Why is Christ Called The Prince of Peace?

 I'm sure that most of us have heard this scripture from Isaiah 9:6 quoted at least a hundred times. The Bible in Basic English (BBE) renders it this way: "For to us a child has come, to us a son is given; and the government has been placed in his hands; and he has been named Wise Guide, Strong God, Father for ever, Prince of Peace." But what exactly does "Prince of Peace" mean?

Christ is the one who makes peace between us rebels and Holy God. The Apostle Paul pointed that out in Colossians 1:19 and 20 (BBE). "For God in full measure was pleased to be in him; Through him uniting all things with himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, uniting all things which are on earth or in heaven."

Now some folks might quote Matthew 10:34 (BBE), claiming that Christ denied being the Prince of Peace. "Do not have the thought that I have come to send peace on the earth; I came not to send peace but a sword." In the next two verses, Jesus speaks of the divisions in families caused by people following him. It has nothing to do with political peace.

We also note that the analogy of healing our relationship with God is used in the Bible to describe being made right with God. Charismatics figure that Isaiah 53:5 (BBE) means that we can claim healing in Christ's name. The BBE renders the verse like this: "But it was for our sins he was wounded, and for our evil doings he was crushed: he took the punishment by which we have peace, and by his wounds we are made well."

I keep telling my pastor that this verse doesn't mean physical healing but a spiritual one. The previous verse does predict Christ healing ailments but verse five hearkens back to the start of the chapter and how Christ bore our sins.

Neither are we to establish Christ's kingdom as the Dominion Theology folks claim. Acts 1:6 and 7 (BBE) makes that quite clear. "So, when they were together, they said to him, 'Lord, will you at this time give back the kingdom to Israel?' And he said to them, 'It is not for you to have knowledge of the time and the order of events which the Father has kept in his control."

Christ will come when he comes and not a millisecond sooner. Our job isn't to conquer nations but to preach the gospel. May Christ find us doing so when he does arrive.

But if our Lord delays his coming until after Saturday, I intend on posting about the end of the world and a powerful song by King Crimson.