War & Peace: Advent Week 2
The Peace That Was and the Peace That Will Be
Every December, we hear those familiar words from Isaiah: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
These words have become so woven into our Christmas traditions that we might miss their full weight. Yes, they speak of a baby in Bethlehem. But they also speak of something far greater—a future reality that should fill us with anticipation and hope.
Two Comings, Two Kinds of Peace
The prophecy in Isaiah 9 encompasses both advents of Christ. The child born in a manger brought us peace with God through His sacrifice. But the government upon His shoulder, the endless peace, the eternal reign from David's throne—these await His return.
We live in the tension between these two realities. We have received spiritual peace through Christ's first coming, yet we await the physical, tangible peace that will arrive with His second coming. This is the heartbeat of Advent: anticipation of what was and anticipation of what will be.
A Cosmic Drama Revealed
Revelation 12 pulls back the curtain on the spiritual reality behind the Christmas story. There we see a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, crowned with twelve stars. This imagery echoes Joseph's dream in Genesis, pointing us to Israel—the nation through whom God's promise to Abraham would be fulfilled.
But this woman is also in labor, crying out in pain. And waiting beside her is a dragon, ready to devour her child the moment He is born.
This is no children's nativity pageant. This is cosmic warfare.
The dragon—identified clearly as Satan, that ancient serpent—stood ready to destroy the Messiah. We see this played out in the historical account of Herod's massacre of the innocents. Behind that earthly king's paranoia and cruelty lurked a darker, more desperate power.
The Unexpected Turn
Here's where the story takes an unexpected turn. The child is born. He is the one destined to rule all nations with a rod of iron. But then, suddenly, He is caught up to God and His throne.
The enemy expected a conquering king. Heaven anticipated the fulfillment of prophecy. Instead, the Messiah lived thirty-three years, died on a cross, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven—leaving the spiritual realm in a state of anticipation.
This divine mystery, this hidden wisdom of God, accomplished something the enemy never saw coming: it secured eternal peace with God for all who would believe. The blood of the Lamb became our victory.
War and Peace
Paradoxically, the very thing that brought us peace with God has intensified spiritual warfare. Since Christ's ascension, the enemy has been like a wounded animal backed into a corner. He knows his time is limited, though he doesn't know exactly how limited.
Revelation tells us that in the end times, this war will reach its peak. Satan will be cast down from heaven completely, no longer able to accuse believers before God day and night. When that happens, he will know he has only three and a half years left.
But even in that darkest hour, believers will overcome "by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." The peace we have with God through Christ's sacrifice is already our victory in this spiritual war. The outcome is certain.
The Ultimate Peace
Fast forward to Revelation 21, and we see the completion of God's plan. John sees a new heaven and a new earth. The old order has passed away. And descending from heaven comes the New Jerusalem, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Then comes one of the most tender images in all of Scripture: "God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Imagine that moment. After all the suffering of this fallen world, after all the tears shed in grief and pain, after all the losses and disappointments—God Himself will wipe away every tear. Not an angel. Not a saint. God Himself.
That is the peace we're waiting for.
Making All Things New
Notice the precise wording: "Behold, I make all things new." Not "I make all new things."
God doesn't scrap His creation and start over. He doesn't discard us as failed prototypes. Instead, He takes everything we broke through our sin—our bodies, our relationships, creation itself—and restores it to what He originally intended. Better than new. Glorified. Perfected.
We will receive glorified bodies capable of enduring God's presence. We will experience dimensions and realities we cannot currently perceive. Colors we've never seen. A more real reality. And we will live forever with our Creator, finally experiencing the relationship He designed us for.
A Choice Remains
This incredible future is offered freely to all who thirst. Those who overcome through faith in Christ will inherit everything. They will be called children of God.
But the offer can be refused. The cowardly, the unbelieving, those who persist in rebellion—they choose separation from God. And God, being just, honors that choice. The lake of fire awaits those who would rather be their own god than submit to the true God.
This isn't about God gleefully condemning people. Scripture tells us He desires all to be saved. He delights in mercy, not judgment. But He is also just. When we refuse His mercy, refuse His Son, we choose to be judged by the standard of God's perfection—a standard none of us can meet on our own.
Living in Anticipation
So we wait. We live between the "already" and the "not yet." We have peace with God through Christ's first coming. We anticipate the complete peace that will arrive with His return.
This tension should shape how we live. We don't know when the King is coming back. But we know He is coming. And we know the message we've been given: reconciliation with God is possible through Jesus Christ.
The question is: what will we do with the time we have? How many people will we invite into this kingdom? When we stand before God and our works are evaluated, how often will we hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant"?
The child has been born. The sacrifice has been made. Peace with God is available. And one day—perhaps soon—Christ will return to wipe away every tear and make all things new.
