I am finally beginning to understand what the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, meant when he said….Think not that I am come to send peace on Earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword, Matthew 10:34. I really hope this article helps you to seek and understand the truth about war and peace from the scriptures, especially now that the Holy Land is again ablaze in the fiery sword of war because of Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran, and Syria. Where is all of this leading? As I have written repeatedly, Russia will at some point in this perpetual madness treacherously join with America to establish a political-religious peace covenant in the Middle East, just as the Jewish prophets declared long ago. The prophet Daniel’s two “Little Horns” will come together in common cause. The Islamic leaders of the Middle East, including those in Syria and Iran, will surprise and shock the world by making peace with Israel, even allowing for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple next to their Mosque in Jerusalem. The only question remaining is whether Iran and Syria will experience a regime change first?
Some in Christendom would say this astonishing and surprising quote from Jesus verifies that he approves of his followers taking up the literal swords of war, if necessary, to defeat his enemies and establish the promised peace of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Christians who hold this world-view are known as dominionists, and today are actively engaged in America and Israel’s war against the madmen of Islam.
Others, me included, think that Jesus is clearly teaching that the sword he is talking about is his words and teachings, which are illustrated in the scriptures as a two-edged sword, Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 2:12, 19:15. Those of you who have taken the time to read all of the Lord’s teachings in the New Testament must admit that he came from Heaven to Jerusalem announcing the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven and he is its King. But he also announced that all men are born with a money-loving rebellious nature that despises the God that created them, Matthew 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:10. Therein lies the problem.
Both Israel’s leaders and their Roman conquerors despised and rejected this Kingdom and viciously killed its King. But it didn’t end there, for he was raised bodily from the dead, seen by hundreds of his dazed followers, and then ascended into Heaven, leaving the promise of his return. Think of that for a moment. Let it sink down into the depths of your heart. Read this carefully. Because of this rebellion, all men alive at his second coming will stand condemned in his Jerusalem courtroom, unless they have previously confessed their sin nature and received his gracious gift of eternal salvation, paid for by the very blood that we all caused to be shed. In other words, all men must be born again spiritually to escape the condemnation of Hell and later the eternal Lake of Fire, John 3:1-21. And those who die today in their unforgiven sin will instantly open their spiritual eyes in Hell and remain there until the end of the millennial reign of the King. Then, even the condemned souls in Hell will have their dead bodies raised for judgment and be eternally sentenced to the Lake of Fire, Revelation 20.
Men who ignorantly despise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Israel’s one true God in three persons, will naturally despise any government of men with whom they disagree. Ironically, Israel and America, today’s Roman conquerors, are again rejecting the King and his coming Kingdom. Only a small persecuted remnant exists in each nation, who are eagerly awaiting the return of the King to glorify their bodies and remove them to Heaven, which signals the beginning of the judgment of God, 1 Peter 4:17.
So, the sword or word Jesus “sent” out into the Earth includes this offer of deliverance to the descendents of Adam and Eve who are at war with and despise their own creator who yet loves them, Romans 5:6-21. When the truth of his spoken word bringing “peace” with God is joyously received by a man, who then shares it with his natural family, it creates tremendous division and discord with those in his family and community who are still ruled by their sin nature and at war with God. The community is now in a spiritual war with one of their own and the false peace they once had is shattered by this sword. You must know that this offer of deliverance includes spiritual freedom from the fallen angels, led by Satan, who temporarily occupy and rule this planet and all of its various governments and religions, including most of Christendom. Yes, it is true that Satan is the “god” of democratic republics (liberals, conservatives, republicans, democrats, and independents), monarchies, fascists, communists, and false theocracies such as Iran, Revelation 12:9, 20:1-3. They are all the product of his clever mixture of truth and error. Regrettably, the men trapped in these systems of government are not aware who they really serve. It is these fallen angels who we should despise, not the men of government who blindly follow them.
