Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02

We have the assurance of perfect
and permanent peace throughout the
earth, says writer in Signs of the
Times. 1t is as certain to come as
are all things that have been promis-
ed or predicted by the never failing
Word. Wars had their beginnings in
selfshness; and the more selfish hu-
mainly becomes, the more fully will
our world participate in the awful
business of war. But He who has
promised to make wars to cease, is
about to finish the task of making q
complete and final disposition of sin
and selfishness. When this is done,
and not until then, we will have
worldwide peace.
Mans misconceptions and founda-
tionless hopes of world peace should
not obsucre the true nature and pur-
pose of the gospel. Christ, as Prince
of peace lisa 9: 81, entered upon His
gospel mission, which was to save
men from sin and selfishness and re-
store them to obedience. 1t is
through the power of the gospel that
"peace on earth" is assured. There
is no peace :. to the wicked"
Elsa. 81: 21), for the simple reason
that selfish men and nations will new
er cease to serve self to the detriment
of Others. The foundation of true
peace is nature of love and obedi-
ence. "Great peace have they which
love Thy law: and nothing shall Of
fend them" Ps. 119: 165. The peace
promised through the gospel not only
means world peace, but it is prom
Use, primarily, of that personal peace,
"the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding" phil. A. ~, by which
world peace is to be made possible.
Peace treaties, of whatever number
or nature, will not suffice to keep ma
tions of selfish men out of war. Before
peace can prevail, the worlds inhabi-
tants must have the mind turned from
self to God. "Thou fit keep him in
perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on Thee" lisa. &c: 3. This text
promises perfect peace, and the power
of the Prince of peace will be eff
fective, rather than the restraint of
international peace treaties. The
promise of this fullness of peace is to
tsose men only whose minds are stay
ed on God. Peace and obedience,
peace and righteousness, go hand in
hand. "The work of righteousness
shall be peace" lisa. 50: II. With
out righteousness, peace is impos-
sible.
There is to be on end to this pres
ent world, and to sin and sinners. The
common ignorance regarding what
the Bible teaches about the reward
of the righteous, the fate of sinners,
and the future of this earth, leads to
confusion in reference to the prom
Uses concerning the end of wars and
the time of peace. Sinfulness will
o,,I srn 10 fha Mo
turally there will be an increase of
strife among nations to the end. In
stead of peace, all nations will be in
volved in a bloody conflict just be-
fore the end of the gospel age. The
nations now existing will be destroy
ed. "The heavens and the earth,
which are now, by the same word are
kept in store, reserved unto fire
against the day of judgment and per-
dition of ungodly men. But
the day of the Lord will come as a
thief in the night; in the which the
heavens shall pass away with a great
noise, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat, the earth also and
the works that are therein shall be
burned up" 2 Peter 3: z, 10.
Here we have the clearest possible
proof that the present world is to be
purged by fire. The thirteenth verse
of the same chapter reads as follows:
Nevertheless we, according to His
promise, look for new heavens and a
new earth, wherein dwelleth righte-
BUSINESS" Here we have a condition
promised that will make peace pos
sible. This new earth, wherein dwells
will be inhabited by
righteous beings only. No place of
abode is promised to wicked men, nor
have they any promise Of peace, but
both are the reward Of the righteous.
"For yet a little while, and the wick
ed shall not be: yea, thou shalt dill
gently consider his place, and it shall
not be. But the meek shall inherit
the. earth; and shall delight themsel
yes in the abundance of peace" Ps.
81: 10. IL.