WHY NOT? WHY NOT ANOTHER WAR?
Plain Truth Magazine
March 1978
Volume: Vol XLIII, No.3
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WHY NOT? WHY NOT ANOTHER WAR?

   Some of us have lived through the "war to end all wars," some through the war that was fought to "make the world safe for democracy" (or was it communism?). Most have lived through the "police action" in Korea and the national disgrace in Vietnam. The United States in particular and the Western world in general are sick and tired of war — they don't even like to hear about it occurring anywhere in the world, and try to intervene diplomatically to prevent it. "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God," Jesus proclaimed in Matthew 5:9.
   But somehow wars seem to form an outline of human history. There are very few years — six or so — in all recorded history when some nation was not at war with another (and some unrecorded war probably occurred during those six!). Wars are always justified in elegant language and are fought for "noble purposes." Some are even dignified by the term "holy war" — whatever that is. Wars are fought to obtain "freedom," to — maintain "freedom," to prevent greater wars, to right wrongs, to punish aggressors, to defend the homeland, to expand the homeland, etc., etc., etc.
   More wars have been fought, more people have died, been enslaved, made homeless, orphaned or poverty stricken since "peace" was negotiated at the end of the war (World War II — that's when we took to numbering them) than at any other comparable time in mankind's history. Yet the most succinct description of war is commonly agreed upon: "War is hell!"
   Despite all the slogans, what is the Cause of war? "From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:1-3).
   Let's face it: Wars are not fought for any of the reasons proclaimed by the war slogans we have heard. Even though we hear about "just wars," there has never been one yet! No, wars are fought for one and only one reason: lust, greed, get, take, gain, accumulate (power and property).
   What about wars of defense? Defending against the lust of other warmongers? I'll grant that one, but how often have you seen "defense" used to justify offense?
   Wars are wonderful tools in the hands of politicians. They can be used to focus peoples' minds on problems other than real ones. They can be manipulated, started and stopped. They are "good" for the economy, excellent cures for depression. They create business, expand the control of businesses already extant — and that at the expense of the common citizenry and with the blessings of government.
   "Peace" is a good word. It is used more than "war." Yet history proves that so far we have as a human race been at war 99.44 percent of the time, and even most of the peace that existed was illusory. Peace, in practice, seems to be that time-out that nations negotiate in order to adequately prepare for the next war! The Bible warns repeatedly about the overuse of the word "peace": People "saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jer. 6:14; 8:11; Ezek. 13:10-16). And those references focus on Jerusalem, the focal point of wars for millennia.
   The good news of the Prince of Peace returning to this earth to establish His Kingdom and finally and literally bringing to pass the motto of the United Nations ("They shall beat their swords into plowshares ... nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" [Isa. 2:4]) has not yet been fulfilled.
   Unfortunately, we are still living in that era prophesied of by Jesus when He said, "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" (Matt. 24:6). The most devastating wars mankind has ever waged are yet to be fought. Outlined in the book of Revelation and other prophecies, these future wars will reduce mankind to about one-eighth of its population before our Creator sets His hand to finally save mankind (Matt. 24:22).
   Even the Prince of Peace Himself said: "Think NOT that I am come to send peace on earth [He warned us of the centuries of turmoil we have suffered and are yet to suffer before He comes to set the world at peace]: I came not to send peace, but a sword" (Matt. 10:34). The only peace that you and I can experience before Jesus comes as King of kings to establish His Kingdom of peace on this earth is that peace He left us: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). So, knowing that it is not yet time for the Prince of Peace to establish that peace, and that there are many wars yet to be fought among men, culminating in the final cataclysm which Jesus will come to stop short, we can say, "Why not another war?"
   Our economy is on the brink of a severe depression. War is "good" for depression. Therefore we may (must) be close to another war. But surely we cannot afford that ultimate holocaust of nuclear oblivion we all (used to) fear, so how will the medicine of war be applied to cure us of our depression? In today's war-fertile world the choice of the politician/businessman is broad. As the largest exporter of arms in the Western world, the United States can afford to stimulate business and extend financial control on the multinational level with economic backing — if not with the blood of our youth — in many areas-with "perfectly justifiable" reason. Violence has become a way of life; TV has made us all immune to human suffering. We are being readied by every subtle use of all media for another war.
   Have you noticed how many old war movies you've seen lately? Is the military no longer looked upon with the rancor we felt during the Vietnam era? Even science fiction with its Star Wars helps us to see that there will always be wars, justified and necessary. We are still engaged in "cold war," "psychological war," "trade war," etc. From the point of view of my generation it is amazing to see how easily we can be manipulated to believe in ever changing and contradictory causes. When I was a child I was taught to hate the Germans and the Japanese (World War II), but to trust our allies, the Russians and Chinese. Later I was reeducated to hate the Russians and Chinese, and urged to love and trust our new allies, the Germans and Japanese!
   There are many "righteous causes" that can be exploited in today's world. The Third World is full of them. "Freedom" is sought on every side. Racial discrimination is another potent tool.
   So where shall we look for the next "good war"? How about the Middle East? — always a good caldron in which to boil war. How about Africa, where "freedom" for the majority race is so viciously sought? Never mind that several nations there which have achieved their independence have perpetrated more crimes against their own people and have destroyed more lives and property than in the entire history of their "colonial eras." How about South America, where tempers are easy to inflame, one against the other? Forget that those in the Western (and Eastern) world have already made vast fortunes supplying arms in various "arms races" engaged in that continent. And don't exclude Europe. The Soviets are adequately prepared for "conventional" warfare to a far greater extent than the NATO powers, They can easily have a "good" knock-down-drag-out war without' invoking holocaust. Surely the United States would be drawn into such a war — have we not "saved" Europe twice in most of your lifetimes? And how about Southeast Asia? After all, how far can we be pushed? If we won't defend Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos, will we be interested in coming to the aid of Korea? Of the Philippines (to whom we gave "freedom")? Of Japan (our present ally)? Of Australia and New Zealand? Of India? Will we need a "good" war to inspire us to produce even more billions in arms for the Shah of Iran? Will Rhodesia and South Africa make an unthinkable accord with the Soviet Union (as Germany did) to bring "peace" to Africa?
   The options are nearly endless.
   How about another war? It's not unthinkable, but inevitable! (Read our free booklet entitled The Red Horse: War.)
   Watch! Why not another war?

WHY NOT? WHY NOT ANOTHER WAR? Part Two

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Plain Truth MagazineMarch 1978Vol XLIII, No.3