There is little peace in the world today and mostly continuous wars, so why can Christians have peace about all this?
Why Wars?
[1]IS NUCLEAR WAR COMING?
There is little peace in the world today and mostly continuous wars, so why can Christians have peace about all this, especially with all the destruction and chaos going on? If you look at the news, you already know that war seems to be mankind’s favorite pastime. James nails the reason for wars, between people and between nations, by asking, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you” (James 4:1)? James says this is because, like most of humanity, “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask” (James 4:2). Nations covet other nations land for their mineral rights, timber, oil reserves, water reservoirs, or just about anything you can imagine. The world will never know peace until the King of Peace comes to reign. Mankind has shown that, just as in Noah’s day, every imagination was to do evil and was continually practiced (Gen 6:5, 11-12; Matt 27:38-39). How then can believers have peace in a world that knows no peace (Isaiah 48:22)?
God’s Sovereignty
Clearly, “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22), however Jesus promises every believer that “you will find rest for your souls” by coming to Him (Matt 11:29c), no matter what the burden is (Matt 11:28-30). Whether there’s anxiety on the inside or worry about the world, Jesus desires that we take His yoke, and when we do, we find it easier to carry on. Trusting in Christ means we trust in God’s sovereignty and that means no matter what happens, God is still in charge and is never caught by surprise. We should understand that everything in the world and in our lives is allowed for our best (Rom 8:28). God has a history of using the evil of men for good (Gen 50:20; John 3:16), so even though it looks like total chaos out there, God is in complete control and not a fly moves unless God approves. Everything that comes to pass, passes through the nail-pierced hands of Jesus Christ, stamped with His approval. Otherwise, it would not happen. We must believe that or we’ll never have peace in a world chocked full of wars.
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World Wars Foretold
The fact that there are world wars and regional conflicts (wars!) should not surprise us as our Lord said that the time of His coming would be preceded by worldwide tribulations. Our Lord said, “you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet” (Matt 24:6), so it’s a sign of Jesus’ return, but not the sign of it. Of course, there have been wars all through these two thousand years since Christ’s warning of the end times. And Jesus warned that “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Luke 21:10). Even though these predictions, being part of the Olivet Discourse, referred to the coming judgment and fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, there seems to be a duality to this because similar things are happening today, just as they were before Jerusalem’s destruction. The Jews had totally rejected Jesus Christ, murdered Christians, been rebelling against the Roman authorities, and even had assassinations of certain Roman authorities. Finally, in 68 AD, the Emperor had seen enough and ordered Jerusalem’s surrender (nearly 2 year siege). The fall of the city (70 AD) marked the effective conclusion of a four-year campaign against the Jewish insurgency in Judaea. The Jews rejected Christ and they were judged for it with the final fall and utter destruction of Jerusalem. God will judge all nations who reject Him, but He often uses other nations to wield the sword to carry out His fierce anger against other evil nations (Rom 13:1-5).
The Peace of God
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The world knows no peace (Isaiah 48:22), but we who have trusted in Christ know that “since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1). If we have peace with God, we don’t have to worry about the world. What is over our head is under His feet on His throne. Only those who have made peace with God can be at peace with God and only those who are at peace with God can know the peace of God. That peace is beyond human comprehension. In fact, the Apostle Paul said, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). To guard means to protect and to preserve, so that’s what the peace of God does. Jesus promises all who believe that, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Just as Jesus was with the disciples in the storm on the sea, He is with all who believe, now and forever…until the end of time (which, by the way, has no end!).
Conclusion
God is not up in heaven thinking, “What am I going to do now?” like humans do because He already knows the future. There is simply no need to waste time and energy worrying about the state of the world and all the wars going on….you do need to be concerned about, not the world, but God’s judgment if you have not yet trusted in Jesus Christ (Dan 12:1-3; Heb 9:27; Rev 20:12-15). If not, be very afraid because He can destroy both body and soul for eternity (Matt 10:27-28). That’s why I always pray for those that read these articles, that they have put their trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.
Here is some related reading for you: Why World War Three and the Threat of Wars Should Not Worry Christians [4]
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.