Hope
War! The Way Out is Up
War!
Since the beginning of time there was war. Just like the colorful crystals in a kaleidoscope rise and fall taking on different colors and shapes so world powers rise and fall changing hands but with terrible consequences.
How does one escape this wretched act of human nature? Our human intelligence has provided us creature comforts that none before have imagined yet we have not intellectualized a way we can live peaceably together. This was true thousands of years ago and it’s true today. So, what is the solution? What is the way out of this?
It’s simple.
Knowing that humankind would not be able to figure it out for himself God left us a map
that guides us out. The way out is no secret to those who have found and understood it. They have discovered The Way Out is Up.
Playground Bully
Front and center is the war between Russia and Ukraine. Every top-rated news station has “boots on the ground” reporting moment by moment, day to day.
Our hearts and prayers extend to this country under attack by this Russian super power. It’s like the playground bully attacking weaker because he can. One so outmatches the other but yet he attacks. His reasons are self-serving and never justify the suffering he inflicts.
When arguments between governments result in not only loss of life of those in the military but in collateral damage— civilian lives cut short, the young, the old, the ambulatory, the healthy, there is no justification.
Christian Response to War
I’ve read several Christian responses to this crisis. Some employ prayer and solicit the prayers of others. Others say “why pray?” They cite Matthew 24 concerning the signs of the return of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:3-8
3 While Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, and said, “Tell us, when will this [destruction of the temple] take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end (completion, consummation) of the age?”
4 Jesus answered, “Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error].
5 For many will come in My name [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, ‘I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ and they will mislead many.
6 You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age].
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish and the time of unprecedented trouble].
Yes, Matthew says wars will occur before Jesus returns. According to Worldview, there are about 64 countries in conflict or at war that are going on right now.1 Most of them have been going on for decades and are not currently being covered in the news. A running theme seems to be the big guy wants to rule the little guy to:
1). Impose authoritarian dictatorship
2). Acquire the country’s natural resources
3). Settle a territorial dispute
Many of the wars are civil or communal insurgencies. In Mexico the fight against drugs qualifies as war because of military involvement.
One thing is frightfully clear, there has always been war beginning with Cain and Abel to present. Sadly, there will be war until Jesus comes.
Fulfilled Prophecy Doesn’t Cancel Prayer
The wars and conflict that fulfill Bible prophecy doesn’t mean there is no need to pray. There are people in those countries just like you and I that are at threat of death and horrors that may be worse than death. Don’t think we’re encapsulated from the same fate. Remember September 11, 2001? So, pray for them. Pray for both Ukraine and Russia. There are citizens in Russia that are being locked up for protesting the invasion. They need our prayers.
Active Wars and Conflicts
I’m not writing to present the legitimacy of President Putin’s war one way or the other but I am compelled to write about the need to pray. Not only for those in conflict we see televised but also for those we don’t see on any news platform.
Many conflicts have gone under-reported or dismissed largely because past efforts have failed to bring both parties to an agreement. Then the interest of world focus wanes due to the lack of return on diplomatic investment.
The information that follows gives you an idea of who’s at war outside the lenses of world cameras. The listing is sufficient enough to knock anyone over but it isn’t by any means exhaustive.
Detailed Map of On-going Conflicts2
This partial list is somewhat fluid but for the most part constant.
Somalia, Kashmir, Darfur, Myanmar, Sudan, South Sudan, Pakistan, Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Peru, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Ukraine. Columbia, Venezuela, Nigeria, Mexico, Syria, Israel…3
Despite this list, Worldview reports “There are 10 official wars and 8 active military conflicts recognized by the United States. There are also other violent conflicts involving 64 countries and 576 militias and separatist groups.”4
Overwhelming Distresses
If all conflicts, all crimes, all inequities, all things unjust were front and center, there would not be enough time in a day to cover it all. To add, man’s heart would fail him for fear of what’s next.
Luke 21:25-28 Amplified Version
25 “There will be signs (attesting miracles) in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth [there will be] distress and anguish among nations, in perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea and the waves,
26 people fainting from fear and expectation of the [dreadful] things coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Verses 25 and 26 speak to the calamity of times that will come and are upon us. Not only conflict among nations but conflict within earth herself. The earth’s dis-ease and groanings translates to nature’s manifested implosions. Implosions such as tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, mud slides, droughts, volcanic eruptions, wild fires, climate change, etc. And it is exacerbated by consequential pestilence and pandemics. The earth has grown weary of humankind’s custodial care of her and groans in desperation for renewal.
Romans 8:22-23 Amplified Version
22 For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now.
23 And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons—the redemption and transformation of our body [at the resurrection].
The groaning is not from war only but the effects of war –displacement, disease, economic distress, famine, starvation, rape, increased crime. Bottom-line, war brings nothing good.
Continuing with Luke, finally verses 27-28 reveal the way out.
27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with [transcendent, overwhelming] power [subduing the nations] and with great glory.
28 Now when these things begin to occur, stand tall and lift up your heads [in joy], because [suffering ends as] your redemption is drawing near.”
Earlier, I solicited prayer for Ukraine and Russia. Now that you have a better feel for who’s at war, I say pray for them all. Who knows if your prayer will change someone’s circumstances or save a life somewhere in a war-torn country?
Hope in This Life
I conclude with this thought. If all your hope and aspirations lie in men and women making this world a better place, I ask you to examine the evidence. I ask you to look at history.
1 Corinthians 15:19 Amplified Version
19 If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hoped only in this life [and this is all there is], then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.
The good news is there is a way out. Jesus is the Way and the way out. Turn your nose up and hiss if you want to but humankind has had dominion over the earth for untold millennia. There may be a lot of new and improved mechanisms but not much improvement when it comes to loving and having compassion for each other.
The Way Out is UP!
The way to a better place free of scurrilous motives is Up. Looking up in anticipation of a new Heaven and a new Earth. Looking up for Jesus to come and settle it all. He won’t come as a referee; He will come as Judge.
The Lord Jesus is making himself ready to come get those who look for his appearing. I pray you are not just looking but that your soul will be ready for Him when he comes back because,
The Way Out is Up!
“Jesus is the only One who can save people [Salvation is found/present in no one else]. No one else [No other name given to people] in the world [ under heaven] is able to save us.”
-Acts 4:12 Expanded Bible
Midnight Cry
Song and dramatization based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-55.
References
1″How Many Wars Are Going on in the World Right Now?” Updated April 01, 2020
https://www.reference.com/world-view/many-wars-going-world-right-now-ffd6236450ccb7ae
Retrieved 3/9/2022
2 Wikipedia. “List of Ongoing Conflicts.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ongoing_armed_conflicts
Retrieved 3/9/2022
3World Atlas. “The World’s Most War-Torn Countries”
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-world-s-most-war-torn-countries.html
3Morgan, K.C. The Clever. “15 Wars Happening Right Now Right Now That No One Talks About”. August 9, 2017.
Retrieved 3/9/2022.
4″How Many Wars Are Going on in the World Right Now?” Updated April 01, 2020
https://www.reference.com/world-view/many-wars-going-world-right-now-ffd6236450ccb7ae
Retrieved 3/9/2022
33 COMMENTS
Thank you for the information about what is going on in our world and for the desperate challenge for us as believers to be praying and looking up. Love the beautiful song The Midnight Cry. So very beautiful. Thanks again fir your loving and always inspiring words. Love you!
Love you too Joyce! Thanks for being my #1 reader.
Sis Marilyn, your article on the way out was very inspirational. It gave e lots to think about. God bless you and keep up the good work.
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