"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests." (Luke 2:14) God's offer of peace is not to all mankind but only to those who have believed the Gospel and on whom his favour rests. Ofcourse, Jesus died for the the sins of the entire world but not all have believed the message of the Gospel. 'Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?' (Isaiah 53:1) 'Yet to all who received him and to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God ...' (John 1:12) Had God made peace with all of men, irrespective of their response to the Gospel, then why should there be a day of vengeance? Indeed, God has made the offer of peace to all of mankind and that is why Jesus stopped short of proclaiming 'the day of vengeance' when he started his ministry but instead proclaimed 'the year of the Lord's favour.' (Isaiah 61:1-2/Luke 4:16-19) However, the Bible does proclaim 'the day of vengeance', when all those who have rejected God's offer of peace through Christ, will suffer his wrath. 'To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favouritism.' (Romans 2:7-11) The day is coming when peace on earth is going to be taken away. 'When the Lamb opened the seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. It's rider was given power to take peace from the earth and make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.' (Revelation 6:3-4) The peace on earth is deceptive! Just because everything seems calm and quiet on the surface, it doesn't mean everything is peaceful within! Unrest can break out any moment, as we see happening in different parts of the world. But God has offered us his peace that rules our hearts even in the midst of the storm. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."( John 14:27) 'Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...' (Colossians 3:15) God has extended the olive branch of peace through the birth of his 'peace child' Jesus. 'For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.' (Colossians 1:19-20) Amen.
'Know Jesus, know peace!'
'No Jesus, no peace!'
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