| The
War to End All Wars
At the recent Hiroshima Memorial service, President Obama used
this solemn occasion to stress the importance of curbing nuclear
proliferation. This gesture of goodwill brings to the forefront
the vital question: Will mankind ever realize global peace?
“LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF" – Matthew 22:39
On May 27, seventy-one years after America dropped an atomic bomb
on Hiroshima, Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. President
to visit the city since its destruction in 1945. There was no
apology given to the people of Japan from the President —
most Americans have felt justified in this extreme offensive measure
to end the war with Japan. But most Americans have also had a
sincere regret for the gruesome aftermath of using such a weapon
of mass destruction. Instead of an apology, President Obama used
the solemn occasion at the Hiroshima Memorial to stress the importance
curbing the continuing threat of nuclear proliferation. He described
that horrific day when “a flash of light and a wall of fire…
demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself.”
And the threat of worldwide annihilation still exists. We need
only look to North Korea and Iran to see the potential destructive
power if atomic weapons got into the hands of ego driven dictators
and/or radical religious zealots.
What
Has the World Learned from the Use of Atomic Energy as a Weapon?
Conflicts of war rise and fall like massive waves upon the ocean.
World War I was declared by the Nations to be “the war to
end all wars.” But following that came the rise of communism,
World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War with the Soviet Union,
Viet Nam, Desert Storm, and conflicts in Israel, Ireland, Central
America, Bosnia, Angola, Somalia, Argentina, Pakistan, etc., etc.
And now, the war against worldwide terrorism rages on every continent
in nearly every country.
We live in an era which the Bible calls "the time of the
end." Daniel's prophecy declares this to be a time of great
advancement in knowledge and travel, but it will also be a time
of tumultuous change. Daniel called it "a time of trouble,
such as never was since there was a nation." (Daniel 12:1,
4) Truly, President Obama's words are a description of this time.
Until 75 years ago, humanity never had within its grasp the capacity
to destroy all life on the planet. So, what has mankind learned
from war, and in particular, use of the most extreme weapons of
war?
• Men have tried and failed to bring about lasting peace
in the world by force.
• Great advancements in knowledge and travel, without the
desire to benefit others, has resulted in global distrust, pain
and sorrow.
• Changes in society by coercion will never bring about
changes in the heart.
• It is the heart that must change, but in this present
evil world, that is an impossible task on a world-wide scale.
The
Prophetic Promise of Peace
The prophet Haggai proclaimed that our day would witness the global
shaking of all nations. But, his prophecy also promises that this
shaking will result in peace and then "the desire of all
nations shall come." (Haggai 2:7) By the end of this terrible
shaking, humanity will be humbled and its only desire will be
for peace and happiness. At that time, Messiah’s unshakable
kingdom shall assert itself and take control of the world’s
affairs. Then, all mankind will “...beat their swords into
plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not
lift up sword against nation, either shall they learn war any
more.” (Isaiah 2:4) And the God of Heaven “...shall
make war to cease unto the ends of the earth.” (Psalm 46:9)
“And He will destroy... the vail that is spread over all
nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD
will wipe away tears from off all faces ...for the LORD hath spoken
it.” Isaiah 25:7, 8
World War I was declared by the Nations to be “the war to
end all wars.” But following it came the rise of communism,
World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War with the Soviet Union,
Viet Nam, Desert Storm, and conflicts in Israel, Ireland, Central
America, Bosnia, Angola, Somalia, Argentina, Pakistan, etc., etc.
And now, the war against worldwide terrorism rages. In these conflicts,
each side has held to the thought that theirs is the just cause,
and their ideology worthy to be imposed upon their fellow man.
“WHY DO THE PEOPLE IMAGINE A VAIN THING?”
Men have tried and failed to bring about order in the world by
force, but changes in society by coercion will never bring about
changes in the heart. Consider communism in the Soviet Union and
the many holy wars fought by numerous religious systems—all
failing, because they have imposed a government that is continually
overtaken by selfishness and corruption. The “vain thing”
spoken of in Psalm 2 is that men believe they can establish universal
peace without the Prince of Peace. The concept of a just and holy
war, such as we see perpetrated by the Holy Jihad of Islam is
nothing new. During the time of World War I, persecution, torture
and oppression were also the result of a society convinced that
they were doing God’s work. While the First World War was
raging, the following extracts were reported in the Methodist
Times illustrating the misguided zeal of some Christian ministers
in Germany. Their sermons remind us of the similar religious zeal
found in the mind-set of bin Laden and his followers Pastor Zoebel,
speaking in the great Lutheran church in Leipsic, said: ‘It
is this deep consciousness of our mission that permits us to congratulate
ourselves, and rest content with a heart full of gratitude, when
our guns beat down the children of Satan, and when our marvelous
submarines— instruments to execute the Divine vengeance—send
to the bottom of the sea thousands of the non-elect. We must fight
the wicked with every means in our power; their sufferings should
give us pleasure; their cries of despair should not move German
hearts. There ought to be no compromise with hell, no mercy for
the servants of Satan—in other words, no pity for the English,
French, and Russians, nor indeed for any nation that has sold
itself to the Devil....’”
