The War to Conquer the World

The winds of war are gusting again. But really, have they ever stopped blowing?—especially since World War I?

The conflict between peoples and nations, between good and evil—or evil and not so evil—has been waged for millennia. Changed are only the players—participants in struggles for life, death, domination and control of scarce resources—even for political ideologies or religious dogmas. Presently, United States foreign policy has identified those forces which it perceives a threat to the civilized world: Al-Qaeda, Iraq and North Korea. A coalition of nations (albeit missing some key players) has been gathered which subscribes to the US goal of neutralizing such threats to world peace….

Governments of Earth

The present—and also potential—conflicts have their roots in World War I. With the breakup of the Ottoman Turkish empire came a series of land grab opportunities for the old colonial powers. The Middle East found itself with new national boundaries agreed upon largely by England and France. The rise of Socialism from within the declining European states and the newly born Communist state in Russia proved to be seedbed for modern Baathist (Socialist) parties of the Muslim states.

And so, the last century saw the lives of 185,000,000 people taken from them and their families by the actions of governments. Sounds beastly, doesn’t it? That was exactly how the LORD summed up the matter for the prophet Daniel when he gave Daniel a vision of the governments (“kingdoms”) of this present evil world. “The four great beasts are four kingdoms…” (Daniel 7:17). While those universal empires which have trod upon Jerusalem have come and gone (Luke 21:24), the governments of earth still can be beastly.

Christian Conscience and War

As the threat of war progresses, the people of each nation are convinced that right is on their side—and that everything contrary is wrong. But the minds of even the greatest of the wise seem paralyzed for any peaceful resolution. “…And upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth…” (Luke 21:25-26).

Where is the Christian in this time of the “shaking” of the nations? While the Christian is to “live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:18) and “be subject unto the higher powers” of governments “ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1)—are we supposed to support our governments militarily? Are Christians supposed to be patriotic—or neutral?

As Christians, we appreciate the freedoms we enjoy, and we pay our taxes (Matt. 22:21). But Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight...”(John 18:36). We are to remain neutral in wars of conflict. Yes, there may be righteous causes, but no nation is without its own guilt so that it can be a policeman of the world for God.

The Christian’s Warfare

The Christian’s warfare, however, is a different kind of warfare with different weapons. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:4-5).

The Christian’s closest enemy is his or her own flesh! Daily, hourly, minute by minute, the Christian must “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). With consistent determination, Christians must “as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Pet 2:11). Now “lusts” do not have to be only something immoral—just something the Christian might be desiring that would have been given up as a follower in the footsteps of Jesus. (Luke 9:23; Gal. 5:24).

The Good Soldier

Just as it might be easy for a soldier to sign up for duty—so it is easy for a person to believe Jesus died for them and be “saved” from condemnation in Adam (Rom. 10:9). But a Christian who enlists to follow his Captain must be willing to endure discipline and suffer hardship. “Suffer hardship with me,” says Apostle Paul, “as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Tim 2:3-4).

Following our Captain means more than putting away anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from our lips (Col. 3:8). Indeed, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city” (Proverbs 16:32). But to be a soldier in Jesus’ army means to sacrifice our earthly comforts, preferences, hopes and ambitions.

As we draw to the closing of the Christian Age, the conflict for the followers of Jesus is just as great—if not greater. “It is a warfare against the whole world—no warfare so mighty and so momentous has ever been waged.” Today’s world with its temporal distractions and emphasis on instant gratification—is a real source of temptation to the Christian. “Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4). Instead of taking time to study the Word of God, Christians might be tempted to be very busy relaxing on a beach, making more money for vacations or just inviting the world into their homes by turning on the TV, flipping through magazines, surfing the Internet. Instead of letting their light shine, Christians might just as well blend into their environment at work and be like everybody else around them.

Beyond the Homeland

Besides fighting the enemy within and the world around us—there are invisible spiritual powers that war against the Christian. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).

Christians must be alert to our Adversary who attempts to make alliances with our own flesh. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith...” (1 Pet 5:8, 9). How does he allure us—or ambush us? He knows our weaknesses better than we! And Satan has a whole army of fallen angels—even though having their own agendas—who are bent on injuring the Christian soldier in particular. These “spiritual forces of wickedness” influence governments—as well as the entertainment world. They even get involved in children’s toys—making extraterrestrial adventure a lot of fun. The negative effects might not be immediate. But, for example, Harry Potter thinking would suggest that playing with witchcraft was okay and that spirits are really harmless friends.

So the Christian has to be careful what is allowed to come through the door of his house—or the door of his mind. What is our defense against such invasions?

Weapons of our Warfare

“Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). Yes, the Christian, figuratively speaking, is provided a full “armor.” “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm” (Vs. 13).

Virtually all of the Christian armor is defensive—except for one piece. The Word of God. Even so, it is a “two-edged” sword which sometimes slices back at the Christian. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb 4:12). Truth is very powerful—and will eventually destroy every trace of sin and evil by the work of Christ’s Millennial Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Christian should truthfully examine himself or herself with the challenges of the Scriptures—he is not to be discouraged. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place” (Eph. 6:14). The Christian stands in the righteousness of Christ. “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Rom 3:22).

A Real World Peace

Unlike the artificial “peace” the nations are seeking by weapons inspections, disarmament and treaties—God’s peace is real. It begins with the death of Christ so that we can have peace with God. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Then the Christian is to “Follow peace with all men…” (Heb 12:14). So the Christian’s armor also includes preaching and living peace: “... and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15).

But world peace is also promised in God’s Kingdom: “And He will speak peace to the nations; and His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth” (Zech. 9:10). At that time, there will be no weapons of mass destruction because there will be no need for an armed “peace.” “They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isa 11:9).

Conquering the World to Bless It

Yes, there is an evil axis conspiring to destroy the Christian—the world, the flesh and the devil. But when the battles are over, faithful Christians will be promoted to the right hand of authority beside Jesus Christ (Rev. 3:21). But they will not be playing harps…. They will be ruling and blessing the whole world, “all families of the earth” (Gen. 28:14).