CHAPLAIN’S PAGE – WAR AND PEACE
AS we go deeper into the 21st Century, there is scarcely a corner of the globe where there is not either threat of war, civil or military disturbance, or local clashes. The present generation has been brought up with the belief that a world wide nuclear holocaust is almost inevitable. No wonder many of them rely on drugs and drink to blot out the reality of life.
Sadly, the majority today do not have an essential faith which could transform their lives. The missing factor is one word, Peace. Those of us familiar with the Scriptures are ever mindful of the words of Jesus recorded in John 14 verse 27,
‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’
Notice the clear distinction between the peace which Christ gives, and what the world gives. In John 16, our Lord takes it a stage further in verse 33,
‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulations but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’
A great principle is established here, firstly,in Christ is peace, and secondly, in the world we shall have tribulation.(from the Greek, anguish, persecution). Does Scripture enlighten us as to why these things should be so? Today, there are many who refuse to accept the concept of God, or a god, for if He existed, the world would not be in a state of chaos. The fact has to be recognised, that throughout history there have always been wars, corruption and death.We need to know why. We can begin our search with the premise that God does not exist. That being so, two nothings came together and formed all that exists. Would it not be more logical and scientific to believe in a Creator God who made all that exists, and supplied the necessary materials? Having done that, it would seem reasonable to believe that He has a reason and a purpose for it all. If that is so, what would the purpose be?
Even a cursory examination of the Scripture reveals a basic fact, which is that man is of supreme importance in that purpose. It is also worthy of note that this planet has been so designed, that it supplies us with an environment which is perfect for our needs. These things being so, it follows that there must be an ultimate purpose, and that man has a key role in that purpose. How did it begin? A man and a woman in a perfect environment which could have continued indefinitely, but it didn’t. Had the Creator lost control? It is a matter of history that from that time, man’s experience has been a far cry from those idyllic days in the garden.
From the moment they were driven out, life changed dramatically, a constant struggle between times of war, and times of peace. To those who assert that God, if such a God exists, is not in control, let the Scriptures remind us of a basic fact
‘That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west,that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.’ (Isaiah 45:6-7)
This statement opens with ‘I am the Lord’ thus what follows is of immense importance, notice ‘I make peace, and create evil’. This is the reason for the world being in a state of constant chaos. Evil has been created as an opposing force to peace, which also was created by God. Many will say that this is senseless. However, if we consider this conundrum, the answer is there, and it makes perfect sense. God created evil, and its manifestation is always the opposite to peace, which is war. This beings so,war is inevitable, and its power source was created by God. However much we may pray for it to go away, it will not, certainly not until the day of Christ’s second advent.
When we examine the prophecies dealing with His return, we see that it is a mighty power struggle on a scale never previously seen on the earth.
‘And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and thatobey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.’ (II Thessalonians 1:7-9)
So powerful is the evil which the Lord created, that it will take the might of the angels who have remained loyal to God, to put Satan and his angels in chains for a thousand years.The question still needs to be addressed, why was evil created? In order that the Creator’s plan for mankind could reach its conclusion, it is essential that all those who come to Him,do so willingly because they love Him. Without an opposing force, the entire human race would automatically follow the Lord, there would be no other way.
In the eternities to come, the followers of God will be battle hardened soldiers. We will have come through the wars of affliction that this life throws at us. However, before that day of peace finally comes, there is much work for the followers of God to do. The question is often asked, ‘how do we serve the Lord, where do we begin?‘ The key chapter which deals with this time period of the end is Ephesians 6. Every Christian should be totally familiar with what it teaches us. Verses 10 to 18 hold the key to a successful ministry. In this test we are instructed to put on the whole armour of God. This presupposes that we are under constant attack from Satanic forces. Verse 12 leaves no margin for error on the issue,
‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’
Such a dire warning should dispel the popular notion in many Christian circles that all we need is to love everybody, and everything. Those who love and serve the Lord are in a serious business, so serious, that Satan and his hosts are in hot pursuit of all those who openly confess the name of the living Christ. It should be noticed especially verse 15,
‘And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.’
It does not say the gospel of peace, but the preparation of the gospel of peace. The Ferrar Fenton Bible renders it ‘Your feet shod in readiness for the good news of peace.’ It should be mentioned at this point that this verse does not negate what Jesus said in John 14:27, that He would leave us with His peace. He was showing us that to know Him as our Saviour , that individually, we would have peace in our hearts.
What is the gospel of peace? Most Christians assume that it is the same as the gospel of salvation. Sadly, today there is much muddled thinking by Christians, and this has only come about because they lack in depth teaching by their ministers. For example, it is wrongly assumed that Jesus taught nothing but the gospel of salvation, wrong! It was John the Baptist who preached repentance. The main thrust of Christ’s preaching was the gospel of the Kingdom.(Matthew 4:23 and others). The gospel of the Kingdom and the gospel of peace, are, I believe one and the same. This being so, what we should be proclaiming at this time is the soon coming of Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Everything that is happening throughout the world at this time points to it. Prophecy after prophecy in both Testaments confirm it, that the time of peace is at hand. Let us, like John the Baptist, ‘make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’
Thus are the Gospel of Salvation, the Gospel of Peace, and the Gospel of the Kingdom finally reconciled.
