| Highlights of Dawn | February 1968 |
Wars to Cease
IN ONE of the Bible’s prophecies concerning this day of preparation for the Messianic kingdom in which we are now living, we are given the assurance that the Lord will make “wars to cease unto the end of the earth.” (Ps. 46:9) This should be good news to the whole world of mankind for throughout the ages war has almost continuously plagued the nations. Very short, indeed, have been the periods when the earth has been completely free from war, although the first so-called “World” war did not strike the nations until A.D. 1914
All the great empires of the past—Assyrian, Egyptian, Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, Roman, on down to the British—were built up largely by wars of conquest. There have been “holy wars,” “wars of liberation,” “civil wars,” and racial wars. For the most part the common people of earth, and to some extent the rulers, have disliked these wars, but there seemed little that could be done about them. The general viewpoint has been that there have always been wars, and there always will be wars. Those holding this view did not, of course, know that the time would come when the Lord would make wars to cease, through the establishment and rule of the kingdom of Christ.
War has always been ugly and ignoble; and this has been true despite all the attempts to glorify it. War has been ignoble and immoral because it calls for the sacrifice of human life. In the past this sacrifice of life has been confined largely to soldiers on the battlefield, and on the seas. But with the advent of modern warfare countless thousands of the nonmilitary also lose their lives. This aspect of war came into being during the Second World War through the indiscriminate bombing of cities by both sides of the warring factions. It continued in Korea and is now one of the gruesome aspects of the Viet Nam war.
Life is a treasured possession to which sane men and women tenaciously cling. For this reason the governments of earth have seldom found it possible to recruit large armies by depending on voluntary enlistment. History indicates that ancient Rome’s armies of conquest were built up largely by the use of conscription, or compulsory service. Indeed, the Encyclopedia Americana, Vol. 7, p. 543, informs us that early Rome originated the term “conscription.”
Essentially all nations throughout the centuries have found it necessary to resort to compulsory military service in order to maintain their armies. Every attempt has been made, through the use of martial music and otherwise, to make the idea of being a soldier appealing, and throughout the centuries there have been many volunteers for this service. However, the vast majority of men realize that joining the army means risking their life, so they have not volunteered.
Compulsory military service was part of the way of life in most continental European countries for centuries. To escape from this system was no small part of the motivation that brought many of the early settlers to the United States. But the United States did not remain entirely free from conscription for very long. In an article of the Encyclopedia Britannica, in Volume 6 beginning on page 284, we are informed that during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 the volunteer system failed to procure the men required for military service. Massachusetts and Virginia resorted to conscription in 1777. The federal government under Washington was about to do the same nationally, but the aid extended by France averted the necessity for this.
During the Civil War, also, the governments of both the North and the South resorted to conscription. In the North, provision was made for a conscript to hire a substitute if he had the price to pay and could find a man willing to be hired. “Wealthy communities,” the article states, “reached into the poorer communities and bought up the necessary manpower. The result was inevitable. Riots broke out, especially in New York City, and order was restored only by the arrival of troops withdrawn from the front.”
In the Twentieth Century
Young men in the United States were free from the long arm of conscription from the close of the Civil War until this nation became involved in the First World War. Then, suddenly, a need for huge fighting forces arose, and conscription for military purposes became the law of the land. Universal conscription for the armed forces again became law in connection with the Second World War; and, although that war has been over for more than twenty years, conscription for the armed forces is still in use in the United States and seems well on its way to permanency.
The conscription law in Great Britain during the First World War made certain modifications possible for those who were conscientiously opposed to taking human life. The conscription law in the United States made similar provisions. But the fever of patriotism ran high in both Great Britain and the United States at that time, and there was great prejudice against conscientious objectors in both countries. This created fertile soil for persecution and the unfair application of the provisions of the conscription law. Many were unjustly denied exemption from military service, and chose prison rather than the necessity of taking human life in the army. Many of these were mistreated in prison. Others were tarred and feathered and driven out of town by their patriotic neighbors, and were otherwise inhumanely treated.
