Edited 12/15/23
In the Hebrew, violence comes from the word, “cha-ma.” It’s a noun meaning physical force, the strength of action or motion, as in the violence of a storm; or the violence of someone striking a blow; a conflict between two or more parties.
Violence is the highly excited feelings of a person, or group of people as were the Nazis some 75 years ago, and the Palestinians who call themselves Hamas today, always emotional, excited, hateful, and vengeful. They have and continue to perpetrate violence, and murder against the Jews, and their land. Today they strike-out against Christians, and their Christ. Contempt against those who reject their form of religious fanaticism are in their gun sights.
The word violence may also be used to describe a moral force. It can apply to those who with great vehemence, attack the idea of God, His Creation, His Christ, and the cross. Religious violence is done against those who teach and practice the doctrines taught in the Bible.
Violence against the people of Israel comes from a deep Satanic hatred, a hatred initiated through wars, regulated law, indoctrination in education, and political agendas.
Persecution against the believers of the cross and against those who deny salvation by Christ alone is eminent. Sadly enough, a form of moral and religious violence is being perpetrated by polluted, corrupt, ungodly men who govern and teach in our churches today.
Certain religious leaders have cast the truth of Scripture into the fire of dishonor, and corruption. They teach another Gospel; they are having fashioned their own corrupted text. This is a moral violence against God and His people, initiated by lies.
Violence is an unjust force. It is used to inflict injury, or to infringe upon the rights and freedoms of others, both in their lands, and personal well-being.
The first place we find the word violence in Scriptures is,
Genesis 6:11, “The earth = (the people of the earth) also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”
When men become self-governing and independent of God’s instruction, extreme violence soon erupts. Mayhem, thefts, and murder dominate the scene!
Sin begets wickedness and violence, and injustice are the by-products. This combination of thought and deed soon become a dangerous mix. Man stands guilty of every corruption before his Maker. Sins of the worst kind are sins against God, against neighbor, and against man’s own body.
It fills our world. It is found in our backyards, our neighborhoods, cities, states, and throughout the world. Corruption in politics and religion prevail. The love of money; the quest for power is the fuel, a powder keg waiting for someone to strike a spark.
Every form of wickedness leading to every form of violence, “Every imagination of the thoughts of his (man’s) heart was only evil continually.”
Let’s examine the word violence where it is used in Scripture concerning God’s prophecies, and of His pending judgments upon the Jewish people, and their land.
2 Samuel 22:3, David spoke into the Lord and said, “The God of my Rock (Jesus Christ); in Him will I trust: He is my Shield (Protector) and the Horn (Strength) of my Salvation, my High Tower (Stronghold), and my Refuge, my Savior; thou savest me from violence.”
This prophesy concerns the coming of the Lord. David prays a prayer of thanksgiving, for the deliverance and wonderful blessings given by God.
1 Corinthians 10:4, “For that Rock was Christ.” Out salvation is set in the Rock of salvation.
Philippians 3:20, “We (Christians’) look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Jesus protects, through His Holy Spirit, giving us strength, courage, and the power to overcome. Our fears can be set aside concerning those who would encourage and promote violence against us. This idea of security comes from the fear of God’s power, His majesty, and from the knowledge and understanding of His will.
Psalms 11:5, “The LORD trieth (tests) the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul (God’s inner being) hateth.”
Those who gain wealth and power may seem to do well in this life. More likely than not, they are unthankful to God. They believe their prosperity is from their own hand. They give no evidence of thanks because they abuse their blessings; their victories are temporary, making them the target for God’s coming vengeance.
Psalms 55:9, “Destroy, O LORD, and divide their tongues (speech and council): for I have seen violence and strife in the city.”
The enemies of both the Jews, and Christian are many. These enemies are wicked in spirit. They stand against Israel, its people and land.
Israel is some fifty miles across at its widest point, and its length is mostly an uninhabitable hot burning desert. Yet the world thinks they should give up some of it to their enemies. They are being pressured from all sides to trade land for peace.
If they trade land for peace, they would be caught in a closing vise, a sitting target for destruction. Sworn enemies of the Jews promising to pounce and strike a fatal blow.
