Peace is perhaps the most prevalent issue on the minds of humankind in these volatile times. The rumors of war that look to be much like those prophesied by Jesus in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew chapter 24) are on the increase when thinking upon things brewing in the Middle East. This region threatens to break out in a much wider violence between Israel and its enemy neighbors at any moment, an action that could swiftly progress to a much larger conflict involving atomic weaponry. This must be avoided at all costs, therefore every effort at peace is explored by the internationalist powers that be.
Some efforts at squashing war before it can get started are genuine. Others look suspiciously to be simply repositioning in ways that will help those involved secure advantage for themselves in one way or the other. That’s how I view most peace initiatives taking place in the region in and around the so-called holy land.
And, in addition to all of possibilities of war breaking out into nuclear conflict in the Middle East, the potential for war is even more likely to burst forth from things going on now between Russia and NATO, with the Russian/Ukrainian matter at the heart of the conflict.
NATO has issued a blunt warning to Russia’s Vladimir Putin as follows:
‘We’ve got this’: NATO commander unveils theory of victory against Russia
NATO’s top military commander delivered a blunt warning to Moscow on Monday, setting out how allied forces would repel a Russian attack and insisting the alliance knows “how to win a war on its territory”. The speech was an unusually public account of how NATO intends to fight. It was also a deterrent message in its own right, warning any potential adversary of what it would face in the event of an attack. (Rapture Ready News, October 13, 2026)
The endeavor to quell the likelihood of conflagration in the Mideast is often found in disseminating rumors of peace. These strange, diametrically opposite war and peace matters—and their genuine/self-serving repositioning stratagem—used to be wrapped up at one and the same time in what was termed the “Roadmap to Peace.” Now it is presented within President Trump’s “Board of Peace” stratagem.
Time and time again we hear the various tactics about to be employed in order to bring the antagonists to the table of peace. These “rumors of peace” are, indeed, for preventing war in the region. But the reasons for wanting that peace are not merely so people of the region will get along, thus enjoy a life free of fear of any moment attack. The reasons are more steeped in 1) making sure World War III doesn’t spring from such conflict; 2) the fact that the parties involved in the peace-making continue to have maximum access to the massive petroleum reserves; 3) the fact that a presence is maintained by the American/European/Russian referees that keep Israel and her enemies separated.
We who observe conditions in that region from the perspective of Bible prophecy note that the peace plan never seems to get installed. Peace never eventuates from the actions of the diplomatic community.
Every president since George W. Bush has promised a peace agreement, some involving establishment of a Palestinian state, before they leave office. We could be surprised, but other than the rumors, there seems nothing substantial in that peace coming to fruition. And the days of the current presidential administration are dwindling. We are dealing with rumors of peace at the same time we are dealing with rumors of war. Peace is defined as:
1. The normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.
2. (Often initial capital letter) An agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups, etc., to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting or antagonism: the Peace of Ryswick.
3. A state of mutual harmony between people or groups, esp. in personal relations: Try to live in peace with your neighbors.
4. The normal freedom from civil commotion and violence of a community; public order and security: He was arrested for being drunk and disturbing the peace.
5. Cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension.
6. Freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquility; serenity.
7. A state of tranquility or serenity: May he rest in peace.
8. A state or condition conducive to, proceeding from, or characterized by tranquility: the peace of a mountain resort.
9. Silence; stillness: The cawing of a crow broke the afternoon’s peace. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2006).
Those definitions pretty much cover the meanings of the word “peace” in human terms. But fulfillment of the definitions to any great extent is far, far from this generation–like it has been from every generation of the past.
True peace in this fallen realm, you see, is not possible in the physical or even psychological sense. We are at every point dealing with mere “rumors” of peace. Here is why:
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (James 4:1–2)
We only have to consider the headlines of a week or so ago to understand what the Apostle James was, under divine inspiration, telling us. War is a constant and planning for it is an undeniable part of the fallen human condition.
US warns of limited defence industrial capacity for European orders
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker on Monday urged Europe to increase its defence production, warning that US defence industrial capacity is limited. Speaking at the annual Warsaw Security Forum, Whitaker said that the US could spend between $1 and $1.5 trillion on defence in 2026 alone, meaning that US defence firms will be busy fulfilling orders for the Pentagon rather than foreign purchasers. (Rapture Ready News, October 13, 2026)
[“There is] no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked” (Isa. 48:22). All of fallen humankind is wicked. There is none good, no, not one, the Scripture tells us. The only “good” is in Jesus Christ, who came to take away the sin of the world. When individuals turn over their soul to Christ for salvation, they then can bring true peace into their lives that is absolutely elusive under any other prescription for conducting life on this decaying planet. Even those who are Christ’s (have become born again into the family of God) must submit moment by moment to Christ to receive God’s peace within their innermost being.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)
All efforts at achieving peace are just rumors of peace unless those efforts have Jesus at their center. Whether thinking on the individual life, from which all war-making begins according to James 4:1-2, about society, geoeconomics and geopolitics, or any other frame of reference concerning the human condition, if Christ is left out of the equation for achieving peace, there will be no peace.
Considering modern Israel and the rumors of peace in particular, here’s what God’s Word says about His daughter, Israel, and the world’s dealing in the process of peace involving that nation:
For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace. (Jer. 8:11)
Thankfully, Christ will one day–perhaps very soon—return to bring true peace, rather than the rumors of peace in our daily headlines today.