cry peace, peace, peace. This is the time for all true Christians to stand up and put on the "Gospel Armor" preparing for the end of times. The sixth trump is ready to sound, and Satan will appear on the scene very soon. Lets take a look at why we are so close to destruction of this world age and how we can usher in the new age of eternal life right here on earth, when the true "Prince of Peace" returns to set all things straight. The nations will fail, but Jesus Christ and the armies of God will not fail to bring that final peace to us all. Lets begin our study in the book of 1 Thessalonians and see how it will all fall in place.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3). Those who are saying everything is quite well and peaceful along with the misled and ignorant, will not escape. Destruction will fall upon them suddenly. Who will bring in this cry for peace and safety? The one world political and religious system. (One world order). It is in the process as we speak. So, what is all the hype about? It's because the religious leaders around the world can't get their act together because they distort the Word. People bring self into everything instead of the instruction and will of God. Churches and ministries today all seem to have their own mysterious beliefs and doctrine. "The only thing most churches can agree on is that there is a God, but some don't even believe that." Turn with me to the book of James and lets see why?
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? (James 4:1). Why all the quarrels among all you teachers and members of the church? Isn't it because of all the evil desires within you? Teachers and members of the church are supposed to be peaceful.
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (James 4:2). You want what you don't have so you fight or kill to get it. Usually it is things that are not of God, and the reason you don't get it is because you don't ask God for it, or if it is His will that you have it. Turn to the book of Mark to continue.
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, (Mark 7:21). People with evil motives in everything they do. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: (Mark 7:22). All the things that are against the will of God. Especially pride, remember that was Satan's downfall. He did not want to serve God, he wanted to be God. One of the biggest problems in the world today is pride. "It's got to be my way or nothing." Don't let Satan get a hold on you like the rest of the world. When he returns at the sixth trump, all hell is going to break lose. Or is it? There will be tribulation in those days, but the biggest thing we need to beware of is deception. Satan is not coming with a long tail and a pitch fork, he comes in peacefully and prosperously pretending to be Christ. The false Christ! He will be so good, he will deceive even some of God's elect. What happens then?
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. (Matthew 24:22). In fact, unless those days are shortened, all mankind will perish. But, for the sake of God's chosen, those days will be shortened. Speaking of the 1,290 days of (Daniel 12:11), the time of the locust army that will be shortened to a five month period. (Revelation 9:5, 9:10), time of the locust is May through September, this is also the time of Passover to the Feast of Tabernacles. Lets go to the old testament, so we can see the prophecy of the first and second advent, where the spirit of God will be at work within us.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6). Christ is that "Given Son" who would come ridding upon an ass to bring us salvation through the crucifixion in the first advent. His royal titles will be: Wonderful, Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, and the most important, "Prince of Peace."
Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of host will perform this. (Isaiah 9:7). His expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule with perfect fairness and justice. He will be the one who brings true justice and peace to all the nations of the world. This will take place at the second advent, when Christ returns riding upon a white horse as "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords." So, what will Christ do to change our evil ways?
A new heart also I will give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26). He will give us new hearts with right desires, and a new spirit within us. The Holy Spirit! He will remove our stony evil hearts and give us a new hearts of love. The true way to peace. So, how and when do we get these new hearts and spirit? Paul would best explain it in the book of Galatians.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20). Paul was explaining that his old self was crucified with Christ; and now Christ lives within him by accepting Christ and believing in Him. (Romans 6:6, 2 Corinthians 5:15). This is what baptism is all about. Symbolically being buried with Christ and resurrecting to a new person with Christ living within you. But wait... If we as Christians have the "Holy Spirit" within us, why do we all still sin? Because we still live in these flesh bodies. The flesh and the spirit are always going to war with each other. I call it the battle within. War or peace, it is all up to you.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. (Galatians 5:22). When the Holy Spirit controls our lives we will produce good fruit. Love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, faithfulness. The key here is control. Which part controls you more? The flesh or the spirit? One can't live without the other in these flesh bodies. So then, until we are changed into our spirit bodies we will always have this battle between good and evil going on within us. The same goes for the nations of the world. Until Christ returns, and we are all changed into spirit bodies, we will never have all the fruits of the spirit working together all the time. But, the time is coming when we will be under the full control of the "Holy Spirit" which brings us eternal love, joy, and peace, throughout the new world.
So, for now it is up to us to make the right decisions when dealing with this nation as well as other nations. You have a say when you vote and support your leaders. Forget the right or left when it comes to political parties. "There is corruption in both parties." Political parties are like denominations in religion. Christ did not like denominationalism and He does not like political division. Vote the best man or woman for the job and what they represent in doing good for the people, not for themselves. The decision is up to you. Is it going to be, War or Peace?
Keep The Faith,Barton