Peace On Earth
Jer:6:14: They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
M't:10:34: Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Where is the peace on Earth we chime out that the Savior brought to us? In a deceived and deluded state at Christmas time we herald peace on earth, for one moment in time, and live the rest of the year with blood on our hands and strife in our hearts. The peace spoken of in Lu:2:14 refers to the time of the Son's entry into the world of men as a gift from a merciful God that men would be saved. It must have been a gloriously quiet day all over the planet. But just that day, that moment. The brutal occupation of Palestine did not end, the yoke of Rome's dominance over the world was not broken. Yes, peace on earth is a fable. Why is the body count climbing all over the world when we're so close to total peace and safety? We eat war with our dinners. This is the second time in some of our lives that we watch body bags returning to our shores while we watch the evening news. This a very grievous thing to watch and remember for some of us. War is what brings the Pax Romana's about, brutality is what maintains the "order", not love.
I hope the Preterists are enjoying their Millennial reign of Christ with all the peace and love out there. Gun sales skyrocket and the demand for survival gear out drives the supply. New diseases come to ravage mankind from whatever "source", almost constantly now. We can't believe a thing anyone tells us anymore because the easiness of the lie has come to live in men's and women's hearts in place of the love (M't:24:12).
Our churches are enraptured in a pseudo-blissful harmony and profit, the shows continue and the Wolves babble on. So called believers wrap themselves in a shroud of light claiming their "lives" couldn't be better now that they have "accepted" Christ. They have riches, love, contentment with the world they live with. Some say, "oh we're only striving to serve God, you know", all the while believing themselves free of the strife and agony that they have been conveniently misled into believing exists somewhere else in the neighborhood and NOT in their walk with Christ, the result of the poisonous fables of eternal security in sin they have been fed. (2Tm:4:4) ...among others.
As long as I have this, that and the other thing, I'll be fine. As long as my spouse doesn't do this, that or the other thing, we'll get along and I won't have to suffer through TV dinners, lonely nights and counseling. As long as we can all get along at the family picnic or funeral or wedding, that's all that matters. We're all getting along and that's what God wants, you know. ...Oh?... Ga:1:6: I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. This other Gospel, and many there are, is one of convenience and compromise. Hell.
M't:10:35-36: For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Lu:12:51: Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: It is raining Truth on the parade. That should be the end of the party. That is, if anyone is listening to God. If you are called out to Christ by the Spirit of God and you truly live as His, you've been laughing through the first few paragraphs. And I know a FEW of you are for you know the Truth. This bliss and harmony of today is of the Adversary children. Commitment to Christ is trouble between you and those around you who are dead to the Truth. We are told specifically we would have tribulation in this world (Joh:16:33) not bliss and harmony with it or those of their father the devil. And the only reason you still "get along" with them and their world is because you have chosen compromise over confrontation. Not an aggressive confrontational, in-your-face stand, no. Just standing for Christ and the ways of God, to use the words of the D.A.R.E. program our kids are taught at school, "Just say NO!". Look at it as active passivism if you will. When the real Jesus lives through you, there is no mistaking the target on your sealed forehead. Is that the case for us? The emphasis is always on our relationships with others, in our families, jobs etc. This is simply idolatry.
Joh:9:39: And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Jesus always spoke in a parabolic manner. It was ordained and prophesied He would do so. (Psalms:78:2) It was all part of the plan to awaken the sleeping Saints to Salvation and to mark and confound the 'dead'. One aspect of this saying implies that those that see that they might not see are those with no spiritual eyes but rather pride, intellect and self will, those of a contrary spirit. Another deeper "layer" implies the total sovereignty of God and His choices and good pleasure. But we don't want to go there do we.
M't:13:19: When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. God knows His own and this passage speaks volumes about the wheat and tares, the real and the posers, and again the sovereignty of God.