Psalms 73:6, “Pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.”
Proverbs 4:17, speaks of the wicked. “They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.”
Psalms 58:2, “Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.”
Those who commit violent acts seem to forget that they are mortal and dying. Their judgment may not be swift but is inevitable.
Because of God’s patience and His seeming lack of swift justice, the wicked will set laws aside, fill their hearts with hatred and pride, boast of their victim’s demise, brag on their own successes, remaining unrepentant, are without conscience, deceiving themselves in body, soul and spirit.
Having received no sentence from man’s laws the execution of judgment will be more severe when they stand before the true Judge.
If these men had been brought to justice quickly, most would have thrown themselves upon the mercy of the court. Quick justice has a tendency to render hard men, broken, and in time they will show some sign of remorse. Good law enforced by a quick and fair justice system works. This is commanded by God, and mostly ignored today. The consequence for slow justice is a failure in the criminal system, leading them to believe they can beat the system.
There is a great story of prophesy written in,
Isaiah 63: 1 through 6, giving us a glimpse into the future of Jesus judgment on the violent. I will abbreviate the 6 verses, giving you the heart of the message. It starts with a question,
“Who is this that comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength?
Wherefore art thou red = (as in blood) in your apparel, and your garments like him that treadeth in the winepress.” The person answers, “I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people = (the people of the earth have abandoned him) there was none with me: for I will tread them (His enemies) in mine anger and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
For the Day of vengeance is mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. —- My own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.”
Where is the land of Edom, who lived there? The Edomites inhabited this ancient land, they are the descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. Esau was considered the eldest brother because he came from his mother’s womb first. Esau sold his birthright to his younger brother Jacob. The birthright he sold would have made him the head of his family, the people, and the land. Esau’s descendants, the Arabs, have been attempting to reverse this legally sold birthright to Israel. Their weapon of choice is force.
Who is this, “With dyed garments from Bozrah?” Why are His garment like “him that treateth in the winepress?” Who is it that will trample alone, in His fury His enemies? The answer can be found in,
Revelation 19, 11-12-13, which speak of the one who is call, “Faithful and True.” He, who’s eyes are 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.
Verse 13, “And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called the Word of God.”
Verse 15, “He should smite = (strike) the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”
Isaiah is speaking to the modern day Edomites; those who live and die by force. When Jesus returns, He will take vengeance on those who have committed these atrocities against the Jews. There will not be no 70 virgins waiting for suicide bombers, only a lake of fire where the worm will never die.
Edom is Idumea in, Isaiah 34:5. It was settled about 1300 B.C. Esau took his cattle and went to a place called Mt. Seir. Cave dwellers called Horites lived in the land, being ruled by tribal chiefs. Esau married one of the daughters of a chief. Today Arabia, Jordan and part of southern Israel would be considered the Land of Edom.
Palestinians are Jordanians by birth, coming from the stock of ancient Edomites. They were evicted from Jordan by their own people and abandoned. They are the half brothers and sisters to the Jews. All Arabs, Jordanians, and Jews are descendants of Abraham.
The LORD said,
Isaiah 34:5-6, “My sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold it shall come down upon Idumea = (Edomites), and upon the people of my curse, to judgement. The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, ————the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah (is a city Southeast of the Dead Sea, in Jordan), and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea = (Edom).”
Colossians 2:15, “And having spoiled = (disarmed) principalities and powers, He = (Jesus) made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
Christ’s vengeance has been prophesied over His enemies. When this day of vengeance arrives, Jesus will find no people to help. His victory is by His own strength. The spiritual and physical enemies of God will bring Christ’s judgment down upon their heads.
Isaiah 59:6, Speaks of national corruption. “Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.”
Jeremiah 6:7, “As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness; violence and spoil is heard in her = (the land); before me = (God) continually in grief and wounds.”
Daniel 2:45, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a great statue. Daniel, God’s prophet interpreted the dream.
Daniel spoke of four great kingdoms, one of gold (Babylon), one of silver = (Medes = Iraq and Persians = Iran), one of brass = (Greeks), one of iron = (Roman Empire), and one of iron and clay = (this coming from the old Roman Empire, consisting of many nations). The European Union, a group of nations lead by France, Germany, England, Italy, Spain etc.
