The easing of tensions in the Middles East via a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians provide a glimmer of hope that perhaps even that volatile region will finally settle down.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas swore in a new 24-member Palestinian Cabinet in Ramallah on February 24, giving locals hope that badly needed governmental reforms may finally become reality. Adding to this optimism was the fact that Cabinet members were selected because of their individual expertise rather than their political loyalty. Almost half of the Cabinet members have doctoral degrees.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Cabinet continued their work toward withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Israel's government released 500 Palestinian prisoners on Monday, February 21.
On that same day, U.S. President George Bush, on a fence-mending trip to Europe, pledged his support of these efforts to resolve conflicts between Israel and the Palestinians. Speaking in Brussels, Belgium, Bush said, "Our greatest opportunity, and our immediate goal, is peace in the Middle East."

Following a closed-door meeting with President Chirac of France on Tuesday, President Bush and his counterpart told the media that relations between their respective nations were good—that their differences over invading Iraq were now in the past. Citing the rich history of brotherly relations between these two leading nations over the past centuries, both men sought to bring their citizens' attention to the great value of restoring their friendship and cooperation. Bush said, "As past debates fade, and great duties become clear, let us begin a new era of trans-Atlantic unity" (foxnews.com/story/0,2933,148151,00.html).

Reflecting the European resolve to move beyond past differences with the United States over Iraq, the EU foreign ministers decided on February 21 to open a Baghdad office help train 700 Iraqi judges and prosecutors. This is the first direct involvement with Iraq by the EU since the war.

President Bush joined German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Mainz on February 23 as part of his continued efforts to restore vital relationships between the U.S. and leading European countries. Pre-meeting comments by Karsten Voight, German coordinator for trans-Atlantic relations, indicated that Germany was also interested in better relations with the U.S. Voight noted that the two countries were already cooperating in forgiving Iraq's debts, in training Iraq's security officers, and in stabilizing Afghanistan.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with President Bush to discuss the war on terror, democracy in Russia, and the nuclear capabilities of Iran and North Korea. In a joint press conference, "both agreed that that neither Iran nor North Korea should have a nuclear weapon and said their respective countries have more issues in common than not" (foxnews.com/story/0,2933,148559,00.html).

All of this seems too good to be true! To hear our leaders speak, one would think we are on the cusp of a new age of peace. Certainly, we can applaud the efforts expended for this cause. But will all of this apparent goodwill last?

The Bible notes a fundamental flaw in humanity's efforts to secure peace. It explains: "The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace" (Isaiah 59:8, New International Version).

Shortly before the inevitable slide into the traumatic conflict that will mark the return of Jesus Christ, real peace will probably appear to have been achieved. As often in the past, people will be saying, " 'Peace, peace!' when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14). Then suddenly conflicts so great will erupt that only Christ's intervention can keep humanity from completely destroying itself (Matthew 24:22).

Universal peace, however, is coming—but in a different way than most people expect. The Bible—speaking of Jesus Christ as the "Prince of Peace"—tells us: "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end ... to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever" (Isaiah 9:6-7). At that time, "By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79, NRSV).