“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” (Matt.24:7)
“What is the source of wars, quarrels, and conflicts among you? Isn’t it the lust that wages war in your body’s parts? You crave but don’t have, so you kill. You covet but can’t get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.”(James 4:1-2)
“Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.” (Isa.2:4). In fact, “the nations will be healed and reconciled (Rev.22:2),and will walk together by the light of God’s glory in the New Jerusalem. For Jesus is the Lamp of that eternal City, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into the new heaven and new earth.” (Paraphrase Rev.21:23-24)
Lord Jesus, it’s a great responsibility for me to pray as publicly as I do every day, and to document my thoughts and prayers. I don’t presume to speak for everyone, but I always intend to pray for everyone in my prayers—to bring all of us to the occupied throne of grace.
My brothers and sisters in Christ rise today with a variety of feelings and convictions about the new war in Iran, and war in general. But our opinions about this or any war aren’t as important as our longing for the end of all wars and the fullness of your Kingdom to arrive.
Jesus, you’ve never called any nation to be “might to the nations,” but “a light to the nations.” Your Word is clear: International warfare is a sign of the evil of sin, deserved judgment, and the need and nearness of your second coming. Is there such a thing as a “just war”? Of course there is, but you never intended the rare exception to be the accepted and celebrated norm.
The Gospel is the only story in which the hero intentionally dies so his enemies don’t have to. What a holy paradox. Your cross is the war that ends all wars. Thank you. You destroyed hostility by the cross; you didn’t incite more of it.
We intensely crave the Day when nations will no longer be at war with each other but will only worship you together as one Bride in the new heaven and new earth. Even so come quickly and make it happen, Lord Jesus. So Very Amen.
