By's Musings

Peace

By Leave a Comment

Advent Wreath Resolutions: Peace, Part II

As we enter the ninth week of 2017 and finish off the month of February, are you still keeping up with your Advent Wreath Resolutions? In this reminder post, I return to the peace candle.

Image used under creative commons license available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

As I noted in the first posting about the peace candle of the Advent Wreath, the word “peace” is used 420 times in the King James Version of the Scriptures. Among those 420 occurrences, there are at least six different connotations or meanings. These six connotations or conventions include:

  • use as a greeting or farewell, inquiring about one’s health or state of mind, or wishing one well;
  • an absence of internal or personal conflict, the state of internal harmony or completeness;
  • an absence of external or interpersonal conflict such as warfare or fighting between people, a state of external harmony;
  • the cessation of conflict, whether internal or external
  • the state of silence or quietness;
  •  the state of death or heavenly rest.

The first time the word “peace” is used in the King James Version of Scriptures, it refers to death and burial.

R.I.P. – Rest in Peace. Image Courtesy of Presenter Media

In Genesis 15 we find God speaking to Abram in a dream.

12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. 13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. 17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. 18 In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:”  (Genesis 15: 12 – 18, KJV)

The English word “peace” in verse 15 comes from the Hebrew word שָׁלוֹם (shalom). The idea that death brings peace to the righteous is reinforced in Isaiah 57: 1 & 2

1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. 2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

This concept is not just an Old Testament construct. The most common New Testament Greek word that is translated “peace” is εἰρήνη (eirḗnē).  It appears twice in Luke 2. The first time is part of the message that the angel and the heavenly host brought to the shepherds:  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14, KJV). The second occurrence is part of the story of Simeon meeting Mary and Joseph and seeing Jesus at the Temple after his birth.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luke 2: 25-32, KJV)

Saint Simeon with the Christ child. 2014. Oil on canvas. 90×70. Artist Andrey .N. Mironov. The image is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and the artist who has confirmed to Wikimedia via email that he has granted permission to free use this image under the conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.

One day, Simeon went to the Temple as he most likely did many days. On many of those trips, Simeon would have seen parents bring their children to the Temple to present them to God. However, on this particular day, the Holy Ghost had a special message and treat for him. On this day, he was to see God’s salvation for Israel and the whole world. Why was this important to Simeon? The Holy Ghost had promised Simeon that he would not “see death” until he had seen “the consolation of Israel.”

On the day when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple, God’s promise of salvation to Israel and the whole world was wrapped up in the form of a baby. Simeon had now seen the individual through whom God would work out salvation. Simeon was satisfied and could now die, and “depart in peace.”

Have you gone to the Temple and seen God’s salvation? Are you prepared to depart in peace? Do your family, friends, and neighbors have the same peace of mind concerning their ultimate destination? What have you done to help them find that peace?

By Leave a Comment

Advent Resolutions: The Christ Candle – Light

We are into the second week into February.  More than 10% of 2017 is gone and we will never get it back. Where are you in your New Year’s Advent Wreath Resolution?

mage used under creative commons license available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

The large white candle in the center represents Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, the Light of the world. Jesus knocks on the door of our heart and invites us to follow Him. There are two types of light in this world: physical and spiritual. I believe Jesus is speaking of spiritual light here in John 8:12.  He is claiming to be the only source of spiritual truth. Since He is the light of the world, he will enable us to see where we are going. If we follow in His footsteps we will stay on the path of righteousness.

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12, JKV)

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. It is a 2D photograph (by unknown photographer) of an original oil painting entitled Light of the World by William Holman Hunt. The painting is housed in the Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester, England. This image is in Public Domain because the artist died in 1910.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1, JKV)

Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Lighthouses are an international symbol of a beacon of safety and guidance. Some of them indicated the entrance into a harbor. Others showed sailors where dangerous cliffs and reefs lurked. Lighthouses kept sailors off the rocks in calm, as well as stormy weather. Christ, the living word and light of the world can keep us from running aground on the rocky shores of life or the shallows of a sandy beach. The light from a lighthouse can keep us safe amidst life’s storms and tempests. If Christ is on our side and guiding us, of whom or what should we be afraid? After all, he calmed the storm using just his words.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4: 38-41, KJV)

A photograph of Rembrandt’s oil painting Christ in the Storm on the Lake of Galilee, from 1632. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. This is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art. Therefore it is also in public domain.