Please know that many Evangelicals and Fundamentalists have been thoroughly seduced by these fallen angels into believing that God has given them the authority and power to violently take dominion over the nations prior to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Their numbers are growing every day due to the insane and barbaric policies of Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran. Their leaders consider themselves Generals in the Lord’s Army. These militant leaders of Christendom have forgotten that until the day the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ returns to this planet, he commands all those who follow him to live and walk as he did while visiting this world. This view of the inherent sin nature, the evil angelic world system, and the Lord’s command to walk in his steps is fundamental, and not negotiable, if one wants to be a true disciple of the Lord. He said that, not me, when he said….And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple, Luke 14:27. The Lord further stated that those who try to tamper with this clear directive by twisting his words into another meaning will be rejected at his second coming, Matthew 7:15-23. The two-edged sword of Jesus Christ sent out into the world will either cleanse and comfort you, or condemn you in your rebellion. Which edge of the sword you experience is your choice.
I am writing this second article on “Despising Government” because of the responses I received to the previous one. I was overwhelmed by some who wrote back to me. Besides the many detractors, deniers, and doubters, there were some Christians who wrote to thank me for alerting them to the many dangers inherent in the Constantinian “just war” doctrine that is ensnaring many Evangelicals and Fundamentalists. Many of them admitted they had fallen into a despising attitude toward government, but now see how their proud support of the “just war” doctrine helped them become despisers of political leaders (liberal democrats) who they disagreed with over issues and policies. They are beginning to understand the depth of the bloody cross of Jesus, and that “only” when Jesus returns in great power and glory, will he then “make war” against all those who despise him and his words, who have refused to repent and confess their sin, Revelation 19:11-16. Some of my friends now understand the connections between the two comings of Jesus in the flesh, and thereby realize how wrong it is to despise men in civil government no matter how evil they may be. Please read the article “Coming in the Flesh” posted on my web site for additional detail.
The first coming in the flesh was as a Lamb of God, to announce and provide for the free gift of eternal life through faith in his shed blood. His bloody cross and glorious resurrection also reveal how impossible it is for man to make himself right in the eyes of God the Father. The first coming of Jesus Christ is to make us ready for his second coming to rule the Earth and all of the nations. Some who have been born again in the past, but were later seduced into this militant “dominion” gospel have written me, saying the indwelling Holy Spirit has revealed to them how false teachers have rejected the truth of the cross in their own lives, and only concentrate on the “crown” they want to wear in the Kingdom of God. A crown, by the way, they want to wear without Jesus being on the Earth with them, 1 Corinthians 4:8-21. This arrogance and pride is not the product of one who has been born again by the power of the Holy Spirit, and who desires and longs to be “with” Jesus in body, soul, and spirit. The very fact these false teachers preach a patriotic dominion gospel based on militant violence against their enemies, proves they are nothing but the “natural brute beasts” Peter describes, 2 Peter 2:12. Though they profess to be Christians, who come in the name of Jesus Christ, they really are like those Paul describes….Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Romans 8:9.
There was one man who wrote to me after doing a internet search concerning America’s place in prophecy, then finding my web site and reading “Despising Government”, who represents the sentiments of many letters I received. His name is Thomas McAllister. I was so moved by his remarks I just had to ask him for permission to include our email exchanges in this follow-up article on “Despising Government”. You can read them below and please know that Thomas has allowed me to also post his email address in case you want to contact him. The way he confessed his spiritual condition of despair and broken relationship with his wife is something I want to possess at all times. For his honesty before God and man is the inner work of the Holy Spirit. And God the Father responded by healing his heart and marriage. My friends this is the love of our triune God in action. In addition to all of his trials and tribulations, he realized how he had fallen into the delusions of militant patriotism that is sweeping Evangelical and Fundamentalist movements in America. This really touched my heart for Thomas was one of the first firefighters/paramedics on the scene right after the plane hit the Pentagon on 9/11. He has first hand experience in the horrible and sad events that took place that day, at the very place that defines military service and patriotism. His testimony should make us all weep and cry out to God in thankfulness.
I have written many times in other articles and it bears repeating often, that I honor men like Thomas for serving and sacrificing themselves for others. He is like veterans of the military who put their lives on the line for others, even though most of us were deceived by the false militant gospel of religious hirelings. To be clear about this, I am not honoring the sin of killing one’s enemies in the name of some political or religious cause, just as Peter was not honoring the sin of men when he said….Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King, 1 Peter 2:17. To honor means to esteem, to hold dear and precious, or to value “all” people, without partiality or respect of certain persons. This is how God feels toward all of fallen mankind, Romans 5:6-11. He loves, values, and holds precious the people he created and was moved to offer salvation to all of them. The Son of God came to serve and sacrifice himself so that men can be freed from their own sin nature and the fallen angels who manipulate it. If God honors all men in this way, how can Christians not have the same attitude, Philippians 2:1-11? The attitude of soldiers to put their lives on the line to save others is honorable, but not their willingness to kill other men for whom the Lord Jesus shed his blood. This is an example of how Satan has mixed his lies with the truth of the bloody cross!
