NUMBER ELEVEN, 2019
In this issue 3 Persistence
charles r. swindoll
6
The Rapture: The Next Event on God's Calendar
8
john walvoord
All-Season Joy
steve johnson
11 Rightful Working and the Sluggard
annalisa patenaude
Q&A 13 Should Christians Go to War?
steve johnson
Beyond the Broadcast 15 Wars and Rumours of War
Insights is published by Insight for Living Canada, the Bibleteaching ministry of Charles (Chuck) R. Swindoll. Chuck is the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Texas. His international radio program Insight for Living has aired for more than 40 years. We hope this publication will instruct, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ. Copyright Š 2019 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NLT. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration by Tim Schellenberg. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Printed in Canada.
by charles r. swindoll
P
ersistence pays. It’s a costly investment, no question about it. But the dividends are so much greater than the original outlay that you’ll almost forget the price. And if the final benefits are really significant, you’ll wonder why you ever hesitated to begin with. A primary reason we are tempted to give up is other people...you know, the less than 20 per cent whose major role it is in life to encourage others to toss in the towel. For whatever reason. Those white-flag specialists never run out of excuses you and I ought to use for quitting. The world’s full of “whysweat-it” experts. I’m sure Anne Mansfield Sullivan had a host of folks telling her that the blind, seven-
year-old brat wasn’t worth it. But Anne persisted—in spite of temper tantrums, physical abuse, mealtime madness, and even thankless parents. In her heart she knew it was worth all the pain. Was it ever! Within two years her pupil, Helen Keller, was able to read and write in braille. She ultimately graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College (where Miss Sullivan had “spelled” each lecture into her hand), and Helen Keller devoted the rest of her life to aiding the deaf and the blind. Want another for instance? Well, this particular man was told that if he hadn’t written a book by age 35, chances were good he never would. He was almost 40, I should add. There were others who reminded him that for every book published, 95 became dust-collecting
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manuscripts. But he persisted. Even though desk full of other research works. The same he was warned that stories like he wanted to could be said of those who labour to find write weren’t popular. Nor were they consid- cures for diseases. And how about those who ered worthy of top prizes in the literary field experiment with inventions? (his work later won the Pulitzer). Hollywood I once heard about a couple of men who hotshots also told him such a book certainly were working alongside the inventor Thomas held no dramatic possibilities. But James Edison. Weary to the point of exasperation, Michener hung tough. He refused to wash one man sighed, “What a waste! We have the desire out of his hair as he persisted. And tried no less than seven hundred experihe presented to the public Tales of the South ments and nothing has worked. We are not a Pacific. Oh, by the way, the Broadway critics bit better off than when we started.” had warned, “It’ll never make a musical.” With an optimistic twinkle in his eye, EdiHow many military battles would never son quipped, “Oh, yes, we are! We now know have been won without seven hundred things The One who began persistence? How many that won’t work. We’re men and women would closer than we’ve ever will continue right never have graduated been before.” With that, up to the end. Being he rolled up his sleeves from school...or changed the original finisher, and plunged back in. careers in midstream... or stayed together in If necessity is the He will persist. I’m marriage...or reared a comforted to know He mother of invention, mentally disabled child? persistence is certainly won’t be talked out of the Think of the criminal father. a plan that has to do cases that would never God honours it. Maybe have been solved without with developing me. I because He models it so the relentless persistence well. His love for His need help! Don’t you? of detectives. How about people, the Jews, persists the great music that would never have been to this very day, even though they have