A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth


June 30, 2013

Matthew 10:34

Because I am a Christian, I choose to dedicate my Sunday posts to the worship of my God.  I love to explore the Bible and listen to what God is trying to tell me about how to live this earthly life.  I hope you can glean some Truth from my words and apply it to your own life.  Blessings!

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.
 I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.




     This is one of the more disputed verses in the Bible.  Those who see Jesus as the embodiment of grace, love and mercy find it difficult to imagine that our Lord could ever condone warfare or violence of any kind.  They interpret the "sword" as the Word of God.  As the disciple John tells us, In the beginning was the Word .... and the Word was God.   Jesus's gospel of the Kingdom will come as a sword, piercing our hearts, and killing (if you will) our sinful nature. 
     Those who study eschatology prefer to interpret this verse as a precursor to the revelation John was given on the island of Patmos.  He was introduced to Jesus as He who has the sharp two-edged sword ... In this book of the End Times, Jesus is given all authority to judge mankind.  He will still be merciful, loving and full of grace; but He will return to punish the wicked and those who have rejected Him.
     I do not think that this verse implies that Jesus or God despise war.  In fact, the Old Testament has numerous examples of God initiating and controlling war in order to further His plan.  He supported His people as they engaged in war.  He told them to go to war in order to destroy evil that had come upon the earth.  In the New Testament, Jesus admonished His disciples that wars and rumors of wars must take place.
    Which brings me to a little side note.  This country that I love so much has been engaged in a continuous war for nearly 12 years.  There has been lots of death and dying, and I am sure there are those who say that what members of our military have done is wrong and unforgivable; that our God is about love and peace, and cannot abide all the killing.  
     Whether these wars are justified or not, is something I am not qualified to criticize or condemn.  But I know that my God abhors Evil and God can use our soldiers to execute His judgment today, the same as he did thousands of years ago in the land of Canaan.  Please don't make the mistake of thinking that I believe the last 12 years have been a holy war ... my eyes are open to the machinations of men in power.  It is simply my belief that the peace and the sword Jesus talks about in this verse are His to administer; and He is able to use the peace-makers and the warriors to His benefit.  It is in His character to be both Shepherd and Judge, and it would bode well for the world to keep the warning of Matthew 10:34 in mind.

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