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Very few people would claim that they don’t want peace in their lives or in the world around them. However, if they were asked how lasting peace could be achieved, not many would be able to clearly explain the cause and effect relationship that determines whether or not peace can occur. This study will examine why mankind has not been able to live in peace and harmony for any length of time in its history.

Just prior to the outbreak of World War II, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Neville Chamberlain, made the following announcement after his return from negotiating a peace accord with Adolph Hitler, “My good friends, this is the second time that there has come back from Germany to Downing Street (the Prime Minister’s residence) peace with honor. I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And now I recommend you to go home and sleep quietly in your beds.” After this speech, the majority of the nation rejoiced in the hope that this proclamation was true. Unfortunately, it was not long after this pronouncement that war broke out in Europe leading to the death of millions of people. So although the intentions of many are well-meaning, they do not understand why peace is so difficult to achieve.

Almighty God has explained a number of times, and in a number of different ways, that peace can only come when certain steps are taken. If these steps are not taken, lasting peace cannot occur. For the purpose of this study we will use the term “cause” to describe the steps that need to be taken in order to achieve peace, and the term “effect” to describe the result of following these steps, which is lasting peace.

God explains this cause and effect relationship,

Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble (Ps. 119:165; NKJV used throughout unless otherwise noted).

In this scripture God is making the connection between embracing and following His law, which includes all His commands, as the “cause” that will lead to the “effect”, which is lasting peace. For instance, if everyone on earth agreed that murder was wrong and no one was going to commit this sinful act, how could any political leader stand up and announce that they are going to invade another country? They would have to launch this war by themselves and it wouldn’t last very long with an army of one person. Most would argue that this scenario is silly, simplistic, and totally unrealistic because it would never happen, which explains why God says what he does in this next scripture,

The way to peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways. They have made themselves crooked paths. Whoever takes that way (contrary to God’s law) shall not know peace (Isa. 59:8; cf. Isa. 2:3b; Ed. note in parenthesis).

The apostle Paul made the connection between a lack of respect for Almighty God and His law, and how that leads away from any lasting peace,

And the way of peace they have not known. ¹⁸ There is no fear of God before their eyes (Rom. 3:17-18).

It seems that unless serious consequences come upon mankind for their choices and actions against God’s way, the desire to learn and obey God’s law is absent for the most part - even by those who claim to know His son who represents Him,

Not everyone who says to me (Christ), ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of the heavens, but he who does the will of my Father, the one in the heavens. ²² “Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many powerful works?’ ²³ “And then I (Christ) will declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from me you workers of lawlessness! (Mt. 7:21-23; RNT; cf. 1Jn 3:4; Ed. notes in parenthesis; emphasis added). 

Jesus Christ wants nothing to do with those who practice lawlessness because lawlessness leads away from peace. As he is called the Prince of Peace, it should be obvious why he cannot coexist with anyone who walks contrary to his Father’s law and commandments. Christ is given the title Prince of Peace because he upholds his Father’s law and commandments (Mt. 5:17-19), and this is the only way that leads to peace,

For unto us a child is born (Jesus Christ), unto us a son is given (in sacrifice to cover everyone’s sin; cf. Jn. 1:26); and the government (of Almighty God) will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (as chief representative of Almighty God, Christ carries these titles of his Father in heaven; cf. Ex. 23:21). ⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice (cf. Isa. 59:8) from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts (Almighty God) will perform this (Isa. 9:6-7; cf. Heb. 7:1-2; Ed. notes in parentheses; emphasis added).

In the remainder of this study various laws and commandments will be examined to confirm a cause and effect relationship that will lead to peace, if the appropriate action is taken. These are the issues that Jesus Christ will deal with and enforce after he returns to rule this planet (Rev. 12:5; cf. Ps. 2:1-12; Col. 3:4-6),

The work (result) of righteousness (Ps. 119:172) will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. ¹⁸ My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places (Isa. 32:17-18; Ed. notes in parentheses).

Some of the causes that lead away from peace are described in the book of James,

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? ² You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask (for the right reason). ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss (selfishly), that you may spend it on your pleasures. ⁴ Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity (hostile) with (toward) God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (Jas. 4:1-4; Ed. notes in parentheses).

James is pointing out that when a person focuses on serving themselves rather than serving Almighty God, which includes serving others, that person is on a course that will inevitably lead to destruction; whether it is of things and people around them, or their own self-destruction morally and, more often than not, physically. The apostle Paul confirmed that this trend would increase as the world gets closer to the return of Jesus Christ,

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves (self-serving), lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers (Ex. 20:7), disobedient to parents (Ex. 20:12), unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers (Ex. 20:16), without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness (saying the right things in a superficial manner) but denying its power (no intention of acting on what is right)… (2Tim. 3:1-5a; Ed. notes in parentheses; emphasis added).

