Know thy enemy... Love thy enemy!

Mao Tse Tung
Quotations from Mao Tse Tung

5. War and Peace

"War is the highest form of struggle for resolving contradictions, when they have developed to a certain stage, between classes, nations, states, or political groups, and it has existed ever since the emergence of private property and of classes."

"Problems of Strategy in China's Revolutionary War" (December 1936), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 180.

"Our country and all the other socialist countries want peace; so do the peoples of all the countries of the world. The only ones who crave war and do not want peace are certain monopoly capitalist groups in a handful of imperialist countries that depend on aggression for their profits."

"Opening Address at the Eighth National Congress of the Communist Party of China" (September 15, 1956).

[Reading these quotes and others from this website is challenging. The complaints of Mao are alluring. It is easy to be bitter against those who prosper, especially those who prosper at one's own expense. China and the USA are adversarial. It is too true that many westerners, in particular, the greater european powers and the USA have exploited the third world nations for their natural resources. The North American continent has been exploited for it's natural resources. But the evil exploits of man are as old as Cain who murdered his brother Abel being simply envious of God's blessing given Abel.

But is it possible to live and prosper without evilly exploiting others?

China is not a third world nation. It nearly became one by the application of marxist communism in 1949. When it nearly failed, it turned to a limited form of capitalism and the people responded and prospered. Satan is not interested in making us poor or rich. Satan is interested in keeping one and all separated from God by ignorance or by the rejection of Cod in the Messiah. Communism in China still does the bidding of Satan by repressing Christian faith and the church. Communism and atheism are synonymous. But capitalism is acceptable to communism if it advances the overarching agenda, the destruction of human souls.

China identifies its enemies as imperialists, capitalists and those who aggressively seek profits through the acquisition of private property. Sadly the rejection of God, His people and His Word by their rulers has denied the Chinese people of the only power that can effectively mitigate against the greed of men. And men are greedy. And how is it that China has come to own a huge amount of the debt of the USA? Have the Chinese beaten the Imperialist monopoly capitalists of America at their own game? It does seem so ! There has always been enough sin to corrupt the market place, the public square, the palace and the courthouse. What has happened in America, what has happened to America?

Atheism has become more popular now in America than Christ. Christians who have lawfully gained wealth are under attack. And the mega rich of the world are driving the conflict by a very large and well funded propaganda machine. Again we are faced with the thief and liar satan working through those he has deceived.

The REAL war is against the REAL PEACE. The real peace is the peace of God in the Messiah Jesus. Peace is simply the ABSENCE OF WAR, the absence of strife. Those who think that peace is to be gained by striving violently in war to defeat and dominate other human beings are deceived. The way to peace is to stop striving against your neighbors, even against your neighbor nations, and instead love them as God loves them. What we all find is this: that at some point we have been or are now at war with God and we need to make peace with Him. The Bible is the History of man's interaction with God, and God's providence for man. It is the Instruction Book, the true teaching manual for students AND for teachers!

Is it possible to live and prosper without evilly exploiting others?

The Bible and the Words of Jesus can guide one into peace and prosperity. BUT:

Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Luke 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Hebrews 13:5-6 Be free from the love of money and pleased with the things which you have; for he himself has said, I will be with you at all times. So that we say with a good heart, The Lord is my helper; I will have no fear: what is man able to do to me?

Beware of those who strive to be rich, those who war to be rich... and DO NOT become like them, for some (too many):

"take the faith to be a way of making profit. But true faith, with peace of mind, is of great profit: For we came into the world with nothing, and we are not able to take anything out; But if we have food and a roof over us, let that be enough. But those who have a desire for wealth are falling into danger, and are taken as in a net by a number of foolish and damaging desires, through which men are overtaken by death and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all evil: and some whose hearts were fixed on it have been turned away from the faith, and been wounded with unnumbered sorrows." - 1Timothy 6:5b-10

One does not have to rob a bank to be at war striving for riches. Covetousness, greed, avarice reside in the human heart and can and do rot the soul even silently within.]

Hebrews 13:5-6 Be free from the love of money and pleased with the things which you have; for he himself has said, I will be with you at all times. So that we say with a good heart, The Lord is my helper; I will have no fear: what is man able to do to me?]

