Peace on Earth

Peace “in Christmas” is determined

by Eternal Peace “in Christ”

by Pastor George D. Cutler

Grace Gospel Ministry

Why No Peace on Earth?

It is alleged that the peace message of Christmas originated from this very familiar Scriptural passage (from the King James Version):

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:13-14).

Some un-informed ones have quarried this supposed message as an empty promise gone unfulfilled in evidence of so much turmoil and unrest on the Earth today. Others have even attempted to discredit the Scriptures by quoting from what they construe to be contrasting or contradictory statements of other passages:

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34).

Adding to their confusion, other have construed that it is Jesus’ desire that there be peace but it is possible because mankind has failed to follow God’s requirement for such and thus what God wants must be accomplished before what Christ desires is fulfilled. This supposition is offered in offering the following verse of Scripture:

“And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” (John 12:47).

This enigma yet persists and even cavorts (leaps around or behaves in uninhibited ways). Historically, there is no difference between the Earth’s inhabitants exhibiting, pursuing or maintaining peace from the time of its recorded beginning until the present age in spite of this purported announcement of the Angelic hosts to the world. In other words, there has never been the display of peace on Earth and no difference in human behavior subsequent to Adam’s manifested fall in the Garden of Eden, also no distinction of peacefulness in the Earth subsequent to, from prior to the alleged declaration.

Hence, what can be gleaned concerning such long awaited/anticipated expectations of the so-called peace promises in the Christmas Message? Was there really the promise of peace in the message and if so, was it an empty pledge? Also, what are the prospects of world peace for the present world system in discernment of Christ’s prophesy in Him stating:

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6).

Also

“And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.” (Mark 13:7).

In relatively recent Earthly conflicts even in this nation, the Civil War sparked extreme hatred on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line. Later, after the Mexican-American war was over, smaller skirmishes (between settlers and the so-called American Indians and between slavery-supporters and abolitionists) ignited across the frontier as many at that time allured an expression for peace in Christmas Carols: "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear," which specifically sought to emphasize the social significance of the construed “Christmas Angels' message.” Lyrics of this carol are of a "weary world," with "sad and lowly plains" where "Babel sounds" echo and laments "two thousand years of wrong" and the fact that "man, at war with man, hears not / the love song which they (the angels) bring." The carol's last stanza anticipates the day "when peace shall over all the Earth/its ancient splendors fling."

However, instead of peace, the following years manifested unprecedented strife, as the ravages of the war directly inspired another carol, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," which was penned by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the lyrics thus exclaiming:

"'There is not peace on earth,' I said 'For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men"

"Then pealed the bells more loud and deep God is not dead, nor doth He sleep, the wrong shall fail, the right prevails with peace on earth, good will to men.'"

The title of yet another Christmas carol is "O Little Town of Bethlehem" by Phillips Brooks, who once described the Emancipation Proclamation as "the greatest and most glorious thing our land has ever seen." The phrase: “stillness in Bethlehem” is what this writer construed in merely describing Bethlehem at that point in history, as he saw it during his Christmastime visit to the commonly referenced “Holy Land.” Of course, if the same Bethlehem was visited today, it would incite quite different lyrics. Thankfully, the true "hopes and fears" of its current tragic years are actually "met" in Jesus Christ rather than the city itself.

Why the Christmas Holiday is Hurtful for so many.

Much of the time, grieving involves those that feel unsupported or even abandoned in their plights, which incites their trepidation that things could get worse. Some imagine themselves facing the Christmas holiday alone, e.g., “without my beloved husband, wife, mother, father, children, family, friends,” etc. (notice the obvious omission of mentioning Christ). Also, many become depressed because they face financial or health challenges, which incites dreadful attitudes in lieu of this having been foisted as a traditional time of happiness and festivity. However, for too many, Christmas is a time of mixed emotions, in that there is some pleasure but also much pain, as this season magnifies some sense of deprivation or loss. Inevitably, some depend upon the “loving support” of friends and family plus the passage of time from the season “to heal their broken hearts;” yet there are no secular means to mitigate or fix this misperceived “letdown.” To counter this “holiday induced depression,” psychologists and “Christian” professional counselors are consulted to prescribe ways to manage “so much unhappiness” during this time. What has evolved and listed herein are some of their recommendations for achieving and maintaining “happiness” during the Christmas season:

1. “Plan ahead and remind yourself, there is no right or wrong way to spend the holiday.” In various discussions of “the best way to deal with the holiday,” some opt to completely alter the way they “celebrate.” For instance, a suggestion for those whose children are grown and living in different parts of the country is to make plans to do something completely different such as booking a cruise vacation over this period. Here the advice is: “you can't run away from grief but by doing this, Christmas will not be nearly as difficult as it will be to remain home alone." Others choose to maintain their holiday traditions “to do the same things in the same way we had always done,” as a memorial to honor deceased love ones, even through Christmas is purported to be about Christ. To others, the familiar is the most comfortable so, through both tears and smiles, they put up the tree, decorate the house inside and out, attend church on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day and have their traditional holiday family meal.