That is our hope. That is our peace. That is what Advent is truly about.
Every December, we hear those familiar words from Isaiah: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
These words have become so woven into our Christmas traditions that we might miss their full weight. Yes, they speak of a baby in Bethlehem. But they also speak of something far greater—a future reality that should fill us with anticipation and hope.
Two Comings, Two Kinds of Peace
The prophecy in Isaiah 9 encompasses both advents of Christ. The child born in a manger brought us peace with God through His sacrifice. But the government upon His shoulder, the endless peace, the eternal reign from David's throne—these await His return.
We live in the tension between these two realities. We have received spiritual peace through Christ's first coming, yet we await the physical, tangible peace that will arrive with His second coming. This is the heartbeat of Advent: anticipation of what was and anticipation of what will be.
A Cosmic Drama Revealed
Revelation 12 pulls back the curtain on the spiritual reality behind the Christmas story. There we see a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, crowned with twelve stars. This imagery echoes Joseph's dream in Genesis, pointing us to Israel—the nation through whom God's promise to Abraham would be fulfilled.
But this woman is also in labor, crying out in pain. And waiting beside her is a dragon, ready to devour her child the moment He is born.
This is no children's nativity pageant. This is cosmic warfare.
The dragon—identified clearly as Satan, that ancient serpent—stood ready to destroy the Messiah. We see this played out in the historical account of Herod's massacre of the innocents. Behind that earthly king's paranoia and cruelty lurked a darker, more desperate power.
The Unexpected Turn
Here's where the story takes an unexpected turn. The child is born. He is the one destined to rule all nations with a rod of iron. But then, suddenly, He is caught up to God and His throne.
The enemy expected a conquering king. Heaven anticipated the fulfillment of prophecy. Instead, the Messiah lived thirty-three years, died on a cross, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven—leaving the spiritual realm in a state of anticipation.
This divine mystery, this hidden wisdom of God, accomplished something the enemy never saw coming: it secured eternal peace with God for all who would believe. The blood of the Lamb became our victory.
War and Peace
Paradoxically, the very thing that brought us peace with God has intensified spiritual warfare. Since Christ's ascension, the enemy has been like a wounded animal backed into a corner. He knows his time is limited, though he doesn't know exactly how limited.
Revelation tells us that in the end times, this war will reach its peak. Satan will be cast down from heaven completely, no longer able to accuse believers before God day and night. When that happens, he will know he has only three and a half years left.
But even in that darkest hour, believers will overcome "by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." The peace we have with God through Christ's sacrifice is already our victory in this spiritual war. The outcome is certain.
The Ultimate Peace
Fast forward to Revelation 21, and we see the completion of God's plan. John sees a new heaven and a new earth. The old order has passed away. And descending from heaven comes the New Jerusalem, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Then comes one of the most tender images in all of Scripture: "God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Imagine that moment. After all the suffering of this fallen world, after all the tears shed in grief and pain, after all the losses and disappointments—God Himself will wipe away every tear. Not an angel. Not a saint. God Himself.
That is the peace we're waiting for.
Making All Things New
Notice the precise wording: "Behold, I make all things new." Not "I make all new things."
God doesn't scrap His creation and start over. He doesn't discard us as failed prototypes. Instead, He takes everything we broke through our sin—our bodies, our relationships, creation itself—and restores it to what He originally intended. Better than new. Glorified. Perfected.
We will receive glorified bodies capable of enduring God's presence. We will experience dimensions and realities we cannot currently perceive. Colors we've never seen. A more real reality. And we will live forever with our Creator, finally experiencing the relationship He designed us for.
A Choice Remains
This incredible future is offered freely to all who thirst. Those who overcome through faith in Christ will inherit everything. They will be called children of God.
But the offer can be refused. The cowardly, the unbelieving, those who persist in rebellion—they choose separation from God. And God, being just, honors that choice. The lake of fire awaits those who would rather be their own god than submit to the true God.
This isn't about God gleefully condemning people. Scripture tells us He desires all to be saved. He delights in mercy, not judgment. But He is also just. When we refuse His mercy, refuse His Son, we choose to be judged by the standard of God's perfection—a standard none of us can meet on our own.
Living in Anticipation
So we wait. We live between the "already" and the "not yet." We have peace with God through Christ's first coming. We anticipate the complete peace that will arrive with His return.
This tension should shape how we live. We don't know when the King is coming back. But we know He is coming. And we know the message we've been given: reconciliation with God is possible through Jesus Christ.
The question is: what will we do with the time we have? How many people will we invite into this kingdom? When we stand before God and our works are evaluated, how often will we hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant"?
The child has been born. The sacrifice has been made. Peace with God is available. And one day—perhaps soon—Christ will return to wipe away every tear and make all things new.
That is our hope. That is our peace. That is what Advent is truly about.
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