Peace on Earth

The "Lord" returns in the future to "dwell in Zion" again, to "judge the nations," and to establish peace and righteousness in the "latter days". The Dead Sea Scrolls identifies this "Lord" as the Messiah figure of the future and as being none other than Melchizedek himself. 11Q13 is a striking and tremendously important document written in the first century BCE. It centers on the mysterious figure of Melchizedek and is titled ‘the coming of Melchizedek’.

Isaiah 31:4-5 So the Lord of Hosts will descend to make war
Against the mount and the hill of Zion.
Like the birds that fly, even so will
The Lord of Hosts shield Jerusalem,
Shielding and saving, protecting and rescuing.

Melchizedek enters at a time of great trouble, but peace is destined to reign. Also, we now know that a remnant of Jerusalem and modern Israel (Judah) survive, probably due to the protection provided them by Melchizedek. We are also told here that the "Lord of Hosts" "descends" and "shields" like "the birds that fly." We recall how previously the Lord’s presence was said to reside in a pillar of cloud overhead the exodus community. "The Lord" led the peoples by day and provided light at night from this "pillar of cloud." Now we are told that he will "descend like a bird" and shield Jerusalem upon his arrival. What could this mean? What might we see that could descend in the literal sky. Next, we have some other cloud references describing events during the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.

Isaiah 32:3 Then the eyes of those who have sight shall not be sealed,
And the ears of those who have hearing shall listen;
And the minds of the thoughtless shall attend and note . . .
Isaiah 32:5 No more shall a villain be called noble,
At last, the upside down world is set upright on its axis:
Isaiah 32:14 For the castle shall be abandoned,
The noisy city forsaken;
Citadel and tower shall become
Brushland forever
Till a spirit from on high is poured out on us,
And wilderness is transformed into farmland . . .
Then my people shall dwell in peaceful homes,
In untroubled places of rest
Even as the city is laid low.

Cities fare very poorly in the events to come both as a result of natural and man made disasters.

Isaiah 44:18 Have no wit or judgment;
Their eyes are besmeared, and they see not;
Their minds, and they cannot think.
They do not give thought.

UB p. 2081 The father of secularism was the narrow minded and godless attitude of . . . atheistic science. Secularism had its inception as a rising protest against the domination . . . by the institutionalized Christian church. The majority of professed Christians . . . are unwittingly actual secularists. Secularism . . . sells man into slavish bondage to the totalitarian state . . . the tyranny of political and economic slavery. Secularism can never bring peace to mankind. Nothing can take the place of God in human society . . . Secularism simply ignores God. More recently, secularism has assumed a more militant attitude, assuming to take the place of the religion whose totalitarian bondage it one time resisted. But Beware: this godless philosophy will lead only to unrest, animosity, unhappiness, war, and worldwide disaster.

The word messiah is used only twice in the Bible, both times in Daniel (chp.9) embedded in some passages regarding the seventy weeks prophecy. The word messiah is also used several times in 1Enoch in association with a divine being who brings peace and victory to those who "elect" God’s will during the end of the Age. This Messiah figure in 1Enoch is called the Elect One, the Concealed One, the Mighty One, and God of the World. Notice that the God of the World designation well describes the function of a Planetary Prince/Sovereign. The word messiah means anointed in spirit, and when capitalized, Messiah means the Anointed One over all other anointed ones. Prophets and servants are also anointed ones, lower case.

(Millennium Prophecy pg. 333). This is what the Kabala (a text of Jewish mysticism) says about the number 21, that is, the 21st Century: The World Ascension to leadership, Temporal and Spiritual. Prosperity Cycle in Mundane Affairs. Advancement of Backward People. Adept Proper use of talents in arts, science, and commerce. The power of Peace. The Hebrew Letter Schin, Planetary Ruler!

The "Planetary Ruler" or Sovereign, Melchizedek will establish "peace" and initiate an era of spiritual and material "prosperity." We have discussed the light given off by Melchizedek when he arrives amidst dark clouds overhead. Notice the alternate name given for the Planetary Ruler is The Luminous One, fitting in with the scriptural description nicely. But even more important than the transformation of our leadership is the transformation of we the people from within: Should we then expect Jesus to be present when Melchizedek is made Planetary Sovereign, which is stated to be soon forthcoming by the Urantia Book? When might this occur? The System Sovereign will also be present. Will any of this be visible? We also know that the Ancient of Days will be present at the end of the age, as his presence is required whenever personality extinction takes place (Caligastia). Quite a group of personalities on this "forsaken" world, I would say.

