Warfare…

Overt or covert, human history is riddled with conflict from the days of Cain’s fratricide of Abel to current wars. Conflict finds fertile ground among nations, families, ideologies, religions, and cultures. What is so tragic about much of this historical dissension, is that much of it is fomented by those seeking personal gain. 

ThomአHalík, a Czech priest, philosopher, theologian, and scholar, was a young man during many of the years in which Communism held his native land (Czechoslovakia) in its grip.  Youthful idealism saw a young friend, Jan Palach, immolate himself as a martyr to encourage others in their resistance.  Was Thomአto follow in those footsteps?

Take one example of a more recent conflict, one based on a hypothetical “humanitarian crisis”. This ruse, we find out, was purported to be, because the people of Libya were being maltreated by their leadership and needed to be “rescued” from this evil - Libya, under the leadership of Moammar Gaddafi. 

Let’s see what life was like prior to the west’s fabricated rationale and destruction of this peaceful nation.

• Free education for all, and if not available in country, you would be provided a stipend to pursue it where it was available, even to the PhD level.

• Free health care, and if not available in country, you and a caregiver could go to where it was available, paid by the government.

• Warehouses filled with the necessities of life to which you could go if circumstances made it necessary - no poverty.

• When a couple set up a home, you were provided with a state erected flat or home for which you paid 10% of your income for 10 years (in total, one year’s income to own your house) and then it was yours.

• When national feast days were coming, you were given additional funds to help in your celebration.

Somehow that does not resonate with me as being a humanitarian crisis in need of international intervention.

So, can we ask what was the real reason behind the hyped propaganda?

Gaddafi was on the verge of helping Africa institute a pan-African gold-backed currency - aka.real versus fiat money. Exactly the same thing that Russia has done in the last few months and most nations are in the process of adopting due to their signing of the 2015 Paris Peace Accord. In other words he was ahead of his time and helping the nations of Africa extricate themselves from the Rothchild’s banking stranglehold which it held over most nations of the world through the Central Banking system headquartered in the City of London.

Needless war! Perpetrated by those we cannot see or hold accountable. Yes, bankers have funded both sides of every major armed conflict since the Napoleonic era!

Lives sacrificed! Society trashed! Futures destroyed!

If Libya was the only example of such exploitation we should be ashamed of our record, but it is merely one of countless instances of incited conflict for nefarious gain - think WW1, WW2, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan …

Think of all the “foreign aid” which has been funnelled into African nations over the decades. Did it reach those in need or was it sequestered in bloated Swiss bank accounts of the leaders of these nations exploiting their own people and perpetuating the “divine right of kings”?

Or, the undeclared war of international corporations abusing the most vulnerable members of African nations which are rich beyond comprehension in valuable resources, while paying pennies in wages and garnering the most coveted minerals and gems for their countries. Could we be justified in stating this is Colonialism 2.0?

Our global history is sullied with the acceptance of slavery in so many forms - slaves for labour; slaves to drugs; slaves for sexual gratification, slaves to debt; slaves to ideologies which consider humanity another exploitable source of income. We should not comprehend the crime against the very likeness and image of God in the church sanctioned “slave trades” - but we do. Consider, as one example, the residential schools of a bygone era in Canada.

Martin Luther King, Jr. saw through the facade of constant wars as a means to enrich those in control and died for his stance against the Vietnam war. Do we share his dreams, even today as we stand on the threshold of global conflict?

“I still have a dream today that one day war will come to an end, that men will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, that nations will no longer rise up against nations, neither will they study war any more.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

But MLK was not the first to put these sentiments in words. Isaiah, looking prophetically down the millennia of the future saw such war-free days as part of God’s intention.

Isaiah 2:4, “He (Yahweh) will judge disputes between nations; he will settle cases for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations will not take up the sword against other nations, and they will no longer train for war.”

Isaiah 60:18, “Sounds of violence will no longer be heard in your land, or the sounds of destruction and devastation within your borders. You will name your walls, 'Deliverance,' and your gates, 'Praise.'”

St. Paul has some pointed instruction to believers in both Ephesus and Corinth concerning the issue of dealing with wars whether, the pagan gods, spiritual rulers,  or demonic realities.

To the Ephesians (6:10-20) 

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”

Paul gives the weapons of warfare as truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the word of God, prayer and perseverance.  It is through this example, exemplified by Jesus, that we destroy strongholds, arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, Paul instructs the Corinthians believers (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).  Waging war in a fleshly manner is specifically denounced!

“… For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, …”

Michael Heiser in his recent book, “Demons” does thorough research on this often, misunderstood topic and comments on Paul’s counsel to these fellowships: “…the jurisdictional authority of these sons of God (Genesis 6:1-4; Deuteronomy 32:8, 9.) has been nullified by the resurrection and ascension of Christ … That is why believers are never commanded to rebuke spirits and demand their flight in the name of Jesus.  It is unnecessary.  Their authority has been withdrawn by the Most High.  Believers in turn are commanded to reclaim their territory (cf. Genesis 1:26-28) by recruiting the citizens in those territories for the kingdom of God.” ( Heiser, Michael. S. Demons. Lexham Press, WA. 2020. p. 258, 259.)

Halík allows us to see his struggle in those days, “I didn’t feel that [direct political resistance] was a particularly promising option, or at least I didn’t see myself in that role.  What I yearned for was the destruction of Communism using spiritual weapons. That frosty night when I left the church … I realized that not only was it the end of the Prague Spring, and of any hopes of achieving political freedom in the short term, it was also the end of the springtime of my life and my faith.” (Halík, ThomáŠ.From the Underground Church to Freedom. University of Notre Dame Press, Indiana, 2019. p.70.)

The battle in which we find ourselves globally today, is the fight between God and Satan, between good and evil, between right and wrong. But we are not mere spectators at some cosmic spectacle, we are the active participants engaged in the battle of destroying strongholds. The outcome affects us and all future generations. We are engaged, wherever we find ourselves  today. 

Sy Miller and Jill Jackson-Miller collaborated to produce the song, Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin With Me which emphasizes the priority of personal involvement. Here is the Gaither version for you to enjoy and put into practice.

Juxtapose our history of wars with the statements of Jesus hours prior to his crucifixion: 

“The New Living Translation renders John 14:27: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

But when Jesus used the word we know as “peace”, it was so much more than merely absence of conflict, as both Hebrew and Greek suggest.

“Shalom, translated as “peace,” is perhaps the most widely known word in the Hebrew language and conveys various meanings in Scripture. “Success,” “prosperity,” “completeness,” “wholeness,” “well-being,” and “welfare” are just some of its uses. In the Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words, we find this explanation: “When shalom is best translated as ‘peace,’ this peace is more than the mere absence of war or strife. It describes a peace that is positive; a time, place, and condition that features love, righteousness, calmness, political and moral uprightness and much more. It is a word reserved for those who walk with God in a positive relationship” (“Peace,” Carpenter, E. E., & Comfort, P. W., Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000, p. 135).

“The Greek word for “peace” carries many meanings as well, including the traditional welcome and farewell. It can be used to describe the end of war and conflict, inner tranquility, and calm. But Jesus came to bring a different kind of peace on earth. At His birth, the angels declared, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests” (Luke 2:14).”

There is no option for conscientious objectors in this conflict! Jesus’ comment: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34-36.

Let’s use our Powerful Weapons! Futures depend on it!