God guided His people with His light throughout the whole Bible. In the wilderness, as the Hebrews fled Egypt, God used a pillar of a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire during the night to guide the steps of the Hebrews as they fled Egypt.

 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. (Exodus 13: 21 & 22, KJV)

With Christ guiding us, what is our final destination?

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. (Rev 21:22-24, JKV)

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” Revelations 21: 22 & 23 (KJV).  “A new heaven and new earth”, an etching by Pieter van der Borcht from the Phillip Medhurst Collection. The date of the print is most likely 1650 to 1660. The image is available under the Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license.

Are you glorifying and honoring God as the light of the world, as well as your life and world?

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord‘s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2: 2-5, KJV)

Is it ironic that the United Nations is man’s attempt to eliminate wars? How has that worked? Since the UN was founded after 1945, there have been more than 140 wars somewhere in the world. That’s an average of slightly more than two wars per year. Man’s only hope for peace is God, and walking in His way and in the light he provides us.

In 2017, are you walking in God’s light and working toward His peace?  Are you helping others to find this path?

By Leave a Comment

Advent Wreath Resolutions: Peace

The end of January is in sight. How are you doing with your Advent Resolutions? This week we come to the fourth candle of the Advent Wreath. The third blue candle of the Wreath has traditionally represented peace. We find the mention of God’s peace throughout scripture. In the King James Version, the word “peace” is used 311 times in the Old Testament and 109 times in the New Testament.

Image used under creative commons license available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Between the multitude of meanings of our English word peace and the 400 scriptural references to peace, I came to the immediate conclusion that one posting will not be sufficient to do justice to the concept of peace and our New Year’s Resolution related to the Advent Wreath. In this first peace posting, I will deal with just three phrases that use the word peace. They are “Prince of Peace,” “peace of God,” and “peace with God.” In future postings I will attempt to deal with at least eight more concepts associated with the word “peace.” The majority of those concepts are directly referenced in scriptures, while some are only alluded to in the KJV version and some are even more tangential.

The one and only mention in the KJV of the phrase “Prince of Peace” is from the prophet Isaiah:

5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. 8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. (Isaiah 9: 5-8, JKV)

This passage is obviously a Messianic reference. It begins with a reference to a warrior and a fierce battle. However, it switches immediately to talk about a baby, that will eventually rule all nations. The Hebrew people held onto this promise for hundreds of years, looking forward to a visit from God in human form, who would save them from their trials and tribulations. They were looking for a savior that would provide peace from human wars and injustice, peace and freedom in their souls from the stress and strains of everyday human life, and the peace of mind that comes from knowledge and the light.  When the angels appeared to the shepherds, the shepherds knew the significance of the angels’ message. The Savior, the Prince of Peace, had finally come. They had to go to Bethlehem immediately to see and worship this baby who would be their Messiah and future King.

This image is entitled “The Angels Appear.” It is from “The Prince of Peace” by Isabella Macdonald Alden c. 1890 Author Unsigned. It is in the Public Domain in the United States.
from Presenter Media
from Presenter Media
from Presenter Media

The phrase “peace of God” is generally associated with the personal peace given to individuals by God to face the turmoils of their daily lives. These storms can be minor or major squabbles within families, churches and work relationships.

The storms can be real storms or calamities that can cause great physical and environment damage as well as inflict real bodily and psychological harm.  Remember Hurrican Katrina, miracle of U.S. Air flight 1549 landing on the Hudson river, and the Fukushima earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant disaster,

Damaged church on Florida Avenue in flood devastated section of the Upper 9th Ward of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2006. In this area waters from the Industrial Canal smashed many buildings. Photo by Infrogmation, April 2006. Image presented under Creative Commons license 3.0
Passengers on the wings of the Airbus 320 in January 2009, after Captain Chesley Sullenberger made an emergency landing of U.S. Airways flight 1549 on the Hudson river in January 2009. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Damage to the Dai Ichi power plant in Fukushima, Japan after the 2011Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. This picture is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

How can some people survive such terrible disasters while others do not? The world usually attributes it to “Luck.” The world says “Some people are in the wrong place at the wrong time, while others are in the right place at the wrong time.”  God’s answer is found in Psalm 29.

