ARE YOU PREPARED FOR WAR?
By W. G. Guy
This is a topic that most people like to avoid. However wars, and rumors of wars, are spoken of significantly in the Bible. War refers to a destructive conflict between two or more parties. There are two versions of warfare that we engage in: spiritual and physical; and both involve destructive results.
Spiritual warfare is the conflict between righteousness and evil, good and bad, the godly and the wicked; the moral and the sinful; God and Satan. The weapons that are used in this type of warfare are based on spiritual forces.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 – For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (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; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Ephesians 6:10-17 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For 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. Wherefore 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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Part of this spiritual warfare will be performed by false preachers, teachers and prophets, as Jesus warned. These sources are pawns of Satan that infiltrate the church to deceive and turn people away from the truth of God, Jesus Christ and His Word.
Matthew 24:3-8 & 24-25 – And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. …. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.
I have written on spiritual warfare much in the past. However, at this time I sense the need to address the approaching kinetic and physical warfare: the one that uses bombs, bullets and a variety of other deadly weapons that mankind has developed. I am bringing this topic up as I read the pages of scripture, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament, that foretell of actual physical warfare as we approach the very last days preceding the return of our LORD Jesus Christ.
Such end-time wars are specifically recorded for us in Daniel, Ezekiel, Joel, and Zachariah; as well as in Matthew, Mark, Luke and Revelation. We should not ignore what scripture says that will occur; and don’t assume that we will escape or not be involved. That would be a serious mistake. Much of the world is already like a powder keg at this very moment, and it may not take much to set it off.
Consider the conflicts that are already present just within our own nation: the left against the right or Liberals against Conservative; Democrats vs Republicans; Muslims against Christians; the lawless against the law enforcers. Then consider outside of our nation with conflicts between Israel and Muslim factions of Hamas, Hezbollah, and with Yeman and Iran. Then there is Ukraine vs Russia; America vs China, North Korea and now Venezuela. Add to these the conflicts among the various nations in Africa. It seems like the entire world is now on a war footing.
The enemy of our souls, Satan, has always wanted to destroy and eliminate God’s people, true believers in God and Christ; and he uses both forms of warfare to accomplish this. So don’t think that you, as a Christian believer, will not be subject to either form of warfare.
In addition to destructive wars that will cause widespread death, there will also develop an increase in natural disasters like, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, famines, plagues, pestilences and violent weather upheavals.
Luke 21:25-28 – And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; 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: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
As the last days draw to a close warfare will become unavoidable as it is so well presented in scripture. Israel will obviously be one of the targets of Satan as Jesus will be returning to set up His kingdom in Jerusalem. Consider just a few of the scripture that speak of this end-time conflict that involves a lot more than just Israel and Jerusalem. (This is especially brought out in Ezekiel 38 and 39.)
Daniel 7:21-22 – I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
The return of Christ is preceded by the Battle of Armaggedon when the armies of the wicked come against Jerusalem.
Zachariah 14:1-4 – Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
Jesus told His disciples about the signs of His return; but He also said that there would be a significant passage of time before it all came about: He told us what to look for with a warning.
Luke 21:8-11 – And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
The very last days will be so traumatic that even members of our own families may turn on us. This is where the spiritual warfare will turn kinetic.
Luke 21:16-18 – And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.
Luke 21:25-28 – And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; 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: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Then finally we get to the last message of Jesus to His church; the Book of Revelation: but it also deals with Israel from which the church was birthed.
Revelation 12:7-9 – And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
However, the advent of Christ at His first coming, introduced the means of restoration and redemption which greatly aggravated the devil causing him to go after Israel, (the woman), from which brought forth the true church.
Revelation 12:10-13 & 17 – And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. ….. 17And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
What is the conclusion and purpose of this article? To make sure you have your spiritual armor on. Note that each piece of this spiritual armor is an application of the Word of God, as recorded in the Holy Bible. Then regarding the physical warfare that many of us are likely to face, we need to make physical preparation as well as spiritual preparation; because war is most certainly coming! We have God’s Word on it!
This means to have a plan and appropriate supplies for survival. The number one survival tool is the Word of God that you need to know and trust in. You must also maintain a close fellowship with the LORD Jesus Christ, and built up faith in His ability to carry you through.
Psalm 23:1-6 – The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Then we have what I refer to as the “tribulation“ Psalm.
Psalm 91:1-16 – He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with hus feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at they right hand; but it shall not come night thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh ty dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because hi hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
Please note that Jesus said that, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days,” that we would see Him coming, and that “he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds”. Do you see that this happens after the tribulation, and not before! The trumpet that we are waiting to hear sounds after this period of tribulation.
Matthew 24:29-31 – Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
I am writing this article not to cause people to fear what is coming but to be prepared. We need to be prepared spiritually, physically and personally because, as it is written in God’s Word, there will be a significant warfare coming and it will affect most of the world. Make sure your life is anchored in Jesus Christ and His Word. Then He will watch over you. Consider that His Word also says:
1 Peter 5:7 – …casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
The Bible even gives a clue as to when this catastrophic series of epic conflicts will begin. It will obvious be at a time when there is great deal of strife between nations. Then shall arise one who will initiate a peace plan: then watch out.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 – For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
If you, as a child of God are hid in Christ, He shall hedge you about just as He did for Israel when the plagues came upon Egypt.
Romans 8:31-39 – What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
No matter how terrible things get in this vile world, we who believe and trust in Him will be at peace and rest; even in a time of war.
Isaiah 26:3-4 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever:
