Topical Encyclopedia Throughout the Scriptures, the theme of God causing wars to cease is a profound testament to His sovereignty and ultimate authority over the nations. The Bible presents God as the supreme ruler who has the power to bring peace and end conflicts according to His divine will and purpose.Divine Sovereignty and Peace The Psalms frequently highlight God's ability to bring an end to warfare. Psalm 46:9 declares, "He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire." This verse underscores God's active role in dismantling the instruments of war, symbolizing His power to establish peace. The imagery of breaking bows and shattering spears illustrates the futility of human conflict in the face of divine intervention. Prophetic Promises of Peace The prophetic books of the Old Testament also speak of a future time when God will bring an end to all wars. Isaiah 2:4 prophesies, "He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor will they train anymore for war." This vision of peace is a hallmark of the Messianic age, where God's righteous judgment leads to the transformation of weapons into tools for cultivation, symbolizing a complete cessation of hostilities. God's Deliverance and Protection In historical narratives, God is often depicted as delivering His people from the threat of war. In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat of Judah faced a formidable alliance of enemies. In response to his prayer, God assured him through the prophet Jahaziel, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's" (2 Chronicles 20:15). The subsequent divine intervention led to the enemies turning against each other, resulting in Judah's deliverance without the need for battle. The Role of Faith and Obedience The cessation of war is frequently linked to the faith and obedience of God's people. In Leviticus 26:6 , God promises, "I will give peace to the land, and you will lie down with no one to make you afraid. I will remove dangerous beasts from the land, and no sword will pass through your land." This promise is contingent upon Israel's adherence to God's commandments, illustrating the connection between covenant faithfulness and divine peace. Eschatological Fulfillment The New Testament echoes the Old Testament's anticipation of a future era of peace. Revelation 21:4 envisions a time when "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This eschatological hope is rooted in the ultimate victory of God over all forms of evil and conflict, culminating in eternal peace. Conclusion The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as the one who causes wars to cease, emphasizing His control over history and His desire for peace among nations. Through divine intervention, prophetic promises, and the faithfulness of His people, God demonstrates His power to end conflicts and establish His kingdom of peace. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 46:9He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in sunder; he burns the chariot in the fire. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library That Our Lawful Occupations do not Hinder us from Practicising ... Love in the Blessed Ones. That when David had Numbered the People, they were Punished; and ... Wandering Thoughts Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for ... Attitude of Men of the Present Day to War. The Eternal Punishment of the Wicked Reconciled with the Goodness ... Hindrances to Revivals. Antichrist in Daniel City of God Resources What happened in the Six-Day War? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are Christians pro-life when it comes to abortion while at the same time in favor of the death penalty and supportive of war? | GotQuestions.org How should Christians respond to the "War on Christmas"? | GotQuestions.org War: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics War with Endurance of Hardness War with Steadfastness in the Faith War without Earthly Entanglements War: Be Clothed in White Clothing War: Be Confessed by Christ in the Presence of God the Father War: Be Pillars in the Temple of God War: Called "The Armor of God" War: Called "The Armor of Light" War: Called "The Armor of Righteousness" War: Called the Good Fight of Faith War: Eat from the Tree of Life War: Enemy Harangued by the General of the Opposing Side War: Frequently Long Continued War: Frequently Sore and Bloody War: God: Gives the Victory In War: God: Scatters Those Who Delight In War: God: Strengthens his People For War: God: Taught his People the Art of War: Have a White Stone, and in It a New Name Written War: Have Power Over the Nations War: Have the Name of God Written Upon Them by Christ War: Large Armies Frequently Engaged In War: Mere Professors do not Maintain War: Not be Hurt by the Second Death War: Not Have Their Names Blotted out of the Book of Life War: Often Arises from the Opposition of Friends or Relatives War: Often Attended by Cruelty War: Often Attended by Devastation War: Often Attended by Pestilence War: Often Sent As a Punishment for Sin War: Originates in the Lusts of Men War: Over all That Exalts Itself War: Preceded by Great Preparation War: Saints are all Engaged In War: Sit With Christ on his Throne War: Strengthened by Christ In War: Symbolized by a Red Horse War: The Breastplate of Righteousness War: The Contest Between Antichrist and the Church War: The Contest of Saints With the Enemies of Their Salvation War: The Jews: Frequently Engaged in (See Joshua Chapters 6 Through 11) War: The Malignity of the Wicked War: The Preparation of the Gospel War: Those Who Overcome In, Will Eat of the Hidden Manna War: To be on the Right Hand and Left, an Idiom Meaning: "To Attack and to Defend." War: Under Christ, As Our Captain Related Terms War-carriages (76 Occurrences) |