MARXISTS.ORG

Quotations from Mao Tse Tung — Chapter 5

War is the highest form of struggle for resolving contradictions, when they have developed to a certain stage, between classes, nations, states, or political groups, and it has existed ever since the emergence of private…

Quotes from Mao Tse Tung on War and Peace

Destroying the thief

“What I tell you in darkness you must speak in the daylight, and what is whispered in your ear you must shout from the housetops. Stop being afraid of those who kill the body but can't kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.”Matthew 10:27-28

Ephesians 6:10-20 Finally, be strong in the Lord, relying on his mighty strength. (11) Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the devil's strategies. (12) For our struggle is not against human opponents, but against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers in the darkness around us, and evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm. (13) For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand whenever evil comes. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm. (14) Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and being firm-footed in the gospel of peace. (16) In addition to having clothed yourselves with these things, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one, (17) also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (18) Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request. Likewise, be alert with your most diligent efforts and pray for all the saints. (19) Pray also for me, so that, when I begin to speak, the right words will come to me. Then I will boldly make known the secret of the gospel, (20) for whose sake I am an ambassador in chains, desiring to declare the gospel as boldly as I should.

"You have heard that it was told those who lived long ago, 'You must not murder,' and 'Whoever murders will be subject to punishment.' But I say to you, anyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be subject to punishment. And whoever says to his brother 'Raka!' will be subject to the Council. And whoever says 'You fool!' will be subject to hell fire. "

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evildoer. On the contrary, whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go two with him. Give to the person who asks you for something, and do not turn away from the person who wants to borrow something from you." "You have heard that it was said, 'You must love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you will become children of your Father in heaven, because he makes his sun rise on both evil and good people, and he lets rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don't they? And if you greet only your relatives, that's no great thing you're doing, is it? Even the gentiles do the same, don't they? So be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:21-48

The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly! - John 10:10

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1st John 3:8c

Satan aims to destroy. Jesus came to destroy Satan's works. What are Satan's works? Essentially Satan's works are lies. They are designed to deceive humankind. The devil's first lie was spoken to Eve in the garden. She was deceived. Adam was not deceived yet he ate the fruit, a fruit that opened to them both the knowledge of Good and Evil, that is, the knowledge of the Truth AND the LIE! Since that time the devil has been able to deceive many, many people.

As light dispels darkness so the truth dispels the LIE. The lie is the work of Satan who is the adversary to LIFE.

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and every power, for he must rein until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For God has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when it says all things are put in subjection, it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
1st Corinthians 15:21 to 24

The last enemy Is death. What destroys death? Life! Jesus said and says today: "I AM the LIFE."

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal... we wrestle not against flesh and blood... we walk by faith...

... Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?" Matthew 26 52 and 53.

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting so that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from this world." Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a King?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a King. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world: to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" And after saying this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, "I find no guilt in him."

What is truth? This is without doubt one of the most important questions ever asked! We should pray that every person living today on this earth might hear this question... AND SEEK THE Truth. Did Pilate ask this in any kind of sincerity? Did he really want the answer? Jesus had already told the disciples that he himself is THE Truth. If we were to declare the truth to be a person, in fact to be Jesus, the son of God, would people respond? Or would we rather go and buy two swords?

If we do not wrestle against flesh and blood how can we then justify slaughtering flesh and blood by the sword?

The weapons of our warfare are not "carnal." "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." 2Corinthians 10:4

G4559 ~ σαρκικός ~ sarkikos ~ sar-kee-kos'
From G4561; pertaining to flesh, that is, (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate: - carnal, fleshly.
Total KJV occurrences: 11

OUR WEAPONS are not "sarkikos." They do not pertain to flesh, they are not bodily, temporal, or by implication unregenerate (Strong's Greek Dictionary).

Carnal weapons (swords, knives, guns, cannons) do not regenerate life. They degenerate life in the ultimate sense.

The way the God in Christ defeats death is by resurrection. God gave Jesus power to lay down his life and to take it up again. God gives Jesus power to take up our life again! By our faith we receive the power of God WHICH WILL ONE DAY resurrect us to Kingdom fellowship and eternal LIFE.

Why are so many calling themselves Christians in America and around the world so eager to get or buy and have two swords? Or 10? Or an armory of semi automatic firearms?

