Happy New Year to my dear friends in Messiah, and much gratitude to those who have sent us a gift of support! I appreciate ALL of you so much, and am so grateful for this way of keeping in touch with you over many years.
1 Thessalonians 5:3-4
While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness."
I believe this word, and will continue to endeavor to do what I can to keep watch so that we are in the light, for we do not belong to the darkness.
Today is January 1, 2017 and a new United Nations Chief has been sworn in. Antonio Guterres has sent out a message for all the world to hear: "May 2017" be a year of peace!" You can see the little 2-minute video right here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdLlfHLjndM
I am spending my New Year's Day preparing to teach bible study tomorrow, and we will be in Isaiah chapter 2. Wow...what assurances and clear understanding there is for us in this chapter, regarding the Peace of the World and the nations. It will never come by a man, nor by a U.N. Security Council Resolution, nor by any treaty or agreement of the nations!
Isaiah 2:4 says:
He (the LORD) 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 shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
David Guzik writes: "It is important to see that this is not the peace of capitulation. This is the peace of enforced righteousness. There is no more war, and no more need for swords and spears, so why not make them into plowshares and pruning hooks? There is no more war because there is a new Ruler on earth, Jesus Christ. Men yearn for peace, but they will not acknowledge the hopelessness of their own efforts to achieve it. It is only when the word of the Lord goes forth from Jerusalem, when Jesus Himself is reigning over the nations, that lasting peace will come.”
For all your time and efforts toward peace, Mr. Guterres, you will utterly fail. Read Isaiah 2:17, for the world's only Solution to peace:
The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the LORD (The Holy One of Israel) alone will be exalted in that day! Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?