Looking for Shalom in a World of War

The word shalom is often attributed to the typical understanding of peace in English.

However, Hebrew as a language is just as much about literal definitions as it is about concepts.

The biblical usage, as well as usage in Hebrew culture, means far more than simple peace.

It means to be whole in peace and tranquility, and materially and spiritually fulfilled.

Shalom is far more than the English word peace and the idea of lacking conflict only (1). For example, recent events in Iran, if the result works the way it is intended, will lead to a Middle East of shalom. Not that there is a lack of conflict per se, but that the well-being of the people in all aspects of life will return to them.

Whether that is through the rightful Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, or another leader, remains to be seen.

We need to remember that governments have intelligence that we common people do not have. If there is evidence a nation has nuclear capability or is a few steps from it, it needs to be knocked down a peg to ensure the safety of the world.

There is nothing evil about toppling evil regimes, and it would actually be a righteous action by both Israel and the United States, as they seek true shalom. A reality where the Iranian people are free to express their way of life as it was before terrorists took over Iran in 1979.

Iranian mullahs and the Islamic terrorists that rule that nation are Twelver Shia Muslims. This means they are an apocalyptic death cult that believes to bring their false messiah, the Hidden Twelfth Imam, the world must descend into chaos and disrepair. Only then can Shia Islam reach its full capacity and take over the world.

They can never have a nuclear weapon, or we will never have shalom.

And I’m not naïve. I know that war will never end until Jesus returns.

But we can try to build a better future for ourselves in the meantime.

Shalom is for the prosperity of all nations, not just Israel or “the Jews” alone.

“He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4 [ESV]).

I love this verse, which is even plastered on the United Nations in New York (not that I think they’ve been too effective at their stated goals, but alas, humans).

Christians are not supposed to be pacifists, otherwise there will be no shalom.

War is necessary to prevent greater crises from expanding into the world.

I support Operation Epic Fury and Roaring Lion because if it unfolds well, the true monarch of Iran can rule in peace and bring shalom to the people of Iran.

I’m tired of terrorist propaganda and people falling for their lies.

If people didn’t stand up to evil, all the women in the world would wear hijabs and worship a God that is not Yahweh Elohim.

To have true shalom is to have wholeness and prosperity for all nations.

May the LORD return speedily to end all wars forever.

Let’s pray for the people of Iran, for the American military, and for the Israeli military. Let us pray the IRGC finds the light of Christ and takes the offer to surrender and start a new life.

Most of all, let us pray for shalom, the wholly complete picture of peace that one day will shine from river to river, and from nation to nation.

May the LORD bless you and keep you and give you shalom.