As James pointed out, those who are self-centered will do anything to obtain what they want including fighting and killing if necessary. One of Almighty God’s laws deals with this issue,

You shall not covet (deeply desire something that is not rightfully yours) your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s (Ex. 20:17; Ed. note in parenthesis).

If this commandment were enforced around the world, how many wars would have been avoided throughout man’s history? How many murders? How many robberies? How many broken families? Once someone covets something that does not belong to them, they will eventually take some action to obtain what they desire no matter what the consequences may be to others or themselves. A recent example can also be seen in the many lives that have been ruined because some financial specialists have coveted the life savings of other people, and stolen from them,

You shall not steal (Ex. 20:15).

Many families have been ruined because someone has coveted another person’s husband or wife,

You shall not commit adultery (Ex. 20:14).

The reputations of many people have been ruined and their families traumatized because an individual, a company, or even a government has sought to discredit them in order to accomplish their agenda. Jesus Christ had to face false witnesses testifying against him in an attempt to discredit him in front of the religious authorities at the end of his ministry (Mt. 26:59-61),

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (Ex. 20:16).

Many rulers and leaders throughout history have been removed or assassinated because another individual or group has coveted their office, influence, power, or just wanted them out of the way because they have established laws or policies that worked against their own selfish agendas, goals, and ambitions,

You shall not murder (Ex. 20:13).

So no matter what law or commandment of God is broken, it will result in the opposite of peace. Even those who are trying to obey God can find themselves working against peace if they are not willing to forgive those who cause them harm,

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have something against someone, that your Father in the heavens might also forgive your trespasses (Mk. 11:25; RNT). 

For if you release men of their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also release you. ¹⁵ “But if you do not release others, neither will your Father release your transgressions (Mt. 6:14-15; RNT). 

If we do not forgive others, we cannot be at peace with ourselves or with them. As soon as anyone holds a grudge against someone else, that grudge is just waiting for an occasion to cause conflict. The characteristic of being unforgiving is associated with the period just before Christ’s return,

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (2Tim. 3:1-4; emphasis added).

Another characteristic that prevents world peace is described by the apostle Paul,

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting (Rom. 1:28).

In many of the sciences today, it is vocational suicide to claim that there is a God who created the universe. A few have made claims to this effect and found themselves squeezed out by their peers and looking for a job elsewhere. As science and technology continue to grow and impact our lives more and more, there will be fewer people looking to Almighty God for answers to their problems, including the way to achieve peace. The standards and values that used to influence society fifty years ago are viewed as foolish today. Many of these standards and values were based on God’s law and commandments, and faith in the fact that obeying them contributes to peace in families, communities and nations. However, as reliance on science and technology has increased, faith in God and His law has been eroded to the point that neither have much relevance in today’s world. Therefore, any lasting peace within families, communities, nations, and the world becomes all the more unrealistic. As a consequence, Jesus Christ will have to return in order to bring about any lasting peace. How will he achieve this?

…I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. ³⁴ No more shall every man teach his neighbor and every man his brother saying, ‘Know the Lord, ‘for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity (cf. 1Jn. 3:4), and their sin I will remember no more (Jer. 31:33b-34; Ed. note in parenthesis).

There has to be a major change in attitude experienced by everyone in order to achieve lasting peace. Without exception, all of mankind has to reach the point where they understand and agree that the only way to peace is through obedience to the law and commandments of Almighty God. This is not going to occur easily as it requires repentance (active and ongoing change) from the way of living that is considered normal today. The nation of Israel went through a similar experience when they were taken out of Egypt, which represented everything contrary to God’s will, and were given God’s law and commandments progressively until they inherited the Promised Land – a type of the kingdom of God. However, they were not willing to cooperate and follow the instructions they were given, and as a result they rarely experienced peace for any length of time, 

If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, ⁴ then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. ⁵ Your threshing shall last till the time of vintage, and the vintage shall last till the time of sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. ⁶ I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid… (Lev. 26:3-6a; emphasis added).

In this last scripture God is pointing out “cause and effect.” In other words, if Israel obeyed God’s law and commandments, they would be doing what is necessary to bring about peace. For instance, one of God’s commands involved Israel asking permission before going to war against their enemies. If they failed to do this, or if they did it after the fact, they would not enjoy any victory or peace,

Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, ‘who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?’ ² And the Lord said, ‘Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand (Jgs. 1:1-2; cf. 1Sam. 14:37; 23:2; 30:8). 

And the Lord said to me (Moses), ‘Tell them, do not go up nor fight, for I am not among you; lest you be defeated before your enemies.’ ⁴³ So I spoke to you; yet you would not listen, but rebelled against the command of the Lord, and presumptuously went up into the mountain (De. 1:42-43; Ed. note in parenthesis).

