We are a world at war. According to “ReviseSociology” there are about three dozen countries at war right now. In addition, there are many more that are involved, in one way or another, in war. For example, the US does not have soldiers fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war, but we are indirectly involved through sanctions and monetary aid. Add to these various acts of terrorism, including cyber terrorism, and you could say that the entire world is at war in some way.
Jesus told us that this would happen in the last days.
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Matthew 24:6-8 (NKJV)
We talked about warfare in the article “Wars & Rumors of Wars” and also about a very specific war between Russia and her allies versus Israel in “The Gog-Magog War” and “Russia Vs. Israel”. But today I want to look specifically at the phrase “nation against nation”. When Jesus said, “nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom”, was he just being redundant?
The word “kingdom” does in fact refer to different countries or places, such as Russia vs. Ukraine or North vs. South Korea. But the word “nation” in this phrase is the Greek word “ethnos”. It more specifically relates to conflict between different groups of people, such as people from different cultures, ethnicities, traditions, tribes, or religious groups. Gang warfare, racial violence, politically motivated violence, and wars between religious factions such as the Shiite vs. Sunni in the Moslem world are also included. When we understand the meaning of the word, it takes on real significance as we look at our world today.
“Violent Crime in the U.S. Is Surging. But We Know What to Do about It”
“Gang violence on the rise in 2021”
“Alarming Rise in Human Rights Violations, Violence Worldwide”
“Report assesses threats to religious pro-life Americans following overturn of Roe V. Wade”
“How racism spread around the world alongside COVID-19”
“The New Social Justice Makes Everyone Guilty”
“Darwinian Racism: How Evolutionary Theory Shaped Nazi Thinking”
“How Americans evaluate the likelihood of dire political scenarios”
“Cost of living crisis set to prompt social unrest across Europe, poll finds”
“Social Unrest is Rising, Adding to Risks for Global Economy”
These are just a few of the many articles related to this topic. It is clear that violence and general unrest is on the rise throughout the world. And sadly, this is likely to get much worse, especially with the increase in polarization we now see in our culture. So what is the answer?
As with any other problem, the answer is Jesus! The Bible tells us repeatedly that Christ will physically return to this world, and that he will rule and reign.
After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
Acts 1:9-11 (NLT)
“And now the Lord says: I am returning to Mount Zion, and I will live in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City; the mountain of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will be called the Holy Mountain.”
Zechariah 8:3 (NLT)
But until Christ returns or calls us home, Philippians 4:2-9 has excellent advice for us. (NLT used here)
- Do what you can to live at peace with others
“Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.” (V2) - Share the Gospel
“And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.” (V3) - Live life with joy
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (V4) - Demonstrate Christ in your life
“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.” (V5) - Pray!
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (V6 & 7) - Guard your heart, mind, and actions
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” (V8 & 9)
And let the “Unity Hymn” below become our humble prayer!
Songs of Victory
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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