The big news this weekend has been about the Iranian peace talks in Pakistan between JD Vance and an Iranian delegation. The historic meeting is the first time since 1979 that a high-ranking US official has met with the Iranian leadership.
After a 21-hour all-night discussion, the meeting ended with no agreement or compromises between the two parties, and the stalled talks show no end to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran.
Furthermore, despite a temporary cease-fire, very few ships have been allowed through the Strait of Hormuz. The ceasefire has also not slowed Israel down from attacking Hezbollah in Lebanon. With all of the bickering and power positioning going on between the two nations, Pope Leo spoke out this weekend about how and why there hasn’t been a resolution to the ongoing conflict:
- Idolatry
- Greed
- Pride
We shouldn’t be surprised, because President Trump has been promoting false claims about ending wars and suffering. Remember, President Trump claimed he could end the war between Russia and Ukraine on day one of his second term.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is a fragile and temporary victory, with people still dying. The Bible warns us about false Christs promising peace in the last days (Ezekiel 13:10, Matthew 24:23-26).
The Bible is clear: only God can bring lasting peace and cause all wars to cease (Psalm 46:9, Ephesians 2:14).
What Is Cease
Growing up, I heard that all good things come to an end. Good times are temporary, and so are hard times; both will cease eventually. Cease is defined as, “To cause to come to an end, especially gradually: discontinue.”
Because of sin, we live in a fallen world. At some point, this fallen world will cease to exist. The Bible is clear that this world is temporary. That is why the Bible has a lot to say about ceasing (Ezekiel 18:4, Matthew 10:28, Romans 6:23).
God’s people are called to cease or stop doing a lot of things, especially sinful ones (Proverbs 4:24, Hebrews 12:1, James 1:21). Our selfish flesh wants to keep on doing what it wants, but God’s people must submit and surrender to God and His ways (Matthew 16:24-25, Romans 8:13, James 4:7).
Scripture advises God’s people that even some of God’s gifts will cease, but God’s love will never cease (Romans 8:38-39, 1 Corinthians 13:8-13, Ephesians 3:17-19, Revelation 21:4-8). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about what will last and what it means to cease.
Šāḇaṯ
The Torah teaches that after the fall, paradise ceased to exist and function as God planned (Genesis 3:17-19, 23-24). Ever since, this fallen kingdom has been at war with God and His Kingdom; one day this temporary kingdom will cease to exist (Isaiah 65:17, Daniel 2:44).
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for cease isšāḇaṯ, and it can also mean “Fail, celebrate, away, or rest,” depending upon the context it is used in. Because God ceased from work and rested on the seventh day, God’s people must also cease working and rest (Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11).
That is why Judaism prescribes taking a weekly day of rest called the Shabbat, just as the 10 Commandments command God’s people to do (Exodus 20:1-26):
- I am the Lord thy God.
- Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
- Do not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
- Honor thy father and thy mother.
- Thou shalt not murder.
- Do not commit adultery.
- Thou shalt not steal.
- Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
- Thou shalt not covet anything that belongs to thy neighbor.
Jesus called His followers to come to Him, and He would give them rest (Matthew 11:28-30). God is the only way to find rest in peace in this fallen kingdom (John 14:6).
Our Lord also emphasized rest like His Father (Matthew 12:8, Mark 6:31). He warned His followers not to worry about the cares of this life, because God helps His people (Matthew 6:25-34).
Our Rabbi taught His followers not to fight like this fallen world (Matthew 5:38-39, Luke 6:27-29). God’s people can rest and trust God above all.
Russia
In other big news this weekend, Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of breaking their Orthodox Easter cease-fire. This senseless war has now entered its fifth year of fighting, which has ravaged two nations.
The temporary ceasefire is a test for a larger and more detailed ceasefire that is being worked on between the two nations. Despite what many conservatives believe, war isn’t a political problem; it is part of living in a fallen world that seeks earthly greatness and temporary power (Matthew 24:6-7, Ephesians 6:12). These signs and warnings point to the last days:
- Wars
- Natural disasters
- False Christs
We are well into the second year of President Trump’s last term in office, and the president has failed to keep his campaign promise of ending the Russia-Ukraine war on day one. Pres. Trump’s ego and Messiah complex have been on display for the world to see since the beginning of his second term.
Jesus and the Bible writers warn us about the false Christs who arrive in the last days and deceive God’s people with false promises of hope and earthly peace (Matthew 24:24, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). The Bible is abundantly clear that God is the only one to give His people rest and is able to make all wars permanently šāḇaṯ (Isaiah 26:3, Hebrews 4:9-11)!
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