In centuries past, certain nations had achieved world power. These few had one thing in common; they had at one time been conquered states of the Roman Empire. These represent the ten (10 toes) of iron and clay.
Daniel 2:44-45, “In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed——–As you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands = (Kingdom of God), and that this great stone would break in pieces the iron (Roman empire), the brass (The Greek empire), the silver (Iran), and the gold (Iraq,) the clay and iron mix, representing world powers today. God had made known to this king events that would come to pass. The kings dream, and Daniel’s interpretation are certain, and the interpretation sure.”
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, “When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 5:10, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
Psalms 72:14, “He (Jesus) shall redeem their soul = (life) from deceit = (oppression) and violence:” and precious shall their blood be in His sight.”
Proverbs 10: Comparing verses 6 with 11, “Blessings are upon the head of the just (righteous) the mouth of the righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.”
Proverbs 28:17, “A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person (kills) shall flee to the pit; let no man stay = (help) him.” This agrees with the ancient law written in,
Genesis 9:6, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood = (kills by violence), by man (law and justice) shall his blood be shed.”
Murders, rapist, plunders, and those who rule by force, will soon be haunted by terror itself. They shall be betrayed and tormented by friends, family, and self. Those who agree, participate, protect, or acquit them, shall share in their guilt, and judgments.
Isaiah 53:9, “He (Jesus) made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.”
Isaiah 60: 18, Speaks of the future glory of the Jews. “Violence shall no more be heard in they land, wasting = (destruction) nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call the walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.
Revelation 21 gives further insight to Isaiah 60:18. It speaks of a new heaven, new earth, and of a new city.
Revelation 21:23, “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”
Revelation 21:27, “And there shall in no wise (no way) enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but (only) they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Salvation and Praise, this speaks of the new city of Jerusalem, it being filled with the brightness of glory of the Father and Son.
We are not to be a Christian nation in name only. We are to be righteous as Jesus was Righteous, we are to be just as was Jesus just. We are to speak to the world of Jesus Christ in truth, and in love. We are to remember Him for His mighty works, and for the many blessings He has bestowed upon his people.
He knows us well. He is a reader of the heart, and not of lips. Nothing is hidden from Him.
We are to call Him Father, Isaiah 9:6, He is our, “Everlasting Father,” He comforts us, protects us, guides us, and informs us, as any good father would do for his children. He has wonderful things in store for us, but this generation of Christian’s is not to rest on the laurels of past generations. Standing on the past will not put us in good stead with God.
Jeremiah 22:17, We are warned not to become covetous, not to kill the innocent, not to oppress, and not to be violent. But yet we have become a selfish, covetous, and a spoiled generation. This reflects on the fear we have.
Rumors concerning wars, terrorism, a bad economy, loss of jobs, unrest prevail. We have become a nation without shame. Declining morals give us away. We attempt to hide our true thoughts with overtures of kindness, and false compassion.
America no longer trusts God as a caring Father. We look for a man to lead us. His morals and tactics seem to have no bearing in our consideration of him. We chose those who are untruthful, cheaters, thieves, and even those who denounce Jesus Christ. As long as these men will help to maintain our self-satisfying lifestyles, keep the economy strong, and maintain a good worldly appearance, we will vote him into office.
Disease and famine are just outside our gates. The enemy is closing in, our knees have begun to shake, and our hearts have begun to grow faint. As a nation we now bribe our enemies, putting our wealth into their hands. Our way of living has become a stumbling block to us.
We commit great violence against each other, brother against brother, husband against wife, father against son, daughter against mother, neighbor against neighbor. Killing each other, stealing from one another, suing each other, bribing, rude, vulgar, and the list is growing.
As for those who love, and trust the Lord, He said, “I change not.” As sons and daughters, we shall not be consumed. I trust that the Lord will destroy our enemies, and because of this, he will open the blessing of heaven again to us. But we must seek after Him. If we do this, the nations of the world will call us again, the blessed of God.
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com