The Bible records many wars throughout its pages.  If fact, many of these wars document the accuracy of the Bible as archeology has uncovered artifacts with data that verifies the records of them exactly as recorded in Holy Script. In this article we want to examine why God has allowed wars and what the Bible says about the role of soldiers and how they can reconcile taking the lives of other humans in that role. When God created the earth and put man upon it, He pronounced that it was all good until men sinned and fell from that estate. Because mankind was given a free will and they could choose to obey God or do evil, we now live in an environment where evil men and good men are at war. God hates war; however, it is necessary to maintain order in the earth and overcome those who would like to destroy good. In fact, the first war ever recorded was the war in heaven where Satan and his evil angels fought against God and his angels.  We know this war was won by God through Christ.

Revelation 12:7-11
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
 

We are now watching as the government in the USA has begun major changes in our national affairs in order to prevent future terrorist attacks after the invasion of the terrorists on September 11, 2001. Increased security measures in all levels of our nation's operations have been instigated. The USA has gone on the offensive to root out terrorists nationally and abroad. President Bush has declared war on terrorism.  He has launched a world wide coalition, as other nations are joining in this war. We are all facing changes in our lives. The whole world is experiencing war, or is under the threat of war, with ominous weapons looming over all the people of the globe. The evil of war is discussed daily in the news with reports of possible attacks from nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, as well as conventional armaments. The Bible is not silent about this subject, as it warns us it will increase more and more as the time for Christ's second coming approaches. 

Matthew 24:6-8
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Some Christians are having difficulty with the actions of our government in the area of war as the heart of Christianity is to love our enemies, not destroy them.  How do we reconcile this as Christians?  We must understand that the Bible deals with the role of government differently than that of an individual Christian. Throughout the Bible, the main role of governments was to protect its people from threatening invaders and to maintain law and order within its borders. This was done by maintaining a military force.  Those who would argue against our country's military position, must also ask what our nation would be like without policemen and prisons. 

God set boundaries on mankind by establishing ruling authorities that would make and enforce the laws He gave.  The purpose for this was because He knew unregenerate society, without any restraints, would seek to destroy good men. God's desire is that all men would come to Him and live by His laws. However, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and broke His law, sin entered into the world and was passed down to all of mankind through Adam's seed.  God, in His love for mankind, made a way for men to come back to Him, through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Because Jesus lived free of sin and obeyed the law of God perfectly, He became the sin offering and died upon a cross, thus paying the price for all men's sin. He then rose from the dead the third day showing that He indeed was the son of God.  Now those who accept what Jesus did and repent of their sins can find their way through faith to be reconciled to God.  This sacrifice covers and cleanses men even from the worst of sins including murder. Now, through Christ, even murderers can be forgiven and restored to a relationship with God so they can live forever with Him; however, they must repent and give their lives wholly to Christ.

Where we find most of our problems with the military action of our government versus loving our enemies is that God's law of justice for the taking of a life demands that life be taken; yet, God's spiritual law of mercy and forgiveness grants that a murderer can be forgiven and restored.  How can we reconcile this?  We must understand that God instituted civil authorities to maintain order in the earth. God uses them to restrain evil and they should be obeyed for this purpose. 
An analogy would be like a family that had a son at home and who was given love, freedom and many privileges. However, one day the son committed an evil crime and was sent to jail.  The rules he lived under at home while he was obedient must now be changed to the rules of the jail because of the son's sin. The same is true with God.  His will is to bless the earth and all those who obey and live in harmony; but for those who disobey, He had to set up separate rules so that the ones who are evil do not destroy the good.  War is like that, as God uses civil authorities to maintain order in the earth.  In the New Testament we see that even Jesus surrendered to the governing authorities because He was submitted to God. 