Today any nation, proposing to ask Almighty God to search their heart (intensions) and provide direction and/or permission before going to war, would be viewed as ridiculous. It is important to note that Israel was dealing with nations that were sacrificing their children to pagan gods (murdering members of His family; cf. Num. 35:19-21) along with many other atrocities, and the nation of Israel was God’s instrument in removing the influence of these people. As long as ancient Israel sought permission from God before going to battle against their enemies, they continued to enjoy peace in their land.

Just as Israel was involved with subjugating nations that were in rebellion against God’s law and commandments, so will Jesus Christ when he returns. It seems counterintuitive that Christ will wage war in order to bring about peace, but that is what will occur simply because the god of this world (Satan; cf. 2Cor. 4:4) is going to try and prevent Christ from taking over all power and authority (1Cor. 15:24-25). So the real cause of war associated with Christ’s return will come from Satan’s resistance,

Then another angel came out of the temple which is heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. ¹⁸ And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, ‘Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the cluster of the vine of the earth, for the grapes are fully ripe. ¹⁹ So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. ²⁰ And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs (about 184 miles in all) (Rev. 14:17-20; Ed. note in parenthesis).

As graphic as this scene appears, it is speaking primarily about battles going on in the realm of the fallen host because they know their time of judgment has finally come,

And I (the apostle John) saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. ¹⁴ For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty (Rev. 16:13-14; Ed. note in parenthesis). 

Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time (Rev. 12:12).

As soon as Jesus Christ has dealt with Satan and his forces, the law and commandments of Almighty God will flow from spiritual Jerusalem, the city of God, so that the inhabitants of the earth can finally experience a long period of peace,

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days (reference to Christ’s return) that the mountain (symbolic of government) of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains (previous worldly governments), and shall be exalted above the hills (all other authorities); and all nations shall flow to it (cf. Rom. 10:12; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11). ³ Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths (cf. Isa. 59:8).’ For out of Zion (God’s throne; cf. Rev. 14:1-5) shall go forth the law (of Almighty God) and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (cf. Ps. 119:160). ⁴ He shall judge between the nations, and shall rebuke many people (for their sins; cf. 1Jn. 3:4). They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks (knives); nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore (Isa. 2:2-4; Ed. notes in parentheses).

Even if there was one human leader capable of establishing the law and commandments of Almighty God throughout the world, he would eventually die and the next ruler would undo all that was accomplished (cf. 1Kgs; 2Kgs; Ecc. 2:18). This is why the rule of Jesus Christ is so important. Once Christ is in his rightful position as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16), he will begin teaching and enforcing God’s law and commandments, which will lead to peace throughout the world. This peace will endure because Christ is not going to die at some point as human leaders do,

And there were many priests (during the First Covenant), because they were prevented by death from continuing. ²⁴ But he (Christ), because he continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood (Heb. 7:23-24; Ed. notes in parentheses).

If some nations choose to disobey God’s law, Christ will exact a price for their rebellion. This will be a teaching tool so that other nations learn to respect and obey the law and commandments, which include observance of God’s Holy Days,

And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts (Almighty God), and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. ¹⁷ And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain (Zech. 14:16-17ff  Ed. note in parenthesis; emphasis added).

Because Jesus Christ is loyal and obedient to his heavenly Father, he will make sure that this world experiences peace. He knows exactly how to bring it about because he never broke any of his Father’s commands at any time,

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps: ²² Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in his mouth (1Pe. 2:21-22; emphasis added).

The apostle Paul connected the gospel of peace with truth and righteousness showing that God’s message, or good news, is inseparable from teaching His law and commandments. In other words, God wants peace and has paid a high price for it through allowing the difficult sacrifice of his son. His son will continue to pave the way by a combination of teaching and enforcing God’s law and commandments,

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth (Ps. 119:160), having put on the breastplate of righteousness (Ps. 119:172), and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel (good news) of peace (Eph. 6:14-15; Ed. notes in parentheses).

In the time we are given, those who claim to know Almighty God must accept responsibility for actively pursuing peace. The process that brings this about includes the action of God’s Holy Spirit in combination with prayer, fasting, repentance, obedience to His law and commandments, and a continual desire to seek His truth (2Cr. 13:11),

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless (2Pe. 3:14). 

Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it (Psa. 34:14; cf. 37:37; 72:3; Rom. 14:19; 1Cr. 7:15; 2Cr. 13:11; Hbr.12:14; 1Pe. 3:11). 

Peace will eventually come, and the Prince of Peace will be the one who brings this about. In the meantime, humanity as a whole has failed to achieve any lasting peace because they do not understand the cause and effect relationship between breaking God’s law and commandments and peace on earth (cf. Mt. 6:10a).

Once sin is overcome, and the fear and love of God is restored (Mt. 17:11; Ac. 1:6-7), all creation will experience peace (Jn. 16:33; cf. Col. 1:20). This will fulfill God’s desire for us all to enjoy a future filled with hope and peace in its truest form (Jer. 29:11).

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