The theme of President Obama’s most recent address to the United Nations General Assembly was ‘a peace that will last’. That phrase was first used by President Franklin Roosevelt when addressing the UN in one of their early meetings near the time of their founding.
President Obama then proceeded to make several interesting statements such as, “So let there be no doubt: the tide of war is receding”. However, according to the Bible and confirmed by current events the tide of war is rapidly rising. There will be peace, but not until after the return of Christ. Man by themselves cannot and will not live in peace without divine intervention. Man can only wish for peace before that time.
“For they have healed the hurt…of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ when there is no peace.” Jeremiah 8:11
Jesus Himself warned not to count on peace before its time.
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” Matthew 10:34
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…all these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:5-8
The greatest wars are yet in the future.
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And he who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.” Revelation 19:11
Therefore, Mr. President, it is difficult to substantiate your claim that the tide of war is receding.
Then Mr. Obama suggested that another way to achieve peace was to eliminate ‘want’. He stated: “…we must all act on the belief that freedom from want is a basic human right”. Perhaps he was referring to Biblical teachings.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want (lack).” Psalm 23:1
David’s thought was reaffirmed in the New Testament.
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Many will wonder, however, if President Obama’s wording ‘freedom from want’ meant that God would supply all of man’s needs, or that ‘rights’ provided by government would eliminate ‘want’ and enable each individual to achieve their heart’s desire.
And then, as expected, President Obama addressed the Israeli-Palestinian question before the UN General Assembly.
“Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians who must live side by side…It is Israel and Palestine…who must reach agreement on the issues that divide them. Peace depends upon compromise…Friends of Israel must recognize the need to pursue a two state solution with a secure Israel next to an independent Palestine. That truth – that each side has legitimate aspirations…”
The Bible has much to say about the Israeli-Palestinian question. However, many would rather rely on politically correct solutions than trust the Bible.
Firstly, according to the Bible, Israel and the Palestinians will never live in peace side by side on the land promised to Abraham and his descendants Isaac and Jacob. If there ever is such a treaty to provide for a side by side co-existence it will be for seven years and would signal the beginning of the tribulation.
Many ascribe the words spoken by Gabriel to Daniel to address this very issue.
“Thus he (Anti-Christ) shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god…and divide the land for gain.” Daniel 11:39
Secondly, Israel’s future and permanent possession of the land is unconditional and there is absolutely no compromise required between Israel and her enemies.
Thirdly, only one side has legitimate aspirations. Israel’s aspiration is to live forever in peace in their promised land while Palestinian aspirations are to annihilate Israel. There will never be a two state solution. In fact there will never be a peace in Israel established by man, but only by God Himself in His appointed time under His appointed conditions.
And then President Obama concluded his speech with the same words that he began with.
“Together, let us work to make, not merely a peace, but a peace that will last”.
Good luck with that, Mr. President.