War is a Fact
When it comes to war, I’ve noticed there is a missing piece in some people’s approach.
We hate war. Good.
We do not condone war. Good.
We believe in avoiding war. Good.
But here’s the thing that’s forgotten: War is a fact.
War is a Fact
Our utopian war-less idealism is crushed by reality.
This is a fallen world and wars and rumours of wars will continue until the end. That’s one of the evidences of its fallenness.
To interact with this fact wisely is very, very hard; to seek peace, to hate war, yet to be equipped for it and to handle it strategically is a strange dissonance.
It requires the wisdom of Solomon.
It is why even the most peace-loving leaders have often found themselves in dilemmas from which war results, or have otherwise found war knocking on their front door. They never asked for it, but reality struck.
A world without wars and rumours of wars (Matt 24; Mark 13; Luke 21) is not the real world.
It’s the next world; the world to come.
Jesus said exactly this:
“You are going to hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” (Matthew 24:6–7)
Return of Jesus Christ
Indeed, such things, being beyond our control, ought to point out minds and affections forward to the return of Jesus Christ through which war will end.
Isaiah 2:1–4 tells us of a day when “war is a fact” will be no more:
In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s house will be established…
All nations will stream to it,
and many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let’s go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us about his ways
so that we may walk in his paths.”…He will settle disputes among the nations
and provide arbitration for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plows
and their spears into pruning knives.
Nation will not take up the sword against nation,
and they will never again train for war.
What a day that will be.
___
Originally published on Facebook. Image via Adobe.
Isaiah 2:1–4 is an editorial addition.
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Thanks Martin ..The Bible says what it says about wars..
Great article Martyn!!!
Thank you Martyn. I am reminded that our God says “I am a man of war” ( Exodus 15:3 ) so there are times of just war. I consider that Israel is justified in defending itself from such evil as is arraigned against its very survival.
Martin – I would certainly agree that, this side of heaven, wars will continue to occur. What matters however is: how should Christians respond to that reality?
When Jesus said, “You are going to hear of wars and rumours of wars”, he did not go on to say, “So spend vast amounts to build up your military so that you can make sure that you win any such wars”.
No, far from it. He simply said, “See that you are not alarmed . . .”
Because the Christian is at peace with God we have nothing to fear from any invading army.
Just as Jesus did not kill his enemies but died for them, we are to follow in Jesus’ steps: I Peter 2: 21-23.
Perhaps you would like to read my article on Christians and war. I would be interested to hear your response.
https://atheismforkidsandteens.com/articles/why-do-christians-go-to-war/
War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things:: the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war , is worse
Quote John Stuart Mill
If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilisation, then be prepared to accept barbarism
Thomas Sowell
If you want peace, prepare for war
Roman general Vegetias
Above quotes written in English not German or Japanese