2. “Let your church help to lift you from grief and depression.” Here they supposedly invite the induction of spirituality in misquoting James 5:13-15: "is any one of you in trouble? He should pray … is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up" Even though the context does not support it, they aver that this passage makes clear that there are times when going it alone is going nowhere (this part is true) thus those so troubled should reach out to the faith community and be in the presence of others as they worship and sing praises to God; solicit their prayers and adapt the Scriptures to ones situation, reading it this way: "is any one of you grieving? He or she should call the elders of the church to pray …" This advice on the surface seems to be sound “spiritual therapy” except the programs of most church ministries are geared more to the secular appeal of pageantries (colorful, rich and splendid displays of spectacles that are mere empty display), engendering rites and humanly inspired festivities than they are truly conducive to focusing on the essence of Christ.

3. You must claim the promises of the Scriptures regarding the Christmas season.” Unfortunately, this prescription is especially egregious; not in the sense of embracing the Scriptures but in assessing to them pledges and promises that are completely out of context of their intended conveyances. Here, it is absolutely factual that time after time, the Scriptures promise comfort from sorrow, healing from hurts and peace in place of pain. Yet each passage must be understood in the proper sphere of not only WHAT is promised but just as important, WHEN is such promised, as this knowledge regulates what promise of God's Word can be correctly tapped into and such claimed for oneself. It is in this regard that the following verses must be assessed in their dispensational and covenantal perspectives:

• "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak … those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:29, 31).

• "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalms. 34:18).

• "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4).

These passages are specifically geared to soothe the spirits of their addressees, for God is absolutely committed to protect such from being "consumed" by grief and to give strength when such are feeling "crushed;" but solely according to WHERE, WHEN and to WHOM He declared such promises. Most who are bereaved at the anticipation of Christmas are much worse off than the holiday itself, as the underlined problem is not so much their misperception of “Christmas” as it is their misperception of “Christ.” When the knowledge of ones “Eternal Rest” is assured in God's grace, no day will be nearly as difficult as it might otherwise be imagined to be.

Peace Exclusively in Christ

Genuine peace or comfort must never be entrusted nor can ever be realized in a day howbeit even a “holyday” (holiday) or its ramifications but exclusively in the essence of ones position of “Eternal Status in Christ.” Affirmation of God’s Word encumbers clarification of the alleged conveyances of the aforementioned Scriptures:

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:13-14). (KJV)

The gospel of Luke in these verses states that at the manifested birth of the Messiah, "a multitude of the heavenly host" announced it to the shepherds. There doubtless was great thanksgiving rendered to God by the angelic host when the Savior was born in Bethlehem of Judea. Indeed, the way of peace through Israel's Messiah was opened up for God’s People, as identified and placed under the auspicious of the Old and New Covenants, “as well pleasing unto God.” In these proclamations, there should be no doubt as to who were blessed to enjoy this peace. Unfortunately most translations of these verses have led many to prematurely misapply these benefits universally to “all men,” when in fact they were at that point historically and scripturally only applicable to the New Covenant constituents.

To the credit of some of the translations other than the KJV, their renderings more accurately connote conveyances closer to the Greek text, e.g., “And on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased” (ASV), “and on earth peace among those whom He favors” (NRS), etc. In exegeting Luke 2:14, note that the literal Greek rendering of its latter phrase is literally translated “and upon earth peace, among men of (His) good will.” Hence, the intended meaning is "And on earth peace among men of His good pleasure," as this is the correct literal translation of the context. Note that the Greek word euvdoki,ajÅ (ee·thok·ee·ahs) is defined in the standard Greek lexicon as "good pleasure, good will, good favor, satisfaction or approval." In this light, God’s promise that was made by the angels to the shepherds was not to the intent that there would be peace for “all men.” On the contrary, this peace which they announced was only to men of His good will, men who are approved according to God's eternal Decree. From this fact we see that this peace, which was promised, is limited to God’s elect according to the prophesied terms and conditions of the New Covenant.

