The Prince of Peace Is Coming!

by Leonard V. Johnson

Every year we hear ──throughout the world ──the talk of peace – “peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” And all of a sudden secular people are quoting God’s living word.

Christmas is supposed to be the time of our Lord Jesus’ birth. And, every year── throughout the world── we hear two passages quoted extensively –

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; …”

I can still hear Linus of the Peanuts explaining to Charlie Brown how we “got Christmas.”

“And the government [the kingdom of God] will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father; PRINCE OF PEACE.” – Isaiah 9:6.

Mankind has come to identify Christmas with their longing for real-world peace.

A folk song that was sung by Ed McCurdy, which was covered by Simon & Garfunkel has the line –

Last night I had the strangest dream 

I ever dreamed before 

I dreamed the world had all agreed

To put an end to war.

But, without the LORD God there will never be true lasting peace.

One of the most popular Leftist ideas in this present evil age is – that if only the nations would get rid of their AR-15 assault rifles and just be nice to their fellow man there would be peace. And we can go a step further, as they announce – if only the world as a whole would get rid of their military weapons there would be real peace on Earth! In reality – no nation, country, or province would survive very long without a military or military armaments. Yet, to the Leftists that doesn’t seem to matter that much to them. Their idea is – control.

Back in 1979 at the Princeton Declaration of the Third World Assembly – an assembly of 354 participants of Buddhist, Christian, Confucianist, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Shinto, Sikh, Zoroastrian, and other religions from 47 countries, announced that collective efforts rooted in love and righteousness could create a world of peace.

Upon reading this PDF declaration the only mention of God was thus – “Adhering to different religions, we may differ in our objects of faith and worship. Nevertheless, in the way we practice our faith, we all confess that the God or the truth in which we believe transcends the powers and divisions of this world. We are not masters, but servants and witnesses, always being changed and disciplined in worship, meditation, and practice by the truth which we confess.”

It’s utterly sad, that all these so-called religious people, should leave the LORD God out as a NECESSARY PART of attaining any lasting world peace! But, of course, none of these religions know the true God of the Holy Bible!

For nearly 6,000 years mankind has not known the way to peace. From the very beginning man has known war – cf. Genesis 3:6; 4:8. We war against our brothers! God’s living word, unlike the religious leaders of this world, reveals to us the true nature of mankind –

“As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; … 15) Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known.’ THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.” – Romans 3:10, 15-18.

If there was true fear [reverence] of the LORD God there would be no crime and no war!

This is why I often quote Neville Chamberlain when he had returned from his appeasement of Adolf Hitler, and him raising a signed agreement that Nazi Germany would not continue war if only France and the UK permitted Hitler to incorporate the Sudetenland – and they did! Announcing to the crowd and to the world – and now the Leftists are saying we have all heard this wrong for nearly 86 years! – “Peace in our time!” The talk of any true peace apart from the LORD God is hollow and without the understanding of mankind’s true nature.

When mankind sinned against the LORD God – the family of God; which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ – in the Garden of Eden, they caused all forthcoming human generations to be susceptible to the spiritual influence of Satan the Devil. The Apostle Paul goes over our human nature –

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: Adultery [both physical and spiritual adultery] …”

The LORD God considers anyone worshiping any other god adultery.

“ … fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders [both physical and spiritual], drunkenness, revelries, and the like; …” – Galatians 5:19-21.

Truly since the first known war was started by Lucifer (now presently known as Satan the adversary) when he staged a coup against JESUS CHRIST (known as the Word, the Spokesman at that time; see John 1:1, 14) at the very headquarters of the God family!

“’ How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, [‘shining one’]! How you are cut down to the ground, [for he was thrown to Tartarus/Sheol – the Earth]. You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart; ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars [the angels] of God; I will sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’” – Isaiah 14:12-14.

So, there should be no surprise that nations, countries, and provinces, that are under his influence also go to war.

“’ THERE IS NO PEACE,’ Says my God, ‘for the wicked.’” – Isaiah 57:21.

Truly, the only thing that will stop men from warring against their brothers is the power of the LORD God!

What is it about power that causes peace?

As an example – when two nations have equal military strength and armaments (as do China and the United States of America today!) they are more likely to go to war. It’s really “Both inward and outward vectors are powers; the balance between them defines belief. Doubt is the inequality in the strength of the vectors, where the outward expectation exceeds the inward verification; belief is an equal strength between the two.” 1

Dr. Rummel’s research confirms what God’s living word tells us about human nature. The true cause of peace in this present evil age ── as strange as this sounds ── is a nation or a bloc of nations with superior force. No superior force, no peace.

