I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The bow of war will be removed, and He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth. Zechariah 8:10 HCSB
The tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate. There is hatred between factions and the killing of innocent people. One country threatens another. Terrorist groups train their members to attack America and other countries and embassies have even been attacked. Some embassies are being closed and Americans are told not to travel within their borders. Beyond the Middle East there seems to be trouble and restlessness among many people. Peace is something we desire but seems to be an impossible dream.
Someday that dream will come true. This verse in Zechariah is a prophecy of the return of Christ. The people to whom Zechariah spoke these words believed it was a prophecy of the coming Messiah. They believed that the Messiah would set up an earthly kingdom, but we know that this verse talks of the return of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He will end all wars and there will be true peace. It will be a perfect world where there is no more pain, suffering, or death.
Challenge: We can seek peace in our world through political agreements, but the reality is that true peace only comes through Jesus Christ, both personally and in the world. As believers, we can look forward to the day of Christ’s return to earth. Praise Him for the peace He has brought to you personally and for what He will do in the future when He returns.