Some folks, including at least one member of the US Senate, think we are in a "religious war":
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Tuesday declared that “we’re in a religious war” and called for Israel to “level” the Gaza Strip, home to over 2 million people, including about 1 million children.
“We’re in a religious war here. I am with Israel. Do whatever the hell you have to do to defend yourself. Level the place,” Graham said on Fox News. The hawkish senator posted a clip of his call for the destruction of Gaza on X.
Source - https://news.antiwar.com/2023/10/11/sen-graham-says-were-in-a-religious-war-calls-to-level-gaza/
It is no such thing. Even if it were, the US Constitution should make it clear (see Article VI, Paragraph 3, and the First Amendment) our government does NOT have the authority to wage war for "religious" reasons.
But assuming Senator Graham is consumed by the delusion ours is still a "Christian" nation and supports "Judeo-Christian" values, what would such a religious war look like?
In the case of Israel, the armies of the Lord would be carrying the Ark of the Covenant before them into battle. But there is no ark, or if it still exists where is it?
In the case of genuine Christian warriors, the ultimate future war will be the Battle of Armageddon. What is the "order of battle" for that conflict?
On the side of GOOD:
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Revelation 19:11-14 KJV
On the side of EVIL:
And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Revelation 19:19-20 KJV
As we know, the dead in Christ who were sleeping in the grave will be raptured when the final trumpet blows. Since this will occur before the Battle of Armageddon, it's possible they will be part of "the armies which were in heaven". But the Bible does not say this directly.
Therefore, it appears that every LIVING person at the battle (with the exception of Jesus) will be fighting on the side of EVIL. This includes the US Army, the US Navy, the US Air Force, the US Marine Corps, all NATO forces, and anyone else foolish enough to join the beast, the false prophet, and the kings of the earth. The presence of military chaplains in their midst does not change this fact.
Source - http://sainthoward.blogspot.com/2013/09/armageddon-order-of-battle.html
There are additional factors which suggest this is NOT a religious war:
- The trigger for the recent attacks by Hamas was the realization Israel intends to destroy the al-Aqsa mosque to rebuild the Jewish Temple.
- As I understand the Torah, Messiah comes first, then the Temple is rebuilt, and the blood sacrifices are restarted.
- As I understand the Book of Revelation, the Temple is rebuilt, then the Antichrist reveals himself, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ takes place.
- So, who is the Jewish Messiah, and where is he? This sequence starts with his arrival.
It just seems to me TPTB are hijacking the religious fervor and mutual intolerance of all sides to inflame the situation and use it for geopolitical purposes which may have NOTHING to do with religion. The fact it is the United States which refuses to allow peace negotiations to take place with Ukraine or Gaza says a lot about who is behind all this.
And by the way, if some are tempted to claim Netanyahu is the Messiah and "Joe Biden" is the reincarnation of King Cyrus II of Persia, you've got to be joking. But if you're not, that might explain the feverish actions currently underway to prevent Trump from assuming that mantle.
At the heart of the matter, it's bad enough if earthly forces are manipulating our religious beliefs to establish pretexts for removing or killing the people of Gaza. Even worse is our blind ignorance of the inevitability of Biblical prophecy and the possibility the current sequence of events somehow will trigger the End Times.
And we ought to be seriously concerned about the fact all this is taking place while the US House of Representatives is without a Speaker and impotent AND while our alleged President is starting a massive, unconstitutional war.
There is evil afoot in our world. Pray hard, and do NOT take the mark.