Living After the Veil Was Lifted (3)

Anchored, Not Alarmed: Stability In A Shaking World

1 Thessalonians 5:1–6 KJV 1900

1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

Introduction

We are living in a generation that is weary. Weary of wars. Weary of economic instability. Weary of political division. Weary of moral confusion. Weary of uncertainty. And when a world grows weary, it becomes hungry for one thing above all else—peace.

But Scripture warns us that not all peace is the same.

Paul writes to the Thessalonian church and says, “When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh…” He does not say “when there is peace.” He says “when they shall say.” The emphasis is not on reality but on declaration. Not on substance but on proclamation.

The Greek word for peace here is eirēnē (Strong’s G1515), meaning tranquility, security, harmony. The word safety is asphaleia (Strong’s G803), meaning firmness, stability, security that cannot be shaken.

The world will one day declare: “We have achieved stability. We have achieved order. We have achieved safety.”

And yet Scripture says destruction follows.

So this morning, we must distinguish between the peace that deceives and the peace that saves.

Main Points

The World’s Cry for Peace

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Daniel 8:25

“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh…”

Daniel 8:25 says of the coming ruler: “By peace shall destroy many.”

The Hebrew word for peace in Daniel 8:25 is shalvah (Strong’s H7962), meaning ease, prosperity, security. It is not chaos that deceives the world. It is comfort.

The Antichrist spirit does not rise shouting hatred. It rises offering solutions. He does not come first with a sword in his hand. He comes with a covenant in his mouth.

Daniel 9:27 (KJV) “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week…”

The word confirm (Hebrew gabar, Strong’s H1396) means to strengthen, to make firm. He strengthens an agreement. He reinforces something that already exists. He presents himself as the one who can make peace stable.

Notice this carefully: Scripture never says he creates peace. It says he confirms it.

The world is already crying for stability. Global systems are already forming alliances. Economic frameworks are already interwoven. Religious dialogues are already moving toward unity.

The infrastructure of peace is being built before the man ever steps forward.

This is why 2 Thessalonians 2:7 says, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work.”

The system precedes the individual.

But hear me clearly: we are not here to accuse names. We are here to discern patterns.

The question is not “Is this the man?” The question is “Is this the pattern?”

False Peace vs. True Peace

Scripture: Jeremiah 6:14; John 14:27

Jeremiah 6:14 “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.”

This is surface-level healing. Cosmetic unity. A bandage over a mortal wound.

False peace ignores sin. False peace ignores repentance. False peace ignores righteousness.

It offers stability without transformation.

But Jesus said in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”

The peace of Jesus is not political. It is not negotiated. It is not enforced. It is born of reconciliation with God.

The Greek word for peace here is the same—eirēnē—but the source is different.

The world’s peace flows from agreements. Christ’s peace flows from atonement.

The world’s peace rearranges systems. Christ’s peace regenerates hearts.

The world’s peace depends on leaders. Christ’s peace depends on Lordship.

The Danger of Admiration

Scripture: Revelation 13:3

“And all the world wondered after the beast.”

The word wondered (Strong’s G2296, thaumazō) means to marvel, to admire, to be astonished.

The Antichrist will not rise because people love evil. He will rise because people admire solutions.

He will appear competent. He will appear articulate. He will appear stabilizing. He will appear to succeed where others failed.

Revelation 6:2 describes the rider on the white horse with a bow and a crown given to him.

Notice: a crown was given.

Authority is granted by public trust.

The church must understand this: deception in the last days will not feel dark. It will feel hopeful.

Matthew 24:24 says even the elect would be deceived if it were possible.

That means the deception will be subtle, strategic, and persuasive.

The Spirit of Antichrist Already at Work

Scripture: 1 John 2:18

“…even now are there many antichrists…”

The spirit of antichrist is not merely a future individual. It is a present ideology.

It is any system that: • Exalts man as savior • Minimizes repentance • Redefines truth • Promotes unity without submission to Christ

The prefix anti does not only mean against. It can mean in place of.

Anything that attempts to provide what Christ alone provides is operating in that spirit.

When institutions promise salvation from chaos without acknowledging sin, they step into territory reserved for the Messiah.

And there is only one Savior.

Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other…”

The Call to Watchfulness

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:6

“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

Watch (Greek grēgoreō, Strong’s G1127) means to stay awake, to be vigilant.

Sober (nēphō, Strong’s G3525) means self-controlled, clear-minded, free from intoxication.

The intoxication of the last days will not be alcohol. It will be reassurance.

The church must not be intoxicated by headlines. We must not be carried by political enthusiasm. We must not be paralyzed by fear.

We must be sober.

Discernment is not suspicion. Watchfulness is not paranoia. Prophetic awareness is not conspiracy.

It is simply obedience to Jesus.

Application

Church, here is the practical word.

Do not place your hope in global systems. Do not anchor your faith to political structures. Do not measure security by economic reports.

Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

The peace that saves is not negotiated in councils. It was purchased on a cross.

Colossians 1:20 “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross…”

That is the only peace that cannot collapse.

If a global peace structure forms tomorrow, your anchor must remain Christ. If it collapses tomorrow, your anchor must remain Christ.

We are not children of the night. We are children of light.

Prophetic Insight / Call to Action

The hour is not for fear. It is for formation.

Stability comes through formation, not reaction.

If your heart is not anchored in Christ, any promise of peace will sway you. If your discernment is not rooted in Scripture, any charismatic solution will impress you.

The Spirit is saying to the church: Deepen your roots. Strengthen your discernment. Purify your allegiance.

The Antichrist will rise one day. Scripture guarantees it.

But the greater truth is this:

Jesus Christ will return. He will not negotiate peace. He will establish it.

Isaiah 9:6 “…The Prince of Peace…”

The Hebrew word for Prince is sar (Strong’s H8269), meaning ruler, chief, captain.

He does not administer peace. He rules with it.

The world will offer temporary stability. Christ will bring eternal dominion.

Do not be alarmed. Be anchored.

Do not speculate recklessly. Be spiritually prepared.

Do not chase every development. Chase holiness.

Because when the true King appears, there will be no confusion.

Revelation 19:16 “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Closing

“Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” — Charles Spurgeon