Peace That Is Not

“They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14).

While this verse may be applied to the whole world—and even on the spiritual level to the Church on earth—we must take careful note that it was addressed to “ye children of Benjamin” (verse 1a). The chapter ends, “the LORD hath rejected them” (verse 30b). That, incidentally, is the message of virtually all the prophets. Israel chosen, Israel rejected, and Israel re-accepted.

Several ancient Biblical maps of Israel show that the territory of Benjamin is joined by Dan on the east, Reuben on the west, Ephraim in the north, and Judah in the south.

Take note, Benjamin became integrated with the tribe of Judah.

From 1 Kings 12, we learn of the separation between the tribe of Judah and the ten rebellious tribes. We read these words in 1 Kings 12:20b: “there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.” But the next verse states: “And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin…” It is significant that the first king of Israel came from the tribe of Benjamin, as well as Mordechai and Esther. Most importantly, however, the apostle Paul—the messenger of salvation to the nations of the world— descended from the tribe of Benjamin.

It behooves us to answer two important questions:

1. Why is Benjamin urged to “flee out of the midst of Jerusalem”?

2. Why do the people say, “Peace, peace; when there is no peace”?

When we read the blessing of Moses upon the tribes of Israel, we notice something strange: Jacob-Israel begins with the firstborn, Reuben. Then he mentions Judah as the second tribe, followed by Levi. Quite interestingly, the youngest son, Benjamin, is mentioned in fourth place: “And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12). Some topographical maps show that the first temple was actually built on Benjamin’s territory adjoining Judah’s.

Now we begin to understand that Benjamin—and for that matter, all of Israel—had a geographical mindset. Doubtless, they read the many wonderful promises God made about Jerusalem, and in this case, as Moses said, “the beloved of the LORD.” Yet we see that the prophet urges Benjamin to “flee out of the midst of Jerusalem” (Jeremiah 6:1a).

The prophet Jeremiah was shown Israel’s future; in chapter 31, verse 31 he proclaims: “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.”

In the meantime, however, Benjamin and the people of Israel relied on the promises of God, which He had made based on their conditional obedience; subsequently, the shout, “Peace, peace.”

Doubtless, there were reasons for the people to shout, “Peace, peace.” They attributed their security to the visibility of the temple, the city of Jerusalem, and being counted part of the royal tribe Judah.

Why “Peace, Peace”

We read of much chaos, catastrophe, disharmony, and insecurity in the media. Unfortunately, voices are also heard among some Christians, emphasizing that things are getting worse.

In reality, however, that is not the case. Outside of Paradise, planet earth has never experienced as much peace, prosperity, and luxury as in our days. Yes, there are wars such as in Sudan, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Ukraine, as well as the recent military action in Gaza to bring criminals and murderers to justice.

Yet looking to the main continent, Europe—the fourth and last Gentile superpower—a virtually unbelievable peace process has taken place in less than a century. With the exception of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Europe is the most peaceful continent on earth.

One must recall the fact that for the last two millennia, the various European nations and kingdoms slaughtered each other. The evidence can be seen throughout Europe. What is the purpose of these gigantic castles and fortresses, structures that date back thousands of years? The sole reason was to defend their territory from neighboring kingdoms.

Utilizing Wikipedia, one finds page upon page listing the many wars; for example:

18th century: 49 wars/conflicts

19th century: 69 wars/conflicts

20th century: 265 wars/conflicts

There is little mention of military conflict throughout Europe in the 21st century, however.

European Union

Only six years after the end of World War 2, six countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) melded into an economic union. They were integrated to such a degree that it has become virtually impossible for each state to function independently again. The motto of the EU is “United in Diversity.” Whenever global corporations, statisticians, and experts issue their annual report cards, Europe undisputedly stands at the top.

Many will now ask: How does that relate to the Bible? One answer: Rome. Not just the city or the territory of the Roman Empire, but the world in which Romans—whether Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, British, Belgian, Dutch, or others—sent out their fleets across the world and conquered all the remaining four continents.

This EU system qualifies for the title of “the fourth beast,” as found in Daniel 7:7: “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.”

While Europeans and the rest of the world are being indoctrinated by the media, one thing cannot be denied: Peace prevails more than ever before, as do prosperity and luxury galore.

Prophetic Background

This is most important, because the only way to establish true peace is through Jesus Christ the Lord, who paid the full penalty for the world’s sin. He is the real Prince of Peace, and He gives peace that passes all understanding. That is available today to individuals—not collectively, but ultimately it will be collective.

In the meantime, it is the “old sepent, called the Devil, and Satan,” who desperately wants to pre-fulfill prophecy, creating a counterfeit thousand-year Kingdom of Peace on earth. His original intentions are exposed: “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14). In simple words, it means the god of this world, who rules all nations—including yours—races toward his goal of world dominion, with the clear aim to fulfill the words he addressed to Jesus in Matthew 4:9b: “if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” That will occur according to Holy Scripture; namely, the creation of a peaceful, prosperous, and rich humanity on earth, albeit temporary.

In the Meantime...

In the midst of peace and prosperity, the Church of Laodicea exclaims: “…I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17a).

Now, after about two millennia, the glorious message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed throughout the world. Multiple millions have experienced—and will continue to experience—the marvelous, indescribable, and physically out of this world promise: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).