As we move toward the day when the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iranian nuclear deal, is implemented, I can’t help but notice one interesting phrase being thrown around over-and-over-and-over.  That phrase: “peace and safety.”  It appears as though world leaders (and others) believe that this badly-flawed agreement will bring peace and safety (security) to the Middle East.  I believe, short of a miraculous move of God, it will do just the opposite.

Why?  Well first, Iran has vowed repeatedly to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.  By granting them the opportunity to develop nuclear weapons to achieve that goal doesn’t sound like a recipe for “peace and safety” to me.  Furthermore, relieving them of sanctions so that $150 billion will roll into their economy is the height of naivety, given the evidence that those funds will go straight to nuclear development, as well as arming and supporting their terrorist proxies throughout the Middle East.

But more importantly, the Bible tells us that, in the last days, some will say, “Peace and safety,” but destruction will come.  I believe we are seeing the stage being set for the fulfillment of end time prophecies.  This prophecy, found in 1 Thessalonians 5:3 happens to be one whose fulfillment appears to be imminent.  While it seems to be popular to talk about “peace and safety,” few dare to actually move in the right direction to bring about peace and safety.

JCPOA will “…ensure that Iran’s nuclear programme will be exclusively peaceful…[and] will positively contribute to regional and international peace and security…”  (First paragraph of the official JCPOA.)

“This vote is a victory for diplomacy, for American national security, and for the safety and security of the world.”  (President Obama, on September 10, 2015, following Congressional vote that failed to block the deal.)

The P5+1 “…reached agreement with Iran on ensuring the peaceful nature of that country’s nuclear program….”  (Secretary of State John Kerry, who negotiated the deal.)

The JCPOA “…could serve as a vital contribution to peace and stability both in the region and beyond.”  (UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, commenting on the agreement on July 14, 2015.)

Regarding the JCPOA: “Now we have a historic opportunity to forge an enduring peaceful solution…” (US Vice President Joe Biden, prior to the passing of the agreement.)

“This is historic. This is grand. This is visionary. This is about peace…I have been able to vote for peace.”  (House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi)

Headlines are full of the “peace and safety” mantra as well:

The Iran nuclear agreement – a path to peace (The Hill, July 16, 2015)

Editorial: Peace has a chance with the Iran nuclear deal (The St Louis Post-Dispatch, September 9, 2015)

The Iran Deal Proves that Peace is Possible (Foreign Policy, June 24, 2015)

Israel longs for it…and her Messiah promises it!  However, the Bible speaks of these things in the context of last days, and we know that anything but peace is coming upon our world.  True peace comes only in the form of our Prince of Peace who delivers to us a peace we cannot even comprehend!  John 14:27 promises:

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Yes, though the world talks of “peace and safety,” we know that destruction is coming.  However, we rest in the soon-coming King of Kings who exhorts us to be alert and sober as we await the hope of our salvation.  He will rescue us from the day of wrath that will surely come!  Be encouraged, dear friends…

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
~1 Thessalonians 5:1-11