The Christians And War

This subject poses a question of the utmost significance to God's commandment-keeping people. The Bible says of Lot in the city of Sodom that he was "vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked." 2 Peter 2:7. Jesus compared our days with Lot's time, and we can truly see the fulfillment of His words all around us. Wickedness never ruled more determinedly than it does now. Obviously the prince of this world, Satan, is ruling supreme in all realms of life. Through his deception, death has come to the human race. Jesus said of him, "He was a murderer from the beginning,..." John 8:44. In heaven, he started war, which was a completely foreign concept to the angels, who had never experienced disharmony, distrust, evil surmising, fighting, or the taking of life by violence.

• "Satan delights in war; for it excites the worst passions of the soul, and then sweeps into eternity its victims steeped in vice and blood . It is his object to incite the nations to war against one another; for he can thus divert the minds of the people from the work of preparation to stand in the day of God." Great Controversy, p. 589.

It is true that ancient Israel fought wars - even wars of conquest. Often they themselves were the aggressors. The Bible reports deeds of great heroism and bravery. Therefore, many say, war must be justified. But it this really true ?

We understand clearly that Israel of old was a "theocracy" (from Greek theos, meaning God, and kratein, meaning to rule). It signifies that God wa their superior Ruler, not man. You may ask, How did God rule them ? From Scripture and testimony references we understand that Hid commands were communicated through the two precious stones called the "Urim and the Thummim" fastened in the breastplate of the high priest (Ex. 28:30; Num 27:21; 1 Sam. 28:6). When an inquiry was presented before God in prayer, His reply came either from a halo of light encircling the right stone, meaning Yes or approval, or a cloud shadowing the left stone meaning No or disapproval. Besides this, the Lord at times appeared in the holy shekinah, a cloud enveloping a bright light and appearing in the most holy place (Lev. 9:23, 24; Ex.40:34, 35; 2 Chron. 5:13, 14), to make known His will. Furthermore, He spoke through His servants the prophets.

No nation on earth today can boast of such visible signs indicating God's will or whether or not they should engage in war. Besides, Christ said: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,..." Matthew 5:43, 44. Christ obviously overthrew the old war policy completely. And why ? Simply because Israel as a people would no longer be a chosen nation. The people would be scattered among all nations. Now the Gentiles would be chosen to carry the gospel to the remotest parts of the earth. Theocracy was ended forever. Let no one therefore refer to ancient Israel and excuse modern warfare on that basis.

• "No distinction on account of nationality, race, or caste, is recognized by God. He is the maker of all mankind. All men are of one family by creation, and all are one through redemption. Christ came to demolish every wall of partition..." Christ's Object Lessons, p. 386

Jesus predicted there would be wars and rumors of war, especially in the end of time. What is the Christian's attitude toward these wars ? It is clearly evident that Satan, the murderer from the beginning, is the instigator of all of them. The Almighty placed a sharp restriction on warfare when He said, "Thou shalt not kill." Nowhere do we find any indication that this applies only to private or civilian life. When Peter drew his sword in apparent self-defense, Jesus said: "Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Matt. 26:52. How then, can any Christian, with Christ's love in his heart, be a soldier fighting, killing, and dying for an earthly fatherland ? How can Christians, regarding their fellow men as being of the same brotherhood, lie in trenches and foxholes in opposing army camps, firing at and killing each other ?

Early adventist position was in harmony with this study. When the Civil War started in the U.S. in 1861, the adventist position was equivalent to total conscientious objection today. Ellen G. White fully supported this stand, along with leaders Byington, Loughborough, and Amadon. Please, order the entire course for details. Thank you.