I want to believe that Christians who have participated in carnal wars were acting out of ignorance because they were deceived. My willingness as a soldier to kill my human enemies was held in ignorance, and God has forgiven those of us who have repented. I will always remember the five years in the United States Army and the fine men I served with in Vietnam. Several of my family members, and friends I grew up with, all professing Christians, bear the scars from bullet and shrapnel wounds while serving in Vietnam. I consider them among my best friends and when we meet for annual reunions, I am honored to be in their presence.
Sometimes I find myself weeping when I see the awful head and body scars my cousin lives with. He was a “dust-off” medic who flew into sometimes “hot” landing zones in helicopters to pick up the dead and wounded during the Vietnam war. He was awarded the Silver Star for saving the lives of ten wounded soldiers while severely wounded himself. The pilot of his helicopter received the Congressional Medal of Honor. I want every one of them in the Kingdom of Heaven when Jesus returns and they all know how I now feel about carnal wars and why. As I wrote in my article “Moved with Compassion”, I lived for a long time with guilt, when after I was trained as an armored recon specialist and fully expecting to be shipped with my friends to combat units in Vietnam, I was given orders for Officers Candidate School. Some of my recon friends didn’t come home alive, and for a long time I thought I should have been one of them who came home in a flag-draped coffin.
Even the apostle Paul commented on the discipline and singleness of mind that is required of a soldier, and encouraged the followers of Jesus to do the same when he said…Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier, 2 Timothy 2:3-4. Obviously, the warring that Paul is referring to for the Christian is not the same as a traditional soldier who takes the lives of others, 2 Corinthians 10:1-5. The “dominionists” need to remember that, don’t they? Paul’s new war was spiritual and aimed directly at the fallen angels who had deceived him into hating and killing other fallen men before he surrendered his heart to the God of Israel, Jesus Christ, Ephesians 6:12. And those who felt the wrath of the unconverted Paul most in those days were the new converts to Jesus Christ among the Jewish people. It is no wonder that Messianic Jews were originally very cautious upon hearing that one of their greatest persecutors, Paul, had become a fellow believer.
Remember Christians, being a good soldier or fireman and winning the respect and admiration of men, does not change the fact that we all were deceived by the fallen angels, working through political-religious hirelings, into following a false gospel that keeps our hearts and eyes off of the coming Kingdom of God at the return of Jesus Christ. It is a false gospel that makes other fallen men our enemies, rather than the fallen angels that manipulate man’s sin nature into warring against each other. I hope that you would all agree with me that firemen, paramedics, policemen, and veterans should be honored, but the brave actions of these men do not wash away their sin nature and their responsibility for it. What you see taking place among the nations in this world is the inherent conflict between good and evil that resides in all men. Furthermore, the Lord Jesus Christ has made it clear that even the good that unsaved men wish to do is influenced or soiled by the sin nature they all possess, thus making their good works as filthy rags in the eyes of God the Father, Isaiah 64:6.
Do you remember the scriptures in Peter’s second letter, where he described false prophets among the people of God who were covetous and made merchandize of the people, while “despising government” from men who they disagreed with, 2 Peter 2? Peter said of these presumptuous men who “speak evil” against civil authorities that they were as “natural brute beasts” made to be taken and destroyed. These were professing Christian leaders who spoke evil of the “things” they did not understand.
What does it mean to despise? Simply, the word means to reject, to think against, to cast off, to frustrate, and to disannul. These professing Christian men, then and now, speak in an evil way by condemning and passing sentence on those who they despise, and call their enemies, antichrists, who need to be overthrown by them. They reject the idea of the imminent coming of Jesus to execute vengeance and made themselves the judges of the government. Of course, these false prophets and teachers are well versed in bearing false witness and gossip against the civil authorities. This kind of reminds me of all the stories flying around Christian ministries on the internet as to how President Bush plotted with Islamic terrorists who conducted the 9/11 disasters, in order to fulfill the plans of the New World Order elite to take over the world. Obviously, to their way of thinking, since President Bush is a member of the elite order of Skull and Bones, he is part of the murderous conspiracy to take away the sovereignty of America and make it part of the New World Order, led by the United Nations organization. Remember, it is acceptable to compassionately expose the sin nature President Bush and all of us were born with, and how this may lead to the fulfillment of prophecy, but it is evil speaking when one despises and then condemns the President with unproven accusations.