1 Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. 2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. 7 The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. 10 The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever. 11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. (Psalm 29: 1 – 11, JKV)

What can we give a God who owns everything? The word translated “give” in the first two verses of Psalm 29 is actually the Hebrew word yahab (יָהַב) which is translated “ascribe” ( which means to accredit or impute) in other places. Thus this verse is telling us to acknowledge God as all-powerful and the most glorious.  In verse 3, this all powerful God speaks out of the midst of the storm. We should be able to hear it if we are listening. If we do listen and obey Him, then He will give us strength to weather the storm and bless us with peace. God will place us in the center of His Peace, a place of rest and spiritual well-being. This is the peace of God. Paul reminds us that “… the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7, KJV)

Paul also provides us the completest treatise on the concept of peace with God in Romans, chapter 5.

1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. (Romans 5: 1 – 16, KJV)

In verse 1, Paul tells us that we can obtain peace with God through Christ. In verse 2, we see that we have access to peace with God through faith by God’s grace. This peace has at least five different aspects. Verse 9 details our justification by Christ’s blood and thereby saved from His wrath. Verse 10 speaks to our reconciliation with God by Christ’s death and salvation through His life. Verse 11 encourages us to rejoice in God’s atonement through Jesus Christ. Verses 12 through 16 is a delineation of God’s free gift through Christ which is an escape from God’s judgment to condemnation. 

In John 14, just prior to his crucifixion, Jesus spoke with His disciples about what He was leaving them.   26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14: 26 & 27, KJV)

How are you doing with your Advent Wreath resolutions? Have you made the Prince of Peace the King of your life? Are you living in the peace of God? Have you made your peace with God?

 

 

 

 

By Leave a Comment

A Different Kind of New Year’s Resolution: Instead of Packing Away the Advent Wreath for Another Year, Reflect on Its Lessons During All of 2017

from Presenter Media

As soon as Christmas is over many people begin working on two projects. The first is the practice of writing and polishing up one’s New Year’s Resolutions. They are full of good intentions and want the New Year to fulfill all of the promises with which it comes.

The second project is packing away the holiday decorations until next year. Since the Advent Wreath centers on the time leading up to the Nativity, it is usually one of the first articles to be put away. Perhaps this year we need to refocus our thinking. The five candles of the Advent Wreath teach lessons which should not be seasonal or time dependent. They are appropriate for Christians to concentrate on all year long. If you are into New Year’s Resolutions, I would suggest that an excellent candidate for the top of your list would be the practice of reflecting on and living out the Advent lessons throughout the entire 2017 year.

Image used under creative commons license available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

The typical Advent Wreath begins with a circular ring of evergreens. The ring and the evergreens represent the eternal nature of God. Around the wreaths four colored candles are equally spaced, circling a larger, white candle in the center of the wreath. Although there are variations, it is common for three of the outer candles to be blue or violet, while the fourth colored candle is rose or pink. The four outer candles represent four virtues or messages that Jesus brings us. Four Sundays before Advent, the first blue candle representing hope or expectation is lit. The word “hope” is used both as a verb and a noun. In the Bible, the verb hope means to trust in someone or something, to expectantly wait for a beneficial result.

On the third Sunday before Advent, the first blue candle is lit again, while a second blue candle representing God’s love is lit. The word “love” is also used as a verb and a noun. God’s love is complete and perfect. It is given, and not earned. On the second Sunday before Advent, the pink candle representing joy, along with the previously lit blue candles, are lit. God’s joy is his delight and pleasure. It is what he experiences and what he gives. On the last Sunday before Advent, all four outer candles are lit. The third blue candle represents peace. God’s peace has two aspects. The first is peace with God. The second is the peace of God. More on the meaning of these candles will follow in subsequent posts.

On Christmas Eve the central white candle, also called the Christ Candle, is lit. It represents Christ, the light of the world. In this Christmas season that just passed, did you reflect the light of Christ to a world trapped in darkness? Are you planning to spread His gospel of hope, peace, love and joy to a lost world throughout this coming year? I plan to do five more posts in this series, suggesting how we should reflect on and encourage others with the message of God’s hope, peace, love and joy, and Christ as the light of the world.