The Real Battle

The Real Battle
 
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24.6
 

Just prior to the Crucifixion of Jesus, as He was walking through the streets of Jerusalem, Jesus was giving instructions to His disciples regarding coming events – preparing them for His departure – He offered prophecies of the End Times. One of the prophecies our Savior made was that there would be wars and rumors of wars throughout human history. While we tend to think of our nation as a generally peaceful place, history would support our Lord’s prediction.
 
The United States has engaged in over 200 military conflicts throughout its history, with only five formally declared wars (War of 1812, Mexican-American, Spanish-American, WWI, WWII). Major engagements span from the Revolutionary War to the 21st-century War on Terror, including the Civil War, Cold War-era actions in Korea and Vietnam, and recent operations in Iraq and Syria.
 
Since the beginning of time, wars have been fought at some place on our planet continuously since the original, one-sided battle between Cain and Abel. Though the size and scope of the wars have varied, they each result in the loss of life, the loss of productivity, the enslavement of the vanquished, broken relationships and destruction of treasure.  (Building of ordnance, expending it, and it’s gone.)  Lots of money to wage a fight.  And then there are the maimed, broken survivors as well.
 
Along with His prophecy, our Lord gave a glimmer of hope. “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24.6) Jesus offers three encouragements to the confused disciples.
 
“… see that ye be not troubled…” Look out for the wars and rumours of wars, but do not be scared out of your wits by them. Throeō, which translates “troubled,” means to cry aloud, to scream, and in the passive to be terrified by an outcry. (Robertson) Don’t lose hope. The verbs in this phrase are imperatives – we are commanded not to be alarmed or disquieted. Through all of the conflicts God was neither surprised nor oblivious. He is still Sovereign.
 
“…for all these things must come to pass… “Two key words in this phrase: “for” and “must.” “For” is a causative particle showing the reason for what has been stated. Here, it points to the “wars and rumours of wars.” These wars and rumours of wars “must” (dei – “of a necessity”) come to pass. While the necessity of war (other than the result of a fallen human race) escapes me, I will accept, by faith, that Jesus was telling us not to become alarmed because the world is at odds with itself. (See James 1.8)
 
“… the end is not yet…” As disastrous as wars are, none will bring about the “end.” (télos – “an end or point of termination – particularly only in respect to time.)
 
No one has the ability to predict the date of the world’s end. Neither can anyone force the hand of God to speed up or slow down our race toward the end. God is still on the throne and He is still in control.
 
The real battle in which the follower of Christ is engaged, is not of this world, but is spiritual. It is personally other-worldly as we try to maneuver our way through a sin-cursed, fallen world. As time moves forward, we must concentrate our efforts on following Christ and denying the world – allowing God to be God while we are seeking first His kingdom and glory. (Matthew 6.10, 33)
 
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21.28