War and rumors of war. There will always be wars. The old testament was to show that if God is with you you win the war. If God is not with you you lose the war. There's no place in the bible that says we're not going to have to fight. Says we will always be attacked. Says for us to always be ready. There's demons in all kinds of evil people who want to kill us. We are to pray for peace that is Gods will. No where does it say for us to lay down and let evil destroy us.
Quite to the contrary.
During the great tribulation, there are these instructions:
Revelation 13:
7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Of all the poeple you would think you would be allowed to kill would be those with the mark of the beast. I mean, why not? They are doomed to the Lake of Fire for having the mark, and yet the believers are instructed not to retaliate. Seems like making a run for it and hiding is all they can do besides dying for their faith by starvation, by the elements, or by the sword.
Ephesians 6:
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19And for me,
that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Acts 7: 58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Now if Stephen has turned around, taking your advise, would Saul ever have been converted on the road to Damascus?
We are to be witnesses of Jesus Christ.. as ambassaders.
I trust Jesus to help me live as His since assuredly, I cannot boast of what He would have me do (since I would be doing the right thing with His help) nor can I boast of what I would do as an American since justice/vengeance in an immediate since is the norm. Describe any situation, and I would probably think of a fleshly reflexive response, but I trust Jesus to help me live as His and thus I attest that the power in living the christian life is of God, not of us.
John 1:
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
So do not be surprised if you find yourself laying donw your life so that someone else may believe.
John 18:36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
That verse above is not to be used as preaching against war now....
Romans 13:
1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves ****ation.
3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
But when the war against the saints start... that is a whole lot different than fighting for your country for which God does not expect us to fight. In other words, God had never endorsed the Crusades.