A New Age

It has become a cliche phrase that beauty queens mutter from the stages at Miss America pageants, but yearning for "peace on earth" isn't a new adage. And it certainly isn't a desire to be dismissed, thinking it's some "pie in the sky" wish. Who doesn't want "peace on earth?" Some--very few--may deny it, wanting instead a power to rule the earth in their own power.

Heaven on Earth, we need it now
I'm sick of all of this hanging around
Sick of sorrow, sick of the pain
I'm sick of hearing again and again
That there's gonna be peace on Earth"
-Peace on Earth, U2

In our gut, sitting on the throne of the seat of all of our desires, is the two-headed yearning for Peace and Love. From the day man rebelled against God, we've been reaching for it. We've failed and at times, in little ways, we've succeeded. But it doesn't last. We want it, though.

The ancient writings of a prophet named Daniel foretold of the fall of four of the major empires in history (Babylonian, Median, Persian, Macedonian), and each was compared to a different fierce animal of the earth. But there was another king who would come, Daniel wrote. One who would be a "son of man." One who would usher in a fresh kingdom. One who would bring lasting Peace.

"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." Daniel 7

Enter Jesus.

"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him..."

So often, eternal life is thought of as this far-off dream of life after death. And it is that. But it is much more. It is life now. It is to enter into the very life of God, here and now in this life. To be drenched in his peace and his love and his abundant grace. But is also an expectation. A hope. Of a superior age, a new age when Peace will reign over all and believers in Christ will experience unobstructed fellowship with their creator. Forever enjoying his perfect love.

I want that.

I need that.

I was created for that.

Now? I anticipate its full realization, and just enjoy the peace that has already been given through redemption in Christ.