Some feel like they have no peace while others feel very peaceful. Sadly, most do not have true peace. However, Isaiah 9:6 declares true peace is available.

Listen to or watch the news and many times there will be mention of peace, or a peace process, usually in the Middle East. It was a “shocker” to some that President Donald Trump said at the beginning of December 2017 that the U.S. will move its embassy at Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and he boldly, and rightfully, said Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. But, if you listen to that announcement you will hear that he said “peace” and “peace and safety” numerous times.

I just had to smile when I heard those terms in his speech, and I smiled for a number of reasons. Yes, it was an indicator we are heading to the culmination of the Age of the Gentiles, but I also smiled because true Christians know better. There will be no true peace until Christ returns.

The timing of the announcement was very interesting, given the fact it came days before Hanukkah and a couple of weeks before Christmas.

Despite all the Santas, Rudolphs, large outdoor candy canes and lights, there are still some that present the message of the incarnation which was first prophesied in Genesis 3. And it is always great to see Holy Scripture on the Internet, cards, doors and more. Isaiah 9:6 can always be found somewhere: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
        And the government will rest on His shoulders;
        And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
        Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Many, if not most people, recognize Isaiah 9:6 as speaking of Christ. As you can see, that passage is in three parts, with the last part giving titles for the Messiah. Unless I am going to write volumes or preach for days, for this message, and with the backdrop of how often we hear the term “peace,” I will just focus on the last title, “Prince of Peace.” Logically, we will just look at the two main terms.

I. The Prince

Though Christ indeed is King (John 8:33-37), Isaiah 9:6 speaks of Him as Prince. Maybe to some people there is no difference but the term here for prince can mean, among -other things, {1} chieftain, leader; vassal, noble, official (under king); captain, general, commander (military); chief, head, overseer (of other official classes); heads, princes (of religious office); and warden or keeper. 

The term Prince is probably used here to show that Christ was our conqueror as the Son of Man and is the only mediator between God and man. The New Testament shows victory over sin is already present within us if Christ dwells within us. For that victory we are to let Him rule us as the Prince of Peace. We may then enter into His victory.

As Prince He is to be the commander in our lives. At the end of my audio messages I invite people to make Christ their Savior and King. As mentioned, the term Prince, though, can bring in the aspect of Christ as our mediator. In other words, hardly any disciple obeys God perfectly. In fact, in ourselves we always lack the moral perfection to please God. So Christ, as Prince, covers our lack. We obey God by Christ through us.

It was interesting to see that this word has been used to express the idea of warden or keeper. Just a few articles {2} before this one we looked at the keepers and the Keeper as presented in Revelation 3:8-12. The keepers are those who keep (includes the idea of doing) both God’s written Word and His Word, Logos, Christ within. The Keeper is Christ Himself. The keepers live by, and depend solely upon, Christ within.

II. Of Peace

Of course this is definitely not the false peace of the world, but the only true peace that comes from God through Jesus Christ (John 14:27). Aside from the political talk, people find false peace in religions, spiritual activities, staying away from God in any way, and so on. People can fool themselves into thinking they have peace. But, a really big ruse is to come.

In some versions of the Holy Bible the term “peace” can be found in Daniel 8:25. Here is that verse in the King James Version: “And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.” That passage, of course, speaks of The Beast of Revelation. The word translated as peace here is not the shalom of Isaiah 9:6. William Wilson {3} indicates the word in Daniel 8:25 means “tranquility, security, mostly in a bad sense” 

Real and lasting peace is being right with God. Foundationally is the fact that the wrath of God is against each of us because we are sinners. However, the wrath of God against man is appeased in Christ (Isaiah 53:5). Once one surrenders to God through Christ they receive His peace. As they remain and grow in Christ they will learn to maintain and increase that peace.

So, there will be no true peace in the Middle East and in the rest of the world until people get right with God. Sadly, many will refuse. The book of Revelation shows that the human population will be decreased during the Great Tribulation, inferring that all who will be left will be the ones more willing to yield to God. Once anyone yields to God through Christ they are then on the Way to serving God forever in His Kingdom.

There can be no real peace now within anyone until they make peace with God through Christ. The general Hebrew word for “good” peace is shalom. In Isaiah 9:6 shalom carries the idea of concord and friendship {3}. This is exactly what happens between God and a person when they surrender to Him through Christ. They become friends with God and agree with Him more and more over the course of time as they remain in Him.

Christ the Prince of Peace brings not only true spiritual peace, but also mental peace. Consider this beautiful verse from Isaiah 26:3 (ESV), “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” No medication needed! And as one remains in Him, once they receive their resurrected body they will have complete peace, including physical peace, forever.

It is written in Micah 5:4-5a, . . . 
    “And He will arise and shepherd His flock
    In the strength of YHVH,
    In the majesty of the name of YHVH His God.
    And they will remain,
    Because at that time He will be great
    To the ends of the earth.
    This One will be our peace.”

After Armageddon, the Prince of Peace, Christ, will rule on earth for one thousand years. Those that belong to Him will rule and reign with Him (Revelation 20). But each person can have His peace now if they surrender their life to God through Christ.

Notes:

{1} From an electronic version of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance by James Strong incorporated in the Online Bible program, and so throughout the article whenever the ancient language is referred to and no other authority is cited.

{2} Please read Keepers Will Be Kept By The Keeper at http://holybibletreasures.expertscolumn.com/article/keepers-will-be-kept-by-the-keeper and Powers Of The Keepers at  http://holybibletreasures.expertscolumn.com/article/powers-of-the-keepers .

{3} Wilson, William: Wilson's Old Testament Word Studies (MacDonald Publishing Company, McLean, VA) p305

This article was written in the form of a sermon (message) outline with comments. God willing by INSERT DATE HERE (hopefully much sooner), you should be able to hear the actual message (sermon) by selecting a link at http://www.sapphirestreams.com/life/audioM.html#M481 .

Unless otherwise noted all Holy Scripture is from the New American Standard Bible changing LORD to YHVH as it rightly should be when the text so indicates and adding “(The Existing One)” to readily express the meaning of His Name without making repeated explanations in articles. * = For other versions the spelling of some words is updated for our time in addition to changing LORD to YHVH as it rightly should be when the text so indicates.

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