TRUE PEACE--FROM WHAT SOURCE?

Conclusion of The Way to Peace

First, Jesus' peace was closely tied in with his Kingdom message.  He knew that the righteous heavenly government, composed of Jesus and  144,000 corulers, would put an end to war and warmongers.  (Revelation 14:1, 3) he knew that it would bring about the peaceful paradisaic conditions that he offered  to the evildoer who died at his side. Jesus did not offer him a place in the heavenly Kingdom, but he said:  "Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise." -Luke 23:43.

Jesus also knew that his Kingdom would bring comfort to all those mourning ones who exercise faith in him. His peace includes  the wonderfully sustaining hope of the resurrection. Remember his encouraging words found at John 5:28, 29:  "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did  good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment." 

 Do you look forward to that time?  Have you lost dear loved ones in death?  Do you yearn to see them again?  Then accept the peace that Jesus offers.  Have faith like that of Martha, Lazarus' sister, who said to Jesus:  "I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day."  But note Jesus' exhilarating reply to Martha:  "I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life; and everyone that is living and exercises faith  in me will never die at all. Do you believe this?" -john 11:24-26.

You too can believe in and benefit from that promise. H0w?  By gaining accurate knowledge of God's  Word.  Note how the apostle Paul emphasize the importance of accurate knowledge:  "We . . .have not ceased to pray for you and asking that you may be filled with the accurate knowledge  of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him as you go bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the accurate knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:9, 10)  This accurate knowledge will convince you that Jehovah God is the source of true peace. It will  also tell you what you must do now so that you may join the psalmist  in saying: "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you yourself alone, O Jehovah, make me dwell in security." -Psalm 4:8.

Next time: SEEK TRUE PEACE AND PURSUE IT!

From the Watchtower magazine, 1997