This is my final response to you Peter on this subject.
This is your only response to me on this subject.
The Bible teaches that we have the right to self defense Exodus 22:2: "If the thief is caught while breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there will be no blood guiltiness on his account."
The Bible also tells us to protect the innocent, Deut. 19:10, "So innocent blood will not be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance, and blood guiltiness be on you."
Also, see "Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin," (Deut. 24:16).
If we were to apply these principles to war, I would conclude that war is justifiable when it is in self defense and/or when it is to protect the innocent. Therefore, a Christian could rightfully engage in war given those conditions.
All I have to say is this:
you did not read my post.
Can you prove that there will not be any human players as the whole thing is brought to the climatic end? Personally, I believe the bible descibes the end as having an earthly participation.
Absolutely!
However, none of those in earthly participation are Christians. Rome ruling the world was part of prophecy, but God's people were not the ones bringing it about.
Dear Peter,
That was a very well written argument. I haven't read your families thread but my first thought is that this another person. Not as emotional and more factual (brother, sister tag team? Girlfriend, boyfriend?Only Butxifxnots). Hey, but who am I other than another individual reading on the forum?
?? I've been posting under butxifxnot in the same way the whole time. The only difference there is that I posted in essay form rather than responding to individual quotes (like this). Perhaps I should do that more.
The fact of the matter is someone is going to make a ton of money at someone's detriment today, some man is going to lay down with a women with the lies of marrying her, some man is going to join the military thinking that he is being honorable to his God and country, someone is going to take someone else's spirit away and tell them they are no better than a dog, someone is going to lead someone to spiritism saying that they will get closer to God.
Sin is going to happen everywhere around us. What are our options for thought as each of us struggle to be standing individually and in whole groups before our Heavenly Father asking for his mercy?
James 2:13 "For the one that does not practice mercy will have his judgement without mercy. Mercy exults triumphantly over judgment"
If someone is one the holy ones, their thoughts would be:
John 20:22, 23 "And after he said this he blew upon them: "Receive holy spirit, If you forgive the sins of any persons, they stand forgiven to them, if you retain those of any persons, they stand retained." (which circles them to the previous scripture.)
If any individual is forced today to join any military service based upon their circumstances. They can be forgiven of any sin that may be contributed as a consequence to this discision. Who are we to judge?
[edit]
No one is forced to join the military.
If you are "forced" to join the military, and you stand up for the teachings of Christ, then God will not forsake you.
As far as "Who is going to hell", God makes the calls of what He accepts and rejects. But what God chooses to wink at does not mean we are to alter the rule in order to accomodate the exception.
If your point of view is simply, "A true Christian would not join the military because of the possibilty of bloodshed."
That ain't my argument. I've spelled out my argument numerous times, and that isn't it.
My answer would be, "Forgive those who have little faith and pray that they, too, will come to a better understanding. The military authorities have existed for thousands of years. I would ask Jehovah to lead us to the ones with the crushed hearts so that we can support and strengthen them."
If you read the final part of the battle in Revelations, all the nations are brought for God. Who leads Jehovah's people?
There has been righteous military action in the past. I would expect righteous military action, at the hands of our Father, Jehovah for the final finish.
It is not an earthly battle. GOD will lead it, not man.
Please think about this: When you condemn the military as strongly as you are, you could also scare off a sheep that is looking for mercy.
When you accept the military as strongly as some do, you could also make an unbeliever mock God at the hypocrisy of the situation, that a loving God would call one of His servants to throw his lot in with a secular army.
Please think about it.
"Accept him whose faith is weak..."
A weak person will fail over and over, but he will continue to try.
The failure is the person who does not endure to the end: he gives up the fight.
Are the people you're asking mercy for weak or failures?