In his science fiction novel entitled: “The War of the Worlds” published in 1898, the renowned English author Herbert George Wells (H. G. Wells) remarked: “No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man’s and yet as mortal as his own; that as men busied themselves about their various concerns they were scrutinized and studied, perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope might scrutinize the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water. With infinite complacency men went to and fro over this globe about their little affairs, serene in their assurance of their empire over matter. It is possible that the infusoria under the microscope do the same.
No one gave a thought to the older worlds of space as sources of human danger, or thought of them only to dismiss the idea of life upon them as impossible or improbable. It is curious to recall some of the mental habits of those departed days. At most, terrestrial men fancied there might be other men upon Mars, perhaps inferior to themselves and ready to welcome a missionary enterprise. Yet across the gulf of space, minds that are to our minds as ours are to those of the beasts that perish, intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic, regarded this earth with envious eyes, and slowly and surely drew their plans against us. And early in the twentieth century came the great disillusionment.” Titus 2:11-14 reminds us: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”
War is primarily defined as a state of armed conflict between separate countries or secular groups within a particular country. In its extremity, a particular battle or wrongful action could be insighted through a delusional state of mind which results in illusional fantasy. This sadly results in fantasy ruling over reality. War has also been viewed in many other forms of life as a general fight against evil for the victory of goodness. King Hezekiah was considered a good person who performed remarkable acts of service for the Lord in many ways, who valued prayer as a beneficial part of life, both on a personal level, and in times of conflict. 2 Kings 20:1-10 reminds us: In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’” Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.”
And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.” And Isaiah said, “Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover.” And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the Lord on the third day?” And Isaiah said, “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he has promised: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?” And Hezekiah answered, “It is an easy thing for the shadow to lengthen ten steps. Rather let the shadow go back ten steps.”
God’s world includes the vastness of the kingdom of heaven, it also encompasses everything within the universe as we know it. Heaven symbolizes an entity, truth, peace and tranquility in wholeness, never war, or lies. War can lead to death. There may be additional hidden or undiscovered elements yet to be revealed or found, but each will often hold a particular defined purpose or probable form for the general benefit of its inhabitants. In the film adaptation of H. G. Wells’ work, a strong hope and reassurance is conveyed that God retains the grace and power to save mankind. This is emphasized in the end narration which includes the wording: "After all that men could do had failed, the Martians were destroyed and humanity was saved by the littlest things, which God, in his wisdom, had put upon this earth."
It has been said that there are three distinctive aspects to every war, that which is commonly revealed, a deeper hidden side, and its possible shadows. In this latter sphere, the truth may actually be spurned by a guardian of lies. Shadows can never be considered entirely truthful as they may be deceptive in substance. They are objects or facts that portray a defined image or purpose that is seldom reflective, as they can contain strong elements of distortion. They might even be considered to be a possible false light of the world.
In a metaphorical context, it is believed by many that there are at least two definitive and separate worlds. There could be many more yet to be discovered. God’s world which encompasses purity, peace and love, and the physical materialistic world of mankind which often envelops hardship and evil. If these two opposing worlds clash, then in effect, a mythical declaration of war could be considered to have evolved between God and mankind. This war may essentially encapsulate the permanent struggles of mankind against sin, and God’s desire for purity, righteousness and truth. Active deception may form an operational strategy in the scope of this war. Its tactics and techniques are a fundamental prodigy of conception. However, conception if applied correctly, can lead to worldly change.
The recorded celluloid fortunes of any war can seldom be falsified. Film is considered an accurate rendition of fact. It rarely includes prevarication. What is seen is what is taking place, it is said that the camera never lies. There can be little doubt as to its intentions, and it is usually regarded as indubitable truth. Wim Wenders, a German filmmaker and author once remarked: “Film is a very, very powerful medium. It can either confirm the idea that things are wonderful the way they are, or it can reinforce the conception that things can be changed.”
Changes are a necessary factor, not only in fictional war, but in worldly true life. Life is said to consist of truth and errors, but the errors need to be addressed. Deliberations need to be assessed, and acted upon sensibly, as a better perspective or solution often emerges. Peace can emerge from the conflict of war, but is there necessity for its instigation? Without change, there is little hope of any reconciliation. Thought processes as to what is best need to be considered and applied in depth. Trojan horses are one of the known key elements in deception or trickery which can mislead greatly. These are not only encountered in times of war, but also in peace. 1 John 4:1-12 reminds us: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.
This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”
In any war, there are always constant reminders of unnecessary harm, pain and suffering that are endured by all. For many, wars are considered futile and supernumerary. They achieve little except grief, destruction and lack any positive qualities of self-effacement. They do not possess the love of God that should always prevail but, instead, greet the unwelcome evil atrocities of life with open arms. Psalm 101:3-4 reminds us: “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.”
Amen.