The New Testament scriptures teach that unregenerate civil leaders of Gentile nations are allowed by God to execute justice and vengeance against evildoers or criminals amongst them, both as a restraint and deterrence, Romans 12:14-13:1-7. But God has revealed to us that this is only a temporary solution because of the influence of fallen angels working through man’s sin nature. Read this next sentence carefully and take heed, for it is the heartbeat of this entire article. The combined power of the cross and second coming of Jesus Christ is the only permanent solution to the death and destruction that men inflict upon one another to the sick delight of their fallen angel masters.
Therefore, those who profess the name of Jesus Christ and become entangled in these unregenerate but religious governments will inevitably compromise and betray the cross and second coming of Jesus. Sooner or later they will end up despising governments, either those of other nations or their own, and seek to violently overthrow them. Sadly, they become “enemies” of the cross and get caught up in a dangerous satanic trap that will only bring about their own destruction, Philippians 3:7-21. Professing Christians should know they have been spiritually translated into a different Kingdom which is not of this satanic world, Colossians 1:13, John 18:36. We are ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, placed in all nations to warn them of their sin and the imminent coming of the Lord Jesus to execute justice and vengeance, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. Because of this position and assignment from the Lord we are forbidden to take part in executing the vengeance of governments upon the evildoers in their nations that God has temporarily allowed.
George Washington despised his own King of England and George W. Bush despised the President of Iraq. They both professed to be Christians. Both of them listened to the false religious teachers of their day who became entangled in civil government. And now some professing Christian Evangelicals and Fundamentalists despise George W. Bush and want him cast off and disannulled. To them he is a traitor to their conservative cause and guilty of merging God’s chosen “redeemer” nation, America, into the New World Order which they despise even more. As Peter said of these prophets and so-called Bible teachers, they speak evil of the “things” they do not understand.
For instance, they do not understand that all Gentile nations with their various political systems, including America’s, are the product of fallen angels, who enrage men to then war against each other in the name of their “righteous” political-religious causes. The perpetual war between Islam and the militants within Christendom, who view Islam as the face of antichrist, will eventually trigger World War Three. This hideous and insane conflict is today the greatest example of the diabolical influence of fallen angels upon all governmental systems. Indeed, Islam is very much antichrist and the disgusting demonic behavior of its Jihad warriors is designed to stir the hatred in all of us, but the coming biblical Antichrist will be a professing Christian, not a Moslem. Neither do these teachers and prophets understand that wars and rumors of wars in the Holy Land will escalate until the nuclear extinction of mankind becomes a near reality, and then Satan and his fallen angels will install the false Messiah of Christendom who will bring order and peace out of chaos. My friends, that day is near, as Jesus said…even at the doors, Matthew 24:33. Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran, and Syria will play a pivotal role in the rise of the False Messiah.
The truth is that America itself is the New World Order and has been growing since 1776. The nations of the world are being seduced into America’s web of political-religious-economic deceit, Revelation 13, 17, 18. This is the global plan of the fallen angels and is the fulfillment of John, Daniel, and Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning Babylon the Great and the final form of the Roman Empire, Revelation 13, 18, Jeremiah 50, 51, Daniel 2, 7. Since America’s patriotic prosperity prophets are not walking in the light and power of the Holy Spirit they cannot honestly separate the sin from the sinner, and extend the hand of grace to the worst of their political-religious enemies who want to destroy them. They find it offensive and cowardly when told by Jesus Christ….to love their enemies and turn your cheek, and resist not evil men…to go forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, harmless as doves…to believe that the Lord’s Kingdom is not of this satanic world of nations…that the meek will inherit the Earth. Their offense to these teachings of Jesus has caused them to reinterpret or ignore them altogether. Then the Jesus they proclaim is really not the same one the scriptures reveal or as Paul said they are preaching “another” Jesus, 2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:6. To put it simply, they do not understand the connecting links between the cross and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am pleading with them to reconsider their ways before it is too late.