Situation Changed
But that was a half century ago. The situation has changed greatly for the better since then. Today there is a more tolerant attitude toward conscientious objectors, which is reflected in a more just application of the conscription law as it applies to them. The law provides conscientious objectors with the alternative of accepting noncombatant service in the army—a service in which they would not be called upon to kill—or service of national importance outside of the army altogether.
Historically, we find that informed faithful followers of Jesus have always been conscientious objectors to the taking of human life. And why should this not be so on the part of those who sincerely accept and endeavor to practice Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount? Today there are only a few small groups of professed Christians who, as groups, are opposed to destroying human life in war, or at any time; but even the larger denominations—including The National Council of Churches in the U.S.A.—are using their influence to protect the rights of conscientious objectors. During the First World War these same large denominations were among the chief recruiters for the United States Army. Some of the clergy went so far as to promise that American soldiers killed on the battlefield could be sure of going straight to heaven.
During the First and Second World Wars no general opposition to the draft was permitted. Those who could prove their sincerity as conscientious objectors were, generally speaking, given the exemptions provided by the law, but no public efforts to influence young men to become conscientious objectors were tolerated. Now, however, while the official position of the government is probably the same as in the past, the draft law is being openly opposed, not only by many of draft age, but by many clergymen, college professors, and others.
No less a person than the Rev. Martin Luther King, a Nobel Prize winner, publicly advises young men to resist the conscription law. There are public demonstrations against the law in many cities from coast to coast, and the government seems unable to do much about it except to curb the violent aspects of these demonstrations as far as possible.
And now the viewpoint is being advanced that it is proper to participate in some wars, but not in others—the draftees themselves, of course, being the ones to decide which wars are moral and proper, and which are immoral and improper. But this is not the viewpoint of a faithful Christian with regard to participation in war. To the Christian objector there are no “holy wars” in which it would be right to destroy human life. These are guided by the command, “Thou shalt not kill,” and by the precepts of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount; hence they are conscientiously opposed to the taking of human life under any and all circumstances.
This is a position that is taken personally, and upon the basis of an understanding of the Bible’s teaching on the subject, and of a heart response to those teachings. No one can be a true conscientious objector simply because a friend or relative, or the majority of the group with which he is associated, take this stand. It is a matter between the individual and the Lord, and is considered to be one of the sacred aspects of the will of the Lord.
Those who are conscientious objectors because they believe that this is the Lord’s will for them do not participate in demonstrations against war—whether they be peaceful or violent demonstrations. They do not urge others in any way to take the same stand they have taken. They consider their mission to be the preaching of the Gospel of Christ—the Gospel of the kingdom—thereby, as God may bless their effort, helping others to understand and appreciate the divine plan for the establishment of peace in the earth.
Those who hear and respond to the Gospel of Christ and who come to understand God’s provision for peace, as well as the divine will for them, may well become conscientious objectors, but this is not the purpose of their “witness of Jesus and for the word of God.” (Rev. 20:4) It is simply that when one comprehends the divine plan which reveals the love of God and of Jesus—a love that leads to sacrifice on behalf of others, instead of animosity and hate toward them—he naturally wants to be like God, and he wants the image of Christ to be reflected in his thoughts, words, and deeds. Thus he will want to love his enemies and do them good in every way he can, as Jesus did, and as he taught his followers to do.
Universal Peace
How thankful we are for God’s plan to make wars to cease unto the ends of the earth! War is fomented by those who do not know the will of God, those who are alienated from him through the condemnation which came upon our first parents because of sin. One of the great accomplishments of the messianic kingdom will be the establishment of peace between God and men. Those who are not at peace with God will continue in their desire to make war with their enemies; so first of all they must learn to know God and to accept the provision which he has made for them through Christ.