Here it must be clearly understood that the context of this proclamation historically is exclusively extended to the recipients of the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant, namely constituents of the Commonwealth of Israel, from which the Gentiles of this age are separated. This is tersely stated in Ephesians 2:12: “that you were at that time without Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenant of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” This verse un-mistakenly documents the position of all who were not of Israel at the point of the announcement of Jesus Christ’s manifested entrance into the world. Note in the phrase, “you were at that time without Christ,” that the Greek adverb cwri.j (kho·rees) rendered “without” denotes “apart from” and “separated from” Christ. Hence, at the point of Christ’s entrance into the world, all Gentiles were manifestly without any benefits of His redeeming blood and thus alienated from any privileges of His blessings.

In this sense, it can’t be correctly scripturally perceived that this message was directed to any that were at that time under the terrible plight of the “without Christ” Gentiles, as lucidly described in Romans 1:18-31. Again, all Gentiles had been “alienated from the commonwealth of Israel.” Here note that the Greek participle avphllotriwme,noi (ahp·eel·lot·ree·o·meh·nee) rendered “having been alienated,” is in the perfect tense and passive voice. This means that from a given point in time, God had manifestly alienated, estranged and shut Gentiles out of the commonwealth of Israel. The Greek noun politei,aj (pol·ee·tee·ahs) rendered “commonwealth” means being a citizen, having the right to be a citizen or citizenship in Israel. God sovereignly chose Abraham as the progenitor of Israel, His special people and in so doing positioned Gentiles as outsiders (aliens) (Genesis 12:1-3).

So Gentiles at this point in history were “strangers from the covenants of the promise” and as “strangers” were not related to God within any of the covenants. Note that the Greek word diaqhkw/n (thee·ahth·ee·kon) rendered “covenants,” is plural, which denotes that God made several covenants, arrangements, dispositions and wills with Israel (Genesis 15:18; Exodus 19:5; Numbers 25:13), of which all Gentiles were estranged. Even more importantly, all Gentiles were strangers because all these covenants were of or they belong to th/j evpaggeli,aj (tees ehp·ahy·yehl·ee·ahs) rendered “the promise,” which is singular, in the genitive case and has a definite article preceding it, as it refers to a specific single promise, which God made to Israel. This single promise references the fact of the prophesied Savior to redeem fallen Israel (Isaiah 53:2-6). The covenants made with Israel were sub-parts involved in the fulfillment of this promise. Since God sovereignly chose Israel as the people to whom He gave covenants in conjunction with the manifested fulfillment of His redemptive promise to them, all Gentiles were strangers and isolated from the covenants related to this promise (Romans 9:4; 11:26-27; Hebrews 9:15-16).

The result of all this shows the absurdity of those not related or covered, claiming Jesus Christ as savior in covenants of a promise not given to them; for at that time, under such alienation, the Gentiles’ condition were that of evlpi,da mh. e;contej (ehl·pee·thah mee ehkh·on·dehs) rendered “having no hope.” Hence, having no “hope,” Gentiles had nothing to look forward to, nothing to anticipate and expect but death and subsequent judgment (Hebrews 9:27; 10:26-27). Here note that the Greek participle e;contej (ehkh·on·dehs) rendered “having,” is in the present tense and active voice which means that all Gentiles were at that time continuously void of hope.

Finally, above all else, it is scripturally affirmed that at the time of the documented proclamation, all Gentiles were a;qeoi evn tw/| ko,smw (ahth·eh·ee ehn to kos·mo) rendered “without God in the world.” Note that the Greek word a;qeoi (ahth·eh·ee) translated “without God,” is derived from a; (ah) and qeoj (Theh·os), which literally testifies that that at that time, all Gentiles were a no-God or void-of-God people, as this word transliterated into English is “atheists.” Observe that the sphere in which all Gentiles were a no-God people was evn tw/| ko,smw (ehn to kos·mo) rendered “in the world.”

The enlightenment of Luke 2:14’s actual conveyance:

"And on Earth peace among men of His good pleasure;"

Is consistent with, rather than contrary to Jesus’ prophesy in Matthew 10:34:

“You may not suppose that I came to put peace on the earth; I did not come to put peace but a sword.”

This also aligns with the correct renderings of others verses of Scriptures, e.g.,

“And you shall begin to hear of wars and reports of wars; see, be not troubled, for it behooves all (these) to come to pass but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6).

“And suddenly there came with the messenger a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory in the highest to God, and upon Earth peace, among men of good will.” (Luke 2:13-14).

“And if any one may hear, having heard my sayings and not believe, having not believed, I ….. I do not judge him for I came not that I might judge, having judged the world but that I might save, having saved the world.” (John 12:47).