“Pastor Fritz Philippi, of Berlin, from his Protestant pulpit,
among other things, said: ‘...It is really because we are
pure that we have been chosen by the Almighty as His instruments
to punish the envious, to chastise the wicked, and to slay with
the sword sinful nations.... The immoral and the friends and allies
of Satan must be destroyed, as an evil plant is uprooted. Satan
himself, who has come into the world in the form of a great Power
[England], must be crushed. On Germany is laid the Divine command
to bring about the destruction of those who are the personification
of evil. When this work is finished, fire and sword will not have
been used in vain. The redemption of humanity will be achieved.
The kingdom of righteousness will be established on the earth;
and the German Empire, which will have created it, will remain
its protector.’”
Indeed, these men had imagined a “vain thing!” What
a pity that the name of Christ should in any sense of the word
have been associated with such horror! And yet, religious zeal
coupled with ignorance as to God’s truth is once again attacking
innocent people on a worldwide scale. This is an example of what
happens when there is a lack of knowledge as to the one true God’s
loving character and plans.
In this “present evil world,” charismatic leaders
will continually arise and will indoctrinate hatred into the minds
of their followers. There will always be another Hitler, another
Ayatollah Khamenei, another Saddam Hussein, another bin Laden.
Each leader has convinced himself and others that God is on his
side, and that he has a just cause for which to inflict terror
upon those not in agreement with him.
Efforts to abolish forced ideology will be fruitless, as long
as Satan is allowed to prey upon the weaknesses of men’s
hearts—feeding their lust for power, greed, and selfishness.
But, thank God, Satan will be bound during the kingdom or Messiah,
and Christ will rule with a rod of iron those who impose their
unrighteous wills upon others. (Rev. 2:27; 20:1-4) There will
be no more Hitlers, Husseins or bin Ladens, for none shall “hurt
nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be filled
with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”
Isa. 11:9
THE FIFTH UNIVERSAL EMPIRE
A powerful prophetic lesson illustrating the transition from this
“present evil world” into God’s “holy
mountain,” is found in the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, the
king of Babylon. Because of their unfaithfulness, God took away
the kingdom from His people Israel, and gave it over for a time
to this mighty Gentile Emperor. In a dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw
a great image, the head of which was made of gold, the breast
and the arms of silver, the belly and the thighs of brass, the
legs of iron, and the feet of iron mingled with miry clay. The
Prophet Daniel explained that this great image represented four
universal Gentile kingdoms which would rule over Israel and the
world. Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom, Babylon, was represented
by the head of gold: “Thou art that head of Gold.”
Next came the Medo- Persian Empire, represented by the breast
and arms of silver; Greece, represented by the belly and thighs
of brass; and finally came Rome, represented by the legs of iron.
An outgrowth of that fourth universal empire was the Holy Roman
Empire, represented by the feet of iron mingled with miry clay.
From this came the ten crown heads of Europe, represented by the
ten toes—also of iron mingled with miry clay. Dan. 2:36-44;
7:14,17,27
According to this vision, the period of time during which these
four universal empires controlled the world is termed the Times
of the Gentiles. This was to be the period of time during which
Israel was to be overturned (Ezekiel 21:25-27)— to have
their kingdom and their government subject to the Gentiles. History
has proven that this prophecy has reached its fulfillment. Indeed,
an indication that the fifth and final universal kingdom is about
to take full control is seen in the fact that Jerusalem is no
longer “trodden down of the Gentiles.” (Luke 21:24)
The Nation of Israel is a miracle of history! Although it is one
of the smallest nations of the world, it has taken its place as
a mighty nation among nations, never to be “pulled up out
of their land” again! Amos 9:15
The best and the worst of earth’s nations are but “kingdoms
of this world,” whose lease of power from God has now expired.
These shall soon give place to their ordained successor, the kingdom
of Messiah, the fifth universal empire of earth. But the last
Gentile kingdoms will not give up without a fight, and hence,
we see spasms of trouble in the earth, spoken of by the Apostle
Paul as birthpangs: “For yourselves know perfectly that
the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when
they shall say, peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh
upon them as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not
escape.” 1Thess. 5:2, 3
THE FINAL CONFLICT
Before lasting peace and safety shall be established throughout
the earth, prophecy tells us that wars will increase until men’s
hearts are humbled enough to admit that they, with imperfect judgment
and selfish hearts, will always be failures in bringing about
peace. Indeed, the Bible foretells that these conflicts will build
to a climactic clash between good and evil which shall change
this selfish, evil world forever. Daniel prophesied that “There
shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a
nation.” Jesus confirmed this prophecy and added the words,
“No, nor ever shall be.” Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21
This final conflict is that great Battle of Armageddon foretold
in Revelation. “And he gathered them together into a place
called...Armageddon. ...and there came a great voice out of the
temple of heaven... saying, It is done.” (Rev. 16:16-17)
As terrible as this trouble is expected to be, it is comforting
to know its lessons will be so severe as to make no repetition
of them necessary. It will truly be the war to end all wars! Furthermore,
a grand and beautiful outcome is also prophesied, for upon the
ashes of Armageddon, Messiah’s kingdom will be established
with full power and glory throughout heaven and earth. Christ
and his Church will reign, Satan will be bound, and the rivers
of the waters of life will flow to all who have ever lived. Rev.
