THE GOD OF PEACE*By John D. LaVier*

THE GOD OF PEACE*
*By John D. LaVier*
*
The name God of Peace is used three times in the New Testament
Scriptures: Romans 16:20, Philippians 4:9, and Hebrews 13:20. This name
stands in contrast to God as He revealed Himself to Israel in the Old
Testament. There He is many times called the Lord of Hosts. This is a
warriors name. He is the Lord of the fighting armies and over and over
again He fought on behalf of His people.
This name stands also in vivid contrast to the worlds past, which has
known little of peace. From the very beginning of mans history upon the
earth, even until the present moment, it has been a continued story of
nation being pitted against nation and kingdom against kingdom. Strong
nations and mighty empires have appeared upon the scene, flourished for
a season, and then vanished away. They have fallen by two causes: (1) an
inner decay of pride, envy, greed and lust, and (2) a strong enemy from
without that warred against them and won.
As one reviews the worlds past history, as well as the present, when our
armies are at war in Iraq, the Israelis and Palestinians killing each
other, and the terrorists doing their dastardly work everywhere, the
question arises: Shall this condition continue always, with nations
rising, shining, sinning, sinking? It is then the name God of Peace
comes to mind as the prophecy of a better day. God wants peace and in
His own day and way He shall bring peace to the world.
Back in the days of the now defunct League of Nations, when many were
congratulating themselves on the fact they had outlawed war, it was my
privilege as a young man to speak in a certain denominational church.
The subject assigned was World Peace. I was brash enough to tell them
that in spite of mans rosy dreams and schemes, there would be no real
peace until the Prince of Peace returned to rule and reign. At the close
the pastor publicly took me to task, asserting that it was the duty of
Christians to work for peace and brotherhood among men. He said: We pray
Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven and when we thus pray we
are praying for peace on earth. Later I called his attention to the
three words just prior to the words he had just quoted. Those three
words are: Thy kingdom come! Thank God, that kingdom is coming! Then
Gods will shall be done in earth, and not before. Then the God of Peace
shall send the Prince of Peace and He will usher in an era of universal
tranquility. Then men shall beat their swords into plowshares and their
spears into pruning hooks, and they shall learn war no more.
The blessed name God of Peace stands also in contrast to Satan, who is
the real god of war. For six thousand years this arch-criminal has
instigated war and strife among the nations. Satan wants war and God
wants peace, but the question of who shall win is never in doubt. It may
seem that Satan is having his way but he has nigh well run his
malevolent course. Listen to what the apostle says in Romans 16:20, And
the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The God of
Peace shall bring war against Satan, and then Satan will be shut up and
sealed under lock and key, so that he can no longer deceive and seduce
the nations of the world. Israel and the nations will then enjoy peace,
when Satan is imprisoned and Christ enthroned.
Meanwhile, the believer may enjoy peace even in a world where there is
no peace. The God of Peace sent His Son to die on Calvary and He made
peace by the blood of His Cross. Then we read in Hebrews 13:20 that the
God of Peace brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus. Christ Himself
becomes the believers peace. Then as we entrust our all to Him we have
the Peace of God which passeth all understanding garrisoning our hearts
and minds. And. too, we have the blessed promise: And the God of Peace
shall be with you.
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