Blessed Are The Peacemakers – Kathi Pelton
A couple of years ago, my husband and I received a prophetic word about being peacemakers. One line of the word was this,
“You will know when to bring an olive branch or when to bring an arrow.”
If you are a son of God then you are called to be a peacemaker. I believe that many sons and daughters will be given olive branches and arrows in order to restore people and lands to God’s covenant with man. These olive branches and arrows will be accompanied by wisdom and discernment to know which one should be used in each particular situation they are called to make peace in.
The olive branch is used known as a symbol of peace. The Greek’s believed it to be a symbol of “peace on earth or peace with man.” But the Hebrew meaning is one with an eternal promise of peace based on the covenant promises of God. To extend an olive branch is to usher the person or persons back to the peace that surpasses earthly circumstances or understanding. It restores them to the peace that comes out of the faithfulness of God according to his covenant with men.
Throughout the Bible mankind repetitively violated and broke covenant with God— often turning to worship idols and pervert purity— which always brought chaos and war. Yet, God remained (and remains) faithful to his covenant promises. In repentance and rest— salvation and peace was restored.
His peace comes to guard our hearts and minds because it is a peace that is not dependent on what is happening in the world around us but rather a peace that comes out of God’s constant faithfulness to keep his covenant made with his people.
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength [but you would have none of it]. Isaiah 30:15
He has promised salvation and strength but mankind has continually turned away from His covenant promises to follow other gods. But, God will give His peacemakers (both individuals and peace-making nations), the wisdom to know when it is time to extend the olive branch, that joins men and women back to God’s covenant promises, and when to put an arrow in their bow to shoot forth truth that pierces the darkness and penetrates hearts.
We must work together to restore the ancient ruins with the olive branch and arrows that bring forth true peace through the restoration of man to God.
I find it interesting that the olive branch symbolizes the restoration of man to God’s covenant and that another sign of covenant is found in the rainbow. The rainbow is in the shape of a bow when it is seen upon the land. It is a bow that is used to shoot an arrow. It was also a dove with an olive branch in its mouth that came to Noah to signal the time of the restoration of mankind on earth— where a covenant was made once again.
Do you see the connection between the olive branch, the arrow and God’s covenant with man— which brings us peace?
This is what God says about the rainbow after the great flood,
God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.
“…I have set my bow in the clouds…” Genesis 9:13
The Hebrew word “qešet” is used in the Bible to refer to the bow as an instrument of war or hunting, or figuratively as a symbol of power and authority. God’s arrow is also referred to as lightning.
“The arrows of God are the lightnings which cleave the atmosphere (Hab. 3:11), the calamities which He sends upon the enemies of Israel.”
God will use his arrows (lightening) to judge and defeat the enemies of his people. Peace will be restored as the enemy is defeated and God’s people stand victorious. There will be times where the Lord His peacemakers to partner with him to release the arrows of lightening against his enemies. They will war for peace!
An arrow can also cut or divide in two— it can be used to separate the holy from the defiled or the precious from the worthless.
His peacemakers will shoot arrows that divide truth from lies and the holy from the profane. To make peace, a warrior is needed— this is much different than a peacekeeper, who is often passive and plays it safe (to avoid confrontation or conflict).
Peacemakers are not passive, they are deliberate and precise with their weapons of authority and they are wise warriors who know when to give a branch or when to shoot an arrow. They will obey the Spirit of God regarding how to make peace amid conflict and breaches.
Peacemakers will also restore breaches within the family of God.
All around us there are demonic arrows (darts) flying that have been sent to divide brothers and sisters through words or accusations that separate and harm— but the arrow of peace will put to stop vain imaginations and arrogant arguments. These arrows will shoot truth; bringing repentance and restoration to those who will humble themselves before the Lord.
Lastly, the Bible refers to children as arrows in the hands of a warrior. Our children are our arrows and there has been a barrage of demonic arrows shot at them. The enemy is trying to break and destroy our arrows with his poisonous darts.
But watch as God pulls back his bow and releases his arrows of lightening against those who seek to devour our children.
They will be once again restored to our quiver and used by God to establish victory and truth. We will partner with him to plunder the enemy’s camp and take back our children.
It is time for the peacemakers to arise and receive the olive branches and arrows that will bring men back into God’s covenant. Peacemakers will both deliver peace and they will “war for peace.” They are gentle and they are fierce but their most mighty weapon is the wisdom and discernment regarding which one to use. Authority rests upon both.
Place your hands out and ask for the wisdom and discernment of God— ask for the olive branches and the arrows.
Side note: On the Great Seal of the United States of America there is an eagle holding an olive branch and a quiver of arrows. May our nation be one that makes peace as a mighty warrior who walks in God’s counsel and wisdom. God established our nation in covenant and may we now shoot the arrows and bring the olive branches that restore it once again to the covenant that was made with God.
Kathi Pelton