By Doug Bing, Washington Conference President
Did you know that currently there are 55 armed state sponsored conflicts going on in the world right now?
We have certainly heard recently of the tragic war in Ukraine that continues to this day. We have also certainly heard of the tragic war in Israel as media is flooded with graphic pictures of the war that has affected both sides of the conflict. I have certainly felt sorrow when seeing the families that have been torn apart on both sides from this. We have also heard testimonies of how this has affected families both overseas and friends right here at home. We hear of the two major ones in the world but there are so many more armed conflicts happening in the world that don’t regularly make the news.
We, however, should not be surprised by all of this.
Matthew 24:6 is a text that most of us have heard multiple times.
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
These wars are tragic, and we should do all we can to help people in these situations and certainly pray for peace. However, we will continue to see these things happen until Jesus comes and puts an end to it all.
There is another battle that Matthew 24 speaks about that is the most important battle in the history of the world. It is one that has been waged on this earth for centuries. You could say that it is the longest running war in the history of mankind.
Matthew 24:14 states
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
The battle is the battle to force back the darkness of this world and let the light of the gospel into all the world. The battle starts with the great controversy right between your ears in the battle for your mind: the battle of the mind between good and evil. The battle for your soul is intense. The devil is a roaring lion looking to devour you. (I Peter 5:8)
Jesus gives you assurance that He will save you and empower you to live life to the fullest in this world.
More than that He also gives you gifts that will help in the battle to share the gospel to the entire world. Let us unite our hearts and minds together with Jesus and each other to let the battle of our minds be won by Jesus as well as get the gospel to all parts of our world.