One of the things that bothers me about the Christmas season is the frequent appearance of the phrase "Peace on Earth" in various places: signs on buildings, written in lights on people's lawns, or on Christmas cards. Many traditional Christmas carols seem to echo the same sentiment.While I certainly do not advocate war or unrest over peace, I wonder what is behind this phrase. There seems to be a thinking that this is a time of peace, love, and other mushy sentiments when people's hearts should be warm. I imagine that the phrase itself is taken from the angel's words to the shepherds in Luke 2:14, which say, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
At first blush, it may appear that this verse means to say that the coming of Jesus Christ to the world at his incarnation was for the purpose of establishing world-wide peace. And yet, as we look around, there is no peace on earth. Around the world, instead of finding universal peace, we find universal animosity and hostility. After all, he does speak of peace on earth.
As we look back through the Old Testament, the prophets spoke of the coming Messiah as a ruler who would bring peace. Isaiah 9:6 says, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Zechariah's prophecy looked forward to a Messiah who would bring a worldwide reign of peace. "I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth" (Zech 9:10). The Jews were commanded to pray for that coming reign of peace, when Jerusalem would be the capital city of the world (Ps 122:6).
This was the Messiah for whom the nation of Israel was eagerly waiting. He would come, deliver them from the nations that oppressed them, and set up his universal kingdom. Imagine their disappointment when Jesus told them that he had not come to set up that kingdom of earthly peace: "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matt 10:34; cf. Luke 12:49-51). Because his own people rejected the claim that Jesus was "the king of the Jews" (John 19:15), they had him executed.
Even Jesus' disciples were hopeful. After all, had not Jesus commanded them to pray for God’s kingdom to be set up (Matt 6:10)? After the resurrection of Jesus, his disciples were asking him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). His response indicated that this universal kingdom was still future: "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority" (Acts 1:7).
Paul's letter to the Corinthians indicates that the coming of this kingdom is still future. As he discusses the resurrected bodies that every Christian will receive, he gives a series of events marked chronologically by "then" (1 Cor 15:22-28). First is the resurrection of Christ. Next comes the resurrection and glorification of all those who are part of his body at the Rapture. Following the Rapture will come the universal reign of Jesus Christ, when he will fulfill God's promises to Israel regarding their Messiah that are yet unfulfilled.
I look forward to that day when Jesus Christ will reign from his throne in Jerusalem. I will rejoice at the culmination of God's administration of his sovereign rule throughout the ages in his Son, the Prince of Peace. May His kingdom come. May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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