It’s become a North Korean habit: each year after a cold hibernation, whichever juche leader happens to be currently starving his people to death, talks of war–threatening either South Korea, the US, or both. Analysts claim it’s an annual attempt to get food aid and other concessions from the world community it so doggedly refuses to join.
This year’s inaugural saber rattling by Kim Jong Un has a decidedly different flavor. North Korean missiles are on the move, the hotline with South Korea has been silenced, the strongman’s been photographed with a map of US targets, and DPRK generals have reportedly been given the green light to wage nuclear war. The fact that the Pentagon has deployed extra planes, ships and missile defenses to that part of the world says that those closest to the incoming intelligence think there’s cause for concern.
…you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet (Matt.24:6). I hear Jesus reassuring us that all incoming geopolitical activities must pass through His hands and plans, and that such things are but the “birth pangs” of the end (Matt.24:8). In fact, the greatest world event has still to be completed before the end will come: …this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world… (Matt.24:14), FIRST.
Don’t fear; but this would be a great time to gather our children and pray for the 24 million people of the “Hermit Kingdom”; a place rated by everyone as the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian. Despite that, Open Doors estimates there are 200,000-400,000 Christians in the land, all worshiping underground or in prison camps. A believer inside North Korea observing the frantic preparations for war says, “No matter how difficult life is for us, we never blame or complain about our circumstances. God has promised us in the Bible that if we seek His Kingdom first, all other things will be given to us as well. Please pray for us.”
We will.
Gospel-Centered Life 