Imagine a world where all nations are at peace, and there is no war and no threat of deadly terrorism; all politicians and government officials are honest, trustworthy public servants with no personal agendas; and the poor and most vulnerable are gently cared for and helped.
Hard to imagine, isn’t it?
In 1971, John Lennon, the late composer and singer with the Beatles, released his famous song Imagine, which challenged listeners to picture such a world: no war, no killing, no corruption, no countries, and no greed—only peace, through the brotherhood of man.
However, Lennon’s idyllic world lacked one critical thing: God. Humanity cannot accomplish Utopia without Him.
Nowhere does Scripture teach that, through the acts of mankind, the world will gradually morph into a state of perfection. Instead, God’s Word says the opposite: As time advances, wars will devastate the planet, famine will lead to starvation and economic woes, and true peace will be unattainable. Even today, with all the amazing advancements in global technology and communication, the world is slipping into a state of dystopia.
So is there any hope? Yes!
Humanity’s universal desire for worldwide peace, true justice, and righteousness will be realized at the return of Jesus, the Messiah of Israel.
The prophet Isaiah spoke of the day when Israel’s King-Messiah will bring long-lasting, sustainable peace. All mankind will benefit from His righteousness and justice, and all of God’s creation will be made new.
Enacting Peace Through Divine Strength
Peace is a true universal desire. Though the world is full of evildoers who prefer mayhem and destruction, the majority of people want peace on Earth. Yet, despite all our diplomats, politicians, religious leaders, treaties, and negotiated settlements, we’ve made very little headway.
When Jesus returns to Earth, the world will be in complete turmoil. The prophet Zechariah said that, immediately prior to the Messiah’s arrival, all nations will be focused on destroying Israel. Their corrupt leaders will try to capture Jerusalem for themselves, as empires and rulers have done in the past: “The burden of the word of the Lᴏʀᴅ against Israel. Thus says the Lᴏʀᴅ, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him: ‘Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it'” (Zech. 12:1–3).
The prophet Isaiah said when the King-Messiah of Israel comes, He will be called “Wonderful, Counselor” (Isa. 9:6). These powerful titles do not mean He will be a professional psychologist. The Hebrew means “Extraordinary Strategist,” suggesting He will be perfect in establishing and enacting military strategy against His enemies.
Jesus’ ability to quash rebellion will produce a sustainable peace throughout His 1,000-year Kingdom reign. Thus Isaiah called Jesus the “Prince of Peace” (v. 6). As King Jesus enacts peace, economic stability will spread throughout the world.
When the Messiah returns to Earth, the battle will be over, as the King simply speaks the words of victory: “Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev. 19:15–16).
No leader or nation will defeat His military strategy.
Upholding the Government on His Shoulders
When Jesus returns, His feet will touch down on the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4). From there, He may go the short distance to the Eastern Gate of the Temple Mount, where He will reestablish the long-collapsed throne of David. God promised through Isaiah that the King-Messiah will rule “upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever” (Isa. 9:7).
Jesus’ government will be global, extending to all of His creation, as David’s throne was intended to do: “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, and His enemies will lick the dust. Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him” (Ps. 72:8–9, 11).
In that day, there will be no party politics. Jesus will “deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also, and him who has no helper. He will spare the poor and needy, and will save the souls of the needy. He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; and precious shall be their blood in His sight” (vv. 12–14).
Jesus’ government will be invincible, inviolable, and incorruptible. It will uphold the virtues of the Law of God, which were designed to benefit everyone, and enact Christ’s words, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mt. 20:28). This philosophy alone is counter-cultural and contrary to the understanding of people who have the power to rule today.
Ruling With Justice and Righteousness
Outside many courtrooms stands a statue of Lady Justice. She is blindfolded to represent her supposedly unbiased stance, with her arms stretched out wide to display her impartiality. In one hand she holds a set of scales, balancing the strength of a case’s support against its challenger’s arguments. Her other hand grips a sword, which symbolizes imminent punishment for the guilty. Justice is supposed to be blind to money, power, and identity.
Although the Western system of justice is probably the best ever implemented, in many ways it is still extremely flawed. Sometimes even Lady Justice lifts her blindfold to reveal her own bias. The best human attempts at justice are limited because those who manage and uphold the system’s virtues are still sinful, flawed human beings.
Jesus, however, is perfect. He is the sinless, flawless Son of God whom the Father promised to send to the Jewish people to be their Messiah (Prov. 30:4; Isa. 9:6; Mic. 5:2). The Babe born in Bethlehem, who was slain as the Lamb of God to pay for the sins of the world, will return as the Lion of Judah to rule the world. He will need no blindfold to help Him maintain impartiality.
From the throne of David, Jesus will rule and judge the world with perfect justice and righteousness (Isa. 9:7). He will know the exact judgment necessary to govern His Kingdom and to keep peace.
One day citizens of Jesus’ Kingdom will enjoy a peace on Earth unlike anything ever before experienced. The gracious love, mercy, and kindness of the King of kings will fill the world as the Messiah takes His rightful place on the throne of David.
No one will have to worry about having a corrupt king, ruler, politician, or judge again because the scepter will never depart from Him. His “is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Dan. 7:27).
