Not forever

If there is one place that has soured on war, it’s Japan.

If you would interview most people in Japan, you’d find that they take a much dimmer view of war than probably any other developed nation. Probably because they saw just how ugly it can be.

It’s too bad that other nations don’t take a similar view.

For years, we had the Cold War, and the world at times seemed on the brink.

Things are better now, but as long as people are in control, I don’t think war will ever disappear. Because with people comes covetousness, lust for power, and all the evils that cause war.

But it won’t last forever. The day will come when God wrests control away from all those who rebel against him and becomes King over all.

On that day, Satan and all who follow him will be vanquished, and justice and peace will reign.

Micah puts it this way:

In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it…

He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.

They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken. (Micah 4:1, 3–4)

The main question we need to ask ourselves before that day comes is, “Whose side are we on?”

Because while for those who follow God, they will at last find peace, for those who don’t, there remains only judgment.

So let us seek God now. Let us not wait until the day of judgment, but let us say now,

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths. (Micah 4:2)

And,

All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. (Micah 4:5)

Whose side are you on?