Rumors of War?

Jesus' disciples (John and Andrew) once asked Jesus, "What is the sign of the end of the age?" When I was much younger, his answer confused me. He warned them,

"Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah,' and they will deceive many. You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these events are the beginning of labor pains" (Matthew 24:4-8, CSB; see also Mark 13:3-8).

People saying they are the savior or great rescuer? Rumors of wars?

Sure, there have been people claiming to be Jesus, but it's so easy to brush them off as nutjobs. The ones we don't brush off so quickly are those claiming the ability to fix all of our problems. "Just follow me," they cry out, or "vote for me," they pay good money to beg from the masses. "If you just let me, I can make your life great," they promise. Jesus warned us of those claiming to be a savior, or more specifically, a messiah. They may not use the title, but we've undoubtedly heard the claims for years.

And what of the rumors of wars? Years ago, I didn't understand how there could be a rumor of war. Wouldn't the news report if there was a war or if there wasn't? Why rumors?

In nations where governments or mobs control information, trust in the reported news dissolves. The same is true when news outlets chiefly depend on clicks or advertisement sales for revenue. The more sensational the report, the more clicks, thus the more revenue, and the cycle feeds on itself. In a vacuum of trust, rumors abound!

Even in the fictional land of Narnia, rumors, speculation, and word-of-mouth express the reality of the conflicted situation. "They say Aslan is on the move--perhaps has already landed," Beaver reported to his companions. In a children's story, C.S. Lewis captured the essence of rumors of wars. It's a desire for hope. It's a longing to be "in the know," because it helps fight the feeling of the free-fall of not knowing, of not having an assurance of the future. But it is Jesus who gives hope, and for those who depend upon Jesus, the future is secure!

"If he wins a second term, it won't be long before he takes away all of our rights, and there will be world-war III," I remember hearing before stepping into the booth to vote in 1996. It was then when I realized this fear-tactic had been deployed to gain power for thousands of years. There's nothing new today. Rumors of war.

The rumors have ramped up over the past decade and seem to be picking up highway speeds as of late. Maybe you've also heard rumors of war?

"Don't be alarmed," Jesus said, "these things must take place" (Mark 13:7). Jesus told his disciples we'd experience this. It only serves to validate his statements. He went on to say, "but it is not yet the end."

If Jesus is correct--and he is--things will get much more challenging than the seasons of messiahship claims and rumors of war we might be seeing today. He said, "nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom" (Mark 13:8), but don't think kingdoms are only those with borders and governments. He also said, "Brother will betray brother to death, and father his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death" (Mark 13:12). Christians will be hated because of the name of Jesus (Mark 13:13), even being handed over to the courts and punished (Mark 13:9). While concerning, this is Jesus' mean by which Christians will stand before governors and kings as a witness to them (Mark 13:9). He's already done this in many other nations for a long time. Many American Christians had remained unconcerned when it was "over there." It might be time that Jesus wants the governors and kings of America to hear his gospel. And now Christians are growing concerned.

I see many Christians in a panic over the rumors of war. We ought not to be freaked out if we trust Jesus. He told us the reason behind all of this madness. Jesus said, "it is necessary that the gospel be preached to all nations. So when they arrest you and hand you over, don't worry beforehand what you will say, but say whatever is given to you at that time, for it isn't you speaking, but the Holy Spirit" (Mark 13:10-11, CSB).

There's more.

Jesus also said, "Then many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another" (Matthew 24:10). He's talking about so-called Christians falling away because they were never actually with Jesus. The trials and challenges exposed them. He goes on to say, "Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many" (Matthew 24:11). I suspect the deception will be easy for those who are consumed with the day's hot events rather than God's Words of life. "Because lawlessness will multiply," Jesus continues, "the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:12-14).