When Jesus was born, angels announced it to the poor of the flock, and the heavenly host praised God saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace—good pleasure in men. Such will be the result, and the angels anticipate it without reference to the hindrances or to the means. But Christ was rejected here below; and the disciples say, "Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest."
When the question of power is raised, in order to establish the kingdom, there will be war then (Rev. 12). In fact there can be no peace in heaven till Satan and his host are cast out. Then will the King be established in power, when the obstacles shall be taken out of the way. Psalm 118 celebrates this, His mercy enduring forever, spite of all the people's sins. It is the song of the latter day. If God sends peace to the earth in the Person of His Son, it is in vain not as to the accomplishment, but as to present effect.
Meanwhile, to faith there is peace in heaven, and when this is asserted in power against the evil spirits in heavenly places, there will be blessing indeed. Oh, what a time it will be! What a relief to the work of God's grace! For now it is ever toil and watching. What, always? Yes, always; and that is not the rest. But then it will be, as sure as God takes His great power and reigns. "I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens." etc. (Hos. 2). There will be an unbroken chain of blessing, and that too on earth. It will not be one "building, and another inhabiting," but blessing flowing down and around to the lowest and the least. Till then, as now, the word is, suffering in grace, not victorious power. Never fear persecution; it will make our face shine as an angel's. But God could not be silent if His own Son were cast out. He might leave Him to suffer, but not without a testimony. If there were no others, the stones would speak. And so if we are faithful and near to Christ, this will turn for a testimony.