Those who reject historical manifestations are confused concerning the timetable implanted in the dispensational views and might even conclude that Jesus’ works are metaphorical in claiming the establishment of permanent peace upon the Earth. But this message must be read in the light of its relevant predictions and facts. Varied passages of prophesy document that He was scheduled to come and initiate the work and then be executed. He was therefore, after the completion of His initial earthly ministry, manifestly crucified, buried and raised from the dead. After His resurrection, He appeared to chosen witnesses and instructed them to proclaim the Kingdom truth to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Thus the ministry of Kingdom preaching, which He began is focused on a future age when He will personally bring its promise forth to a grand culmination, when He reappears personally to establish His reign of righteousness and peace on the Earth.

This is the enlightened composition of the message and announcement thus made by the angels to the shepherds that must be interpreted according to facts in related passages, which supply details not given in Luke, the passage under consideration. The Savior who entered the world approximately two thousand years ago did at that time bring the message of peace to His covenant people ……… of good will to be manifested at His second advent, which is yet in the future. Thus the informed message is, “there can be no peace on the Earth until the Prince of Peace returns, as also both prophesied and testified.

This is confirmed by the following quotation in prophesy:

"He makes wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in sunder; He burns the chariots in the fire" (Psalm 46:9).

A glance at the first three verses of this psalm depicts the great cosmic upheavals and terrific catastrophic changes that will take place upon the Earth during the Tribulation. In the second division (Psalm 46:4-7), there is a glimpse of the City of God, “Jerusalem,” as it will be after the Great Tribulation ………. in the Millennial Age. At that time Jehovah of hosts, the Messiah of Israel will be in her midst. In the third section of the psalm, the people living at that time are invited to behold the works of God, i.e., the great desolations that He will have made in the Earth. Then it is stated that God is the one who stops wars to the end of the Earth.

Hence, despite every effort that may be put forth by men to outlaw war and bring in an era of peace, justice, and righteousness; and all due respect to all those striving for this worthy goal; the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the only one who will outlaw war and can establish peace on the Earth. There will be, as there have been in the past, wars until He returns. This fact is very clearly set forth in Isaiah 9:3, which portrays a vision of the time when God multiplies Israel and her joy is increased as determined from the light of related passages, wherein it is viewed that her sorrows are past and the Millennial Age has dawned. From this knowledge of varied other passages, the statement is made to the effect that Israel’s joy will be the result of her having been delivered from the oppressor through the miraculous intervention of her Messiah, Jesus.

Hence, these clarifications duly define these conveyances as futuristically addressed to the specific constituents of the New Covenant and Kingdom Gospel in prophesy of fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis chapter twelve). While all of the principal features of the “Kingdom” Gospel are addressed in “the Mystery,” unknown facts of revelations in Paul’s epistles elaborate beyond what was previously disclosed in the New Covenant teachings. Hence, the “Mystery” projects and expands beyond above all doctrinal conveyances in the Gospel: prophesized by the Old Testament (Covenant) prophets, introduced by John the Baptist, explicated by Jesus Christ and proclaimed by the Kingdom apostles …... including some of Paul’s prior revelations teaching (Acts 9:11-31). However, the message that Paul received from Christ magnifies and finalizes the fullness of the Grace Doctrine disclosed in teachings of the “Mystery.” This “dispensational teaching” exudes mature revelations but only manifestation-wise was it morphed to Israel’s acceptance of their Gospel prior to conveyance of the Grace Covenant “to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:43). This is not “an other” Gospel of Jesus Christ, in that the “Mystery” simply projects beyond the earthly physical vantage point, which is time based, into the Heavenlies vantage spiritual point, which is Eternity based.

This expansion and finalization of the Gospel of Christ (according to the Mystery) revealing the great “Secret,” merely brings out the full teachings of God “in Christ,” hidden in the beginning. This message was decreed in Eternity to be manifested to designated members of the Body of Christ (including both Jews and Gentiles), even before Adam and Eve were created. God simply kept it secret from the knowledge of all mankind on the Earth (as well as angelic beings in the Heavens) until it was revealed to Paul and then subsequently the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 3:5). In order to ascertain the contrasted conveyances between the doctrines given in the “Kingdom” teaching the Gospel within its partial earthly Gospel was dispensed and the full and complete Gospel conveyed in the revelation of “the Mystery.” The pre-Mystery revelation, i.e., the Kingdom-New Covenant Gospel is in stark contrast to the full and complete Gospel of “the Mystery.”