UB pg. 820 The pouring out of the Spirit of Truth provides the Spiritual Foundation for the realization of great achievements…Urantia is therefore far better prepared (than the world discussed in the Urantia Book chapter: Government on a Neighboring Planet) for the more immediate realization of a planetary government…(and) to the establishment of world peace under law that could lead to the dawning of a real age of spiritual striving; and such an age is the planetary threshold to the utopian ages of light and life.

In some circumstances, even one’s own family can stand in the way of our choosing to do God’s will. Such difficult and painful choices refine us in the heat of affliction and as always, as we choose, so we become. Ultimately, there is no peace between darkness and light, we must choose one or succumb to the other. Consider:

Mat 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have
not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Jesus)

U.B. 1782 "Think not that I have come to bring peace, but rather a soul struggle." (Jesus)

UB 1745B There is no peace in the heart or progress in the mind unless you fall
wholeheartedly in love with truth.

1Enoch 1:9 The elect shall possess light, joy, and peace; and they shall inherit the earth.

4Q381 DSC Man will not be strong and will not rise
Vermes Fr.46 …and Thou hast tested all.
Noncanonical And the elect, like an offering;
Psalms. Thou wilt purify before Thee,
Thanksgiving Light shines and joy bursts forth;
Hymns Morning vanishes and sorrow flees.
Peace is revealed, dread ceases…
Iniquity has stopped, plague has ceased
With no more illness
For He humbles the proud spirit with no remnant
And from the dust He lifts up the poor to eternal heights
He raises freely the totterers of the earth,
And His might is with their steps.

America suddenly is the bully of the world, using its military might in an aggressive, self-serving way rather than as a defensive stronghold of peace. We have lost all respect and goodwill in the eyes of the world’s nations. They will accept our money, but no longer look up to us as a moral force in the world. And yet America notices nothing, as long as the stock market stays up and the material goods keep flowing. We have ceased to use our minds to think for ourselves, our opinions are those of the last newspaper article we have read. We take our media and information sources at face value, without question. When the "wagging heads" of the experts wag so do ours – glassy-eyed, inured, and asleep. The prophets have said "our people are stupid." We only see what we want to see. Where is the thirst for truth? Prophets pull no punches; they live and die for the truth and only truth. Our own leaders prepare before us the rudiments for the potential destruction of an entire world. What does God say about America’s world leadership of the sale and exportation of weapons technology to an entire world? When did it become acceptable to export destruction so that our richest people can become richer? Is it acceptable? What do we do? What do we say? The answer is a resounding nothing. History and God will hold America accountable for the deaths of tens or hundreds of million lives. But as long as we still have our cozy lives and our wants fulfilled – we see nothing. And so, not until our toys and possessions are taken away from us will anybody notice that there are a lot of bully’s that have moved onto the block. Then will America cry and then will America open her glazed-over eyes.

Israel and Arab Nations are on a collision course of war. Arab states are uniting and strengthening their ties to Russia and China. The UN is unanimously sympathetic to the Arab Nations, and last but not least, the United States and Britain have for the first time withheld their historic position of support for Israel. And so the biblical scorecard of Israel vs. the World is coming into view just as prophesied. And yet, people say that Barak will bring peace but the prophets say "peace, peace there shall be no peace" (Jer 8:11). Who should we bet on? Barak or the prophets? Both Israel and the Arab states have proclaimed their absolute rights to Jerusalem and its Temple Mount. The Arab nations openly proclaim that Israel ultimately has no right to exist. Since, we have learned that "the Lord" is preparing to restore to Judah and Israel to what is rightfully theirs, through a covenant with God and Melchizedek 4000 years ago, we can well surmise who the winner of this battle for the land of Canaan shall be.

Natural disasters, wars, famine, droughts, military events, and overpopulation are all becoming progressively worse. Will all of these mounting problems be solved by human beings before they reach a crisis? There really are no solid arguments or facts that support such an optimistic thesis? Are world leaders committed to creating a peaceful, free, and healthy world?

UB 2082 Secular social and political optimism is an illusion. Without God, neither freedom and liberty, nor property and wealth will lead to peace. You simply cannot establish the brotherhood of men without the Fatherhood of God. A lasting social system without a morality predicated on spiritual realities can no more be maintained than could a solar system without gravity.

Deliverance from distress finally comes when the people of God arise, bringing peace and prosperity. God is working through them and in them and His rule shall finally prevail. (Author’s comment, Michael Wise)

4Q246 until the people of God arise; then all will have rest from warfare.
DSC Their kingdom will be an eternal kingdom, and all their paths will
be righteous. They will judge the land justly, and all nations will
make peace. Warfare will cease from the land, and all the nations
shall do obeisance to them. The great God will be their help, He
Himself will fight for them, putting peoples into their power,
overthrowing them all before them. God’s rule will be an
eternal rule and all the depths of [the earth are His].

