It’s a terrifying time to read the book of Revelation. Given the brutal Hamas attacks in Israel, and the horrific war Israel is waging in Gaza, there are plenty of folks expecting the end times. It’s long been a staple belief of so-called “Christian Zionism” that the state of Israel’s military conquest, along with reclaiming the land parameters described in the Bible, plays a key role in God’s final-days salvation plan. I hope I’ve convinced readers that that is the wrong and disastrous way to read Revelation (not to mention the rest of the Bible).
Thank you for this fine commentary, Mark! We only need to read history to know that brutality toward our brothers and sisters has been ongoing since the beginning of human time—only now it’s magnified by the media for the world to see every gruesome act.
I've been struggling with how to think about October 7th. It seems like Hamas ought to be slain, but I know Jesus told Peter to put away his sword. And Jesus never advised anyone to be violent that we know of. The Israel situation is the Trolley Problem complicated to the 10th power. Your article reminded me not to analyze with only my worldly mind, but to put it in a spiritual context where faith that doing the most peaceful thing will also lead to the most just thing in the end. But then I think what if no one stood up to the Fascists of WW2, or a thousand other righteous causes the required the good guys to be ferocious killers. Is there a duty to kill if necessary? Fight or not? What is God's will?
Great and thoughtful questions, Stephen! I myself lean toward the pacifist / nonviolent resistance side of things, but as you point out, there are no easy answers. Thanks for commenting and wishing you well as you consider these things.
I meant to tell you that I passed this on to quite a few people as it made so much sense.
Very glad it was helpful @Anne-Marie!
Thank you for this fine commentary, Mark! We only need to read history to know that brutality toward our brothers and sisters has been ongoing since the beginning of human time—only now it’s magnified by the media for the world to see every gruesome act.
Amen and thanks for reading, Vanessa!
I've been struggling with how to think about October 7th. It seems like Hamas ought to be slain, but I know Jesus told Peter to put away his sword. And Jesus never advised anyone to be violent that we know of. The Israel situation is the Trolley Problem complicated to the 10th power. Your article reminded me not to analyze with only my worldly mind, but to put it in a spiritual context where faith that doing the most peaceful thing will also lead to the most just thing in the end. But then I think what if no one stood up to the Fascists of WW2, or a thousand other righteous causes the required the good guys to be ferocious killers. Is there a duty to kill if necessary? Fight or not? What is God's will?
Great and thoughtful questions, Stephen! I myself lean toward the pacifist / nonviolent resistance side of things, but as you point out, there are no easy answers. Thanks for commenting and wishing you well as you consider these things.
Right on, Mark. We begin by befriending our own dragons!!!