We hear much today from those who purport to want to establish peace in the world. In 1959 the United Nations received the symbolic gift from the Soviet Union of a sculpture entitled “Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares”. The gift was a symbol of a laudable aspiration that still evades the reach of mankind. But the irony of that gift in our present world is all too apparent.
Since the entry of sin into Eden, this world has never known peace, a prize that today could not be further from man’s grasp. As in the days of Noah, violence pervades a world in open rebellion against God. Paradoxically, man desires peace but is in denial of the righteous requirements of a Holy God.
How it must encourage us when we consider that one of the blessed titles of our Lord Jesus is the “Prince of Peace,” (Isaiah 9:6) and He will one day establish a global peace which cannot be compromised or destroyed. He will reign supreme and of “the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end…” (Isaiah 9:7).
Peace, however, can only be achieved on a righteous basis. The two are brought together when Abraham met Melchisedec, a king in the Old Testament, who is a picture of Christ when He takes up the reins of government in that glorious millennial reign: “ … For this Melchisedec … To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace…” (Heb 7:1/2).
The demands of righteousness must, however, be considered. To end war, violence and rebellion, all enemies of the Lord and His people must be judicially dealt with. In Joel we read a solemn command from the Lord to His enemies: “… Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears…” (Joel 3:10). In response, a rebellious world will muster the greatest war machine known to mankind against the Christ of God. (In Old Testament times the Gentiles had long used the sword and spear to subdue and persecute the people of God.) But in that day, there will be total victory and vindication because “…out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations…” (Rev 19:15).
His enemies utterly vanquished, the Lord will triumph where all world leaders have failed; He will establish peace and security. Righteous rule reverses the use made by man of weapons of war for “ he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4) In that day, the words of the Psalmist will be fulfilled: “…Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other (Ps 85:10).
How should we live in the light of what will come to pass, which, in this present world, is far from us?
James exhorts us by the lovely example of the Lord Himself: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3:17-18).
DE