427. Peace and Dominion
Zechariah 9:10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
The promise for the Church is that the Lord will speak peace to the unbelieving earth-dwellers and that the dominion of the Lord will cover the whole earth. The Lord says that God’s people will no longer have need of implements of war and fighting, like chariots and horses and battle bows. Instead of war and the need for weapons of war and defense there will be peace, for He will speak peace to the enemies. In peace the Lord will rule over the whole earth.
Both Isaiah and Micah prophesy that when the Messiah comes “they will 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.” Then prosperity will abound and all people will live under God. This has not yet taken place on earth in human history. Even Jesus says, “There will be wars and rumors of war.” Violence will always be a part of living in a cursed world.
The true fulfillment of the promise is in the spiritual world, in the hearts of believers to the ends of the earth. The cross of Christ disarmed the Enemies of their arms and might, and the innocent death of Christ made a public display of their defeat. The Prince of Peace, who brings peace on earth, has spoken peace to the Enemy and all those who oppose God and His Word. He says to the storm, “Peace, be still!” He says to the demons, and to Lazarus: “Come out!” The Lord has spoken authoritatively in His death and resurrection, and now Peace Rules. This peace is truly God’s peace that Jesus leaves with us, and not temporary truces as the world gives.
Once Jesus has bought peace, real, true, deep, inner spiritual peace, He can now reign with dominion, and be the King of kings from sea to sea. Sin, Death and the Devil cannot and will not win the battle for our souls. God says, “Stop it! My Son has the victory!” The Spirit wants to show us in His Word of Gospel that this happens to us every day. Let God say “Peace” to your heart. He promises to do so.