Never before, in the last 80 years of record-keeping, have there been so many armed conflicts across the globe.
In 2023, there were 59 conflicts involving states, the highest number ever since the Uppsala Conflict Data collection was started in 1946.
Dreadful as that is, the numbers killed are far fewer than in World War II where over 70 million lost their lives. However, if there should be a nuclear war, that figure would be dwarfed.
Although, in the West, we have been protected from much of that, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are close enough to home to rock our sense of security. As countries vow to increase their defence, so do the fears of their populations.
We have grown used to peace, assuming it is normality. But alas, conflict is normal ... because that is the default of every sinful heart. The more power a sinner has, war is more likely.
So Jesus' words in Matthew 24:6 are realistic and reassuring: "You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come." (NIVUK)
Those words, "... the end is still to come", are in the context of Jesus' second coming. Although we might think that Jesus will surely intervene when conflict, injury, pain and death come to our doorstep; He said that the 'end' is not yet.
In the same way that Israel would not enter their land until the sins of the Amorites had well justified their destruction (Genesis 15:16), so Jesus will not return until every opportunity has been given for the world to repent and seek God's mercy (Mark 13:10).
Therefore, the arrival of the Prince of Peace does not depend on the intensity of painful conflict, but on the worldwide opportunity to respond to His gospel of peace. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14).
That day of destruction is delayed - so that many may come to repentance and faith, and mark their transition into Christ's kingdom by godly lives (2 Peter 3:9-13).
"Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." (2 Peter 3:11)
Likewise, Paul's instruction to Timothy, to teach sound doctrine in the last days, was, "... in view of His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:1-2).
Terrible as war is, and however much we long that Jesus will come to bring eternal peace, every rumour of war should alert the believer to two things.
Firstly, to live holy lives that will not leave us ashamed when Jesus returns.
Secondly, to proclaim Christ to a sinful world, inviting everybody to repent and put their faith in the Saviour Jesus - before He returns.
It is Christ’s return which motivates BeaconLight to:
- place evangelistic and disciple-making books with prison chaplains in the UK and East Africa
- support Kumar's and Rick's training of pastors in Nepal and Nigeria with Truth Unlocked and Grow in Christ
- send out Word@Work worldwide, online by email and apps
- produce an evangelistic booklet for the farming community
- print another 7,000 copies of CrossCheck to be used in Mozambique
- produce Inner Struggles to be sent to officers and ranks of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and international seafarers
At the same time, we need to keep learning how to please the Lord and live in such a way that we ... show that we can be fully trusted, so that in every way we will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive (from Titus 2:10).
And 'we' means: the BeaconLight team, our gospel partners in the mission field and all, such as yourself ... who pray, encourage and give so that BeaconLight's ministry will be effective - until He comes!