Peter said these prophets were “natural brute beasts” that were made to be taken and destroyed. Does this mean they are beyond hope of salvation in Christ? No, I don’t think so, for Jesus said his blood was shed for all of mankind. On the other hand, if these men refuse to turn from their false doctrines they will be judged by Jesus himself at his coming or when they die in their sins without ever repenting. It will be difficult for these self-righteous prophets to admit and confess their error because of the influence and prominence they have made for themselves, mostly through the merchandising and manipulating of the people. Peter is saying these men are natural, meaning they have no connection to the Spirit of God even though they boast of how the Spirit has used them.
When Peter says they are brute beasts he is indicating how extreme they have become in their wrath.. Paul teaches that all of us were born as children of wrath which is an element of our sin nature that works closely with the other elements of pride and various lusts, Ephesians 2:3, 1 John 2:16. But these religious leaders have taken their wrath and pride to a deeper level. The very elements of the sin nature Jesus Christ died on the cross to separate us from, these religious men now teach as Christian doctrine. The doctrines of militant pride and patriotism found in the “just war” theory, the prosperity gospel, and the New Age psycho-babble of the Emergent and Purpose-Driven movements prove this to be true.
Knowing all of this now and looking back at the history of my life before I received a spiritual heart transplant from the Lord, I must confess to being a “natural brute beast” who was a despiser of men in government that I disagreed with. Even today, I can’t tell you how difficult it is for me not to despise and condemn civil leaders like Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Clinton, who have legalized the murder of children in their mother’s wombs, and now the acceptance and legalization of homosexual relationships. After all, is there anything more brutal or beastly than killing and ripping an unborn child from the mother’s womb? It is even more difficult for me when I think of men like George Bush and his conservative friends in Congress, who say they oppose abortion and homosexual unions, and yet do virtually nothing to stop this evil in their midst. The only time they speak up and make promises is during each election season. Both sides of these issues claim to be Christians. Who has the greater sin when they stand before the Lord Jesus Christ on Judgment Day? When I listen to these politicians defying and rebelling against the laws of God, it is hard for me to separate these two abominable sins, which all by themselves bring fiery wrath from God’s holy angels, from the blind sinner whom Jesus Christ “offers” mercy and forgiveness.
Don’t you think at some level or intensity we are all rebelling, despising, and natural brute beasts, and we are born that way because of the fall of Adam and Eve? Isn’t that the course of this fallen world? The false patriotic prophets of rebellion and revolution simply showcase what lies in the hearts of all their followers. Is it not what Paul prophesied of the last days when he said of Christendom…For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, 2 Timothy 4:3?
The words of Jesus Christ I opened this article with about his coming to Earth the first time not to send peace, but a sword, I hope are now more understandable to you. The Lord did not come to sit down with the religious and political leaders of Israel and Rome to negotiate and hammer out some compromise solution or peace treaty for the never-ending violence and destruction that plagues all men and nations. He came not to negotiate, but to confront every one of us with our sin nature and our membership in Satan’s army, which makes us at war with God. We can have “peace with God” through repentance and faith. Once this happens within us, we become soldiers of Jesus Christ in a spiritual war against the lies of the fallen angels. Salvation means, among many other things, changing sides in this rebellious war Satan has waged against God. So then, in a sense, Jesus came to bring both war and peace, but not the false peace of this world system, John 14:27. It is time for all who outwardly take the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to depart from their sin nature and the fallen angels who manipulate it into making war with other men. It is time for us to love and honor all men, even the worst of our human enemies, and pray for their salvation through repentance, faith in the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and his glorious resurrection and return.
Finally, it is time for us to obey the civil authorities unless they compel us to disobey the teachings of the Lord Jesus. Even then, we are to meekly and humbly explain to the civil authorities why we cannot agree with or obey them, and if we are persecuted and punished for this, consider ourselves blessed….for so persecuted they the prophets before us, Matthew 5:10-12. Please don’t mistake what I am saying for retreat, defeat, or cowardice. We are in a mighty spiritual battle and must boldly and publicly speak our minds on the life and death issues of the times to our families, friends, and communities. We are not to hide our faith in Jesus Christ and his teachings. It is time for us to remember that when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to this Earth he will execute vengeance on all those who disobey the gospel and persecute his remnant people, and then imprison Satan and his fallen angels in Hell for one thousand years, 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12, Revelation 20. We will be with Jesus on that day. Until then we are to pick up our own cross and walk in the steps of the Master, weeping and pleading with our families and friends to join us in the Kingdom of God.
