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.

The Isaiah 53:5 Error

One of the worst misunderstandings of Scripture is the idea that Isaiah 53:5 means physical healing. Closely examining the verse shows that it's a spiritual healing of the rift between sinners and God.

Isaiah 53:5 (BBE) reads, "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."

The whole chapter is a prophecy about Christ's atonement. Certainly verse four speaks of him healing physical illnesses when he was incarnated. But the next verse uses healing as a metaphor of closing the gap between us and our holy God.

Look at the verse logically. The first part of it talks about Christ taking on the punishment for our sins. And as with Hebrew writing, the second part amplifies the first half. Therefore, his punishment healed the wound of our relationship with his Father. It has nothing at all to do with the physical healing in the previous verse.

This error of incorrectly reading Hebrew literature has caused believers to use Isaiah 53:5 as if it were some magic mantra that invokes God's healing. This is in fact putting God to the test.

Matthew 4:7 (BBE) reads,  "Jesus said to him (Satan,) Again 'it is in the Writings, You may not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

This quote comes from Deuteronomy 6:16 (BBE) which commands, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did in Massah."

As I've written before, some Christians tend to use verses as magic spells to make God give them whatever they want. This is blasphemy, as the above verse shows. Israel doubted God, even as these charismatics doubt the Father's ability to provide what they need.

I'll be writing about this error in You Think You're Going to Heaven? Trying to force God to give us whatever we want is disrespectful to his nature.

On Saturday, I'll post about China and the spiritual darkness in that oppressed land.

Why Was Christ Crucified?

Continuing on with this month's theme, I need to explain why Christ was crucified. Jesus himself explained why in John 3:16 (KJV). "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

From the beginning, God's plan of salvation called for his son to be the substitute to take the punishment of those who would put their lives in his hands. He promised this way back in Genesis 3:15. The King James Version reads, "And I (God) will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, (Eve) and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." This "seed" is none other than Jesus Christ. The "him" in that passage is the Devil.

Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)foretold Christ's atoning work.  "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Furthermore, Jesus was no hapless victim, as some folks believe but a willing saviour who died and rose to save his followers. John 10:18 (KJV) reads, "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."

Being human as well as divine, Jesus still had his qualms about being our spiritual whipping boy. John 12:27 (KJV) records him as saying, "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour:' but for this cause came I unto this hour."

Jesus could have easily chickened out but he staid the course. John 18:37 (KJV) describes how he was resolute in his purpose. "Pilate therefore said unto him, 'Art thou a king then?' Jesus answered, 'Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.'"

Christ knew what his sacrifice would eventually accomplish. Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) explains, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

In addition to having all power and authority in heaven and earth, Christ is our go-between, advocating our case to his heavenly Father. As Hebrews 9:15 (KJV) explains, "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."

Additionally, Christ always had the long view in mind. 1 Corinthians 15:28 (KJV) shows this when Paul wrote, "And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all."

What an awesome truth this is! From before creation, the Trinity agreed on this mighty plan to provide Christ a gift, meaning those who would believe in him, so he could lay us at the Father's feet as a token of his love.

I hope to write much more on this mind-boggling rescue mission and gift of love in a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? If people could have even a glimpse of how comprehensive the Lord's plan is, it would astonish them and even cause them to surrender to Christ's will.