The Prince of Peace Is Coming!

“Every war has been preceded by a peace conference. That’s what always starts the next war.” – Will Rogers

The armistice that ended World War I, which was known at the time as “the War to End All Wars”, took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. However, the actual peace treaty between the various warring nations wasn’t signed until June 28, 1919, on the fifth anniversary of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg.

The signatories to the Treaty of Versailles were the Allies (or the Entente) – which included the French Republic, the United Kingdom, the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Italy, and the Empire of Japan – and the German Empire. The rest of the Central Powers – Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and the Tsardom of Bulgaria – negotiated separate peace treaties as did the United States.

The Treaty of Paris was known for the harsh conditions it inflicted upon Germany, which included disarmament, territorial concessions, the extradition of alleged war criminals, an agreement for Kaiser Wilhelm to be put on trial, and the payment of reparations. However, the most galling provision was the so-called “War Guilt” clause in which Germany was forced to take full blame and responsibility for the war.

Historians have debated the Treaty of Versailles’ provisions for more than 100 years with John Maynard Keynes calling the reparations excessive and counterproductive and French Marshall Ferdinand Foch thinking that the conditions were too lenient. Regardless, there is little question that the resentment caused by Germany’s humiliating defeat led to the rise of the Nazi Party, the Third Reich, and Adolf Hitler… and to World War II.

There is nothing funny about war, but American humorist Will Rogers was right when he said that no sooner does one peace conference end than the next war begins. That has been true throughout human history, and I am afraid it will never change as long as sinful man is calling the shots.

However, there is some very, very Good News on the horizon and it is simply this: one day the Prince of Peace will return, and He will reign and rule for 1,000 years from His throne in Jerusalem (see Revelation 20). After that time of unparalleled peace and prosperity, Satan will be loosed to lead one final uprising and of course, he and his armies will be defeated. A new heaven and a new earth will replace the old ones, and the New Jerusalem will descend from heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (see Revelation 21).

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.’”