John 19:11: "Jesus answered, Thou could have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above..."
Romans 13:1-5 (RSV):
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
2 Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
4 For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

From these verses we see that governments can elect to bear the sword (go to war) to deal with evil men.  Although the act of war is a harsh form of punishment upon evil invaders, the alternative is far worse -- the destruction of innocent people by wicked aggressors. 
No soldier who is a Christian desires to kill another; however, the Lord Himself, did not chastise a Centurion soldier in the Bible in the matter of his occupation.  On the contrary, the Lord commended this man for his understanding of authority and his great faith when he called upon the Lord to heal his servant. Our military men need our prayers and the protection of the Lord as they go to battle.   This should be the work of the church -- prayer for our men's protection and prayer for our president and heads of state.  Our critical words will not change things, but prayer will. We must pray that the war would end quickly so we can return to peace, and especially prayer for our enemies, that they might be saved. We can pray that good will come out of what Satan means for evil.

Matthew 8:5-10:
5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
6 And saying, Lord, my servant lies at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou should come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
1 Timothy 2:1-6:
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
 

God knew when He created men with free wills that not all would follow and obey Him. However, He also knew that many would want to love and serve Him.  In giving men free will, He also had to establish laws for men to live by. When we look at the Ten Commandments listed in Exodus 20:1-17, we can see that these laws were given for the good of mankind.  One of these laws is in verse 13: "Thou shalt not kill."  You may wonder if God said "do not kill," why He would then decree that governments could send men to war to kill other men.  The reason is that the Hebrew meaning of the word translated as "kill" actually means "murder" or "to slay someone in a violent manner unjustly." So, in the Ten Commandments God is saying, "Thou shalt not murder." Unjust premeditated killing with the wrong motives of hatred, vengeance, greed, jealousy, etc. is murder.  Killing in self defense to protect oneself is not murder nor is executing condemned killers. The very founders of this nation were known to carry a Bible in one hand and a musket in the other in order to defend the freedom they sought here. The freedom to worship God was one of those freedoms they fought for and died for. 
 

In the Old Testament there were certain guidelines about military conduct that would be beneficial to our armed forces if they fully heeded its advice. In fact, many of the regulations used in the US armed forces came directly from the pages of the Bible.  The instructions given in regard to the battles of Israel are examples of things our military could employ with great benefits. The Israelites of old had much experience in battle, as throughout their existence, there were but brief intervals when they were not either engaged in war or in danger of it. Listed below are some of the rules given to them regarding military conduct and instruction: 
 

1.) AGE AND QUALIFICATIONS:  First they were to take a census of the families indicating that there would be some discernment used in the selection of the males as they were numbered. The enlisting was spread across all the tribes (which today could be across all states.) They were drafted, so that all would share in the burden of war. They had to be males at least 20 years of age and up and all must be physically fit. In fact, those who were mentally and emotionally weak or cowardly were not to be enlisted. They selected men of valor, as they wanted a group of men to be examples to the others and they wanted all to have a sense of national patriotism.

Numbers 1:2-4:
2 Take a census of all the males of the congregation of the Israelites by families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, head by head
3 From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go forth to war you and Aaron shall number, company by company.
4 And with you there shall be a man (to assist you) from each tribe, each being the head of his father's house.

Deuteronomy 20:8 (KJV):
8 And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.
 

2.) TRAINING AND PAY: All of Israel were liable to be called into active service to play the part assigned to them in furthering God's righteous cause. They were trained and paid for their duties and their needs of maintenance were met. Good officers and captains were chosen to lead the soldiers. 

2 Chronicles 25:5-6:
Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.
6 He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver.
Deuteronomy 20:9: 
9 And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
 

3.) CHAPLAINS IN MINISTRY: Those who were priests (today, those who would be in ministry as chaplains) were not used in combat. They were to be available as ministers to stand and pray before the Lord for the soldiers and the battle. 

