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Weapons
of Mass Destruction and Bible Prophecy
As concerns over weapons of mass destruction (WMD) escalate,
what does the Bible say about end-time events in which these devices may
be used?
One of the
downsides of science and technology has been mankind’s propensity to use this
information for destructive purposes.
As knowledge has
increased, so has our ability to destroy larger numbers of people and cause more
harm to the earth.
Sadly, nearly every
newly devised, more powerful weapon that has been invented has been used.
Consider the impact
of a few historical innovations.
The English longbow
In the12th century
the English longbow was invented.
According to archers.org,
“The English Longbow, more than any other weapon of its time, was
responsible for vast changes in the nature of medieval warfare. In doing so, it
made England the foremost power in Europe during the 14th and 15th centuries.
England’s armies became the most feared units in Europe, and with good cause.
Almost every battle fought was won by an intelligent utilization of massed
archers and men-at-arms. Upon many occasions, English troops were sorely
outnumbered, only to win the day.
“Such was the power
of the Longbow, that contemporary accounts claim that at short range, an arrow
fired from it could penetrate 4 inches of seasoned oak. The armored knight,
considered at one time to be the leviathan of the battlefield, could now be
felled at ranges up to 200 yards by a single arrow. One account recalls a
knight being pinned to his horse by an arrow that passed through both armored
thighs, with the horse and saddle between!
“Modern tests have
verified that this was indeed possible. A 700-800 grain arrow can pierce 9 cm
of oak at close range, and 2.5 cm at 200 yards. No armor up to plate was proof
against an arrow at less than 200 yards, and even plate could be penetrated at
less than 100 yards. …
“The average
English Military Archer could fire 12 to 15 arrows per minute and hit a
man-sized target at a minimum of 200 yards. The maximum range was about 400
yards with flight arrows. An archer could not even consider himself skilled at
his art if he could not shoot 10 arrows a minute!” (“A Short History of the English Longbow”).
Gunpowder
The use of
gunpowder in combat was another game changer.
According to
About.com, “During the Tang Dynasty, around 850 A.D., an enterprising
alchemist (whose name has been lost to history) mixed 75 parts saltpeter with
15 parts charcoal and 10 parts sulfur.
“This mixture had
no discernable life-lengthening properties, but it did explode with a flash and
a bang when exposed to an open flame. According to a text from that era, ‘smoke
and flames result, so that [the alchemists’] hands and faces have been burnt,
and even the whole house where they were working burned down.’
“Many western
history books over the years have stated that the Chinese used this discovery
only for fireworks, but that is not true. Song Dynasty military forces as early
as 904 A.D. used gunpowder devices against their primary enemy, the Mongols.
These weapons included ‘flying fire’ (fei huo), an arrow with a burning tube of
gunpowder attached to the shaft” (“Invention of Gunpowder” by Kallie
Szczepanski).
Although gunpowder
was invented prior to the British longbow, it took centuries to perfect it so
it could effectively be used in rifles.
Technology
eventually produced the modern rifle with cartridges, the machine gun, tanks
and airplanes dropping bombs — all of which made it possible to take more lives
in a shorter period of time than ever before.
As these
innovations became standard weaponry, the longbow and the earliest uses of
gunpowder began to look primitive in comparison!
Modern WMD
The modern age of
WMD began with the use of atomic bombs by the United States on two Japanese
cities in 1945.
The dropping of a
single bomb on each of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki resulted in the
deaths of approximately 200,000 people.
While the bombs
ended World War II, the ethics of these types of bombs is still debated.
After the
conclusion of the war, the Soviet Union gained nuclear technology and the two
superpowers soon engaged in an arms race called the Cold War to develop
missiles and exponentially more powerful bombs than those dropped on Japan.
The most powerful
nuclear bomb ever built and tested was the Tsar Bomba — a 57-megaton hydrogen bomb that was
tested by the Soviet Union on October 30, 1961.
Although no nuclear
weapons have been used in warfare since the ones used in 1945, a number of
additional nations — including Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China,
India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea — either have or are believed to have
this ability.
Today WMD come in
various forms. These include explosive, chemical-biological, radiological and
nuclear.
All are designed to
cause major destruction of human life and property.
The Federation of
American Scientists reported: “More than two decades after the Cold War
ended, the world’s combined inventory of nuclear warheads remains at a very
high level: approximately 15,700. Of these, around 4,200 warheads are
considered operational, of which about 1,800 US and Russian warheads are on
high alert, ready for use on short notice” (“Status of World Nuclear Forces”).