disfinished, the grand pieces of art that would obeyed Him more often than they have loved never have graced museums, cathedrals, and Him in return. And just think of His patient monuments the world over? Back behind the persistence in continually reaching out to the impeccable beauty of each work is a dream lost, “...not wishing for any to perish but for that wouldn’t die mixed with the dogged all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NASB). determination of a genius of whom this indif- And how about His persistence with us? You ferent world is not worthy. and I can recall one time after another when Think also of the speeches, the sermons, He could have (and should have!) wiped us the books that have shaped thinking, infused out of the human race, but He didn’t. Why? new hope, prompted fresh faith, and aroused The answer is in Philippians 1:6: the will to win. For long and lonely hours And I am certain that God, who began away from the applause—even the awarethe good work within you, will continue ness—of the public, the one preparing that his work until it is finally finished on the verbal missile persisted all alone with such day when Christ Jesus returns. (NLT) mundane materials as dictionary, thesaurus, The One who began will continue right up historical volumes, biographical data, and a to the end. Being the original finisher, He will
persist. I’m comforted to know He won’t be being too thin, that I shouldn’t take such talked out of a plan that has to do with devel- “risks.” I was “looking ill.” A rumour spread that I had cancer. Some thought I’d died. oping me. I need help! Don’t you? OK, since we are to be “imitators of God” Would you believe that my wife got several (Ephesians 5:1 NASB), it seems to me we sympathy cards expressing sorrow over my oughta be about the business of persistence. death? But I stayed at it. By the grace and It sure is easy to bail out theologically. You power of Almighty God, I persisted. All because of a simple, personal deciknow, the age-old sovereignty cop-out. “If God wants such-and-such to happen, He’s sion. Simple, yes...but easy? You gotta be gonna have to do it all. I’m unable in myself.” kidding. Perhaps the single toughest deciNow there may be a few occasions where that sion of my adult life. Personal, yes...but is an appropriate game plan; but by and large, automatic? It’s still an everyday battle—no, His Spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak— three-times-a-day battle. And my relentdare I say lazy and indifferent? Unlike our less commitment to conditioning gets tougher every month, I openly confess. But Father, we tend to fade in the stretch. May I get painfully personal? A proper, every mile I pound out in my sneakers, I nutritional diet and a realistic program of cast another vote for persistence. Enough about me—you’ve got the next exercise. Most folks I know have lost hundreds of pounds in their lifetime, only to put season stretching out in front of you. Think ’em on again. They all started well...but just of these weeks as a time framework for your about the time persistence was paying off, own investment. Choose an objective carethey quit. Believe me, I understand. That fully, state it clearly in writing, then, with was the story of my life for about 20 years. the persistence of an athlete training for the But one day—one eventful, life-changing next Olympiad, go for the goal! Trust me; when this season gives way to day—I stopped all the excuses (glands, stress, travel, reward for hard work, expensive the next, you’ll be so glad you did. And by wardrobe, not as heavy as a rhino, my wife then, you’ll have a new two-word motto: Persistence pays. Cynthia’s good cooking, etc.) and began a sensible process of taking off and keeping off 55 unwanted and unhealthy pounds of fat. Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My People didn’t help much. Can’t remember Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, the number of times they warned me about Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.
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by john walvoord
W
hen we put our trust in Jesus Christ, we transfer from the road to Armageddon to the road to Glory. The wonderful fact is that Christ is going to come one of these days, perhaps very soon, and take His church out of the world and to heaven before the road to Armageddon comes to its finale and the world is judged for its sin and unbelief.