Numbers 1:47: 
47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. (the Levites were the Priests)

4.)  WOMEN IN MILITARY COMBAT: No women nor children were enlisted in combat. In fact, just the opposite, the women and children were protected by the males.  The decision in the past few years to allow women in combat is a very wrong decision. It is causing numerous problems in the armed forces. One recent incident has brought much shame on our men in uniform as current newscasts have reported inappropriate actions of men and women involved with male prisoners in the war in Iraq. The sexual problems that arise when men and women are mixed in stressful conditions add to the problems of military life. Sexual temptations should not be added to the list of things that men must contend with while on the battlefield. Recent charges of rape and fornication have also been reported due to the close quarters of men and women in training and combat situations. Women are also by nature more emotional than men and should not be exposed to the rigors of military life. Certainly women can serve in supportive roles in the military (i.e., nurses, office personnel, technicians, managers, overseers, etc.) However, combat should be reserved for males only, as I can find no place in scripture that women ever served as combat soldiers. The only mention of a woman serving in any military capacity was Deborah in the Old Testament and she served in leadership, not in combat on the front lines.  She was in the war room as a judge and leader directing the plan of war and she only visited the battlefield with her field marshal, Barak (Judges 4).

The Bible exhorts men to honor and protect women as the weaker vessel physically in 1 Peter 3:7: "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."  God made men stronger physically, therefore more able to take on hand to hand combat. Another reason women should not be in combat, is that those with children are in danger of leaving them as orphans.  God does not want children to be raised without their mothers. Small children are more dependent on their mothers and it is bad enough losing a father in war, without the loss of their mothers. In the verses below we see that David was at war with the Amalekites and his wife and children were taken captive by them.  It was David and his men that rescued the women and children. The women were not combatants. The Women's Liberation movement in an effort to liberate women in certain areas that were needed, has gone "out of balance" in pushing for women to be equal with men in an area that the Bible does not condone. The Bible does not want women exposed to the rigors of war, but rather they are to be protected from it. 

1 Samuel 30:3 & 18-19:
3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
18  And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.
19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

5.) EXEMPTIONS TO MILITARY DUTY: The Old Testament listed some reasons that males should be excused from military duty.  They are as follows:
    a.) Those who have just moved into a new home and haven't had time to live in yet.  Dedicate in the following scripture means "the first use of anything."     Deuteronomy 20:5: "And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it."
    b.) Those that have just started a new business and have not yet had time to receive a return on it. Deuteronomy 20:6: "And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it."
    c.) Those that are engaged to be married were not to go to battle. Deuteronomy 20:7 "And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her."
    d.) If a man has just gotten married when war breaks out, he is not to go to war for a year. Deuteronomy 24:5  When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.

6.) BATTLEFIELD INSTRUCTIONS: In the Bible there are instructions about treating prisoners humanely, not violating women and children,  caring for the civilian populace, relieving wounded soldiers, not destroying the conquered land, etc. Godly morals were to be the code in all of these instances. For example they were told to enjoy the fruit of the trees of the conquered land, but not to destroy the trees themselves.  The "scorched earth" mentality comes from the devil. 

Deuteronomy 20:19:  When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an ax against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life) to employ them in the siege.
The Bible even records personal hygiene instructions on the battle field. 

Deuteronomy 23:12-13: 
12 You shall have a place also outside the camp to which you shall go (as a comfort station); 13 and you shall have a paddle or shovel among your weapons, and when you sit down outside (to relieve yourself), you shall dig a hole with it, and turn back and cover up what has come from you.
This is also another reason women should not be on the battlefield, men do not get "caught with their pants down" as often as women when they must relieve themselves. 

7.) RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:  The first thing before attacking a city the Israelites were commanded to do was to try to make peace with the enemy. If the enemy refused the conditions of peace, then they were to attack. 

