The Gospel Of Peace In A World Of Terror

The Gospel of Peace in a World of Terror

Nov 17, 2015 2031

In a world that is bring overwhelmed with terror, what is the role of the gospel of peace?

In recent days we have all been horrified at the evil that some human beings perpetrate on others. The stated aim of these terrorists is to cause division and fear in our societies.

Throughout history, the gospel of Jesus Christ has brought peace and hope to the hearts of the countless millions of people who have accepted it into their lives, no matter how impossibly hopeless or excruciatingly horrific the circumstances may have been. Terrorism is nothing new.

The prophet John was in tears as he contemplated the despair of the human situation. The only solution was found in a scroll that was sealed with seven seals, and there was no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth who was able to open it, and bring peace and healing to human hearts and to this world. So there was seemingly no hope for this world. But, as he tells the story,

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. – Rev 5:5–7

The Lamb who had been slain was the only one who could open the seals. The reason is because through his blood he has purchased the right and authority to reign, to submit all other power under him, and to receive universal worship.

This is the reality that believers everywhere in the world acknowledge; that although the nations may be angry (Rev 11:18), soon, this world will transition to a new reality, and the truth will be manifested that,

The kingdoms of the world have become

the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,

and he shall reign for ever and ever. – Rev 11:15

Jesus had told us all these things before. He said,

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

There is a solution to the great terrors that fill the world. There is a peace that is coming to this world that will flood the earth like an ocean. And so we have hope. But we can have much more than just hope.

We can know that whatever may happen to us in this world, through the Lamb that was slain, we have been purchased for God. Whatever our circumstances, we can be drawn in, embraced, and satisfied with God’s love.

If we have believed in Christ, he gives us his peace today. He does this through the Holy Spirit, as his guarantee that we belong to him, and that as his children we are untouchable… that we have been gifted with eternity, everlasting joy…. and peace. The Holy Spirit and the peace that he brings is Christ’s down payment on the fullness of glory that is just around the corner.

We have the assurance that what awaits us is far better than what has been before, and that all the sorrows and fears of the past will be swallowed up in an eternity of joy.

When we have peace with God through Jesus Christ, we become agents of that peace in this world.

Fear causes people to turn against each other, and to take extreme positions. Our allegiance is first of all to the Kingdom of Heaven, rather than to any earthly nation, political party, or agenda. Wherever we go, we are called to announce the truth of the Kingdom of Heaven in this world that has been brought in by our Lord Jesus Christ, and that key principle of that Kingdom:

Blessed are the peacemakers. – Matt 5:9

We may not have the political or economic or military solutions. But we have the ultimate solution, provided by One who has faced every terror of this world at Calvary, who has overcome them all.

In him we are perfectly safe in this world and in the next.

Terror will die and peace will reign.

More than ever the world needs what we have.

– Eliezer Gonzalez

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