violence
Of
notable importance is the following scripture.
"I assure you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the most insignificant person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! And from the time John the Baptist began preaching and baptizing until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people attack it."
(Matthew 11:11-12 TB)
Don't recall
which translation it was in, but have read, many times, "The Lord
abhors violence," or something like that.
For any that
are interested, one of many bible search engines for a word or phrase, can be viewed at:
http://www.hti.umich.edu/k/kjv/simple.html
Should
you like to research more translations, just click
on this link:
http://www.google.com/search
....
Literally,
there are hundreds of options available.
The one
that is used most, for keywords, passages, and a variety of translations,
by this scribe is at:
http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/
Violence is
mentioned forty nine times, in the Old Testament. It is not
mentioned in the New Testament, in the King James Version.
Have been
troubled, for a long time, over the violence of radical extremist
militant
Arab Muslims, that seem to think, according to most if not all media
reports, that they are somehow going to nirvana, or heaven, where virgins
are waiting for them. Rots of
ruck!
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
(Proverbs 4:17)
[TB They eat wickedness and drink violence!]
Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
(Proverbs 10:6) [TB The godly are showered with blessings; evil people cover up their harmful intentions.]
An overview
of this topic, from afar, might be that the Old Testament and the entire
world have gone for old testament ideals of punishment, when laws are
broken, since Adam and Eve
were expelled from the Garden of Eden. I am not opposed to that
concept, especially when we see and hear things that are happening in this
world.
But as to
the terrorists, here at the beginning of the twenty first century, it is
easily understood that all people without hope can be persuaded to do what
they are doing, especially for the sum of money that is offered to those
poor people, funded by REALLY EVIL PEOPLE. There in lies the true need for free societies in the middle
east, that can grow into functional democracies, that will let the people
be free of tyranny and brutal poverty, with equal rights for all.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And
the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His
ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule
forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David.
The passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this!
(Isaiah 9:6-7)
Dictatorships
are not governments, so, in God's good time, all will be replaced with
appropriate governments, when they are supposed to be replaced.
The main
issue, actually, the only issue, is that we are now finally in God's Last
Day of Creation, and all things must be done in love in an individual's
life, not punishment, to gain God's
attention. Love, to God, requires altruism.*
And we surely need to remember that "all things are lawful unto
God." Things are not lawless unto God.
The world must continue it's course. But heaven -
discipleship training, is a must for all people desirous of real and true
peace, yielding good health, and a good life.
"I
am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give
isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or
afraid." (John
14:27)
*altruism
- Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness.
scribe's note: when we are selfless, we are content with our throne room approved
assignments, and we are expecting nothing in return.