Deuteronomy 20:10-12:
10  When thou comes near unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.
11 And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.
12 And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it.
As to the extermination of foes, Israel had to remember that punitive war was in the interests of religion and morality and therefore her soldiers were to act, not as murderers, but as God-appointed executioners of divine judgment upon gross idolatry and iniquity (Deuteronomy 7). War was to be viewed as divine surgery for the cutting off of evil wickedness that would defile the rest of the world. God still uses nations today to execute wrath on evil according to Romans 13. 

Rulers and nations have power.  In fact, the USA is referred to as one of the "Super Powers." Let us pray that the USA does not abuse this power and that our leaders will bring God into the equation of war. 

Romans 13:1-7:
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

When Israel of old went to war, the first thing she was to do was to seek God. Before every battle that David fought, the first thing he did was to "inquire of the Lord."  Before any battle, the first thing they were to do was to call for national prayer and ask God to go with them.

Deuteronomy 20:1-4: 
1 When thou goes out to battle against thine enemies, and sees horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
4 For the LORD your God is he that goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
1 Samuel 30:8:
8 And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

 Our military abides by some of these standards, but violates others. We are still living in a fallen world, so many evils are committed by well-meaning men and nations, our nation being one of them. However, because of the Christian influence in this nation, God has used the USA to bless many nations of the world. Many people do not realize what the Bible and Christian influence have accomplished for the betterment of our lives, especially here in the United States. They walk around enjoying the good life with its abundance here in free America, without understanding they owe it all to a book they have been taught by many to despise -- the Bible. Even some countries who have embraced false religions are blessed in aspects of their societies where they are practicing scriptural principles. The keeping of God's Word always brings blessing. 

Everywhere after 9/11 we saw signs that said "God Bless America."   We were singing songs invoking His blessing on this nation, as well.  Many new prayer groups sprung up.  Church attendance went up dramatically right after 9/11. Sales of Bibles soared. Is America turning back to the God that our forefathers worshiped? I believe we have made a start in the right direction; however, unless we sustain our return to faith in Christ and add repentance for our national sins, we will surely face more troubles. We must not just call on God in our day of trouble. We must walk with God and obey Him on a daily basis. According to the latest Gallup poll 80% of the people say their lives have returned to where  they were before 9/11. If we do not walk with God, He will not walk with us and we will face more serious troubles in our nation. 

God will bless a nation who has a majority of Bible believing Christians as its citizens. God blessed Great Britain for many years because she was a Christian nation who sent missionaries all over the world.  However, when her sins were multiplied and she became a proud nation, she lost the standing she once enjoyed as a great world power. What qualifies any nation to be called a Christian nation?  It is the Christians within that nation.  A number of years ago a national statistic from a very reliable ministry stated that only 38% of Americans professed to be "Born Again" Christians. They said their survey was very specific. They said 90% of Americans believed in God, but only 38% professed Christ as their Saviour.  A majority were church goers; however, true Christianity is based on a relationship with Jesus Christ, not on church attendance. It hit me at that moment, that we were not really a Christian nation any longer. 

Many Americans have told God to get out of their lives and don't come into our schools, our businesses and our government affairs. When we do this, God removes His hand of blessing and protection from us.  We have other gods -- the god of humanism, the god of New Agers, the gods of all the "isms" with materialism at the front.  We can only be blessed if our God is the true and living God, whose son is Jesus Christ.

Another nation that became a Christian nation with 60% of its population confessing Christ in the 1970s, was the nation of Uganda, East Africa. Its capitol, Kampala, was known as the "Pearl of Africa" by Winston Churchill. It had modern buildings, wide boulevards, beautiful flower gardens, a stable government; it was being blessed of God. However, sin and neglect brought about an evil change in government and a man named Edi Amin came to power.  This man who claimed to be a Muslim, began systematically destroying the Christians in that nation in the most hideous and torturous ways one could not even imagine. He claimed he was being led by God through visions that he received. Obviously, he was deceived and listening to the devil. All Bibles were burned. Before Amin was finally run out of the country and fled to Saudi Arabia, his massacre left over 300,000 Christians murdered. Uganda has not fully recovered yet, and the plague of AIDS is still taking lives daily in that nation.  When sin's cup of iniquity is full, it spills over with its consequences. Uganda now is putting God back in its national life and revival is underway in that nation.  Blessing is overtaking the curses that once plagued them. Nations can choose good or evil as well as individuals and the results will be curses or blessings accordingly.

