International Day of Peace

It has come to my attention this week—September 21, specifically—is the 34th annual International Day of Peace, declared by the United Nations: a time to focus on "peacebuilding" and putting an end to war and conflict. A noble idea, to be sure. But in its celebration, will the essential ingredients to peace be discussed anywhere, by anyone?

Let me contribute my own "two cents" to Peace Day by reminding us all of this truth about humanity: "The way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:17–18).

Peace and the fear of God—that is, the irresistibly motivating awe and compelling respect of God—go hand in hand. The Christian Scriptures—the Holy Bible—discuss it in many, many places, associating it with obedience to God's laws and ways (Ecclesiastes 12:13) and making clear that real knowledge and wisdom is only attainable if we start with that fundamental respect for our awesome Creator as a foundation (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10, et al.). Without it, efforts to establish a "permanent peace" will always be an exercise in futility.

Regrettably, I suspect that you will not find a reference to this fact on the United Nations' Peace Day websites. (Please inform me if I am wrong...)

If anyone wishes to do something on the International Day of Peace that actually advances the cause of real peace, then I highly recommend that he dedicate himself to developing and embracing the proper fear of God and to praying all the more that His Kingdom would be established here soon.

In a real sense, beginning on the evening of October 16 and continuing through October 24, people from all over the world will be gathering at various locations to celebrate God's "International Days of Peace"—the biblical Feast of Tabernacles, picturing a near-but-yet-future time when Christ and His saints will rule the world, giving it true peace, at last. Those who will be gathering at those locations will do more than celebrate; they will learn how to more fully live God's laws of peace themselves.

At the time this marvelous holy day season pictures, the famous statue by Evgeniy Vuchetich, outside of the United Nations, of a man beating a sword into a plowshare will be more than an elusive ideal. It will become reality.

Yevgeny Vuchetich's sculpture Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares statue

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.

Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore"

(Isaiah 2:2–4).

If you want to learn more about the biblical Holy Days and annual sacred Festivals of God and what they picture, then I recommend downloading our free booklet on the subject: The Holy Days: God's Master Plan. As for learning about the incredible world that Jesus Christ will bring with Him when He returns—to be ruled directly by Him and those who have learned to live the Way of Peace today—you might also be interested in our free booklet The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?

In the interest of educating the world about true peace and freedom, all of our materials are offered to the public free of charge. Order whatever you like—but more importantly, act on what you learn.