In John 14, Christ, for the first time in the Bible, introduced the subject of the rapture of the church. The word rapture means “to catch up or snatch up,” and it’s what the Apostle Paul describes in detail in 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4. Paul says in verse 13: “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be ignorant [uninformed] about those who sleep in
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death”—that is, those who die—“so that living an outwardly Christian life but not you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, recognizing their need to put their personal who have no hope” (NIV). The rapture is trust in Jesus Christ as their God and Savsomething God wants us to know about iour. Are you saved? Once you know you’re saved, here comes because He doesn’t want us to face life the second question: What are you doing without hope. When the rapture occurs, 1 Thessalo- about it? One of the facts of Scripture is, nians 4 tells us that Christ is to bring the if you’re going to face Jesus Christ at the souls of those who have died from heaven judgment seat after the rapture, your life to earth. He’s going to resurrect their is going to be evaluated as to what you’ve bodies, and their souls will re-enter their done that is worthwhile from God’s standpoint. You have to face bodies permanently When the rapture occurs, the fact that Jesus is in resurrection. Now Paul says, according 1 Thessalonians 4 tells us that going to be not only your Saviour but your to the Lord’s instrucChrist is to bring the souls of Judge. Are you leadtions to him, that we those who have died from ing a Christian life? (that is, Christians) heaven to earth. He’s going to These are practical, who are still alive will certainly not precede resurrect their bodies, and their important, pivotal those who have fallen souls will re-enter their bodies questions. It’s not enough to listen; you asleep, but the dead permanently in resurrection. have to respond. You in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are alive will be don’t have to believe if you don’t want “caught up.” That is where you get the word to, but if you’re guilty of unbelief, you’re rapture—caught up, or snatched up, or rap- going to pay the price that the Bible outtured together. And so we will be with the lines for those who will not believe and accept what God has revealed in His Word. Lord forever. So, may God speak to our hearts. May When will the rapture occur? It’s a natural question that is often asked. The Bible you be sure that if the Lord came, you’d doesn’t give us a direct answer to that. But be ready. what we’re seeing in our world today, in a very remarkable way, is the setting of the Adapted from John F. Walvoord, “The Rapture: The world stage for the events that will follow Next Event on God’s Calendar,” Insights (August the rapture. Now if that’s true, then it’s also 1999): 1. Copyright © 1999 by Insight for Living. All rights reserved worldwide. true that the rapture could be at any time. If the rapture occurred, would you be Dr. John F. Walvoord (1910–2002) served as the second president of Dallas Theological Seminary ready? Unless you’re born again, you’re not from 1953 to 1986, as chancellor from 1986 to 2001, and then as chancellor emeritus until he ready. I’m afraid there are thousands of entered the presence of the Lord in 2002. people who claim to be Christians, sometimes members of the church, who are
by steve johnson
Image: Alisa Anton on Unsplash
R
ecently, I checked the tread on my joy, joy, joy, down in my heart.” But if that is truck tires. They need replacing so true, our faces often don’t show it. What exactly do we mean when we talk I’ve been researching the different types of tires available. Unlike summer about joy? I know the Bible says that Christires with their best traction limited to the tian lives are to be characterized by joy but summer months, many brands now carry it never defines it anywhere. In grappling with this I recalled someall-weather tires, meaning they give the best traction year-round and in all seasons. thing C.S. Lewis wrote. He had struggled Speaking of seasons, we are into Christ- to understand and define joy and intenmastime, which is a season notable for its tionally looked for it. His search led him emphasis on joy. This is a time when joy will to discover that joy was not the same as be preached on, sung about, and otherwise happiness or pleasure. And in the end he proclaimed more than at any other time. found it in the most unexpected place. In And I suppose with good reason. The angel his autobiography, Surprised by Joy, Lewis did declare to the shepherds, “’Don’t be writes, “No slightest hint was vouchsafed afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that me that there ever had been or ever would will bring great joy to all people’” (Luke 2:10). be any connection between God and Joy. If I can’t help but compare