Peace Is a Process
Copyright 2006 Ann Stewart
There is a process of peace underway. Throughout the world nations are clamoring for peace. Throughout the world nations are clamoring for peace. From Afghanistan to Iraq, Gaza and Lebanon we see destruction, violence and utter desolation. Israel is at the very heart of this process. Whether we understand it or not, the whole earth is embroiled in a spiritual battle. Although it seems like a number of unrelated wars between nations, nationalities, or religions, ultimately they are striving either for or against God’s Kingdom to be established.
There soon will be a false “peace.” It will not last, and many shall be deceived. Be, therefore, watchful and wise. All the prophecies about the “end times” are unfolding before your very eyes! The time of the great tribulation (Mat. 24:21) is close at hand. For the first time in global history, all nations of the earth are faced to make a choice. “Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people. Let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.” (Isa. 34:1)
True Peace shall be established when the Lord returns and sets up His Kingdom in Israel. “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone; a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.” (Isa. 28:16) Just as the Ark of the Covenant was built in the wilderness exactly to God’s specifications, so Jerusalem is the pattern of the heavenly City of God which will be established in the earth. His will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Luke 11:2) For every physical element on the earth there is a spiritual counterpart.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David, my servant, thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once I have sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David, his seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me.” (Ps. 89: 3,4,34-36) Jesus is that seed, (Luke 3: 23-38) By His sacrifice on the cross, all nations can become grafted in and become the spiritual Israel.
“The desert shall rejoice, and blossom like the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart. Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, he will come and save you. The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called: The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isa. 35: 1-10)
Are you grafted into the spiritual Israel; the chosen of the Lord? Just as Israel right now is fighting its enemies round about and taming the desert places, are you experiencing draught and distress? Satan knows his time is very short and he is out to devour whom he can. But God will restore what the devourer has taken from you. (Joel 2:25) Expect it and walk in victory!
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall arise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord. ” (Isa. 54:17) The day of the Lord is at hand (Zeph. 1:7) “Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Ph. 2:11)