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—–Original Message—–
From: Thomas McAllister tomdaddy04@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2006 9:05 PM
To: Jack D. Hook
Subject: Can you help a struggling Christian regain a right perspective???
Sir,
I found your web site while searching for info on America’s place in prophecy. I read several of your articles and have been moved to align my heart and mind with Christ in a way I have not in 25 years of professing Christianity.
This very night as I type these words I am in an emotional and spiritual crisis- my marriage is failing, and I really don’t know what I believe. I have been inspired to evaluate my world view as a result of your writings on ‘Despising Government’ and several other articles addressing a real, honest to goodness Christ-like response to the events of our times. In reading your position on world events, I believe I have fallen prey to the sin of militant patriotism.
I am a 42 year old retired firefighter/paramedic. I was one of the very first to arrive at the Pentagon when the plane hit it on September 11, 2001. Since then, I have been unsettled and obviously unbiblical in my world view and general approach to life since. Please pray for me, that God will truly open my eyes to Him and His way.
Thank you for your work and the articles.
Sincerely,
Tom McAllister
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From: Jack D. Hook
To: Thomas McAllister
Greetings Tom,
Thank you so much for visiting my web site and your honest response. As I was reading you testimony it was hard to hold back the tears and emotion. Oh how our Lord Jesus loves us and moves in such mighty ways to get our attention and draw us back to him. Those who have the Holy Spirit indwelling them are being called back to the simplicity of the cross and second coming message of the New Testament. Jesus and these truths are the rock on which we stand.
Among many other things, I am trying to reach out to the military and veterans with the message of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ and his teachings. I have found that many veterans, especially those involved in intense combat, are very interested in spiritual matters (your experiences on 9/11 include you in this group). Some of them now understand how that all of us were born into this world with a sin nature filled with the pride of this life (militant patriotism a manifestation), love of money, and love of self and carnal pleasures. These things are the root of all wars! Some of them now understand that we all were deceived by politicians and religious hirelings (dating back to Constantine and Augustine) into thinking it was alright for Christian men to kill their enemies.
The web site I have created does not address the truth about war among nations from the appeasing side of the shameful antiwar movement of the 60’s and their offspring today that followed Senator Kerry in the last election. Neither does it address or agree with war from the blinding spirit of pride that consumes the militant patriots of the right wing religious zealots, even though I have much in agreement with them.
I have come to the conclusion from the teachings of Jesus, that all wars are the result of sinful men on both sides, who will no longer be restrained in their anger and rage. One of them lashes out, the other responds. The only way to properly understand and view wars is from the vantage point of the God of Israel as revealed in the scriptures. Please read Ephesians 2:1-7, and you will see that because of the fall of Adam and Eve we are all born with a violent sin nature that makes us all “the children of wrath”. We are born with the hatred and lusts of Satan, who Paul told the Ephesians is the prince of the power of the air, whose course all the nations follow blindly and in ignorance. The Lord Jesus Christ wants everyone to know that, and also that he can save us from the coming wrath of God on those who refuse to repent and be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.
When I discovered that the Lord Jesus Christ has truly risen from the grave two thousand years ago, and promised to return to this Earth to put an end to wars, and to then capture and put in chains Satan and his vast army of fallen angels who hate all men and love the death of war, my eyes were opened to the truth of war! Please take the time to read my web site and respond again at any time. My article “Moved with Compassion” details much of my military experiences.
Veterans of wars who have been awakened by the Lord Jesus Christ and his cross of love have much to contribute to this fallen world. It is my heart’s desire to reach out to as many as I can with the message of the gospel of the soon coming Kingdom of God. My message is not one of condemnation, for I respect and honor them all. I lost some friends in war, but now I understand just how deceived we all were and how these lies are still being told to young Christian men today.
