The War Behind All Wars

Well, it’s Memorial Weekend. Some look at it as the first part of summer, with the annual trip to the Lake, fun in the sun, reunions and family fellowship, and a weekend of relaxation. Some celebrate it as a holiday from working, just a break in the monotony of making a living. But to most, it is a day to remember the loss of loved ones in death. Memorial Day, or originally called Decoration Day, was first officially observed on May 30, 1868, on the order of General John Alexander Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead. Arlington National Cemetery, filled with all those white grave markers, is probably the most symbolic of the cost of war and a revelation of our heritage and troublous times in American history.

Historically, Memorial Day was expanded to include all who died in World War 1, and further expanded to include those of World War 2, better known as Poppy Day. Since 1971, Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, was declared a national holiday. It is traditionally marked by parades, speeches, ceremonies, and is a time set aside for decorating the graves with flowers and flags, in honor of all those who died at war. It has become not only a time to remember the nearly 1.1 million of our nation’s armed services personnel killed in wartime, but also a time for all families to remember those loved ones who have succumb to that enemy called death.

So, what does all of this remembering have to do with our spiritual heritage? Just as Memorial Day reminds us of our roots and the losses of life sustained in fighting for freedom, so also, there has been, and still is, a spiritual battle raging in our world today. Like the human battles of World Wars 1 and 2, fighting against an enemy that was seeking to destroy freedom for all, so also, there is a battle for freedom in the spiritual arena that is raging against all mankind. This great controversy battle between Christ and Satan, this war behind all wars, is being fought for the spiritual freedom of every man, woman and child. Like parts of a play, the Bible portrays at least 5 Scenes in this spiritual war behind all wars, giving us a hope that the fighting will end one day, and the taste of victory will be sweet.

SCENE # 1 – An Angel Turns Rebel - There was war in heaven between Lucifer and Jesus and Jesus prevailed, with the casting of the old Dragon, Satan, and his angels out of heaven.

SCENE # 2 – Mankind Joins the Rebellion – Just after Creation, our planet becomes the next casualty, as the serpent tempts Adam and Eve to fall into sin, thus handing over dominion to the devil to be the new prince of this world.

SCENE # 3 – God Intervenes in the Rebellion – Jesus comes to our world to intervene in the ongoing controversy with Satan and sin, and prevails again, or wins the battle for our salvation on the Cross of Calvary.

SCENE # 4 – The Rebellion Goes Underground – For the last 2,000 years or so, the great controversy has been raging, with the persecution of the saints through the Dark Ages, and the inquisitions of the reformation. War and death have been the results, but God has prevailed through these dark times of history.

SCENE # 5 – The Rebellion Ends – The devil knows his time is short, and the intensity of the battle picks up toward the time of the end. But finally, Jesus returns and the War Behind All Wars comes to a conclusion with a resurrection of all the dead who have believed in Jesus, and a new heavens and a new earth restored, where Satan and sin are no more.

At the conclusion of the Bible Story, the Book of Revelation, Chapter 21, declares, “And I saw a new heaven and new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;…And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now, the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them and be their God…. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be nor more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, ‘I make all things new. Write: for these words are faithful and true.” Someday soon the war behind all wars will be over and a new heavens and a new earth will be restored with peace and harmony. Love and fellowship will replace hate and persecution. Humility and selfless ministry will replace prejudice, pride, and oppression. Now, that’s something to remember on Memorial Day, isn’t it?

Pastor Jim Nichols – Sidney Seventh-day Adventist Church