Seven centuries earlier, the Prophet Isaiah’s words had made a bold statement about a Son who ‘is’ born (with supreme confidence that the timing was unalterably set). His Name? The Prince of Peace! (Isa. 9:6,7). When Jesus, Mighty God in human disguise, finally came into the world, he came introducing his Father’s Kingdom. A Kingdom of peace! Great news! Peace had arrived, changing everything! Or so humanity thought. All evil would be instantly supplanted, usurped by the power and authority of this new Kingdom.
To everyone’s great surprise, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, made an ominous comment: “Perhaps you think I’ve come to spread peace and calm over the earth – but my coming will bring conflict and division (a sword), not peace. Because of me, ‘A son will turn against his father, a daughter her mother and against her mother-in-law. Within your own families you will find enemies.’” Matt. 10:34-46, TPT, and quoting Micah 7:6, NLT. A decidedly odd thing to hear from one whose name is the Prince of Peace! How, then, to reconcile these two very opposing realities?
From the get-go, the Bible tells the story of man’s fall and the inbreaking of sin and devastation into the perfection of Eden (God’s pure order). Among the consequences; warfare between the serpent and the woman, between the offspring of the serpent and the offspring of the woman. The woman’s offspring (Jesus) will stomp the serpent’s head (destroy him) and the serpent will strike (cause suffering to) the heel of the woman’s offspring. So, the sword so soberingly mentioned is the historic hostility already decreed way back in Genesis 3!
The Kingdom of the world, the reign of Satan and sin, would need to be overthrown. Like all earthly kingdoms, this ouster would not be accomplished without a fight. It’s important that the powerful hold Satan enjoyed in the world not be downplayed. The final outcome in this clash of Kingdoms would be an epic battle of titans (see the book of Revelation). Satan’s downfall would be his fight from a position of fear and hatred. The victory of the Kingdom of God would be won from a position of Fatherly love and a sovereign desire for – yes, Peace. A peace eminently worth fighting for! This war has now been raging for 2000 years. But, like Isaiah, we are those who are supremely confident in the final Victory. Looking forward to seeing you 2 Corinthians 4:9-11 saints tomorrow, 10 AM, 3 PM UK. Peace! PD
