The Prince of Peace???

One of the ways we hear Christians refer to Jesus is as the "Prince of Peace".  Here is one Scripture where I think that belief comes from.  However I think modern Christians have a mistaken view of what the Prince of Peace means.  Let me give you my take on it.

Micah 5:4-5(NKJV)

    And He shall stand and feed His flock     In the strength of the Lord,     In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God;     And they shall abide,     For now He shall be great     To the ends of the earth;

    And this One shall be peace.      When the Assyrian comes into our land,     And when he treads in our palaces,     Then we will raise against him     Seven shepherds and eight princely men.

"…this One shall be peace".

Here is where I think the modern Christian errs.  I think many today think it means that Christianity is softened so as not to offend anyone because you know, after all Jesus is the Prince of Peace. 

They think it means not having standards or holding people accountable because we don't want them to feel bad because after all Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  He wants everyone to get along, hold hands, and sing Kumbaya.

I think that is Scripturally incorrect.  Here is why.  Take a look at these two verses.  The first one is Jesus Himself speaking. 
 

Matthew 10:34-39(NKJV)

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 

For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 

and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’  

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 

He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Revelation 19:11-16(NKJV)

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 

His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 

He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 

And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Is Jesus the Prince of Peace?  Absolutely.  But when does peace come?  Not until after the second coming of Jesus.  How is that peace ushered in?  Through strength and war. 

Have you ever heard the phrase "peace through strength"?  I think Jesus illustrates this perfectly.  When does peace come?  Only after Jesus returns and defeats Satan.  Only after all have been forced to choose sides and those who don't choose Jesus are defeated along with Satan.  Only then do we finally get peace.  Then Scripture tells us that "…He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.".  Peace through strength!

And that folks is the explanation of what I think people get wrong about the term "Prince of Peace".