Violence and the Kingdom of God, a Gospel of Peace and Taking the Land

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We know that Jesus had to die, but why all of the apostles tortured and killed, except John, many of the early disciples and many first and second century Christians?

In our day, in the west, we don't face these kinds of things and many of our beliefs may be based in a world where we are protected in a western country with an army. Others, today and in the past, deal with those who kill. Most of us know of many cases where God delivered men in the bible and we are inspired to have this in our lives, but what did Jesus teach about protecting us, suffering for Him or about fighting and war? Some view it as our duty to retaliate or be on the offensive in the name of protection for our country and our lives.

What is, our purpose in the Kingdom of God? To prosper, to suffer?

 I am surprised myself what the scripture says, after I recently studied the subject. I knew some talk of suffering was in the New Testament, but after a complete study, there is overwhelming evidence for a doctrine of suffering, a type of pacifism-peace-love as well as God's blessing and protection that should make up our view of God's world under the New Covenant. I have to admit in the recent past, I've had trouble facing a few scriptures like these, and thought these were for the apostles or for missionaries, but I also didn't realize how many scriptures and commands there were! This changes everything. Reading the Bible as a book or reading favorite scriptures is very different than studying one subject fully, seeing how many times something is mentioned and arguing it.  When we read the Bible as we read a book, we don't always catch persistent themes. So I'm presenting what I've found and please prayerfully read these scriptures on suffering, fighting, war, peace and blessing, for there are so many it is obvious what our Lord intended for us.

This, is shockingly, the Kingdom of God.

Remember Jesus sent the disciples and the church out on the great commission into all the world during Roman terror. He said all the world will hate us, but do not fear “I have overcome the world” The Romans like Titus, Nero and Caligula. 

Matt 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves, so be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.

John 16:33 In this world you shall have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world.

2 Thes 1:4 so that we ourselves boast in you in the churches of God about your patient endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring, 5 a proof of the righteous judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, on behalf of which also you are suffering, 6 since it is righteous in the sight of God to pay back those who are afflicting you with affliction, 7 and to you who are being afflicted, rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, 8 with burning flame giving punishment to those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus, 9 who will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his strength,

John 15:18 If the world hates you remember they hated me first.
John 15:20  No servant is above his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you as well.

1 Pet 4 :1 Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Phil 1: 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,e striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him…

1 Cor 4:9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena.

Acts 14:19 But Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and when they* had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him* outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after* the disciples surrounded him, he got up and* went into the city. And on the next day he departed with Barnabas for Derbe.

Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria

21 And after they* had proclaimed the good news in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them* to continue in the faith and saying,* “Through many troubles it is necessary for us to enter into the kingdom of God.”

Matt 16:24 "take up your cross"

Eph 6:15 and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

1 Cor 7:15 God has called us to live in peace.

Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

because they will be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you

when they insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you, lying on account of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

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21 “You have heard that it was said to the ⌊people of old⌋, ‘Do not commit murder,’ and ‘whoever commits murder will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Stupid fool!’ will be subject to the council, and whoever says, ‘Obstinate fool!’ will be subject to fiery hell.
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The Sermon on the Mount: Retaliation

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist the evil person, but whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 And the one who wants to go to court with you and take your tunic, ⌊let him have⌋ your outer garment also. 41 And whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

The Sermon on the Mount: Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, because he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not the tax collectors also do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing that is remarkable? Do not the Gentiles also do the same? 48 Therefore you be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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The Sermon on the Mount: The Narrow Gate

13 “Enter through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it, 14 because narrow is the gate and constricted is the road that leads to life, and there are few who find it!

Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

2 Tim 2:4 - Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules

Rev 12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Matt 26:54 “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so

John 18:11“Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me

Luke 22:49  And when* those around him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50 And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and* said, “⌊Stop! No more of this!⌋” And he touched his* ear and* healed him.

1 Tim 3:3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money

Rom 3:15  Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 destruction and distress are in their paths,

17 and they have not known the way of peace.

18 The fear of God is not before their eyes.”

Matt 16:24- (Luke9:23- & Mark 8:34 -) From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up HIS cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done

Eph 6:10 be angry and sin not.

James 1:19,20 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Eph 4:31 Let ALL bitternes and wrath, and anger, and clamour and evil speaking, be put away from you with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tender hearted forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake has forgiven you.

Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

Col 3:8  But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Acts 5:40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name

Acts 9:16 things he must suffer for my names sake

1 Tim 1:9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike(hit) their fathers and mothers, for murderers

1 Pet 3:8 -  And finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, showing mutual affection, compassionate, humble, 9 not repaying evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the other hand blessing others, because for this reason you were called, so that you could inherit a blessing. 10 For

“The one who wants to love life

and see good days

must keep his* tongue from evil

and his lips must not speak deceit.

11 And he must turn away from evil and do good;

he must seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

1 Thes 5:13 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another AND to everyone(not just interpersonal relationships)

2 thes 1:5-8 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God

1 Thes 2:14 - For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

Hebrews 10:30 - For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will repay, says the Lord.

Heb 12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, obedient, full of mercy and good fruits, nonjudgmental, without hypocrisy, 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among those who make peace.

1 Pet 2:23 He(Jesus) did not retaliate ..He made no threats.

Biblical pacifism is not the same as regular pacifism… there are times when disciples rebuked people, but never violence.

I'm not preaching that we should look for suffering but to put on the kingdom of God first and not love our lives more than God.

There maybe sometimes we don't get our deliverance from God because we are called to suffer in some way, be a testimony to the wicked or deliverance is hindered in spiritual battle. We don't always know why but we are just called to be "faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life". Rev 2:10

With this huge amount of scriptures on the subject, it's easy to see that we may not have known the scripture well enough and why God tells many on the Day of the Lord "I never knew you". That may sound harsh but honestly do we look like the person above in those scriptures or are we a person with no love for their enemies, caught up in our culture of spreading righteousness by hurting evil doers and dishonoring the name of Christ "THE PRINCE OF PEACE".


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Once someone challenged me to find any scriptures in the New Testament that promoted violence or protecting ourselves. Honestly you are hard pressed to do so. The main one that most people point to is

Luke 22:35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out without a money bag and a traveler’s bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?”* And they said, “Nothing.” 36 And he said to them, “But now the one who has a money bag must take it,* and likewise a traveler’s bag. And the one who does not have a sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this that is written must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was counted with the criminals.’ For indeed, what is written* about me ⌊is being fulfilled⌋.” 38 So they said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords!” And he said to them, “It is adequate.”

So two swords were enough for probably more than 12 disciples and followers. This was also a direct opposite quote from him first telling them to "take no purse, bag, sandals " Luke 10:4            Jesus then almost immediately rebuked Peter for using the sword in the garden later.

Also this was in order to possibly fulfill   that he would lose none of them.  John 17:11,12   Luke 22:53 "this is the hour when darkness reigns". So this was so the apostles would survive to carry on the kingdom into the world. While Jesus was on the cross and darkness was reigning, possibly and God was turning his face from the sin that hung on the tree. This was when Christ, who could himself escape evil to fulfill his purpose, was not there to protect his main sheep, while they were grieving for his betrayal and death.

This is not a very strong scripture for a man of peace to promote fighting, war or retaliation.

Here's some more that some say promote our being violent.

Luke 12:51 I did not come to bring peace but a sword( 98% of people already see this as a obvious metaphor.) This is saying how men will hate us and not that we should fight them. This is also talking about the truths from the bible we teach that are an offense to men, "the sword of the Spirit" that will cause division between the sheep and goats in our world. In light of the many scriptures above and this obvious English in this scripture most people already see this as turmoil, not violence.

John 2:18 and Matt 2:17 These are the events that Jesus made a whip and cleansed the temple. Jesus never is said to have whipped anyone but "drove them out". These also may be two separate events that Jesus did twice(just a side note)

 Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil. (God seems to use unsaved men to execute wrath and armys of the world to judge other nations) though we are not involved as we are in a higher calling as ambassadors or Christ. We are "pilgrims and strangers in this world" and from another country, in heaven, "who's builder and maker is God." We are told to follow the gospel and that a good soldier doesn't entangle himself with the affairs of this world.

The beatitudes change the old law. It was said "eye for and eye" (law of Moses) but "no longer"
"turn the other cheek" and so on in the passage, God changes the law that was given because of the hardness of their hearts.

I've heard many arguments over the years, that murder is different than killing, that the beatitudes are for interpersonal relationships only but it's ok to defend yourselves.  Many may be familiar with the "just war" idea. Where war is bad unless it's against a tyrant like Hitler, but even these ideas are made up usually by someone who reasons "should I let my wife and kids be murdered? no I must fight(kill)" but they are hard pressed to find anything remotely like this in scripture.