Sadly, in this Satan-influenced world, superior force so often means tyranny. While there are some nations── like China and Russia ── that experience a form of peace, stability, and economic growth under authoritarian regimes, this often comes at a high cost of personal freedoms and inalienable rights. The truth is that what mankind calls “peace” is not true peace – not even in democratic nations.

The nation that wields superior force must also have true moral values with which to wield that superior power for the benefit of the governed. And in reality, this only means a government of and by the LORD God ─ not a government of or by man.

The Return of the PRINCE OF PEACE

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s gospel message was not about peace ─ “’ Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.’” – Matthew 10:34. Our Lord Jesus knew ─ and knows ─ our nature and our proclivity for war. And it will be a far superior King of kings and Lord of lords that will ultimately bring true peace to Earth! The Son of God── who already has the right character to wield an unstoppable force that will bring true PEACE and STABILITY!

Our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, along with the resurrected saints, and a great army of angels from the upper atmosphere will literally have to militarily annihilate many of the nations of Earth!

the seven last plagues

ONE:

“Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, ‘Come and see.’ 2) And I looked, and behold, a WHITE HORSE. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” – Revelation 6:1-2.

I guess there could be different interpretations. However, this may represent a false religion gaining great strength and world prestige again –the Mother Church of Europe – which has helped plunge this world into numerous world wars!

“ …’ Take heed that no one deceives you. 5) For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.’” – Matthew 24:4-5.

TWO:

“When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ 4) Another HORSE, FIERY RED, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword” – Revelation 6:3-4.

This is our Lord Jesus Christ suggesting the prophecy of the prophet Daniel in chapter 11. A direct reference to a final holy war between the end-time Catholic United States of Europe (‘king of the North’) and the Islamic confederation of nations (‘king of the South’) – cf. Daniel 11:40; Revelation 9:13-16.

“’ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. …’” – Matthew 24:7a.

THREE:

“When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come and see.’ So I looked, and behold, a BLACK HORSE, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6) And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius [which was approximately one day’s wage for a worker!], and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.’” – Revelation 6:5-6.

The black horse of FAMINE. So here the food is very scarce. Your food is being measured out on a scale in very small quantities – like a cup of wheat. Not enough food to sustain one’s family let alone themselves! And, not only the purchase of wheat but also of barley.

“ … ‘ And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places’” – Matthew 24:7b.

FOUR:

“When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ 8) So I looked, and behold, a PALE HORSE. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades [the grave] followed him. And power was given to them over A FOURTH OF THE EARTH, to kill with SWORD, with HUNGER, with DEATH, and by the beasts of the earth” – Revelation 6:7-8.

So, it is as if death and the grave are personified here with this being which is sitting upon this pale horse.

You take 8 billion people – we’re talking about 2 billion people who are going to die as a result of these events here! And I know this is horrible news! The prophet Ezekiel saw what was written on that scroll, “it was lamentations and mourning and woe.” – cf. Ezekiel 2:9-10.

The majority of the Anglo-Saxon-dominated nations will be affected – which are the end-time descendants of Israel, also prophetically referred to as Israel (cf. Genesis 48).

“’ All these are the beginning of sorrows.’” – Matthew 24:8.

FIVE:

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held” – Revelation 6:9.

This is allegorical. Throughout our history, many peoples were martyred doing God’s true work – and very soon, there will be many more martyred. So, the fifth seal talks about the martyrdom of God’s true servants – a group of “end-time prophets” who go out throughout the world as a witness to all nations and preach the living gospel message – the kingdom of God.

“’ Then they will deliver you …’” – here pertaining mostly to the final “end-time prophets” – cf. Revelation 11. “ ‘… up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10) And then many will be offended, will betray one another. 11) Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12) And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.’” – Matthew 24:9-12.

And they – possibly twelve final end-time prophets – will be given power from God Almighty and Jesus Christ to begin prophesying – testifying - to kings, to world rulers, to the captured and subjugated elect of God, to a great religious leader and political leader – standing before the god of the earth (Satan the devil) – WARNING for 3 ½ years!

“’ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world AS A WITNESS to all the nations, AND THEN THE END WILL COME’” – Matthew 24:14.

SIX:

“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood” – Revelation 6:12.

