Author: TennesseeElijah
Date: 2/26/2003 9:01 am CDT
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What Is A Peace Treaty?
By Tennessee Elijah
PEACE is not just the absence of conflict; the idea of peace should include the absence of threats that lead to confrontation and conflict!
Psalms 34:13-16 “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.”
The threat of covert or overt actions taken by religious extremists, political radicals and other enemies of peace, resulting in destruction of vehicles, homes, businesses, cities -- or anything that contributes to dignified human lifestyles is not acceptable in civilized communities. The threat of sudden, painful death hanging over the head of one person -- or a million persons -- is not something we want to tolerate as we go about our daily routines. Unprovoked hostility and threats against human Life or property do not come from rational, loving or charitable people; threats that steal serenity, fill hearts with fear, cause us to be anxious about our ability to survive in contentment, must be confronted and eradicated from the circumstances surrounding our lives!
Throughout history, we have learned that sudden, painful death is not a good thing to experience -- whether a person is overcome by water, wind, fire, disease, a knife, a bullet, a nuclear bomb -- or anything else! When people we love die, we cry -- and we learn that all humans are equally vulnerable to disease, accidents, pain and death. We can’t always find an instant cure for a terminal disease, but we can find solutions to most problems inflicted upon us by those who wish to do us harm.
Death is something that most sensitive, caring people want to avoid as long as possible, especially when enjoying the good things of Life. Regardless of personal defenses, it is not uncommon for evil people to use threats as a way to manipulate or control normal circumstances during their contumacious attempts to achieve abnormal objectives.
Threats expressed, or threats implied by those who take advantage of others, often result in submission by victims who prefer avoiding trouble. Because of perceived weaknesses in personal relationships, lack of leverage in business negotiations, or lack of military strength when dealing with governments, the heavy hand generally rules.
Unfortunately, in this wicked world, it is the strong, abrasive, aggressive predators who tend to survive during struggles between flesh and flesh -- while the weak, meek, lovers of peace who turn the other cheek and walk away without a fight look like losers. Though victory for antagonists is only temporary and superficial, immediate gratification seems to be of more worth to these sinners than what waits for them at death.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Too often, throughout history, oppressed people have been made aware of heartless scoundrels who use blackmail to make unreasonable demands upon those they persecute. As we have learned, these greedy, desperate, depraved, cruel criminals -- who have the mentality of snakes are prone to use threats to accomplish their goals. Many people have been kidnapped and held hostage by fools who just want to get revenge for a wrong done, for a ransom -- or just to make a political point. We’ve seen examples of this kind of behavior when animalistic morons write notes to intimidate bankers -- who must either turn over the money or be shot. We have seen how propaganda is designed by dictators to control the way people think, and we have seen government officials defamed and assassinated for lack of cooperation.
Terrorists can strike anywhere at anytime, often risking their own lives while exhibiting unusual ingenuity. Most of these degenerates who steal, kill and destroy, show no respect for common decency as they perform their evil deeds. Whatever their objectives, weapons to be used or tactics deployed, blackmail and threats go hand-in-hand when psychopathic imbeciles like these set out to confront victims -- whether it be one person or a nation in the line of fire!
When someone is kidnapped and held for ransom, there is usually a note that specifies the “terms” as determined by the perpetrator of the crime. Maybe there is a demand for money, a grievance that needs correction, or it may just be an insane deviant getting a perverted thrill out of tormenting defenseless victims. When a business or government is under the threat of blackmail, there are usually subtle implications made, suggesting that reputations might be ruined, financial stability might be altered in a negative way, or the systems' productive status quo might be interrupted. Threats may include exposing immoral behavior of prominent persons to the press by releasing documented information. Official misconduct might be challenged in court with the intent of bringing about public consumption of incriminating information. There may be threats pertaining to organized public demonstrations or boycotts in order to obtain changes in contracts, gain financial rewards or other benefits. Workers may threaten to slow down work schedules or go on strike when management refuses to agree to certain demands. There may be street riots and destruction of property by those who wish to express outrage -- or intimidate authorities who fail to comply with demands.
As most Christians understand, breaking laws, making threats, trying to manipulate others through verbal intimidation or violent acts, is not what “peace” is all about! Christians also know that judging sinners, falsely accusing the innocent -- or using “condemnation” as a form of blackmail in an attempt to pressure others is not what God would have us do. When sinners repent of sin, they should be forgiven!
How should a moral society respond when a spurned lover threatens to murder his or her former mate? What should good people do if a mobster threatens or bribes a politician to get a convict released from prison? How should a peaceful society respond when terrorist’s threaten havoc by spreading biological or chemical agents within our environment? Endless scenarios are played out in Life each day by troublemakers who prey upon family members, neighbors, strangers -- and business or political competitors without regard for the Laws of God or the laws of nations.
Intelligent, civilized people have come to understand through much trial and failure that verbal agreements, or written agreements do not always guarantee compliance. Marriage licenses and business contracts can be easily signed and then broken with impunity. Treaties between nations are negotiated, signed and then relegated to trash bins when agreed upon terms fail to meet contrary expectations -- all of which brings distrust and anger into play. Endless cycles of desire, deception, threats, fear, hate, vengeance, love and blackmail -- leading to verbal and/or written agreements is a never-ending phenomenon.
What is a peace treaty? How do we successfully bring enemies together for the purpose of establishing peace?
We have had many wars on this planet -- and we are now on the path to one more! The next war might just be the last war! Unless the hearts of evil doers are changed, threats and blackmail will continue right up until Armageddon explodes upon the face of this earth! There will always be another Stalin, Hitler, Usama or Saddam; there will always be another Iraq, North Korea -- and another Iran or Syria. The Arabs in Lebanon may decide to send missiles into Israel? The Russians and Chinese may decide they’ve had enough of “American imperialism” and start moving their troops south? The French and Germans might think they are strong enough to dominate Europe -- once they infiltrate the Middle East? While world leaders negotiate in the United Nations, believing themselves to be wise and invincible, terrorists may decide to strike New York when least expected? Where will America be when disaster hits in 2003? Where will America be when earthquakes, famine and war causes nations to cry out for humanitarian aid in 2007?
“April 2003” is a good time for peace negotiations! All world leaders should be encouraged to participate in the creation of an INTERNATIONAL PEACE PLAN capable of eliminating threats and blackmail! When nations struggle to create civilizations filled with habitats, educational institutions, commercial enterprises, and everything that goes into the making of happy lifestyles in peaceful communities, there should be no tolerance for fools who invade neighbors for the purpose of causing death and destruction!
We need a PEACE TREATY that can’t be broken without serious consequences; we need a PEACE TREATY that assures every person on the planet that sudden, painful death will not be inflicted upon them; we need a PEACE TREATY that explains the meaning of “peace on earth!”
Christians know that we need Jesus to come back as soon as possible! The Bible is a prophetic book that puts current events into perspective. Anyone who wants to know how to negotiate a “peace treaty” should read what one prophet had to say about “The Prince of Peace:”
Isaiah 9:6&7 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
Jesus Christ, “The Prince of Peace,” will be sitting on His Throne in Jerusalem before the end of this generation -- and nations will know war no more! |
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