We can think about the PEACE that the angels promised with Jesus’ coming and the peace he gives amidst our circumstances, but we have to read Revelation to see the ultimate peace – shalom. According to a wonderful Biblical resource that I highly recommend, stepbible.org, shalom carries with it the idea of completeness, soundness, welfare, health, safety… (To choose just a few of the words associated with shalom).

It’s in Revelation 21, part of the wrap-up of the Bible:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21.1 – 4, NIV (1984), emphasis mine)

There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. That’s shalom, yes? And the text is clear that until the old order passes, there will be death, mourning, crying, pain – our present state. But, at his next coming? PEACE.