Pay Attention, but Don’t Live in Fear

The world is entering a dangerous time, with slippery slopes all around us. I’m not one to fear monger, though I see the current crisis as the beginning throes of World War 3.

As I’ve stated before, the great wars weren’t called that until after the fact. There were smaller issues and skirmishes that eventually hit a breaking point, not unlike what we are seeing in our world today.

I understand the threats of Russia with Ukraine, and the powder keg that is the Middle East. I’m certainly no expert on foreign policy and political issues, but these events can’t be ignored.

I feel strongly that the crisis in the Middle East will erupt into something far grander in scope than trading missile salvos tit for tat.

How I hope I’m mistaken about all this. I dislike war so much, but as today being Juneteenth shows us, war is necessary to protect freedom and save the oppressed.

There is something to be said about Christian kindness and the love of Christ, being His arms and His legs in this world until His kingdom comes to Earth.

But we must also be bold for the gospel’s sake, and that might include going to war with a wicked nation.

The Bible is full of war stories, and some of the most famous individuals in Scripture that God used mightily were warriors.

“The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name” (Exodus 15:3 [ESV]).

Even God Himself is a warrior and has angelic armies.

Angels are not cute and cuddly beings, but powerful allies to Yahweh in cosmic wars with demonic forces.

I’m not saying angels can’t be comforting or can’t guide us into our highest purpose, our highest light, but most angels in the Bible are the type that kill 185,000 Assyrians in a single night (see 2 Kings 19).

Christians are often so focused on Jesus’s love and mercy that they forget He is a warrior-king who will crush His enemies like grapes in the End Times. Isaiah 63 shows Him splattering His garments with the blood of His enemies. Not a pretty sight, but awesome to behold simultaneously.

The Book of Revelation shows Jesus as a conquering victor who slays His enemies with the words of His mouth (which literally spills so much blood, so it’s not a metaphor).

Once Jesus destroys the enemies of Israel, the world will have pure peace for 1,000 years straight. The saints will be in resurrected bodies, ruling over the rest of humanity who survived the Great Tribulation and their descendants.

Until then, the world will have wars and fighting among the political entities that exist.

Right now, I’m writing a war story that will span twenty books. I have much to say on the subject.

But I understand the necessity of such things when greater evil exists.

I will sugarcoat nothing when I say Israel is a dividing line with God Almighty. Yes, He will judge all of humanity (including them) but our response to their struggle will determine eternal rewards.

So many keyboard warriors and Christians-in-name-only are against the Jewish state today because of some ridiculous reasons.

You’ve got your Hasan Pikers (who is quite cooked lately) and your Candace Owens types, and then you’ve got legitimate terrorists that want to wipe Israel off the map.

You’ve got people who suddenly think Trump is their enemy because he supports Israel that had voted for him. I don’t care how you view him, but supporting one of our few allies in the Middle East is not a sin. The guy is pompous and proud, but at least he’s a man about things.

My point in this post is not to panic at all, because believers in Christ should have a sound mind and not fear when things go awry in this world.

But as a watchman, I believe in paying attention when things aren’t business-as-usual occurrences.

This war will hopefully not become global on a scale of WW1 or WW2. I pray it does not.

But even if it does, we should not live in fear.

Keep working. Keep living. Keep your friends close and your family closer.

But know we may not be living in the normality we are used to in the coming months to years.

May the LORD bless you, protect you, and fill your days with joy, which is our portion as believers as much as we have trouble.