20:1-4, 22:17
“MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD”
Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom
were of this world, then would my servants fight...” (John
18:36) Christians should ever keep in mind that we are peacemakers,
seeking to live peaceably with all men, and helping others to
see the events which are taking place in the light of the Prince
of Peace.
In the midst of troublous times, we should remember that God is
at the helm, and that thus He is allowing human pride to further
work out the great troubles incident to the Battle of Armageddon
and the inauguration of Messiah’s kingdom. Armageddon is
not the end of the world, but the end of this “present evil
world.” (Gal. 1:4) The permission of evil will soften men’s
hearts so that they will desire to live in harmony with righteousness.
“...this sore travail hath God given to the sons of men
to be exercised therewith.” (Eccl. 1:13) All one need do
is look at the outpouring of love and cooperation which took place
in the hearts of the world after the tragedy of September 11.
Selfishness, rivalry and jealousy gave place to compassion, sympathy
and brotherly love.
Mankind has been learning a hard lesson that obedience to God
is the only method of achieving true peace, joy and security.
But, thank God, this harsh lesson will soon be accomplished. We
are not to expect the interposition of the Lord’s power
to stop this great time of trouble until mankind shall have been
greatly humbled to the dust and shall call upon the Lord in their
desperation. When the people turn to God for deliverance, He assures
us that every member of the human family that has ever lived shall
have a full opportunity of coming to a knowledge of the truth
and accepting a new life of righteousness under the New Covenant.
“Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill
shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and
the rough places plain: and the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together...” Isa. 40:4-5
“When these things begin to come to pass, then look up and
lift up your heads; for your deliverance draweth nigh.”
(Luke 21:28,31) We are to lift up our heads and rejoice—not
rejoicing in the trouble, nor in the sufferings of others, but
in the knowledge that something wonderful is about to happen.
The entire present global arrangement will soon be replaced by
a new heavens and a new earth—far superior and more advantageous
and desirable for all.
“AND I WILL SHAKE ALL NATIONS”
The shaking process of the time of trouble will continue until
Messiah’s unshakable kingdom shall assert itself and take
control of the world’s affairs—after total anarchy
shall have demonstrated to the human mind the fact that nothing
man can do will be able to bring order out of the chaos. The Lord
assures us of the blessed result: “I will shake all nations,
and the desire of all nations shall come.” (Haggai 2:7)
By the end of this terrible shaking, man’s only desire will
be for peace and happiness, such as God purposes to provide through
Messiah’s kingdom. Then, all mankind will “...beat
their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks:
nation shall not lift up sword against nation, either shall they
learn war any more.” (Isa. 2:4) And the God of Heaven “...shall
make war to cease unto the ends of the earth.” (Psa. 46:9)
“ And He will destroy... the vail that is spread over all
nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD
will wipe away tears from off all faces; ...for the LORD hath
spoken it.” Isa. 25:7, 8
THE
FIRST ARMAGEDDON
Armageddon will be the last great battle between good and evil
where God’s truth and righteousness will prevail against
the forces of evil. The lesson of Armageddon was first illustrated
in the battle fought in the Valley of Megiddo. This valley is
noted for its many slaughters, and therefore made the basis of
the Divine Revelation. “And he gathered them together into
a place called... Armageddon.” Judges 4 & 5; Rev. 16:16-17
The Israelites had nearly lost their knowledge and love of the
one true God. To bring them back into harmony again with him,
God chastened them by permitting their enemies to vanquish them.
The Canaanite General, Sisera, having humbled the Israelites of
Northern Israel for years, started southward with a mighty army
containing nine hundred iron chariots. By the time he had gotten
as far south as the Valley of Megiddo, messengers informed him
that Barak, a leader among the Israelites, was also leading an
army of ten thousand men southward. Under Divine guidance General
Barak made Mount Tabor his army base—the same Mount of Transfiguration
where Jesus portrayed God’s coming kingdom in a vision.
This is a remarkable picture of the future association of the
glorious kingdom of peace in proximity with the Armageddon overthrow
of this “present evil world.” Matt. 17:1-13 Sisera,
mocking the poorly armed Israelites, advanced with his army on
both sides of the River Kishon toward Mount Tabor. The word of
the Lord then came to General Barak, directing him to advance
against the Canaanite army. At the same time, a great storm swelled
the river, making quagmires of the lower valleys, rendering useless
the 900 chariots and horses of Sisera. His soldiers, fleeing for
their lives, were cut down by the Israelites while thousands were
swept away by the flood to the sea.
This intervention of God on behalf of His people is a picture
of the coming Armageddon battle which will cause all wars to cease.
Just as God provided a miracle to deliver His people, so too,
the cloudburst of Truth and the rising waters of knowledge which
are bringing to pass this great human catastrophe shall overrule
for the blessed deliverance of the world. “He maketh the
storm a calm.” Psa. 107:29
Republished with the permission
from the Bible Students of Central Ohio
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