Peace offering

WAR is a horrible, dirty thing. In war, every type of atrocity occurs while a few get rich from it. This places war at the pinnacle of evil. If we want to understand what’s going on in Ukraine, maybe we should look into our own hearts. Do I have the courage to examine my own dark motives? I might find a clue there.

WAR is all about power, manipulation, control… and profit. Nothing else matters. And it’s not always about winning. For those who make the guns, bombs, and killing machines, it’s best if war drags on forever — no winner, no loser, just perpetual war to make more money from the blood of dead sons and daughters.  

Putin’s actions are an atrocity. The invasion is evil. Satan has taken hold of his actions. But Putin isn’t the only one making moves these days. Anyone profiting from the death of innocents is also responsible. Anyone jockeying for power grabs while people die in the streets are liable.

Who benefits from war? Look there (Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics). They rejoiced as the media beat the drums of war. When Russia finally invaded Ukraine, it was a profit party for them. Both Putin and the rejoicing arms dealers will be held accountable — as will we all — when we stand before God on Judgment Day. How will they justify their behavior?

There’s plenty of political posturing now. They say they stand with Ukraine. That’s a good thing. But which politician will refuse campaign funding from the military-industrial complex that pushes for war to break out wherever and whenever it can?

Of all the things Jesus Christ denounced, his strongest criticism was against hypocrisy. We cannot say we want peace when we benefit from institutions and mechanisms that perpetuate war. Geopolitical manipulation placed Ukraine in a situation that increased the chances of military conflict. Even though they didn’t work together, Putin was in on it as were others.

The people of Ukraine are being brutally victimized, while the perpetrators line their pockets with blood money. Over 70 years ago, my ancestors suffered and died when Korea was torn apart by competing superpowers. The impact of that war left 5 million dead and an ongoing threat of atomic proportions.

Satan rejoices at the death of innocents. The evil one thrives on any word or gesture that propels us towards nuclear destruction.  

WAR is not a sporting event. How intensely did the media pump up the pre-war rhetoric? It was like the Super Bowl pre-game. We should not be cheering for anyone. The media benefits tremendously from selling us the story that the other guy is bad, and we are good. This makes us feel better when the killing begins.

Instead, we should be on our knees begging God to stop the killing, begging for his mercy.

Look past the one-sided narrative being blasted from the mainstream media. Seek deeper understanding. Demonic actors in various nations, including the US, are enjoying the unfolding death and destruction. And they want more. 

God gives us absolute freedom, even to shoot and kill. He also gives us freedom to fast and pray for peace. The true fight for freedom happens by attacking the root of evil. We must examine ourselves and ask forgiveness for our sins as individuals, communities, and nations. We must denounce any spirit that seeks to escalate the violence.

When war breaks out, it’s too late. Then families suffer. Children go cold and hungry. Loved ones die before their time or carry wounds that never heal. 

Let us not put ourselves on a morally superior pedestal at this time. Instead, let us know that dark forces are at work, hiding in plain sight among us, that continuously provoke this kind of conflict we see again and again.

Some may cry out about the defense of national interests. People say freedom comes at a high price. How many now live prosperous and free in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria? How many died so a handful could make obscene amounts of money? Do any of us feel safer now?

Let’s let a soldier explain things to us clearly.

Smedley D. Butler was a United States Marine Corps Major General and two-time Medal of Honor recipient. At the time of his death, he was the most decorated Marine in U.S. history. Butler wrote “War is a Racket” in which he says:

“I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests… I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefits of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. “

“War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small ‘inside’ group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes.“

Look past the veil of confusion. Have the courage to seek and speak the truth. Pray for the people of Ukraine and for an end to the violence. Pray for the killing to stop. Pray for peace.

May the war stir in us a deep desire to seek the mercy and peace of Christ. His peace offering pours out from his wounds.

What do his wounds say to us during times of war?

Send us, O Lord, on your mission of peace.

. . . . . . .

Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

John 20:19-21

…

…

…

Never miss a post. Subscribe to Third Millennium Man.

Support my writing.