And what is that provision? It is the provision of Jesus’ blood, his sacrificed life. Paul refers to this feature of the divine plan of reconciliation as “a ransom,” and he informs us that Jesus “gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified [to all] in due time.” (I Tim. 2:3-6) The Greek word translated “ransom” in this text means “a price to correspond.” The correspondency is between the perfect man Adam and the perfect man Christ Jesus.
Adam transgressed God’s law, was sentenced to death, and was alienated from God by his wicked works. This condemnation passed on, through heredity, to the entire human race. Paul wrote that “by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Rom. 5:12) Jesus, as a corresponding price, went into death sacrificially and thus redeemed Adam from condemnation, at the same time providing redemption for all Adam’s children. Again Paul wrote, “If through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”—Rom. 5:15
Thus far this “gift” of divine grace has “abounded” only to the consecrated believers of the Gospel era; but during the thousand-year reign of Christ it will “abound” to all mankind—that is, to all who then believe, and obey the laws of Messiah’s kingdom. These will be released from condemnation and brought into peace with God. No longer will mankind be alienated from God.
This peace will result from their enlightenment concerning God’s grace through Christ, and their acceptance of this provision of divine love. It will be a peace of mind, which will reach also to the heart. Being at peace with God, they will delight to learn of his ways and to be obedient to his laws. Of that time the Prophet Micah wrote, “Many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”—Micah 4:2,3
Thus will the reconciliation of the people to the will and law of God result in peace among themselves; for when they learn and observe the Lord’s ways, they will learn war no more. Instead of learning and promoting war, they will promote peace—beating their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruninghooks.
The Scriptures declare that in the time of Christ’s kingdom “the mountains [kingdoms] shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills [small nations, or kingdoms], by righteousness. He [Christ] shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.” And again, “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.”—Ps. 72:3,4,6-9
All Enemies Destroyed
“His enemies shall lick the dust.” Paul wrote that Christ will reign “till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (I Cor. 15:25,26) What a blessing it will be for death to be abolished! The destruction of death will mean the end of sickness and suffering. It will also mean the end of war.
Today we hear much about “war on poverty.” The kingdom of Christ will actually destroy poverty. The promise is that every man “shall dwell under his vine and fig tree,” and that none shall make them afraid.—Micah 4:4
Today one of the great evils afflicting mankind is the oppression of the weak by the strong. There is also racial oppression. This is one of the “enemies” which will be destroyed by Christ’s kingdom. Satan, the Devil, is the great “oppressor” of all people, and he is to be bound for a thousand years, and then destroyed.—Rev. 20:1,2
All the evils which have afflicted mankind from Eden to the present time, and those which may yet develop, will be destroyed during the thousand years of Christ’s kingdom. John wrote that there will be no more death and no more pain, for “the former things” shall have “passed away.” (Rev. 21:4) Instead of suffering, there will come peace and joy; instead of death, there will be life—buoyant and unending life as humans, right here on earth.
One of the Bible’s pictures of these kingdom blessings is given us in Revelation 22:1,2. We quote, “He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” And then in the 17th verse we read, “The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
The destruction of death will not be complete until all those who have ever fallen asleep in death as a result of adamic condemnation are awakened and also given an opportunity to believe and obey. The Bible assures us that this is included in God’s great plan of salvation. The awakening of the dead is pictured in Revelation 20:13 as “the sea” and “hell” giving up their dead. The “hell” of the Bible is the death condition; and not only will its dead be released, but death itself, man’s greatest enemy, will be destroyed. This destruction is pictured in Revelation 20:14 by a “lake of fire,” which, it is explained, is “the second death.”
Then, there will be no conscription laws for the unhappy youth to fight, no racial injustices, no fear of the hydrogen bomb, no labor-management disputes, no threat of communism. Nothing shall be permitted to hurt or to destroy in all that holy kingdom, saith the Lord. (Isa. 11:9) That will be the time for the fulfillment of the prophecy of Psalm 85:10-13: “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.”