Those who know Jesus Christ as Savior in the Grace Dispensation must also comprehend Truth regarding His relationship To the Body of Christ, as contrasted to the Commonwealth of Israel, who is unquestionably distinct from God’s elect called as “the Church” today. In viewing the quotation, "Comfort you, comfort you my people, said your God. Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she hath received of Jehovah's hand double for all her sins" (Isaiah 40:1-2); even though this exhortation is addressed to those of whom the Lord says that He is their God; it is upon this group exclusively that He lays the responsibility of proclaiming a message of comfort to the heart of Jerusalem. Here, Jerusalem must be literally understood as the people who acknowledge Zion as their "mother." This figure is constantly appearing in the Old Testament Scriptures, thus, in this message, the people of Israel are the ones who are in need of the comforting message. There is distinguished from them another group whom God acknowledges as His people but in another message (Grace).

The time foreseen in Luke is past the end of this age, for the peace message declared for the Earth engenders the fact that Israel’s warfare is accomplished that their iniquity is pardoned and that they have received double for all their sins …… and yet they will still be in need of comfort. In essence, from these facts, this language is relative but yet absolute in its resolve. The time yet for Israel to endure persecutions will be infinitesimally small in comparison with the long centuries of her past sufferings. This is a commission that God gives to His Covenant people “the Commonwealth of Israel” at the conclusion of this age to be delivered to this Jewish nation.

Hence, nowhere in these verses of proclamation is there a command for the people of God today … those who know Him and His plan for Israel and her future position … to proclaim the message of redemption to the Jewish people, as this is especially predictive prophecy knowledge of this portion of the Scriptures involved in this command. Also in Isaiah 62:11, the Lord gives a command to His praying people to proclaim the message to Israel. "Behold, Jehovah hath proclaimed unto the end of the earth, Say you to the daughter of Zion, Behold, your salvation comes, behold His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him." This language was addressed to the praying people who were commissioned with God's plan and purpose with reference to Israel. It is to them that the Lord sends a proclamation to the very ends of the earth, urging them to deliver the message to the daughter of Zion, the Jewish people, saying, "Behold, thy salvation comes; behold, His reward is with Him ..." to announce to them that their salvation is coming as their salvation is in the form of their King and Messiah, who alone can deliver them.

The prophet makes it clear that the Second Advent is here referred to … for the coming of which he speaks, is the one at which Messiah will bring His reward and His recompense. The one who gives this message to Israel must first present the claims of the Savior from this standpoint and thoroughly know this doctrine concerning the second coming and the relation of it to the first advent, to be able to present the full message of the truth of the Kingdom Gospel to the Lord's beloved people in that age.

In view of all these revelations, it is abundantly evident that there can be no peace on Earth until the Prince of Peace returns. In stark contrast, Peace for elect members of the Body of Christ was accomplished in eternity, before creation as it was manifested approximately two thousand years go. Hence for those designated ones, the Prince of Peace eternally accomplished every spiritual blessing in us “in the Heavenlies in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). They can never manifestly receive this so long as the truth concerning Him is not given to them but it is God’s plans for the future. We therefore know this prophetic word and who the Lord Jesus Christ has exalted the privilege of proclaiming this glad message to (lost Israel).

Accordingly, in answer to the questions: “if the announcement of Christ’s advent to Earth was historically meaningless to Gentiles at the time when it was given, should God’s people in the Grace Dispensation embrace it?” ……… The response is YES, MUCH IN EVERY WAY! Those who are recipients and have received the revelation of eternal peace more than all ……… are debtors (Romans 1:14) to propagate “that message” but even more “the Eternal Message of Peace in Christ!” This prevailing message to the Earth today should be that there can be no permanent and just peace until the Messiah returns but far above that … “He is our peace,”…to those “in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:1,3; 2:6,10,13; 3:11,21; Philippians 1:1,26; 2:5; Colossians 1:2,4,28; 2;6). God is to be highly praised for what He has accomplished on behalf of Israel's salvation and the eventual manifested reality of the Earth’s peace but His greatest praise is for the message of the revelation of Eternal Peace in (the Body of) Christ!

The impression of the indisputable peace message upon the hearts of God’s people will induce great joy during this season, as well as in every opportunity, the privilege of proclaiming the Gospel of the Grace of God; even the genuine Christmas message of peace to all Jews and Gentiles with great diligence. Encouragement to the lonely, bereaved, frustrated and bewildered ……. those thus void of peace in anticipation of Christmas ……..must focus on the essence of peace “in Christ,” which is greater than the holiday or so-called “Holyday” itself. “Eternal Tranquility” is solely assured though God's grace on that day …….even as it is every day; forever abiding in the peace of the Spirit of God!

Grace and Peace and Merry Christmas!