tires to joy. anything, it was the reverse. I had hoped Some joy experienced at Christmas is that the heart of reality might be of such seasonal—the kind that comes out with a kind that we can best symbolize it as a the ornaments and is put away with them place; instead I found it to be a Person.”1 The Apostle Paul experienced what when Christmas is over. Is our joy only related to Christmas because of all the Lewis found. He penned his letter of joy, pleasant things associated with it? Or is it Philippians, while chained to a Roman “all-weather” joy like the tires, good to run guard in prison. He used the words “joy” and “rejoice” 14 times and wrote, “But I will on all year through all seasons? As I consider my life and observe the lives rejoice even if I lose my life…” (Philippians of other believers, it seems that joy is not 2:17). He could say that because his life was as prevalent as it should be. As I’ve heard it wrapped up in Christ. The Apostle Peter also understood this. quipped, “Some of us look like we’ve been baptized in lemon juice.” There is a chorus Writing to persecuted Christians he said, we used to sing that goes, “I’ve got the joy, “You love him even though you have never
seen him. Though you do not see him now, life with our God. True joy is a sign of God’s you trust him; and you rejoice with a glori- presence (Galatians 5:22). The Holy Spirit ous, inexpressible joy” (1 Peter 1:8). Those who is given to us at salvation is the source believers were not in happy or pleasant of all joy. The secret to having all-weather circumstances yet they were filled with an joy is this: seeking Him and experiencing His presence in whatever circumstances we inexpressible and glorious joy. face—even suffering. The experience of What exactly do we As we move into this C.S. Lewis, the Apostle mean when we talk wintery season, may I Paul, and the persecuted suggest you check the Christians to whom Peter about joy? I know tread on your joy? If was writing suggest that the Bible says that it comes out with the happiness is from outside Christian lives are to Christmas decorations of us, caused by pleasant be characterized by joy and gets packed away circumstances such as we at New Year’s it is only may find at Christmas. but it never defines it seasonal joy. Seasonal Joy, however, is difanywhere. joy is tied to Christmas ferent. It is not seasonal or circumstantial. It is internal and not presents. All-season joy is tied to God’s dependent on externals. When I think of presence. It alone will give you the traction Christ who humbly came to this earth to be you need to get through all the weather you crucified that is not a happy thought. But experience in life. I am filled with inexpressible and glorious joy knowing that Jesus Christ is my Saviour Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for who died to pay the penalty for my sin and Living Canada. bring me into a relationship with God. 1 C. S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy, New York: HarAs Lewis also discovered joy is not an court, Brace and World, 230–231. end in itself to seek after but a byproduct of
Learn more about our pastor at insightforliving.ca/chuck-swindoll
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Insight for Living’s Bible-teacher Chuck Swindoll has spent more than 50 years emphasizing God’s grace alongside a commitment to practical application.
by annalisa patenaude
O
ne of my first jobs was working in the craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the kitchen at a Christian summer camp. diligent is made fat” (NASB). On my first day I was exemplary in Sluggard. This harsh word described my energy and enthusiasm, motivated to my work ethic for years: lazy, disinterested, work hard for my employer. But I was not and unmotivated. And I’m not alone. In expecting the number of challenges I would Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, Chuck face: Early mornings, heavy lifting, and a list Swindoll writes, of seemingly insurmountable tasks. Few indeed are the people who finish With each day, I found my motivation what they start—and do a complete job of waning. The job demanded physical stamina it…I’m talking about the rare but beautiful and long days. And although I knew better, experience of carrying out a responsibility I secretly compared my job to slavery. My to its completion.1 poor attitude was poisonous, seeping into God extraordinarily blesses us with the each task. And the worst part? I harboured opportunity to earn money, provide for ourguilt for my lack of ambition. I kept thinking, selves, and honour Him by working hard. “What’s my problem? I should be grateful for We are called to work thoroughly and carethis opportunity!” fully with the attitude My internal discord Jesus displayed so we Sluggard. This harsh became a pattern in might glorify God in all word described my subsequent jobs. A few we do. Acts 20:35 reads, work ethic for years: “In