What does it all mean?
For those of us illuminated by His Holy Spirit, with faith that all we know and everything we experience in this world is by His Plan:
Ephesians 1:9-11 God has now revealed to us His mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill His own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ — everything in Heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything workout according to his plan.
we can look at this situation with discerning yet spiritual eyes. We can overcome the anxiety, concern, worry, distrust, and overwhelming emotion to attempt to control our understanding (by our own effort). Standing firm in faith, we can be secure and win over the fiery darts the enemy uses to control our thoughts, to limit our understanding and to cause us to think with narrow minded perspective. Trust, if you know Christ, you can see what the meaning to all of this is. Yes, in the human realm and man was killed, but in the supernatural, a great evil was put in place, by God’s plan. Amen, in this we can praise God and celebrate life, freedom and peace.
Father, this is a time of maturing in Spirit and the illumination You bring. We pray with expectation that You will provide us with a clear understanding of these times, this significant and historical event and that You are in control and this is Your Plan. Thank you for the sermon by Pastor Rick Warren where my illumination for this message occurred. Amen
The Bible provides a precise perspective (as God always does) when He shares:
Romans 12:17-18 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
“If it is possible …” God knows, and shares with us, there will be times when it is not possible to live in peace. There will be evil that plots to destroy us and we will be exposed and even directly subject to this evil. Our Father provides us with options, first to stand firm in faith knowing He will provide a way, and all that happens is for good, by His Plan. Second to fight. Yes, it is true, many times the Bible shows us when it is time to fight for good, to fight for those who cannot and to fight for righteousness. God promises He will give us all we need and will be there with us in the fight.
We ask ourselves, is war right?
The Bible shows us that two human characteristics typically cause wars, selfishness and pride:
James 4:1-2 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
Whenever there is conflict between nations, businesses, or even families it is driven by selfishness or pride.
So is it ok to fight? Well, there are times when it is the lesser of two evils and is appropriate:
Ecclesiastes 3:8 says, “There is a time for war and a time for peace.”
His Word shares an honest and quite frank view of the time for battle and there are a number of times where God commanded war. Hebrews 11 shares incredible stories about biblical warriors and their battles: Joshua, David, Gideon, Samson.
In Christ’s time on earth he never told soldiers to not fight. In fact He said:
Matthew 24:6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Jesus himself twice cleansed, whip in hand, the temple by force.
When is it right to fight?
– To preserve Freedom:
God told Joshua to wipe out the Midianites because they were oppressive and had all kinds of evil practices, a terrible and vicious culture.
Numbers shows us:
Numbers 32:20-23 If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the LORD until he has driven his enemies out before him — then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free from your obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will be your possession before the LORD. But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD.
Amen, God wants us to know we have to decide what’s worth dying for to know what’s worth living for.
– To protect innocent people:
Proverbs 21:15 When justice is done it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evil doers.
Christians should always be interested in peace, but we also must ensure and demand justice. Peace at any price is not peace, it is appeasement. Our Father is a God of peace, but He is also a God of justice.
I love this famous quote: “A man who has nothing which he is willing to fight for, nothing which he cares about more than his personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free.” – John Stuart Mill
– To stop the spread of evil
The Bible is clear, God has authorized the government to enforce law and punish evil.
Romans 13:4 The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong.
Will there ever be permanent peace?
Yes! When Jesus Christ returns!!!
John 14 Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also.
The Bible explains when Jesus returns, He will set up a reign of peace on the earth.
Isaiah 2:4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
Many wonder if this is the final war?
We know that there will be one final great battle and it will be when Christ returns, however, His Word tells us:
Luke 21:8-9 Don’t be fooled. Many will come in My name saying, ‘I am He!’ and ‘The time has come!’ But don’t follow them. Don’t be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions; such things must happen but they don’t mean the end is near. Countries will fight each other and kingdoms will attack one another.
Please note – “Don’t be fooled ….” There have been many books and people that have set dates for the last days and all were wrong.
also, “… such things must happen ….” In the last 3,400 years there have only been 268 years without war. In over 6,000 years of recorded history, the world has averaged two and a half wars a year. Of 185 generations, only ten have experienced unbroken peace.
“There are going to be wars and rumors of wars,” Jesus knew what He was talking about!
Most importantly Jesus said:
Matthew 24:36 No one knows that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Acts 1:7-8 It’s not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you are to be My witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world.
Matthew 24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Acts 1:7 It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
This is the last discussion Christ had with His disciples. They wanted to discuss prophecy and when He would return and He answered them with a declaraton of evangelism and the Power to win this world.
Acts 1:8-9 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Knowing all of this, as Christians, our attitude and actions during war should be:
– Pray
1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of all pray for kings and all others who are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life.
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
Heavenly Father, Grant a courageous heart, a quick mind, and a serene spirit to all those now in our armed forces, ready to offer their talents, and if necessary their lives, for the cause of truth, justice, and liberty. Keep them close to You in every way. Make them always, even in these difficult circumstances, true witnesses to Your goodness, love, and compassion. And finally, bring them safely back to their homes and families.
We must pray for are our leaders, President, Generals, and Congress, as well, pray for all those serving in harms way. Understand, He said when we do this we will live a quiet and peaceful life. Also, pray for our enemies, that they will have a change of heart.
– Trust God
Psalms 27:3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
We accept the truth that when war happens there are casualties. We trust God, realizing that He is in control.
Seek Peace
Psalms 34:14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Not only peace between nations, but peace in every part of our “Life”
– Support each other
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Father, bless us with the understanding of peace, the understanding of war, and the power to overcome evil with the power of Your Holy Spirit in us. Bless us as we go out into the world to serve You. Bless us to care and support those in need, especially in these terrible times, the true sign of a Christian.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen
His Message for You 