Sunday, May 30, 1999   

2. In 1920, the League of Nations was formed to insure peace, but peace did not come and the League of Nations was dissolved in 1946.

3. In 1945, the year World War II ended, the United Nations was formed as the hope of the world for peace. But friends, there has not been a twenty-four hour period since 1945 without armed conflict.

4. Micah 4:3 is inscribed on the wall of the United Nations building in New York City. This verse says, "And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plow shares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." The United Nations has not and will not bring peace to the earth.

     No organization can bring real peace to this earth. Yet, peace is coming, that peace is coming when the Prince of Peace comes to earth to rule and reign. The Book of Isaiah is filled with passages about the millennium.

I. THE PRINCE OF PEACE

     A. Christ, the Prince of Peace, is coming again. First, He is coming in the air to rapture the saints of God (I Thessalonians 4:13-18, "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself...."

     B. Secondly, He is coming at the end of the seven year tribulation period with His saints (Jude 14-15a, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints. To execute judgment upon all...."

          1. When He comes the second time, He comes to the earth to rule and reign.

          2. In Revelation 19:11-20, we have a vivid picture of the Second Coming of Jesus.

II. THE DURATION OF PEACE

     A. The duration of this peace is plainly declared in Revelation 20:1-7.

          1. In Revelation 20:1-7, the duration of this peace on earth is stated as being 1,000 years.

          2. In this passage, we have the teaching of the millennial reign of Christ.

               a. The word millennium comes from two Latin words:

                    1). Mille - thousand

                    2). Annus - year

               b. Christ will reign for one thousand years.

     B. The millennium will end when Satan is loosed for a very little season at the end of the thousand years (Revelations 20:7-10).

III. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS TIME OF PEACE

     A. The millennium is a time of true peace.

          1. Isaiah 2:4 speaks of true disarmament:

               a. There will be no war college on the Potomac "Neither shall they learn war any more."

               b. There will be no drills to learn war no alerts (lone star).

               c. We will not need S.D.I. then although we need it now (Luke 11:21 "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace.")

          2. There will be peace on earth when the Prince of Peace rules during the millennium.

               a. Christ, the Prince of Peace, is coming back to earth to sit on David's throne (Isaiah 9:6-7).

               b. Note Luke 1:32.

          3. The animal kingdom will be at peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25).

          4. Peace will rule in the cities and in the country (Isaiah 32:17-8).

               a. You'll be able to leave the doors unlocked.

               b. You can sleep with the windows open.

               c. You'll be able to walk the streets at night in safety.

          5. If you want to experience the peace that is coming to earth during the millennium, you must first have peace with God (Romans 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”).

     B. The Climate will be perfect (Isaiah 32:1-2, 7).

     C. Sickness will be removed.

          1. "The ministry of the King as a healer will be seen throughout the age, no sickness and even death, except as a penal measure in dealing with overt sin, will be removed" (Pentecost).

          2. Isaiah 33:24 no drug stores, hospitals or doctors. The great Physician will do the healing.

          3. The lame and halt will be healed at the beginning of millennium (Isaiah 29:18; 35:3-6).

     D. There will be freedom from oppression during the millennium.

          1. No political prisoners, no racial strife.

          2. Isaiah 14:3-7.

     E. The millennium will be a time of untold joy. Today we are sad with the state of affairs in our country. We see the things we love so dearly slipping away. Our hearts are burdened; our families are hurting. One day there is going to be a great time of joy.

          1. Isaiah 12:3-6.

          2. We sing, "Joy to the World" by Isaac Watts as a Christmas hymn; but friends, it is a millennial hymn. It tells about the joys of life during the millennium.

IV. THE PEOPLE OF LASTING PEACE

     A. The people of lasting peace are those who love the Lord, those who know Him. They have:

          1. Peace with God (Romans 5:1).

          2. The Peace of God (Philippians 4:7).

     B. The saved will rule and reign with Christ, and they will live eternally. Will you be in the number (Revelations 20:6).

CONCLUSION: Christ is coming to earth someday!