4. Messiah Will Bring Peace, But Not Immediately
(Daniel 9:24-27, Zechariah 13:7-8)
If Messiah is associated with one thing it is world peace and rightly so. Messiah is the prince of peace and because of him will one day the wolf and lamb will dwell together (Isaiah 9:5(6), 11:6)
There is however a common misconception.
Many think that when Messiah appears he has to immediately bring about world peace. Many think that Messiah will immediately reign as king on earth. However, the Tanakh gives us a different picture.
First, there will be suffering for Messiah, even death! Furthermore, a difficult time will follow Messiah’s first appearance! The kingdom of worldwide peace will not come immediately.
In Zechariah 13 we read “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man, my associate,” Declares HASHEM of hosts.” (Zechariah 13:7 NASB)
G-d’s shepherd is the Messiah (Micah 5:3(4)); and in the book of Zechariah we learn also that he will sit on HASHEM’s throne. Together with HASHEM he will plan peace (Zechariah 6:13).
That’s why Zechariah can call Messiah G-d’s associate.
However, G-d’s associate will be stricken by G-d’s sword, by divine judgment.
And this is how Zechariah’s prophecy continues:
Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; and I will turn My hand against the little ones. “It will come about in all the land,” Declares the Lord, “That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; but the third will be left in it. “And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested…
Is this difficult time something still to come or did all this already happen? Whatever the answer, it is clear is that worldwide peace is not immediate.
The book of Daniel gives us the same picture. The angel Gabriel tells Daniel that “Messiah will be cut off” and that a difficult time would follow. (Daniel 9:24-27)
The book of Daniel actually gives us clear indications when Messiah would be “cut off”.