M't:13:11: He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. God knew full well that many would come to an "understanding" of this Faith but not have the desire to receive the LOVE OF THE TRUTH. There seems to have been a form of delusion that Jesus Himself, ordained of the Father, brought long before the widespread outpouring of 2Thess2:11 we witness today. Judgment did indeed begin as Jesus stated when He came into this world. The separating had seemingly already begun. The startling and sobering truth is that many are called but FEW are chosen, (M't:22:14)
M't:10:37: He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Jesus was very clear about where the lines were drawn. This smacks of total, painful, bloody separation from the carnal world doesn't it. We are mad with our idols (Jer:50:38). God respects no person or their standing, power, influence or plans. The only thing God "sees" is one of a penitent heart before Him, quiet, broken and resting in Him. Jesus is the Son of a jealous God. Families are an asset, yes, but also an obvious liability in that the inner workings of said can quickly turn the focus from the Master, from the Father, to self. We must guard against the wiles of devilish distractions and keep all things in a proper Godly and spiritual perspective. I would add that there are TRULY, Christ committed families out there, make no mistake, but for all intents and purposes they slide over into the "FEW" category. God bless and keep them. Hard things to look at but true nonetheless. Doing the will of God is more important than anything, anyone, or any structural institution on this earth. This is a very narrow way. M'r:3:33-34-35: And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. And when we truly do the will of God, the war comes to us along with the isolation as a true wanderer and stranger on this earth experiences according to scripture. The duality of man does not apply in God's Kingdom. That is why the old man is purged and dies away upon regeneration in Christ, conformed to His image. We are given ONE nature as a result, God's nature. It is God or Satan we serve. No TWO ways about it.
M't:10:38: And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.M't:10:39: He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
...? Is this what we truly believe?
1Tm:5:15: For some are already turned aside after Satan.
Ga:3:3: Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Faith by the hearing of the Word causes our "completeness". The works that follow are of God. Many a Faith has been acquired by reason and law, by convenience and design, our worldly acquisitions and focus on a "right" standing in our circles of influence and involvement have blinded and corrupted us. Is our flesh making our calling and election sure? We have truly taken the Grace of God for a long ride. The cares of the world and our own inner lusts have choked out the tender growth of the pure Gospel of Christ (M't:13:22). We refuse to fully separate ourselves to Christ. We've been troubled by a root of bitterness (Heb:12:15) We contend with the business of the "playground" instead of the spiritual battlefield. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2Pe:2:22
Where is the peace? Our hearts rage with the petty troubles around us and in us. And we are at "peace"? Our greedy hands grope for the things of this world and we insult the grace of God when we appear holy before men, a mirror image of the world we say we have forsaken. We war with one another with a spirit of Cain. We strive to come to terms with the lies within ourselves instead of asking God give us the courage to face the truth about humility and love and accept His reproof. We've jumped to conclusions squarely over the Pit with no net. The peace which comes to live within God's true elect is born of Spirit and not the world. There is no peace in this world or in what it has to offer the Elect. It offers death to the Elect. We are in love with a lie, a deception, compromised and ineffective in being true witnesses of the Gospel of Christ and the changing power of the Holy Spirit. The Peace we should seek is that which accompanies us through the storms, the tribulations of this life, as we strive to find real Life; Not in what Jesus told us doesn't exist. 1Jo:2:15: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Take heart Saints, Ro:11:5: Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. The remnant referred to here has nothing to do with those who survive the physical Judgments coming upon us, rather these are the they throughout all of history to the present and those in future, a remnant of all mankind, who have been called, chosen and sealed by God to have eternal life with Christ. Shouldn't the task of making our calling and election sure (2Pe:1:10) be wrought with a bit more fear and trembling (Ph'p:2:12)? Shouldn't this take up our time of sojourning here rather than contention, strife and self gratification? To some it applies, I am sure. A FEW. To the rest... we can't say you haven't been warned.
The strife we see in this world is synonymous with the strife within the spirits of men and women. The two are inexorably bound together. What is born in the spirit (darkness or light) lives outwardly in the same manner projecting the inward experience. Jesus Christ came to give us freedom from these bonds thereby creating the tribulation we must endure being not a part of this world. It is no leap to consider that Jesus is asking us which is more important, life or Life.
Fear not! Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1Pe:4:12-13-14) There is no peace until Jesus Christ fully RULES in your hearts, minds and bodies which YOU have brought into submission to Him according to the will of God. It is YOU who must make the sacrifice. And there is nothing easy about watching the spiritual blood drain away from your offering. What is your reasonable service? ... that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God (Ro:12:1). That is the plain hard Truth. Live or die. Your choice. Amen
Keep to the Road Saints of God. I pray God's blessings upon you wherever you are. Serve Him only. May His peace reign in your hearts. Have a good Summer.
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
