“The sound of a tumult is on the mountains as of a great multitude! The sound of an uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathering together! The LORD of hosts is mustering a host for battle.” -Isaiah 13:4
The scene in Afghanistan is appalling. Witnessing desperate mothers hand their children, even infants, over barricades and into the arms of retreating soldiers out of fear of life under the war between the Taliban and ISIS would be. Watching frenzied Afghan men race retreating military aircraft along the runway to their peril. The harrowing plight of Afghanistan gravitates the Christian to remember that this disordered world groans with all creation for redemption, and the Redeemer is coming.
Christ the Redeemer has power to save sinners from the grip of this violent, evil world. He came to us and was willingly placed in the hands of evil men in the hour of the rule of darkness (Luke 22:53). Yet, the perfect, sinless Son of God conquered death in a mighty victory rising from the dead. He gathers each Christian safely upon our death. Yet, we read in Revelation that the gathered martyrs will cry loudly, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 6:10)?
Jesus comforts the heavenly martyrs with these words: “rest a little while longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed” (Revelation 6:11). The world may rage in this hour of the rule of darkness, but the rule of darkness will end when the full number of the church is secured behind the safety of the Lord of Hosts.
Isaiah prophesied that the Lord will gather all the nations for battle, a final showdown. He is called the Lord of Hosts, the God of armies of angels. The nations of the earth rage, the Psalmist tells us (Psalm 2). The nations do not simply rage in an uproar simply because the world hates what is good, but their battle is with the Lord.
Isaiah later prophesied that the nations “rage like the roaring seas and clamoring nations; they rumble like the crashing of mighty waters” (Isaiah 17:12). What an eloquent way of describing the disorder, anger, violence, and godlessness of our world! Paul reminded Timothy that in the last days Christians will experience difficulty in this world (II Timothy 3:1). The disorder and evil in this world seem to grow more intense as time goes by. How will this raging, chaotic, disorderly world end well?
The Psalmist writes, the Lord “makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire” (Psalm 46:9). Christ will finally gather the raging nations and end the violence forever. Christ will rule in everlasting peace.
Future hope ought to comfort us, but I cannot help but grieve the horrors Afghan Christians must face. I believe Christ will return to the earth to restore perfect order and peace, yet I also pray the Lord of Hosts thwart the enemies of God’s attacks on the church. If deliverance from the wicked hands of evil men do not come at present, I pray to the God of all comfort to bless Christians facing persecution with peace and perseverance trusting Christ will one day burn all the enemies’ chariots in fire and break their bow. May He bless even me that I may remain faithful.
Heavenly Father, I know You do not turn a blind eye to Your people crying out for mercy. Bless Your persecuted children who face danger and grief so deeply. Bless, O Lord, with peace and a persevering faithfulness trusting You gather Your church into safety, and You will gather Your enemies to end war under our Redeemer’s rule forever. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
