Destruction by Peace

 

     Jennifer Haworth tells the story of an outbreak of chickenpox at the nursery school in which she taught.  All of the teachers were instructed to ask the kids if they ever had it.  Jennifer approached one sleepy-eyed four year old and asked, "Did you have chickenpox?"  "No," the child whispered as he rubbed his eyes, "I...had...frosted flakes."  Obviously, the child misunderstood, but the same thing is true spiritually in these last of days.  So many have their own ideas of what is good for them, and what is bad.  If you get it backwards, well, the results can be tragic.

     Recently, our family spent some time visiting relatives on Lake Huron.  I noticed something interesting—the glistening of the sun on the water close to shore was very jittery.  Further out, the glistening was more stable and settled.  At the horizon, the reflection of the sun could hardly be seen to move—very settled.  This is true spiritually, as well.  When our eyes are on ourselves and what is close to us, God's presence seems jostled and confusing, but the more we lift our eyes away from ourselves and onto Him, our understanding of His presence is far more settled.  The Scripture uses this illustration of glistening sun to define true spiritual understanding.

     We see this in Daniel 1: 4 as the young Hebrew boy is groomed for leadership in Assyria during his people's exile.  Later, in his elderly years, we see it again—in chapter 5, when the king sees a hand writing on the wall, the queen recommends Daniel to be the interpreter.  She said, "There is a man in thy kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him." (Daniel 5:11)  Daniel had the glistening of God's heart settled into his spirit, and now, in chapter 8, it would be needed again.  A vision was given to Daniel—over by the river, charged a ram with two great horns.  Pushing and shoving, no one could stop him—no one, that is, until a goat came from the west.  He was so swift and powerful, he didn't even seem to touch the ground as he went.   BAM—the goat broke the ram's horns and smashed him to the ground.  The goat only had one horn, but even that was soon broken.   Four more grew and eventually, out of them, came a little horn.  Before long, it was huge.  What a vision!  Who could understand it?  Even Daniel admitted that he couldn't, so the Lord gave him more glistening understanding.

     The ram’s two horns would be the kings of Media and Persia, who would be brought down by Greece, under the rule of one powerful horn—Alexander the Great.  Quickly, he conquered the world, only to die at the age of 33 in a drunken stupor.  The world was then divided among his four generals.  Eventually, out of them, came Antiochus IV, known by his friends as Epiphanes, or magnificent.  His enemies called him Epimanes, denouncing him as a madman.  He was super powerful, but it was not of himself—he had the spirit of antichrist.  Antiochus desecrated the temple and offered pigs on the sacred altar.  He was a "king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences." (vs. 23)  That is, he was full of puzzles, tricks, and riddles—deceit, fraud, and treachery "prospered in his hand." (vs.25) It surely was Antiochus, but it will be ultimately fulfilled in the Antichrist of these last days.  .

     The Book of Revelation echoes Daniel in this—the Antichrist will magnify himself and for 3 1/2 years, he will rule by a deceitful peace.  But understand this—it will not be against the will of the people—the world and the false churches will love him.  He will solve many worldwide problems, and will bring self-centered prosperity to new heights.  Peace will be his platform, and most will be fooled.  We see the seed of this today—even with the abominable displays of immorality and deceitfulness in our own government, many are declaring that they want more of it, as long as they can keep their prosperity.  Peace and prosperity—these are the buzzwords, but they will turn out to be destructive.  Daniel, speaking of both Antiochus and the Antichrist, says he will "by peace destroy many." (vs. 25)  Today, many think that this peace can fix any problem.  They are willing to ignore Biblical truth and standards in order to have this non-convicting unity.  There is a great deal of reinterpreting going on, and all in the name of the "church."  Many claim to be solidly based on the Word of God, but in reality, are running after unbiblical signs and their own understanding of God's eternal Kingdom-rule.  Denominations, cults and even world religions are seen as being "OK", producing a false sense of harmony and peace.  Jeremiah said it clearly, "For the least of them even unto the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.  They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.  Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord." (6:13-15) It is absolutely rampant today—false prophets and pastors are preaching a message of security, but it is a false security.  They say they are "healing the hurt," but are really making it far worse.  They ignore the judgment and the need to repent and proclaim that all have nothing to fear.  After all, they say, God is love, and "understands" your sin and you are off the hook—Jesus suffered and died, and all are now fine.  My friends, this is a false gospel—it is peace, peace, when there is no peace.  The payment Jesus made for your sin and mine must be received, surrendered to, and allowed to transform the life, as well as the heart and mind.

     Jeremiah went on: "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."(vs. 16)  This "rest" is true peace, but that does not imply an easy way.  I have called many to take the "old paths," and many did not want to hear it.  Today, true Christianity is accused of being divisive.  Praise God, it is!  Jesus Himself said that he didn't come to bring peace as the world understands it—He came to bring division—some accepting His call to surrender, and some not, the difference between the two shining the way to truth.  The true church is often accused of having a critical spirit, but that is to be expected from those who do not want to hear about God's order.  I thank God for the Body of Christ right here at Christ Our Rock Bible Church—a few who yearn for that order to be full in them.

     Oh, it won't take away the hardships and persecution—in fact, it brings it on.  Don't always be looking for an easy way, compromising in order to avoid all hassle.  In these last of days, the Lord is looking for a people who will stand for Him, no matter what!  In this is true peace and rest, so don't be discouraged.  Remember—Oswald Chambers once said, "Have you ever heard the Master say something very difficult to you?  If you haven't, I question whether you have ever heard Him say anything at all.  Discouragement is disillusioned self-love, and self-love may be love for my devotion to Jesus—not love for Jesus Himself."  False peace, false harmony, and false security will all be destroyed with their author, the spirit of Antichrist—all of them "shall be broken without a hand."(Daniel 8:25)  Praise God—Jesus Christ will not even have to lift a finger.  Revelation makes clear that the victorious sword is not in His hand, but it "proceeded out of His mouth." (19: 21)  No kicking, no scrapping, no forcing you to go His way—He just speaks Himself—"Jesus."  Take Him or leave Him!  The psalmist wrote, "For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven." (119:89).  Don't get it backwards—let His settled understanding glisten in your heart and produce the life of the Prince of Peace—Jesus!

 

Throughout the year 2000, we will be providing you with readings from Genesis to Revelation to help you see Him as your true peace.

September 1          Mark 9-10                              16            Luke 23-24

2                              Mark 11-12                            17            John 1-2

3                              Mark 13-14                            18            John 3-4

4                              Mark 15-16                            19            John 5-6

5                              Luke 1-2                                 20            John 7-8

6                              Luke 3-4                                 21            John 9-10

7                              Luke 5-6                                 22            John 11-12

8                              Luke 7-8                                 23            John 13-14

9                              Luke 9-10                               24            John 15-16

10                            Luke 11-12                             25            John 17-18

11                            Luke 13-14                             26            John 19-21

12                            Luke 15-16                             27            Acts 1-2

13                            Luke 17-18                             28            Acts 3-4

14                            Luke 19-20                             29            Acts 5-6

15                            Luke 21-22                             30            Acts 7-8

 

October 1               Acts 9-10                               3              Acts 13-14

2                              Acts 11-12                             4              Acts 15-16