Evil is a Reality

As I write this morning (October 7, 2023) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared “Israel is at war.” All forces have been mobilized, according to the Associated Press and other news sources, as they prepare to fight Hamas militants. Hamas launched a surprise attack on the fiftieth (50th) anniversary of the 1973 War in which Egypt and Syria tried to blitz Israel on Yom Kippur—the most sacred and solemn day on the Jewish calendar; also known as the Day of Atonement.

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars,” Jesus said, “see that you are not troubled; for this must (must?) take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of birth pangs.” (Matthew 24:8)

Meanwhile, reports from the war in Ukraine continue to come into newsrooms around the world. One of the horror stories of Putin’s war on Ukraine is the killing of a ten-year-old boy who was sleeping in his bed when Russian missiles struck his residential building. The atrocities, the horrors, and the inhumane actions in this war keep adding up. And now one has to ask when the world might be drawn into this conflict.

“When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature call out, ‘Come!’ And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another; and he was given a sword.” (Revelation 6:3)

What are we to make of what we see unfolding around us? How should we understand all the anger and hate and vitriol we hear? When will the truth matter? How long can deceivers deceive?

Some believe what we’re seeing and hearing is the end of time, and the Day of the Lord is coming. But here we should be reminded of what Jesus told us; what he warned us about: “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32) If the angels don’t know, and if the Son doesn’t know, why would we think any person would know? We must be careful that we’re not deceived by someone—charlatan or otherwise—who claims to know more than the angels of heaven, or the Lord Jesus Christ.

The red horse of war had been riding the earth for thousands of years. Jesus told us these wars and rumors of wars “must” take place; they “must” take place because of the anger, hate, and greed in the human heart, and when people fall into the snare of those who are filled with anger, hate, and/or greed, they cheer on a war like it’s a sporting event.

Leaders are necessary in society. Governments, the Bible tells us, are necessary to keep order.

It’s easy to get caught in the trap of following those who declare themselves to be our savior, and who play to our fears, and promise us all we think we want. But we must be careful that we’re not led down a road that leads to the destruction of all we care about.

What example do we want to set for our children, grandchildren, and future generations?

What do we want to teach our children, grandchildren, and future generations?

What kind of world do we want to leave our children, grandchildren, and future generations?

Think long and hard. The emotions of the moment may not be the long-term answer.

In the throne room of heaven, John saw in his vision (Revelation) a scroll in the right hand of the one seated on the throne, and he saw only one who was worthy to open the scroll—the Lion that became a Lamb as if it had been slaughtered. The scroll of the future was sealed with seven seals, and the Lamb was tasked with opening the seals to reveal to John, to the Christians in the seven churches of Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and to us, “what must take place.”

Evil is a reality. Ignoring evil will not make it go away. It is part of the world in which we live.

Pain and suffering are realities. We can’t ignore them to make them go away. They, too, are a part of life.

And so we ask, why doesn’t God intervene and stop the evil? Why did that ten year old child have to die in the Russian missile attack in Putin’s War? Why can’t Israel and the Palestinians find peace and stop the terrors of the outbreaks of violence?

Why can’t, supposedly mature, well-educated, somewhat sophisticated, purportedly concerned, and duly elected men and women, act like grown folks instead of like children? The problems the world faces, the problems our country faces, do not get in the way of their childish words and actions. At what point do we say, “Enough?” We’re certainly not there yet. Where will this road take us? Some suggest we burn the house down and rebuild it. I’ve lived through a personal house fire. So, here’s the real question, do you know what you’re losing when your house burns?

When the Lamb (the risen Christ) takes the scroll, songs break out in heaven; for it is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world who is worthy to reveal what must take place. Ultimately, the teachings, the theology, of the Revelation are not about revenge; they are about God’s justice, and God’s justice will be served, of that Revelation leaves no doubt.

In Revelation 4, the elders and living creatures sing songs of praise to God. (See 4:9-11)

In Revelation 5, the four living creatures, the elders, and the myriad of angels sing songs of praise to the Redeemer—the Lamb—the Lord Jesus Christ.

And then… “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all this is in them, singing,

‘To the One seated on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13)

Lest we forget…

“Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

God’s justice will be served…in God’s time.