Peace: What the Antichrist and Jesus Have in Common

The world has been talking about peace a lot in the last 100 years; however, the world hasn't really been all that peaceful. As early as 1938, we have been talking about "peace for our time." In the 1960s, hippies wanted peace and a withdrawal from Vietnam. Today, people are trying to figure out a solution that will bring peace in the Middle East; recently, a "peace flotilla" sailed into Israeli waters and ended up beating Israeli Defense Force (IDF) members. In the future, the Antichrist will promise peace. The problem with all these cries for peace is that it offers peace without grace. Both Jesus and the Antichrist offer peace, but peace without God and without grace is a fragile peace that will not last.

History of Peace

On 30 September 1938, the British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain signed the Munich Agreement. This was a deal with Adolph Hitler that would give him territory. It was believed that the world would be at peace after signing this agreement; Chamberlain said that it would bring "peace for our time." In hindsight, we know that Hitler was not willing to give peace.

In the 1960s, the peace movement was in full swing, prompted by Vietnam. Unfortunately, the peace movement wasn't always so peaceful. While many protesters were nonviolent, some protesters lashed out at Vietnam Veterans returning home; others formed radical groups like the Weatherman, which bombed buildings.

Today, many are trying to find a solution to peace in the Middle East. Many leaders have tried to create peace treaties, with no lasting results. A recent "peace flotilla" sailed towards Gaza, supposedly to deliver humanitarian relief, but it didn't turn out to be that peaceful. When IDF members boarded to inspect the sixth ship in the flotilla, they were beat with metal pipes and chairs.

Peace with Grace

Many of the Epistles in the Bible contain a greeting to the other believers with the words "grace" and "peace" in it (the King James Bible was used for this analysis). With the exception of Jude, every time peace is used in the greeting of an Epistle, grace always precedes it. In the book of Jude, "mercy" precedes peace. The truth is, without the grace and mercy that we receive from God when we are saved, we cannot know true peace. The peace that we receive without grace is a false peace. This peace is broken when people see that they can get what they want in another way.

The truth is, Jesus didn't come to bring peace to the earth; he came to bring a sword: Matthew 10:34 says "I came not to send peace, but a sword." There are other parts of the Bible that tell Christians to be nonviolent, turn the other cheek, bless those that curse them, and follow the rules of the government, but the sword comes because many do not like the message that Jesus brought to the earth. Many find the Bible and the concept of hell and sin to be offensive; this sometimes results in violence against Christians (some people have performed acts of violence and hatred in the name of Christianity, but they are often not following the Bible).

Peace without Grace

The antichrist will proclaim peace, just like many people have over the last century. Unfortunately, this peace is a false peace, just like the Munich Agreement that Hitler signed was. Daniel 9:27 says that the antichrist will "confirm the covenant with many for one week," or sign a peace treaty that lasts for seven years. The antichrist's peace will come without grace. I Thessalonians 5:3 states that "when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction shall come upon them."

When the antichrist is ruling over the earth, the Bible says that he "by peace shall destroy many" (Daniel 8:25). This sounds like an oxymoron, but in some contexts it is true. Crime rates often increase when law-abiding citizens are forced to give up their guns. Most countries have an army to defend themselves, even if they do not plan on attacking another country. People and countries that disarm, falsely thinking that peace will come upon them, often see harm come to them.

Be Careful of Peace

It is important to be careful when someone brings a message of peace, especially when it comes without grace. Satan poses as an angel of light, and tries to imitate Jesus in many ways. Peace is a message that we often hear today, but it is not always a good kind of peace. It is always good to examine the source of peace, and determine whether it comes with grace and mercy, or not.

Sources:

Bible. King James Version.

"Peace for Our Time." Wikipedia.

"Peace Movement." Wikipedia.

Sharp, Bryan. "Revelation Revival." CD, 16 May 2010.

"Weather Underground." Wikipedia.