My wife and I will be praying for you and your wife, that your relationship be restored in the Lord Jesus Christ. Please keep in touch, Tom, for I respect and appreciate messages from brothers like you who are open and honest. Your testimony would help many struggling Christians, so if you are moved by the Lord Jesus to write it down with all the details, I will pass it on to as many as I can. You are a blessing to me today.
Your new eternal friend,
Jack D. Hook
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From: Jack D. Hook
To: Thomas McAllister
Hi Tom,
I was just going over some of the email responses that I have saved the past few weeks. Yours was one of them, and I must tell you that was a powerful word you put to paper. The truth of our Lord Jesus Christ working in the hearts of those who love him “and” his teachings stands out. Over the past few weeks my wife has asked me about you, for she was deeply moved by your honesty and the humility the Holy Spirit has worked in your life. The things you confessed to are, in my understanding of the work of the Spirit, something he wants in all believers. Our wonderful and merciful Lord wants those who take his name to really understand that his returning back to this planet is a major part of the glorious gospel. The cross and coming are inseparable.
The fallen angels led by Satan, are busy confusing and distorting the scriptures as to the divinity and humanity of the Lord Jesus, and his coming in the flesh once again to this Earth. The dominionists among Christendom are working overtime to convince Christians they have been given authority and power to take over the nations and their governments. Islam has been raised by Satan to provide the trigger (terrorism) to cause counterfeit and carnal Christians to use their misguided visions of grandeur and glory to march off to war, both in the spiritual and military realms. This helps explain their views that America is a chosen vessel since 1776, to be used by the Lord to bring his government to the Earth, without any need of the bodily return of Jesus Christ to intervene in human affairs. These dominionists think his coming again to restore the Earth is going to take place through “their” flesh, not his own. He will stay in Heaven until they have subdued the Earth.
I write this all to you for two reasons. First, to just encourage you and to see how you are doing in our Lord Jesus. I knew when you wrote that awesome email to me that you were about to feel the wrath of the fallen angels, and they were to tempt you with all kinds of fears, doubts, and temptations of the flesh with its carnal pleasures. They would also tempt you by explaining away the feelings and revelations you had experienced.
Secondly, I wanted to ask you for permission to use your email to me in a future article? If you agree, please let me know if you want your name and address to be kept out of the article. I hope you will let people respond to you directly by leaving you name and address in the letter. For many on my mailing list are dear brothers and sister in the Lord and will be a blessing to you. I hope you don’t mind me asking you this at a time of great trial that you spoke of, but I know our Lord will use your words to save thousands of people and fill them with a “love for the truth”, the same truth Paul spoke of to the Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians 2:10.
Your brother in Jesus,
Jack
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From: Thomas McAllister
To: Jack D. Hook
Jack,
Thank you for your initial reply and the recent email. I’ll start by praising God for His mercy and blessings in my life. Since I wrote you last, my marriage has been miraculously restored, and we are working together to build a God honoring family. Simply giving up my “rights” has enabled the Holy Spirit to work in our marriage like never before. Philippians 4:7 teaches me, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” I am not capable of expressing the peace that God brings to a man who truly desires to take up his cross and submit to the guidance of the Spirit. Many of the things that were literally driving me crazy have been buried along with the fleshly desires and aspirations of the natural Tom!!! I’m not claiming spiritual perfection, or even that I’ve reached some higher level; I’m just letting out a sigh of relief that God was merciful enough to help me understand that He is absolutely in control.
Concerning the matter of using my simple email to reach others, I would humbly contend- and I am fully confident you would agree- that it will only be useful if it is shadowed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. God has been prodding me every day for weeks (years actually!!!) to put my belief into action and tell the world about His grace and mercy- to tell those who are perishing how they can only be saved if they “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31). Contrary to American evangelical Christianity, I feel that He is also teaching me what Jesus meant when He said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 12:17). A bond servant, such as I, first and foremost does the will of his master. I trust you know what I’m trying to say! (I am OK with my name and email address posted, as well.)
Jack, I want to thank you again for your revealing and convicting essays. I will agree with you that believing and adhering to the teachings of Jesus, particularly in this highly patriotic and political partisan-worshiping culture, will make a man not only ‘peculiar’, as Peter put it, but also a target for ridicule and even overt hostility. I will try to remember to pray for you and your walk with the Lord.
Thank you and your wife for your thoughts and prayers.
Tom McAllister