THE CHRISTIAN AND WAR
Dr. Bob Bevington

Luke 22:36, “Then said He unto them, but now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his script: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.”

INTRO: Now that our planes are dropping bombs on Afghanistan - our foot soldiers are moving into Taliban territory, we need to bring out Biblical positions on the subject of peace and war. Let me ask by way of introduction 7 pertinent questions:
Is personal killing and war the same thing?
Should nations ever declare war?
Is war judgment from God?
Does Christ speak to the subject of war?
Should a Christian go to war?
Is hope a world without war?

Personal opinion is worthless!
God’s Word, rightly divided, is all-important. On one side you have peaceniks & pacifists. On the other, war-mongers, hate mongers.
ie. The Jews and the Muslims hate each other.

In this message I want to establish truth. I want to answer these 7 questions:

HUMAN GOVERNMENT WAS ESTABLISHED BY GOD HIMSELF -

Gen. 9:6, Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God made He man.”

See vs. 32 - “These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in THEIR NATIONS.” (That’s human government)
Should a Christian obey His government?
ie. Matt. 22:15 The Pharisees and the Herodians asked Jesus -
“Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar?”
Jesus answered: “Show me tribute money.”
They brought Him a penny. (denarius - Roman coin)
Whose image is on this money? Caesar’s
(Jesus) “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesars; and unto God the things that are God’s” (pay your taxes)

IS WAR A JUDGMENT OF GOD?
Look at Numbers 21 - see vs. 3 (War between Israel and Canaanites)
“And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. Later in Numbers 21 vs. 34-35.
“And the Lord said unto Moses. Fear him not (King Og of Moab) For I have delivered him into your hand.”

Vs. 35 “So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.”

Romans 13:1 - The powers that be are ordained of God.”
“For rulers (of govt.) are not a terror to good works but to evil (doers). “If thou do evil be afraid; for he (ruler) beareth not the sword in vain.” (Rom. 13:4)

SHOULD NATIONS EVER DECLARE WAR?

Nations have a solemn duty to punish evildoers. (The terrorists killed 6,000 innocent ones on Sept. 11, 2001) Trade Towers in N.Y.C. Pentagon in Washington. Plane crash in Central PA.
In Ezekiel 14:21, God speaks of His 4 JUDGMENTS:1- The sword (war) 2- famine 3- the noisome beast 4- pestilence

Two things cause war: ie. Anthrax
1- man’s sins - “Whence come wars and fightings among you? Ye fight and war, yet ye have not.” James 4:1,2 2- God’s wrath - As long as sin exists, there will be God’s wrath on it.

DOES GOD SPEAK TO THE SUBJECT OF WAR
My text: Luke 22:36
“He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.”
Jesus knew - there would be terrorists, murderers, and people who need weapons to defend themselves. Listen to Him, in Matthew 10:34,
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword.”

Wars & rumors of wars will be the order of the day throughout the age.

At His second coming in glory - Rev. 19:11
“In righteousness He doth judge and make war.”

He will smite the nations (slaughter millions)

See vs. 21, “And the remnant WERE SLAIN with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse (The Lord Jesus).

IS PERSONAL MURDER AND KILLING IN WAR THE SAME?

In war David killed his tens of thousands with God’s approval and reward. But when he had Uriah killed - God said:
“You killed Uriah with the sword; The sword shall never depart from thy house.” (2 Samuel 12:10) It never did!

IS OUR HOPE A WARLESS WORLD?

No. The return of our Lord Jesus Christ to rule and reign for 1000 years, is. (Rev. 20:6)