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America spends nearly 50% of the world’s expenditure on war each year–nearly $700 billion. Putting aside whether such huge amounts of money are required, the reality is this–if the world were free of violence and the threat of violence, we could use those funds for peaceful purposes. The Bible tells us that one day we will have a peaceful society. We read in Isaiah, chapter 2, where the prophet envisions God’s kingdom embracing the entire world. Conflict and violence will end. Peace will prevail throughout the earth. Here is how he describes it: “In the last days, the mountain of the LORD’S house will be the highest of all–the most important place on earth. People from all over the world will stream there to worship. People from many nations will come and say, ‘Come let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob’s God. God will teach us His ways and we will walk in His paths. The LORD’S teaching will go out from Zion. The LORD will mediate between nations and settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.” Those days will surely come. But until then, God calls His people to share His message of love and forgiveness, to treat others fairly, and to be peacemakers both at home and around the world.
