Wars And Rumors Of Wars

Wars and Rumors of Wars

One question I have been continuously asked since the bombing of the World Trade Center is, ‘Do you think this is the beginning of the end?’ As we watch in shock the terrible events unfold before our eyes, who can help but wonder if this could be a sign of the times? We have all heard our leaders calling this an act of war and calling for a warring response. Who can tell if this will be a quick retaliation or the spark that could ignite a major war? Some warn that we should not attack because it will cause World War 3, others say we must react or we are opening the door to lawlessness. As we saw the fearful pictures of the two greatest icons of American achievement burning and then collapsing, we also saw comfort and security collapse with it. When America’s false sense of security was shattered, people once content and secure now feel the cracks in the foundation. I see anger and outrage, but also fear and insecurity. How does this affect the Christian? Are we at the end? Is the prophecy in fulfillment, a sign of the times, or just a tragic event?

Let me say first to be very wary of anyone who predicts God’s next move or claims to have a model of the end times. The Bible does tell us what to expect, but we are given signs, not predictions – at least not prediction that we can guess ahead of God. The purpose of prophecy is to show us that God is in control so that we are not afraid. We can see and have confidence in God. His plan does not center around our comfort, but our hope in our eternal reward. In wake of this tragedy, I feel the need to look at how the Bible tells us to view end time events and tragedies. I was in the Army during the Gulf War and I listened to all the false predictions and all the Bible experts mapping out the events to come next. We all know how it ended. All the predictions failed and those who believed the ‘prophets’ were left wondering if the Bible is true. It wasn’t the Bible that failed; it was the misrepresentation of the Bible that failed.

What should have been an opportunity for Christians ended in embarrassment for many Christians. Does the Bible tell us to predict end time events? Does the Bible tell us when these catastrophic events will occur? No. We are given just enough of a glimpse so that we understand what God is doing. Prophesy has a three fold purpose. We will examine these and hopefully gain confidence in the midst of tragedy.

Do Not Fear

Begin by looking at Luke 21:

9 "But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."

10 Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

11 "And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

12 "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.

13 "But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.

Jesus preludes His revelation by saying, ‘do not be terrified’. If our hope is in God and if we believe that He is in control, we can be confident – even in a world gone mad. When trouble strikes, our foundation is revealed. Those who build their house on sand never have peace in the storm. In our modern culture, even Christians have been persuaded to place their hope in things and circumstances instead of in God. When people lose their sense of false security, they begin to search for something stable. That is our opportunity to point to the hope we have in Jesus Christ. How proudly the enemies of the Cross have challenged Christian values. However, atheism only prevails when the sailing is smooth. You notice that in tragedy, you never see people proclaiming atheism. Instead we hear a plea for prayer and a search for spiritual help. They always search for peace and look to God or someone who knows God. Our job is to point them to the hope found in Jesus Christ. He is the only lasting peace anyone can have. Even in trouble, we have hope, security and peace. That is a powerful testimony in a world whose sense of security has been shattered.

If the Christian is in fear, where can the world turn to find hope? This does not mean that we are indifferent to world events. We feel the pain of the loss; the anger against the attackers; the fear of the tragedy. Fear is an emotion and is normal. However, when the Christian sees fear, we rest our hope in Jesus Christ. We take refuge in knowing that God is in control. Jesus told us beforehand so that when we see these things, we are not swept up in the fear of the world, but we build our lives on the solid foundation. Our rock is Jesus Christ. He said that these things must come to pass but our hope is in Him and our eternal inheritance.