In Scripture, peace is the endless wholeness and order that the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, will bring through His righteous government on David's throne — not merely the absence of war.
Isaiah 9:6-7 reveals the Messiah as the Prince of Peace, and says of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end. Les Feldick emphasizes that this peace is bound to Christ's future reign as King from David's throne in His Kingdom. This peace includes the whole sphere of blessings under His perfect, just government — not just a temporary calm or the absence of conflict.
Isaiah 9:6 — Names the Messiah as the Prince of Peace and shows that the government will be upon His shoulder.
Isaiah 9:7 — Explicitly ties peace to His government on David's throne — a peace that will have no end.
Psalm 122:6 — Commands prayer for the peace of Jerusalem, which Les connects to the return of Christ.
Scripture presents peace as far more than simply the absence of war or conflict. In Isaiah 9:6, the child born and the Son given is called "The Prince of Peace." His identity is directly connected to a government that will rest upon His shoulder. In Isaiah 9:7, the Bible says, "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever." This verse grounds peace in the Messiah's future Kingdom, established with judgment and justice forever. The Bible also instructs prayer for the peace of Jerusalem in Psalm 122:6: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." This points to a specific place and a promised shalom that will come through God's appointed King.
Les teaches that Isaiah 9:6-7 is a prophecy of the coming King — the Messiah — who will rule from the throne of David on earth. The child was given to the nation of Israel, and His government will rest on His shoulder. Les says this King's rule will be perfect, righteous, and peaceful, without corruption, turmoil, or war, and "of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end" (Isaiah 9:7). He ties this entire promise to the Abrahamic Covenant, noting that Matthew's Gospel begins with Abraham because Matthew presents Christ as the King. Les also teaches that the world's institutions — like the United Nations — will not bring this peace. Jerusalem, the city of peace, will know no peace until the Prince of Peace returns. Therefore, when believers pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they are actually praying for the Lord's return, when He will establish His government and bring in the full peace God has promised.
Les emphasizes the phrase "of the increase of his government and peace." He explains that government is for ruling — to maintain law and order. This peace is not a separate spiritual feeling; it is the result of the Messiah's rule from David's throne in His Kingdom. It will be a government without corruption, without turmoil, without war. Les says this peace will have no end, because Christ will rule perfectly over Israel and the whole world.
Les points out that Jerusalem is called the city of peace, but it has not been a city of peace for thousands of years. He explains that the Psalmist's command to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" is actually a prayer for the return of Christ, because Jerusalem will know no peace until the Prince of Peace is back in Jerusalem. He also says the world's peace efforts — such as the United Nations — will not solve the world's problems. There will not be peace on this earth until the Prince of Peace comes.
Les notes that Matthew's Gospel begins with Abraham, not Adam, because Matthew presents Christ as the King. This whole concept of a coming King comes out of the Abrahamic Covenant. The One who was born and given to Israel is the same One whose name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. His government and peace will have no end, and He will rule from David's throne — which was on earth.
Son Given to Israel
Les ties Isaiah 9:6 to John 3:16, showing that the Son given to Israel is the same Son God gave to the world.
The Perfect Government
Les explains that the Messiah's government will rest on His shoulder and be perfect — no sin, corruption, or rotten politics — and that He is the Prince of Peace.
Endless Government and Peace
Les highlights that the increase of Christ's government and peace will have no end, and that He will rule on David's throne as the King promised through the Abrahamic Covenant.
Titles of the Messiah
Les lists the capitalized titles in Isaiah 9:6 — including the Prince of Peace — and says the increase of His government and peace will have no end, ruling from David's throne.
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Les teaches that Jerusalem means city of peace, but it hasn't been peaceful; it will know peace only when the Prince of Peace returns, making that prayer a prayer for Christ's return.
David's Earthly Throne
Les explains that the Prince of Peace will rule from David's throne on earth, and that His government is for ruling and maintaining law and order.
No Peace Until the Prince of Peace Comes
Les says the United Nations and world organizations will not bring peace; peace on earth will only happen when the Prince of Peace returns to Jerusalem.
Matthew's Genealogy and the King
Les points out that Matthew starts with Abraham because Matthew presents Christ as the King from the Abrahamic Covenant, who will rule and reign over Israel and the whole world.
Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
This verse names the Messiah and gives Him the title Prince of Peace, showing that peace is tied to His person and His government.
Isaiah 9:7: Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
This verse directly connects peace to Christ's eternal reign on David's throne in His Kingdom, established with judgment and justice.
Psalm 122:6: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
This verse instructs prayer for Jerusalem's peace, which will only be realized when the Prince of Peace returns.
The Prince of Peace is the Messiah, Jesus Christ, spoken of in Isaiah 9:6. He is the child born and the Son given, and the government of His Kingdom will rest on His shoulder. Les notes that everyone knows who the Prince of Peace is, and that His rule will be perfect and righteous.
Les teaches that there will not be peace on earth until the Prince of Peace returns. He says that Jerusalem will have no peace until the Prince of Peace is back in Jerusalem, and that world organizations like the United Nations will not solve the world's problems.
Les explains that Jerusalem means city of peace, but it has not been a city of peace for thousands of years. Since Jerusalem will know no peace until the Prince of Peace has returned, praying for the peace of Jerusalem is actually praying for the Lord to come quickly.
Watch the Teaching: Why the New Testament Starts With Abraham — Matthew 1:1 Explained