Drawn Swords

He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. (Psalms 55:20-21 KJV)

Bad things happen when wars occur. No matter how “good” the cause, people die. People of all ages, all beliefs. War does not discriminate, though there will be defenders on all sides who cry that the other is unjust. One commentary posits that this speaks of a specific individual David knew - Ahithophel had put forth his hand against David, siding with Absalom:

And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. (2 Samuel 15:31 KJV)

Other bad things happen, too, in. Look at the whole story in this chapter, beginning here:

And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 11:1 KJV)

Force of habit, kings go forth to battle. Over and over again. Repeating errors along the way, making – and breaking – alliances, ignoring what God has in mind in favor of what men advise. This is not going to change, as Jesus tells us:

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:6-8 KJV)

The next verse speaks of his followers:

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. (Matthew 24:9-10 KJV)

Does the following define our time?

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Matthew 24:11-12 KJV)

Can a place be named that has not heard the gospel?

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14 KJV)

The Bible tells us what will happen, not when.

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (Matthew 24:42 KJV)

That day has not, however, stopped approaching. Do you know how to be prepared for it?

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV)

Perhaps we shall see:

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV)