Each year, we receive Christmas cards proclaiming, “Peace on Earth.” It is heartwarming to know that at Jesus’ birth, angels praised God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

However, realistically speaking, how many years have truly seen peace on Earth since that first Christmas? The answer, sadly, is none. Shortly after Jesus’ birth, King Herod, feeling threatened by the announcement of a new king, ordered the massacre of all male infants in Bethlehem under two years of age. From that moment to ongoing conflicts in regions like the Middle East, our world has witnessed unending political turmoil, social conflict, family strife, and even fights within churches!

What does it mean, then, that Jesus is the Prince of Peace? An elderly woman once shared with me, “Brother Bob, I’ve struggled with anxiety and sleeplessness. However, someone recently gave me a file of your sermons. Now, every night when I go to bed, I listen to one of your sermons, and I’m able to go right to sleep!”

I don’t think that’s the sort of peace Jesus was referring to when he said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).  Jesus’ promise to bring peace on earth is partially fulfilled as a form of peace available to all of us. It is His peace in the midst of turmoil.

Yet, there is a greater fulfillment of this peace promised in the future. One day, in God’s coming kingdom, Christ is going to literally rule as the “Prince of Peace.” Isaiah prophesied, “He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever” (Isaiah 9:7).

Yogi Berra humorously noted, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future!” This is particularly true when interpreting biblical prophecies, which can be complex and subject to varied theological interpretations. Some view these prophecies metaphorically, seeing their fulfillment through the church or in the heart. Some anticipate Jesus returning to take everyone to heaven or perhaps another planet in outer space where we will live forever in peace with Him.

Others, like myself, interpret scripture more literally and as describing the return of Christ to purge the world of its sin, renovate it to its original, perfect form, and establish a reign of total peace in this world.  The angels proclaimed, “Peace on earth!” and the Bible talks about a new heaven and a new earth. The Apostle John saw a vision of “…the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people…’” (Revelation 21:2-3).

In his first visit, Jesus said His Kingdom was not of this world. Yet, Revelation 20:4 discusses Jesus’ second coming plus a thousand-year reign on earth. Jesus also taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Would Jesus ask us to pray daily for His kingdom to come on earth if that was never going to come to pass?

The prophet Isaiah predicted, “In the last days… He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (Isaiah 2:2-4).

It’s thrilling to envision Jesus returning in power, restoring the earth to as it was in the Garden of Eden, and establishing a reign of peace. “In that day, at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

The Bible also says He “…will rule them with an iron scepter” (Revelation 2:27). Imagine Jesus as a benevolent ruler, and

    • establishing peace between Israel and the Arab nations,
    • straightening out the justice system so our courts are fair and swift,
    • setting up a monetary system that eliminates inflation,
    • guiding farmers to agricultural practices that are healthy and use no disease-causing chemicals,
    • overseeing a supply chain that never gets backed up,
    • organizing an orderly education system that teaches absolute truth and weeds out misinformation,
    • cleaning up the inner cities and finding adequate housing for the homeless,
    • providing entertainment that is wholesome and compelling,
    • instituting a media that is objective and even reports positive news, and
    • straightening out the political system and forming an effective, trustworthy government. (Maybe that is why it’s going to take 1000 years!)

Isaiah also predicted a world where even nature is at peace. “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:6-9).

Regardless of whether you interpret those prophecies literally or figuratively, we are promised that there is a new day coming – a glorious day when Jesus will reign as The Prince of Peace. In the meantime, we’re in God’s waiting room, anticipating the time when we will send each other “Second Coming Day” cards that give a whole new meaning to the phrase “Peace on Earth.”

Merry Christmas, everyone!