According to Business Week, North Korean artillery units again fired near the island of Yeonpyeong as the US and South Korean Navies started defensive war maneuvers. This is, according to my reading of the news reports, the third time that the island has either come under attack or been warned of artillery shots. According to the news report, civilians were ordered to shelters, although they were released soon after.
I don't know how you feel about this, and I don't usually get out my Schofield Cross Reference Bible (to show my Dispensationalist side), but this sounds a lot like Jesus' warning in Matthew:
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come (Matt 24:6).
This is, in my unlearned opinion, just some saber rattling on North Korea's part (and probably ours as well), but it does constitute a rumor of war to go with our real ones. I'm not saying Jesus is on his way back in the next several minutes, but maybe you should think about it.
Aside from the end times discussion, and whether or not you're on your way to heaven, please continue praying for the people of North Korea. According to Operation World (21st Century Edition), there are a little over 400,000 Christians (1.69% of the population) in the North with somewhere around a quarter of those in prison. Contrast that to around 14.8 million believers in South Korea (32%), some of whom I have had the wonderful privilege of fellowshipping with.
3 comments:
I have actually just moved to the Republic of Korea, Registered for an Embassy and everything.
I am with a group of people here to teach English. One of the teachers was scared about the shelling. I am not super worried. When North Koreans cross the border then I'm worried.
Regarding the rumor of war, it is no more or less a rumor of than the thousands of others that people have been hearing since the fall of Jerusalem.
There have been wars and rumors of wars ever since WWII. What makes North Korea so special now?
@Jin Ro, I met many English teachers over there and an acquaintance of mine in Busan says that all is well. Glad you're over there and glad you're safe!
As to the rumors of war being the same since the fall of Jerusalem, I mostly agree. However, I would submit that North Korea has worked the rumors of war like no other country in history. In my opinion, this might be part of something bigger. However, I don't think this means we can predict Christ's return.
@Nate, see the above...
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