We have other Scriptures to consider on this matter, of war:
Ezekiel 38:10-11: “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars."
And Revelation 6:4: "Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword."
The first is a prophecy against Edom. It goes on for the whole chapter. Edom (that became the nation) (or Esau) gave away his birthright for a bowl of pottage. What's my birthright to me?! But later when he wanted the blessing couldn't receive it even though Jacob gained it through stealth. So the two nations grew apart. The full story can be read in my blog (during August) entitled Edom. (The whole article is worth reading again or for first time if not read when posted. It will help to make sense of what I’m writing about here. In fact, nearly all my blogs are interrelated. A new one will go on from another one building up the information. Glory to our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ!)
Here we are now in 2015: HAPPY NEW YEAR. But someone has been planning for a long time now to get back that birthright. Let me explain. As already explained in Edom blog and elsewhere there are differences in the character of Esau and Jacob. Let's look at Esau. In Genesis 25:31-34. "Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright." I've underlined the important parts. From this we see the character of Esau. With Jacob's character we usually pick up on the sly way he acts gaining things for himself but wanting the birthright is still a good thing to want. So we see going on through the ages, these two different characters becoming people groups. Now, in the end times, these 2 groups (Israel and the New World Order) are still locked trying to gain the blessing. Only one will gain it. If we know the Scriptures, we know which it is that receives it despite their trickery. But remember: (Ezekiel 36:22-23.)"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of My Holy Name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the Holiness of My Great Name, which has been profaned among the nations, the Name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I Am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I Am proved Holy through you before their eyes."
So, fast forwarding to now, we find that nations still hate and despise each other. In the case of Cain & Abel it started through individuals. Through Esau & Jacob we see it starting in individuals then grew into nations. Take a look at this. In 1 Kings 11:21 (last part) we read “Let me go, that I may return to my own country.” This is Hadad who is talking to Pharaoh the King of Egypt. He thinks Israel is his! (Read the whole passage: 1 Kings 11:15-22.) Now we see how war starts. Look also at this. Take a case study of the book of Judges. Midianites are attacking. Moabites are attacking. Amalekites, Ammonites, Edomites! In fact, they are all attacking! All are thinking the nation belongs to them! Of course, they only succeeded (or are succeeding now) while Israel was in rebellion to God. Likewise today, still with Israel and Christians, on a related theme, God only blesses those who will do what He wants. (Reference back to Ezekiel 36:22-23 - "when I Am proved Holy through you before their eyes.") So we see how wars and rumours of wars start.
In this Shemitah year of 5775 (September 2014 to September 2015) we will all reap what we sow.
When war comes to a nation it usually results in the devaluing of the currency. (Well! It always does.) Take America. Its currently involved in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Is involved in some way with Ukraine. Some would say there are other countries its involved with that are kept hidden. This results in the devaluing of the dollar. The Federal Reserve Bank is printing money (quantitative easing to give it a posh name) to help pay for these wars thus devaluing the currency. So recession or depression are the first part of this series of events.
The Federal Reserve Bank is the central Bank of America. Here in the UK it is the Bank of England. There's one of these in every country on earth except Cuba, Iran and North Korea. (I've also heard that Hungary have freed themselves by paying off their loan to the IMF.) Why am I telling you this. As stated above, it began with nations hating each other. (1)They get into debt (leading to recession/depression) by one means or another. Now the world currencies are in such a state that central banks are needed by the people in power to control the peoples. Now, we find that America is actually having to control the price of gold and silver, other commodities like oil and set interest rates low to keep the dollar in circulation. Don't be surprised if it (the dollar) doesn't survive this current year or is in very bad shape by end of year. As a consequence of this, various countries are now asking for their gold and silver back. You may have noticed this in the news recently. (I'll be back to war in a minute.)
Did you notice that the Russian ruble devalued 20% recently. The Russian economy isn't in such a bad way as America, however. They were able to take emergency measures to contain matters. Was this a case of (2) currency war? These things can be fixed you know. America and Saudi Arabia keeping oil's price artificially low to strangle the Russian economy. So this is another escalation. Now into (3) trade war.
This kind of event has been going on for well over a year. It became most noticeable about one year ago with America trying to provoke Russia to attack Ukraine. Russia saw this coming and sided with China to fight together because neither nation could take on America on its own. So the BRICS was formed. Now as well as these nations India, Brazil and South Africa are repatriating gold, silver, etc. in preparation for the coming war. After trade war the only step left is (4) world war.
Of course, there are other nations which hate each other. I could mention Israel and its Muslim neighbours. These might have a say in world war too. Perhaps you would want to do a study yourself to see if this same pattern or something similar is evident in these nations.
As a last couple of thoughts, here are some Scriptures to make us all think what God thinks of war:
Psalms 12:5-8. “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. You, LORD, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honoured by the human race."
Revelation 18:4-8. "Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup. Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’ Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the LORD God who judges her."
Matthew 6:31-34. "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Amen.