everything I showed years later I had a conlazy, disinterested, and you that by working versation with my uncle about my then-current unmotivated. And I’m hard in this manner you job. I described my lack must help the weak and not alone. of motivation and disremember the words satisfaction with the work. His answer was of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is my turning point. He said firmly, “But you do more blessed to give than to receive.’” know, when you work, you’re really working You may be struggling to see the bigger for the Lord?” picture of God’s plan from where you are. He prompted me to consider what Scrip- But through this experience, I’m convinced ture says about work and our attitudes. Sens- if we settle for the sluggard’s life, we will ing a lesson, I scoured the Bible for answers. miss endless opportunities to be used for It was the first time I had considered the God’s richest purposes. importance as a Christian of having a mindset worthy of my calling. I was shocked at how Annalisa Patenaude is the Living Bridge Media many passages discuss work ethic and God’s assistant at Insight for Living Canada. view of our conduct. Then I thought about the Cross and what had been done for me. My 1 Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll, Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007, 59. actions needed to reflect my grateful heart. One of the verses I’ve held onto since then is Proverbs 13:4, “The soul of the sluggard
LASZOK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FRAGEN UND ANTWORTEN QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES VRAGEN EN ANTWOO EGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS CEISTEANNA AGUS FREAGRAÍ 问题和解答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਜਵਾਬ пита повіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZI MGA TANONG AT MGA SAGOT вопросы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS CWESTIY ATEBION SPØRSMÅL OG SVAR FRÅGOR OCH SVAR KÉRDÉSEK ÉS VÁLASZOK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FRAGEN TWORTEN QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES VRAGEN EN ANTWOORDEN PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS CEISTEANNA AGUS AÍ 问题和解答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਜਵਾਬ питання та відповіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZI MGA TANONG AT GOT вопросы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS CWESTIYNAU AC ATEBION SPØRSMÅL OG SVAR FRÅGOR OCH RDÉSEK ÉS VÁLASZOK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FRAGEN UND ANTWORTEN QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES VRAG TWOORDEN PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS CEISTEANNA AGUS FREAGRAÍ 问题和解答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ тання та відповіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZI MGA TANONG AT MGA SAGOT вопросы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPO ESTIYNAU AC ATEBION SPØRSMÅL OG SVAR FRÅGOR OCH SVAR KÉRDÉSEK ÉS VÁLASZOK QUESTIONS AND ANS AGEN UND ANTWORTEN QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES VRAGEN EN ANTWOORDEN PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS CEISTEA US FREAGRAÍ 问题和解答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਜਵਾਬ питання та відповіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZ NONG AT MGA SAGOT вопросы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS CWESTIYNAU AC ATEBION SPØRSMÅL O QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FRAGEN UND ANTWORTEN QUEST ÅGOR OCH SVAR KÉRDÉSEK ÉS VÁLASZOK PONSES VRAGEN EN ANTWOORDEN PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS by steve johnson CEISTEANNA AGUS FREAGRAÍ 问 答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਜਵਾਬ питання та відповіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZI MGA TANONG AT MGA просы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS CWESTIYNAU AC ATEBION SPØRSMÅL OG SVAR FRÅGOR OCH SVAR KÉRD VÁLASZOK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FRAGEN UND ANTWORTEN QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES VRAGEN EN ANTWOOR EGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS CEISTEANNA AGUS FREAGRAÍ 问题和解答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਜਵਾਬ пита повіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZI MGA TANONG AT MGA SAGOT вопросы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS CWESTIY ATEBION SPØRSMÅL OG SVAR FRÅGOR OCH SVAR KÉRDÉSEK ÉS VÁLASZOK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FRAGEN TWORTEN QUESTIONS ET RÉPONSES VRAGEN EN ANTWOORDEN PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS CEISTEANNA AGUS AÍ 问题和解答 DOMANDE E RISPOSTE ਸਵਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਜਵਾਬ питання та відповіді PYTANIA I ODPOWIEDZI MGA TANONG AT GOT вопросы и ответы PERGUNTAS E RESPOSTAS CWESTIYNAU AC ATEBION SPØRSMÅL OG SVAR FRÅGOR OCH RDÉSEK ÉS VÁLASZOK
SHOULD CHRISTIANS GO TO WAR?
