Rumours Of Wars 🔫

Today marks another sad day in the history of our species.

For some, it will come as a real surprise, while for others it will not.

As you may or may not have yet heard, a military conflict officially got underway today between Russia and Ukraine.

The reason that for many, this unfortunate turn of events will not come as a shock, is that for quite a few weeks now there have been strong rumours of an impending war between the 2 nations.  Despite this however, many also dismissed the rumours as false, over-hype and warmongering... and so the actual manifestation into reality, would have taken them off-guard.

There is no doubt about it, that the repercussions of this conflict will be dire and the effects will be felt around the globe.  Many will be left sad, scrambling and scared.

Undoubtedly, the source of fear for a large cohort around the world will be the inexorable connection of the words "rumours of wars" with the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 24:6 in response to His disciples asking Him about the signs that will signal His return and the "end of the age".

For a lot of people, both Christians and non-Christians alike, the ignition of a new war brings for them a sense of dread, not purely out of the risk that physical warfare brings, but fear evoked from the coming of Jesus Christ and the inescapable judgement that is prophesied to accompany His return.

Unfortunately, as it is in so many scenarios, people tend to lose or loosen their grip on rational thought and reasoning when fear or intense passion overtakes them.  Matthew 24:6 is an excellent case in point, because so often the intimidating package of war coupled with the judgement of Jesus lead many to lose sight of the full picture, crafted right there in the very same verse.

Yes, in response to the question posed by the disciples Jesus did say that "You will hear of wars and rumours of wars"... but He immediately went on to say first of all, that you should "see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen..." but then comes the crux of the matter when the Lord advises that despite those things, note that "...the end is still to come."

What does that mean?  It means that humans as a species will endure much, see much and live through atrocities, crises, disasters such as those brought by famines and earthquakes and yes... wars... but guess what, verse 8 puts it into perspective by letting us know that "...these are the beginning of birth pains".

So the message from God is that, as believers in Christ, while we should have and nurture genuine care and concern for our fellow human beings as they suffer through war and chaos... don't let dread fill and rule your heart.  God is still in control.  Man's wars cannot and will not "trigger" the coming of the Lord.  In fact, Jesus makes it very clear in that same passage by the time you get to verse 14.  It is when WE as God's people do what we're called to do (not when THEY as warmongers do what they want to do), that the end will come.  Jesus says that it is when "...this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations"... after that "...the end will come".

Therefore, let not any works of the enemy, whether across the other side of the globe, or across the other side of the street distract or disrupt the mission of God.  As you carry out the Great Commission, continue to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbour as yourself regardless of wars or Rumours Of Wars.