1Enoch 1:7 But to them shall he give peace: he shall preserve the elect, and towards them exercise clemency.
1Enoch 6:9 The elect shall possess light, joy, and peace; and they shall inherit
the earth. (Mat. 5:5; Ps. 1:1-6).
1Enoch 6:12 They shall not be condemned the whole period of their lives,
nor die in torment and indignation; but the sum of the days of their
life shall be completed, and they shall grow old in peace; while
the years of their happiness shall be multiplied with joy, and with
peace for ever, the whole duration of their existence.

1Enoch 56:4 Peace be to the saints with the Lord of the world.
1Enoch 93:5 Walk in the paths of peace, that you may live, and be found worthy. Retain my words in your inmost thoughts, and obliterate them not from your hearts; for I know that sinners counsel men to commit crime craftily. They are not found in every place, nor does every counsel possess a little of them.
1Enoch 93:6 Woe to those who build up iniquity and oppression, and who lay the foundation of fraud; for suddenly shall they be subverted, and never obtain peace.

Enoch warns his children and us indirectly to choose righteousness and peace. Those who acquire "gold and silver riches" and covet their wealth will suddenly perish because "they have not remembered the Most High." But remember:

UB p. 597 The bestowal son (Jesus) is the Prince of Peace. On normal worlds this is a dispensation of world-wide peace…such salutary influences did not attend the coming of your bestowal Son…Urantia is not proceeding in the normal order. Your Master…warned…his advent would not bring the usual reign of peace…He distinctly told them (his disciples) that there would be "wars and rumors of wars," and that "nation would rise against nation."

At present one-third of all nations (65 out of 185) are at war. At the end of the cold war in 1990 there were only 35. This planet is in the hands of self-serving, unwise, and immature leadership who, as a rule, have little spiritual connection. The world is getting more violent and uncertain. This corrupt world leadership possesses all the political, economic, military, and financial power. It cannot be removed or replaced except by force and defeat. The world cannot evolve smoothly into a peaceful age without a crisis and only divine intervention can conclude that crisis favorably on the behalf of the brotherhood of man, which is otherwise in the process of formation. The Urantia Book quotes the following Bible passage:

1Enoch 100:3 And if he send his wrath upon you, and upon all your deeds,
you are not they who can supplicate Him; for you utter against his
righteousness great and powerful things. To you there shall be no peace.
1Enoch102:5 But you, ye sinners, are for ever accursed; to you there shall be no peace.
1Enoch 102:7 And when you die, sinners say concerning you: As we die, the righteous die. What profit have they in their works? Behold, like us, they expire in sorrow and in darkness. What advantage have they over us? Hence forward are we equal. What will they obtain, and what behold for ever? For behold they are dead; and never will they henceforward for ever perceive the light. I say unto you, ye sinners: You have been satiated with meat and drink, with human plunder and rapine, with sin, with the acquisition of wealth and with the sight of good days. Have you not marked the righteous, how their end is in peace? For no oppression is found in them even to the day of their death. They perish, and are as if they were not, while their souls descend in trouble to the receptacle of the dead.
1Enoch 103:6 Woe to you, for to you there shall be no peace.
1Enoch 104A: 1-2 In those days, he (Enoch) says:
105:1-2 "The Lord will be patient and cause the children of the earth
to hear. Reveal it to them with your wisdom, for you are their
guides; and you are a reward upon the whole earth. Until I
and my Son are united with them in the upright paths in their
lifetime, and there shall be peace unto you, rejoice you children of
truth. Amen." (Charlesworth,Pseudoepigrapha)

The money power preys on the nation in times of peace, and conspires against it in times of adversity. It is more despotic than monarchy, more insolent than autocracy, more selfish than bureaucracy. It denounces, as public enemies, all who question its methods or throw light upon its crimes. (Abraham Lincoln)

Eph. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world…(the Power Elite)
Eph. 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the full armour of
God, that ye may withstand the evil day.
Eph. 6:14 Girt your loins about with truth, and have
on the breast plate of righteousness…
Eph. 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Eph. 6:16 and above all, take the Shield of Faith…
Eph. 6:17 the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.

Melchizedek/Messiah arrives in a very visible display and quickly puts down the war of the nations against Israel. War is put to an end forever. The world’s leadership is replaced and peace reigns for evermore.

 

Quote from "The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand" by Edmund J. Roache.