We are taught to obey governments, police, politicians, even when they are bad ones and pray for rulers, but only in light of our calling as New Testament saints. We are to be better than they are. If they promote killing babies or men, we shall not follow but "suffer as a good soldier" of Christ and give place for God's vengeance. We are never to aid in punishing evil doers.
"Our battle is not against flesh and blood" Jesus also said "if my kingdom was of this world, my men would fight", but our battle is "against rulers of darkness in high places". We have weapons they know not of that pull down strongholds, bring down kingdoms of this world because we reign with Christ. And when things go bad, we love men and God first and not our lives "unto death". The Christian soldier is mighty to the pulling down of strongholds, in prayer. On your knees you are powerful.

God himself is not always a pacifist.  It is God who causes the nations to rise and fall and even uses them to war and bring relief to the saints 2 thes 1:5-8 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God

Consider these scriptures as well where God judges men.

acts 5:8 Ananias and Saphirah (here God uses men, occasionally, to judge others)

acts 13 Elymus the sorcerer blinded by Paul through the Holy Spirit

heb 1:12 “Sit at my right hand

 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”

(Enemies are being persecuted by God)

heb 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet

Revelation 6:10 - And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?


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Deliverance

The Bible's teaching is clear.

Bible Christians die for their faith and those who’s identity is as a citizen of this world,  kill for their faith and call it protection. 

Most believers already know that God blesses His children.  In fact some churches camp at these doctrines, so I focus on all these hard scriptures on suffering to add them to our knowledge. We need to learn both sides of the promises of God. Those that are for our pleasure and those that are for the kingdom. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."

In the grand scheme of things, your enemies salvation, and your love for your enemy should be our priority, not being concerned in the outcome and danger. I do not mean you need to become a reckless person, always endangering yourself and let me say a powerful thing in the midst of these hard sayings.... God is pleased to also deliver you from persecution, trials and suffering. You who have taken up your cross and are worthy to be His disciple. Matt 10:38 Yes our God loves to deliver you because He loves you.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers them out of them all.

God most certainly wants to deliver us as well in the midst of our troubles.

Luke 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

Acts 18:10 don't be afraid to speak for I am with you, no man shall hurt you for I have much people in this city.

Acts 12:6 peter delivered from prison

Acts 18:10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

Most believers already  know God delivers and blesses us, but this is an interesting study to form a full opinion or doctrine on both suffering and deliverance.

"if you have all faith you can remove mountains"

Paul and Silas were delivered in prison

"God had mercy on me so I would not be overly sorrowed."

"Pray for our deliverance?  or from evil men? of this world"

"take no thought of what you will say they will drag you into the courts and before priests."

"Paul escaped through a basket in a window.."

It's not that God wants us to have no money and give all away when he says focus on another mans wealth and not your own or better to give than receive …  or just to suffer for fun. He wants you to live by faith continually.

He also said 2 Cor 8:13 For this is not that for others there may be relief, and for you to be burdened, but for there to be equality. 

Matt 25 the ten virgins said no if I give you of my oil I will not have enough..   

Luke 12:39 If the owner of the house knew what time the thief was coming, he would have locked his doors. You are allowed to protect yourself by being wise.

 The same in Heb 11  some did not accept deliverance from persecution to receive a better (reward) in resurrection.. or maybe just to have their resurrection now.  God doesn't automatically want you to die for the nearest persecutor.. there were many times the disciples fled persecution… Paul was let down in a basket and escaped..he wanted to….Matt 10:23 if they persecute you in one town, flee

Follow the Kingdom. Follow the King. What comes will come.

Know there may be a times that we do suffer and we need to be ready and also a time God calls us to suffer or be persecuted. It's not that God only cares for one mans salvation above your life, because wisdom could keep you alive to witness to thousands which is much more valuable than one death, but one death also, as in the book of acts brought blessing and the Spirit of Christ to the church showing men that our King and Kingdom is worth dying for and worth more than this dirty world, and many souls were added. One death fortifies others walks with the Lord, lighting a fire among the kindling,  and  shows God's great power in martyrdom. "though a grain of wheat falls to the ground it abides alone, but if it falls it bears much fruit" " no in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loves us". When you are good to them it heaps coals of fire upon them.

In the end, the big key here is to listen to God… know that He calls us to suffer, not to fight mankind and to bring His peace and power to the world. It is with a holy fear that I bring this to you and humbleness knowing that I need these things to be accomplished in me.

Preach the Gospel! Suffer as one called by God, worthy of His Kingdom! Be wise as serpents, Harmless as Doves!

Remember my beloved family of God, 12 men full of the Spirit changed the world forever. More than voting, more than war, more than hiding you are called to the gospel of peace, to teach the nations.

I'll see you on the cross friend.

Peace Greg