THE RIGORS OF WAR- A BIBLE STUDY

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

INTRODUCTION

“War is hell, but that’s not the half if it, because war is also mystery and terror and adventure and courage and discovery and holiness and pity and despair, and longing and love. War is nasty, war is fun. War is thrilling; war is drudgery. War makes you a man; war makes you dead." (Tim O’Brien)

So, I ask you, why is war being televised constantly day and night? Why are the television commercials taking advantage of its air time? Why does the news media exploit, take full use of and derive benefit from such gruesome, ghasty action? And most important of all, why are we all seemingly tuning it all in? Why are we watching?

Thinking back, what if television had been readily available during the Civil War, WWI or even WWII? What would we have seen? Probably as much, or even more so than all the violence associated with this particular European conflict.

Of course, war is not the only topic followed by today’s social media and free press. What about all the special interest groups making up a good proportion of our today’s progressive society?

Remember that oldie but goodie 'There’s just one thing missing'? Can you guess what’s missing? Why is it missing, and how it can be retrieved?

Tune into today’s news media, listen to the usual governmental debates, talk to your next-door neighbor, or maybe listen to your church pastor’s Sunday sermon. What’s missing in it all?

Have you guessed it yet? Have you found it? Simply put, it’s that all-important belief and input of the Holy Scriptures in our lives, especially in today’s deceptive socialist culture. We Christians should stand firm in these last days against today’s heresy.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron." (I Timothy 4:1-2)

It’s not necessarily a physical war, but an unseen one of a spiritual nature as well. You see, we all recognize a particular physical war, but oftentimes not necessarily a spiritual war with demonic participation.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12-13)

I trust you will enjoy this faith-based blog. I entitled this one “The Rigors Of War, A Bible Study.” A little longer blog than usual. Please read on carefully.

We were sitting at the morning breakfast table. I was studying my laptop and mulling over the events of the day and the rigors of this overseas war. I was quickly reminded that it’s all prophecy. How true it was, according to the events of Scripture.

I then went down to my man cave office, grabbed my Bible and here’s what I found

“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. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” (Matthew 24:6-7)

This really got my attention, so I read on.

“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." (Matthew 24:10-12)

Continuing, as I must, the thought came to me; what about all the political leaders, both good and bad? What part do they play in today's mixed up world and in God’s prophetic timetable? So, I continued my Biblical research and found the answer.

“Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to Whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.” (Daniel 2:20-22)

What then happens to those appointed, if they turn against their Creator? Well, read on?

"Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against His anointed, saying, "Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles." The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the LORD scoffs at them. He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath, saying, "But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.”(Psakm 2:1-5)

Then I thought about all of today’s liberal culture attributes. What part do they play in prophecy? I continued reading.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people … always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. (II Timothy 3:1-5, 7, 9)

So, I ask you; where are we now? And where are we headed as a family, a community and a world? And who are we listening to?

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (II Timothy 4:3-4)

Oh, I know. There are those who do not believe the Scriptures in today’s modern-day world. Nor do they believe the Scripture prophecies. Nonetheless, I kept on reading.

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (II Peter 3:3-4)

And yes, there are those in today’s world who do not believe the accuracy of Scripture, so I kept on reading.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (II Timothy 3:16)

Now remember those introductory breakfast table thoughts. I was quickly reminded that it's all contained in prophecy. So, I now ask you. Was that simple breakfast thought right on? I surely think so.

"We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."(II PETER 1:19-21)

And if this breakfast table comment is right, how close are we to the end of time as we now know it to be? Well, you’re not alone in this respect. Even our Lord's own disciples had this same wonderment.

“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us, “They said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)

And our Lord’s answer was?

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. “ (Matthew 24:36)

CONCLUSION

We serve a great creator, an up-to-date living heavenly Father, who was, who is, and who will always be with us.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

So, what time is it on Scripture’s prophecy clock?

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.“ (Revelation 1:3)

No matter what may come about, we can have peace in our souls, because God is in control of it all. You see, I’ve read the back of the book (Bible) and we win in the end. Amen!

“He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen." (Revelation 22:20-21)

I must remind all, however, not to add or take away from the holy Scriptures.

"I am warning everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If you add anything to them, God will add to you the plagues told about in this book. 19 If you take any words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from you your share in the tree of life. (Revelation 22:78-19)

I conclude this blog with a closing comment, given by the cerebrated evangelists Billy Graham.

“God gave us the Bible, His Word, so that we may hear from Him. So that we can be challenged. So that we can be encouraged. So that we can be changed. Hebrews 4:12 is one of several passages in the Bible that explains the power of God’s Word: “

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of the soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”(Hebrews 4:12)”