And he Jesus said to them, "When I sent you out with no money bag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing." He said to them, "But now let the one who has a money bag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me and he was numbered with the transgressors. What is written about me has its fulfillment."
And they said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords." And he said to them, "It is enough." Luke 22:35-38

...they said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords." And he said to them, "It is enough."

Two swords were enough? Yet after Peter used one of them to cut off the servant's ear Jesus told him "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?"

Two swords were enough? WHAT WERE two swords enough for?

“BUT NOW let the one who has...” “and NOW let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.”

Something had changed. Jesus sent 72 disciples out two by two "with no money bag or knapsack or sandals." BUT NOW... Something had changed. Jesus had been known for miracles. The 72 disciples returned from their journeys saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” BUT NOW...

What had changed? An hour, THE HOUR had come.

Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:52

"For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me and he was numbered with the transgressors. What is written about me has its fulfillment." Luke 22:37

Jesus reckoned, ccounted, numbered with transgressors? That was a prophecy to be fulfilled and NOW it is, it was being fulfilled for the hour is, the hour had come! There are dozens of references to this hour which NOW had come in all four Gospels.
Two swords WERE ENOUGH to reckon him numbered with the transgressors. And certainly Peter showed himself to be a transgressor but cutting off that man's ear.

But in our flesh we want to grab the sword and preserve what we have no power to preserve, our temporal life of flesh and blood. The question must be asked, Do swords and weapons which wound and take life have any place in the mission Jesus gave the disciples?

Then Jesus came up and told them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I've commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age." - Matthew 28:18-20

Where is our New Testament example of any Apostles picking up a sword? Where is our example in the New Testament of any Christian taking up a sword? You may cite Romans 13 and say certainly some of the centurions who had swords were Christians. That is undoubtedly true. But did they take swords up as Christians or had they taken them up having committed themselves to serve the emperor? I think certainly they became christians after having been equipped by Rome with swords. Romans 13 does clearly say that the powers-that-be, that is the rulers of the nations are set in place by God and those who bear the sword are the servants of God. And their mission as servants is made clear. They are to execute the wrath of God upon evil-doers. We can't gloss over that without noting that they are to execute God's wrath! God's Wrath? God's Wrath! This is a temporary assignment. For there will come the day when Jesus himself will return and execute God's Wrath against all the wicked who persecuted his chosen.

I believe that any Christian now desiring to bear the sword as a servant of God should become a law enforcement officer, and officer of the court, a legislator, or a member of the armed forces. Many do, and I will not fault them for that. But I think we who have the second amendment, which itself is established to provide that those who bear arms to be joined to "a well regulated Militia," - we ought to be very circumspect in the use of that right. It seems that we in America have gone to sleep and not carefully worked out many of the issues that now trouble us. The consensus that should be ruling the land has not been maintained in the church or the public square. THE LIE has begun to deceive many people and perhaps a majority in America, perhaps even a majority in Christendom!

Jesus will destroy the works of the devil. Sadly many human beings have been deceived and remained works of the devil and dying in their sins receive now eternal torment. He would much rather that they would have received him as the TRUTH. In that truth he would destroy the LIE, that work of the devil by which they are now eternally deceived. He would much rather that they had received him as the LIFE, the life that drives death itself into everlasting destruction. He would much rather that they had seen him and embraced him as the WAY, the way to the resurrection of their beings for eternal life.

What example can we offer those Jesus NOW desires to be saved by arming ourselves to the teeth, circling the wagons and (God forbid) pouring out our own wrath on them?

Where do we find justification for this in our scriptures? Do we think that God would not answer our prayers for safety in this our temporal life and journey? Yet this seems to be our choice rather than being martyred for his name. No one should anticipate the sufferings of martyrdom with glee. Nevertheless and notwithstanding:

"How blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, because the kingdom from heaven belongs to them! How blessed are you whenever people insult you, persecute you, and say all sorts of evil things against you falsely because of me! Rejoice and be extremely glad, because your reward in heaven is great! That's how they persecuted the prophets who came before you." - Matthew 5:10-12

If we are in Christ, whom shall we fear?

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Even as it is written,

For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:31-39

[the author welcomes comments, also notice of typos and unclear grammar.]
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans8:31-39&version=ASV