Due to the
increasing danger to the American public, in 2006 the U.S. Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) established a Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate to
monitor threats and protect citizens.
According to
the FBI, “WMD terrorism
and proliferation are evolving threats to U.S. national security. The director
of national intelligence has stated that dozens of identified domestic and
international terrorists and terrorist groups have expressed their intent to
obtain and use WMD, including nuclear materials, in future acts of terrorism.
“The frequency of
high-profile acts of terrorism has increased over the past decade or so.
Indicators of this increasing threat include the 9/11 attacks, the Amerithrax
[anthrax] letters, and multiple attempts by terrorists at home and abroad to
use explosives improvised from basic chemical precursors. The challenge presented
by these threats is compounded by the large volume of hoax threats that
distract and divert law enforcement agencies from addressing real threats.”
Terrorism and the
threat of WMD affect other nations as well. In recent years terrorist attacks
have occurred in European nations, and religious leaders in Iran have promised
to use nuclear force (once the nation acquires it) to destroy Israel.
What the Bible says
In explaining to
His disciples, signs of the end of this age prior to His return, Jesus said
that there would be “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6).
These are destined
to increase in intensity as the time of His second coming draws closer.
The Middle East and
the city of Jerusalem in particular
will be a center of contention.
As Zechariah 12:3
notes: “And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very
heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in
pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”
Daniel the prophet adds: “At
the time of the end the king of the South shall attack
him [the king of the North]; and the king of the North shall come
against him like a whirlwind. … He shall also enter the Glorious Land [Israel],
and many countries shall be overthrown” (Daniel 11:40-41).
In conjunction with
this military activity, Jesus noted, “Unless those days were shortened, no
flesh would be saved” (Matthew 24:22).
Deadly weapons of
mass destruction make it possible for all human life to be destroyed in the end
times. Thus, it appears that the nations involved in this fighting will either
be using WMD or on the brink of using them.
Thankfully, Jesus
also added, “But for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (verse 22).
Before mankind
reaches the point of self-extinction, Jesus will return to put down all
opposition to Him and establish the Kingdom of God here on earth.
WMD along with
other forms of weaponry will either be destroyed or repurposed for peaceful
endeavors (Micah 4:3).
Christ to use overwhelming military force
Jesus will use
overwhelming force against the armies that attack Him when He returns. These
deceived armies from all nations will come to Jerusalem to fight against Christ
in “the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation
12:9; 16:14; Zechariah 14:2-3).
The Bible says, “And
the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him
[Jesus] on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it
He should strike the nations” (Revelation 19:14-15).
The civil leader of
Babylon the Great, who is called the beast, and the false
prophet will together deceive the armies into fighting against Christ.
But in the end they
will be destroyed by being thrown into “the lake of fire” (verses 19-20).
And those who fight
against Christ will be killed by the “sword” that comes out of His mouth
(verse 21).
Much blood will be
shed via God’s judgment upon people prior to Christ’s return and in this great
battle at His return (Revelation 14:18-20).
The book of
Zechariah further describes Christ using His power to subdue those who will come
to Jerusalem to fight against Him.
“And this shall be
the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against
Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their
eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their
mouths. It shall come to pass in that day that a great panic from the LORD will
be among them” (Zechariah 14:12-13).
After that, Jesus
Christ will establish a peaceful and prosperous Kingdom whose benefits will
spread around the world. Read more in our article “Best News Ever.”
What you can do
Although
treacherous times lie ahead and Scripture reveals that some will even suffer
martyrdom, most who repent of their sins and commit their lives to God can
escape these terrible end-time events.
As Jesus advised: “Watch
therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these
things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).
If you would like
to know more about Christ’s expectations of those who will be saved, see the
articles in the “Change” section of this website.
God takes no
pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:32; 33:11) and desires that
all people repent so they may be saved (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Timothy 2:4).
Take the steps now
that will improve your life both now and in the future (1 Timothy 4:8).
If we can be of
help, please contact us. We have trained ministers who will
be pleased to answer your questions.
David
Treybig
is a husband, father and grandfather. He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown
children and seven grandchildren. He currently pastors the Austin, Texas,
congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. He has served in
the pastoral ministry for over 40 years, pastoring congregations across six
states.
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