One thing that is most talked about on the global stage is peace. This is because without peace nothing else can be guaranteed. Ironically, the more the debate on peace goes on, the more conflicts we seem to experience. Every year, May 8 is remembered as V-E Day, short for Victory in Europe. It is commemorative of the victory of Great Britain and the United States over Nazi Germany and its allies in 1945. That was the day the German troops laid down their arms throughout Europe. The following day being May 9, 1945, V-E Day was celebrated in Moscow when Stalin announced on radio, “The age-long struggle of the Slav nations has ended in victory. Your courage has defeated the Nazis. The war is over”.

…without peace nothing else can be guaranteed…Jesus the Prince of Peace will announce the cessation of all armed conflicts among nations…Those who share this hope, as John wrote, must keep on purifying themselves even as He is pure.

However, history has proved Stalin wrong. Though there has not been war on a global scale since 1945, there have been rumours of war and actual wars in pockets of places all over the world. A conflict database, ACLED/UCDP put active armed conflicts worldwide around 40. The scriptures give us hope of a peaceful future. Jesus the Prince of Peace will announce the cessation of all armed conflicts among nations. It is then that our text will find literal fulfillment. When He takes over the affairs of this world, the war shall be effectively over. Our text is reserved for such moments. Those who share this hope, as John wrote, must keep on purifying themselves even as He is pure.