The Christians there are precious people whose trial of fire has produced men and women of great faith. They are confessing their sins and the sins of their people, as they realize they had lost their estate and blessing through the neglect of their Christian duties. We must not neglect ours in America.  This is our opportunity to return to Christ and change our nation. Our trust cannot be in our military might. It must be in the God of the Bible, then He will use our military to protect us.

Psalm 127:1:  "A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain."

Psalm 20:6-7:
6 Now know I that the LORD saves his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 

Psalm 108:12-13:
12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
13 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Psalm 33:12-22:
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13 The LORD looks from heaven; he beholds all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashions their hearts alike; he considers all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
 

In the Persian Gulf War of 1991, the United States of America entered into a war against Iraq whose leader was Saddam Hussein. Iraq had attacked the little nation of Kuwait, threatening to destroy it.  The issue was over oil. Saddam, being a Muslim, declared that they would win the war because God was on their side. However, Allah, Saddam's god, is a false god. He lost the war and America won it. Did this prove America was a Christian nation and that is why we won the war? I believe if we were honest and looked at the sins of our nation, we would have to admit that our sins are glaringly seen by the whole world. Can we really call ourselves a Christian nation when our greed, materialism, lust, drunkenness, addiction, murder, abortion, pride, etc. prove otherwise? We won that war because of a "Holy Nation" within this nation and other praying people in other nations who are God's true praying people around the world. This is the "Holy Nation" of the Bible. They were interceding not only for all Americans and their allies, but also for the Arabs because we desire to see all men come to the knowledge of the true and living God. Currently, there is no nation, including ours, that is primarily engaged in the commission given to Christians to share the gospel with the whole world.  It is only the spiritual nation made up of God's people that will be able to overcome the evils of war through their obedience and intercession.

1 Peter 2:9-10:
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
 

The time is coming soon when Jesus will come again to this world. The signs are all around us. When asked by His disciples what would be the signs of His coming and the end of the world Jesus responded:

Matthew 24:3-8
8  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8  All these are the beginning of sorrows.

In the past year alone we have seen a marked increase in wars, earthquakes, pestilence, disease, famines across the globe. Jesus said these are the beginnings of sorrows. These “sorrows” will become more frequent and intense, and so shall it be unto the end.

Matthew 24: 9-39 
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My Name's sake.
10  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12  And because sin shall abound, the love of many shall grow cold.
13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand:)
16  Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:
17  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day:
21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
23  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25  Behold, I have told you before.
26  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28  For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
29  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
36  But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37  But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Things will continue as they always have as most people will not heed the warning signs that are all around.  The Word of God tells us ahead of time so that we will not be caught off guard.

Matthew 24:42-44
42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord does come.
43  But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
 

If we desire to see justice done and see wars end and yes, even the end of all forms of killing, violence, terror and death--we must realize that this will only come about through the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Until then we must yield to God and His laws. The time is soon coming when Jesus will return to this earth. At His coming He will rule with a rod of iron and the devil and his followers will be destroyed. Satan will no longer tempt men with evil, so there will be no more wars, murder and evil. God has instructed us, as His children, to pray for His Kingdom to be manifested in our individual lives and communities. At home or at war, we can allow Christ to rule in our lives and thus affect those around us with His love and grace. This world is not our home, this is not all there is. God has promised us a home in heaven and has gone there to prepare it for us.

John 14:1-3
1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
 

Revelation 21:1-9
1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7  He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
 

And after this, the end of war and strife.

Isaiah 2:4: "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."
 

Matthew 6:9-13: "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."