“He said, ‘Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end…And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. His power shall be great – but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints.” Daniel 8:19, 23-24
My kids helped serve the local veterans at the annual VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Veterans Day dinner. They told me that the dinner was very well received and attended. I am glad that those veterans felt honored. I initially was happy that the hall had been packed. However, I found that fact a little depressing upon retrospection.
Imagine a world without war veterans.
I have nothing against veterans. I have deep respect and appreciation for the service that they have shown to my country. I am grateful for their sacrifice. However, veterans come from only one activity – war. If there were no wars, then there would be no veterans.
A world without veterans would be a world without wars.
I remember the small town parades of my youth. The local VFW veterans always marched in the parade. They were an assortment of older men primarily from World War II and the Korean War. At the time, I could envision a day when they were gone and war veterans scarce. Unfortunately, the VFW halls are now filling with veterans from Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and an assortment of smaller foreign engagements. These veterans are now much younger than I am. The parades of the future have a supply of veterans that will last beyond my life time.
A world without war veterans raises only feelings of skepticism.
I recently listened to Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History podcast titled, “Blueprint for Armageddon I”. Dan did a wonderful job in presenting the failure in leadership that allowed the intricate web of diplomatic stability to collapse after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.
Just as during World War I, the world still has an endless supply of leaders with depraved souls that fight to pull the levers of power. I believe that it always will. I have never known a period in my life when there was not a war or “police action” occurring somewhere in the world. All I have ever known is a world of wars and rumors of wars.
I can only imagine this fallen world with war veterans.
I am aware of the bleakness of my world view. However, my world view is the consistent theme throughout the Bible. The hope of world peace resides in the return of the King of kings, Jesus Christ. Lasting peace comes only through the new heaven and new earth of the Kingdom of God. Until that time, we live under the reality of a world with the same character as shown to Daniel. The character of this world is disturbing. Daniel was disturbed by what he was shown.
And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it. (Daniel 8:7)
I don’t understand all the prophecies of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelations. I am uncertain of the exact meanings and timing of these visions of the future. However, I am confident in the trustworthiness of Scripture and know where to put my hope. I have no hope in the kingdoms of men. My hope is in Christ alone and His return.
I am certain enough of the future to be as appalled by the evil of men as Daniel.
Daniel responded to the future that the Lord showed him by falling on his knees in prayer.
Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for you own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O God, incline your ear and hear, Open your eyes and see our desolation, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name. (Daniel 9:17-19)
I join my voice in appreciation of those who have served my country in the horrible duty of war on this Veterans Day. I am sorry that my country needed to ask them to do what they were willing to do. I lament the necessity of their service. I am appalled by the depravity revealed by war. I am appalled by the fact that men continue to hurt and oppress other men.
Therefore, I follow Daniel’s example in prayer for this broken world.
PRAYER: O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for you own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your children in this desolate world. To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our President, our legislators, our leaders in all forms, to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belongs mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in His ways, which he set before us by His Son. O God, incline your ear and hear, open your eyes and see the desperate condition of this world, my country, and those who are called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your Church and your people are called by your name. Build your kingdom, O Lord. I pray this in the precious name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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“Every soldier must know, before he goes into battle, how the little battle he is to fight fits into the larger picture, and how the success of his fighting will influence the battle as a whole.”
A DEVOTED LIFE 