Hi Friend,

Listening to newscasters and bloggers talk about global conflicts or battles between powerful government officials can create stress. Many people feel like they are living on the edge. Post-traumatic stress syndrome is a term I had never heard until schoolmates returned from Vietnam. Friends I had known from grade school were changed when they returned from war. Parents, spouses, and children noticed the differences—it was internal but evident.

While having lunch at a French restaurant recently, our waiter was an older teen who had just graduated from high school. He was polite, hard-working, and respectful. Originally from Utah, he moved to South Carolina when his parents divorced. Within the span of a year, he suffered a family split, abandoned his religious beliefs, and moved to the other side of the country. These personal wars have led to lasting changes and continue to impact his life.

As traumatic as they are, we are accustomed to witnessing wars between nations and families, but it is shocking to read John’s words in the Book of Revelation. "And war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out…" (Revelation 12:7-9).

Such an event in the highest realm spurs many questions for mere humans. How could such a thing happen among heavenly beings? What will God do to create an eternity of "peace on earth and good will among men?"

For the honest observer, the scars of conflict throughout the universe are a profound revelation. They bear mute testimony to the galactic battles that make our nuclear weapons seem as impotent as the bows and arrows of previous generations. And the prophecies of John reveal the reality that such wars will take place again, urging the observer to understand and reflect.

Free men will always have differences of opinion. Winston Churchill is said to have opined that "If two people agree on everything, one of them doesn’t have a brain." God is not creating a world of mindless people. So, HOW will God prevent wars in a Kingdom composed of beings with differing opinions?

One of God’s great promises to followers describes the future responsibilities of Christians. The Apostle John writes that Jesus has "made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:10 KJV).

The purpose of human life is to become a judge or a teacher in the Kingdom of God. To say that judges will be needed implies that there will be disagreements. That should not be hard to comprehend unless we believe peace can only be achieved in the absence of differing opinions. Will only one viewpoint be permitted on a given subject? Will we all wear green socks? And high-buttoned shoes? And dresses to our ankles and never cut our hair?

There will be differences of opinion in the Kingdom of God. And when opinions differ there is a need for judges. Men of character often disagree about fundamental issues—and a third party is engaged to solve the disagreement. In fact, married couples can strongly disagree about how best to rear their children—even when the parents love each other and love their children.

The question is, how do reasonable, civilized people solve their disagreements without going to war?

There’s an example in the Old Testament about men with disagreements coming to the Priests, where they would each present their arguments. They were required to come to an agreement in front of an unbiased third party—the priests. When they walked away, if one of those parties changed his mind and broke the deal, he was to be brought before the community and stoned to death. On the surface, a reader might conclude that it sounds like a pretty strong punishment—a little over the top, as we say.

We would be wrong to make such a quick judgment. God is saying that it is imperative for individuals to resolve their conflicts on their own. When parties cannot reach a satisfactory agreement and one turns to violence, it impacts not only those involved but also poses a threat to civilization as a whole!

Jesus knew the inevitability of converted men having sharp conflicts. Therefore He taught, "If you bring your gift to the altar"—when you have a conflict with a brother—"leave your gift there…and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Mathew 5:23-23 NKJV). In so doing, peace is achieved, and the Kingdom of God is demonstrated on earth.

Until next time,

Jim O’Brien

Pastor, Church of God Cincinnati

April 25, 2025