Logically, the moon appears “like blood” or reddish – when it appears in an atmosphere full of dust, smoke, or smog! The atmosphere will be thick with volcanic ash towers from a great number of volcanoes erupting around the globe, possibly caused by the massive “great earthquake.”

“’ Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; …’” – Matthew 24:29a.

SEVEN:

“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” – Revelation 8:1.

We believe that the first four of these following trumpets are in conjunction with the prophesied “end time prophets” which are spoken of in the Book of Revelation chapter 11 – which finalizes with the “Two Witnesses.”

FIRST FOUR

Trumpet Plagues

An asteroid impact with volcanoes erupting!

“The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

8) Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9) And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

10) Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11) The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters Became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

12) Then the fourth angel sounded: A third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.” – Revelation 8:7-12.

Fifth Trumpet

Satan the Devil confined to the earth.

A nuclear electromagnetic pulse and modern military armaments

“Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven [the atmosphere] to the earth. [Satan the Devil and his demons being ejected from the atmosphere and being confined only to the earth!]. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. 2) And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. Then the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit.

3) Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4) They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5) And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6) In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.

7) The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 8) They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9) And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. 10) They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months.

11) And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.”

“And they …” They are 200 million strong Islamic soldiers, which is spoken of when the sixth angel sounds his trumpet.

“One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.”

Sixth Trumpet

A massive 200 million-strong Islamic Army counterattack!

“Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14) saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels [very possibly four combined Islamic nations] who are bound at the great river Euphrates.’ 15) So the four angels [Islamic nations; we are told in Scripture that often times demons are in charge of this world’s nations! – cf. Daniel 10:13], who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind.

16) Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.

17) And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18) By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed ── by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. 19) For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.”

“but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets” – Revelation 10:7.

Seventh Trumpet

The Resurrection of the Saints

“Then the SEVENTH ANGEL sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord [God the Father] and of His Christ [our Lord Jesus], and He shall reign forever and ever!’” – Revelation 11:15.

“Then the SEVENTH ANGEL poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of [low-earth orbit], from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’” 18) And there were noises and thunderings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19) Now the great city [speaking of Jerusalem] was divided into three parts [see Zechariah 14:4], and the cities of the nations fell. …” – Revelation 16:17-19.

A Thousand-Year Rule

“And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. AND THEY LIVED AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST FOR A THOUSAND YEARS. 5) … This is the FIRST RESURRECTION.” – Revelation 20:4, 5.

“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, ‘Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7) Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB HAS COME, and His wife [the Church; the Body of Christ] has made herself ready.’” – Revelation 19:6-7.

Satan and his demons are Dethroned

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God [Theos, God the Father], and the power of His Christ HAVE COME, for the accuser of our brethren [Satan the Devil], who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.’” – Revelation 12:10.

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven [low earth orbit], having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2) He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for A THOUSAND YEARS; 3) and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. …” – Revelation 20:1-3.

That Great Day of God Almighty

“Now I saw heaven [low-earth orbit] opened, and behold, A WHITE HORSE [could this be a white flying horse like the Greek mythological creature Pegasus!?] And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and IN RIGHTEOUSNESS He judges and makes war.

12) His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns [representing the many kingdoms of the world]. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13) He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called THE WORD OF GOD [again, see John 1:1, 14].

14) And the armies of heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on WHITE HORSES. 15) Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16) And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” – Revelation 19:11-16.

“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head A GOLDEN CROWN, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15) And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, ‘Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time HAS COME for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ 16) So He who sat on the earth thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

17) Then another angel came out of the temple which is in [low-earth orbit; see Rev. 15:2-8], he also having a sharp sickle. 18) And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, ‘Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.’ 19) So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20) And the winepress was trampled OUTSIDE THE CITY [speaking of Jerusalem], and blood came out of the winepress up the horses’ bridles, for ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FURLONGS [for 3½ years!].” – Revelation 14:14-20.

This will not be a weak PRINCE OF PEACE! This pictures the mighty strength of a military commander who knows that He must put down any resistance by force if there is to ever be any lasting peace – a conquering King of kings and Lord of lords!

God’s Kingdom Come

“Now I saw a new heaven [the atmosphere] and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea [speaking of the Dead Sea, along with a large swath of the Mediterranean Sea].

2) Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of [low-earth orbit] from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3) And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God [Theos, God the Father] is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” – Revelation 21:1-3. □

Bibliography:

1 Rummel, R.J., Understanding Conflict and War, Sage Publications; New York, Distributed by Halsted Press, 1975, pg. 69.