[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 12/Nov/2023]
Today we reflect on the horrors of war and remember those who gave their lives to give us freedom. The poppies that we wear are a reminder of those that grew around the battlefields in the First World War early in the last century. That war was described as the war to end all wars. Sadly that was never fulfilled as since that time there have been many wars both large and small, culminating in the two present horrendous wars that we see today.
Jesus told us that prior to His return there would be wars and rumours of wars (Matt. 24 v6) before the end of the age in which we are living. But the last war that is destined for this present age is not the one that is going on now in southern Israel, but is told in Zechariah 14 v2 in which Israel will be surrounded by enemy armies and on the brink of defeat.
I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses will be ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. Zechariah 14 v2-4a
Israel is rescued by the Jewish Messiah, that is the Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour. At that time the Jewish people will turn to believe in Jesus as their Saviour. “They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a first born son.”[1]
And then the amazing happens:
All Israel will be saved, as it is written: The deliverer will come from Zion: he will turn godlessness away from Jacob (Israel). And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins. (Romans 11:26,27)
Extraordinary events will happen and then, “The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.”[2] Jesus will reign over Israel and all the world.
It is right that we should strive to bring peace to this world but in the end it is Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who will bring an end to war.
He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plough shares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Isaiah 2 v4-5
That day is coming. Let’s pray for the return of Jesus and the end to war.
Praise you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Resources:
[1]: Zechariah 12 v10
[2]: Zechariah 14 v 9
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Last week’s reflection: Good Morning? by David Makanjuola
Contributed by Michael Goble; © Michael Goble