T
here are a lot of things God hates and it stands to reason that war is one of them. War inflicts tremendous losses on those who engage in it and those who are damaged collaterally. It takes a terrible toll on human life, property, and finances with horrible consequences that last for ages. We need to see it for what it is—an atrocious aspect of life in a fallen world and something not to be glorified but rather avoided as much as possible. In the Old Testament we see that war is a tool. And like all tools it can be used for good or evil depending on who is wielding it and their motives. God used Israel as an instrument of war to bring judgment against the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, and to leave no survivors (Deuteronomy 20:16–18). When we consult the Scriptures further we see that God does not explicitly command against war or against the taking of another’s life. Murder, which is different than killing, is explicitly condemned. Most modern Bible translations translate
Exodus 20:13 as “You must not murder.” Murder is the intentional, premeditated killing of another person and the context indicates that is the best rendering of the Hebrew word. Elsewhere in Scripture an accidental killing is not murder (Exodus 21:12–13), killing in self-defence is not murder (Exodus 22:2), and killing in an attempt to save the life of an innocent person is not murder (Genesis 14:14–16). Conversely, the Bible teaches that we have the right to self-defence, (Exodus 22:2) and tells us to protect the innocent (Deuteronomy 19:813). This is one reason why we have police officers. Their job is not to seek conflict but to bring it to a quick conclusion, doing their best to protect and preserve life. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul declares that God empowers governments to punish those who do evil. Civil officials are told to bear the sword as avengers and execute wrath on those who practice wickedness: “Everyone must submit to governing authorities…. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if
you are doing wrong, of course you should with and required to bear the sword and be afraid, for they have the power to pun- punish evildoers. And that is distinct from ish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the responsibility of individual believthe very purpose of punishing those who ers to turn the other cheek and love their enemies (Matthew 5:39–44). If a Christian do what is wrong” (Romans 13:1, 4). First Peter 2:13–14 is in harmony, teach- fights in a war he does so as an agent of his ing that God ordained government to country, not as an individual or on behalf ensure order in society by punishing of the church. I mentioned the Amalekites, the evildoers: “For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king Canaanites, and others. Many of these as head of state, or the officials he has cultures were entirely evil and, like Sodom appointed. For the king has sent them to and Gomorrah, they had gone beyond the punish those who do wrong and to honor point of repentance in their wickedness. God chose to remove those who do right.” It is important to them from the earth Those verses indiunderstand the distinction like a surgeon removcate that God gives ing cancer and He used governments the between the roles and responsibility of carry- responsibilities of the state Israel to do it. Sometimes, on the world’s ing out punishment on in a fallen world, and those stage, there are leadthose who commit violence and deadly atroc- of individual believers in the ers and nations that “go rogue” and the only ities. By extending kingdom of God. way to deal with wickthat principle I believe there are times when it is necessary to edness is to stand up to it. If I apply these principles to war, I constep in and act against nations and their leaders to protect others from unsolicited clude that war is justifiable when it is motiaggression. What would have happened if vated by a desire for peace, or done in selfnations would have stood by and watched defence, or to protect the innocent, and while Nazi Germany and Hitler continued when it is done in a just way. Under these to overrun surrounding territories and conditions a Christian could go to war as exterminate the Jewish people? How many an agent of his country. But each person more lives would have been lost because must be fully convinced in their own mind and act according to the dictates of their of this evil? It is important to understand the dis- conscience and convictions. tinction between the roles and responsibilities of the state in a fallen world, and Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for those of individual believers in the king- Living Canada. dom of God. Governments are entrusted
Wars and Rumours of War The Heart of the Matter Standing on the dividing line between history and prophecy, one truth is constant—humanity relishes war. In the long, sad history of humanity, we have failed to learn the truth that war is a long-term, cruel business. The reality of this will come to complete fruition when the rotten fruit of total war becomes ripe and is picked by the Antichrist in the last days. Brought to the very edge of prophecy, the angel showed Daniel the cruelty of war between the successors of Alexander the Great on into the demonic warfare of the Antichrist. For us, what we see in history shows us the grim picture of what is to come for those who will enter the tribulation—inescapable worldwide war—without Christ. Discovering the Way 1. Wars: The Ugly Facts of the Past Scriptural and human observations agree that war is an ugly scourge on human history. 2. Wars: The Ultimate Campaign of the Future (Daniel 11:1–12:1) Daniel’s vision of future warfare included the setup of two kingdoms,
empires, and dictators (11:1–36); the wrap-up of the Antichrist’s style and strategy (11:37–45); and the mop-up (11:45–12:1). Starting Your Journey All our best efforts to end wars have been in vain. This was true of the past and is true of the future. So what can we do? We can share the peace that comes from knowing Christ and give those who might have to endure the real war to end all wars their only escape—a relationship with the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.
“Wars and Rumours of War” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Daniel, Volume 2: God’s Plan for the Future. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.
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