How can you be sure?
A preponderance of other verses indicate he was talking about future conflicts that would occur.
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring PEACE to the earth. I did not come to bring PEACE, but a sword."
And he was exactly right. People have fought over religion for two thousand years.
On a more micro level,
"For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, a man's enemies will be the members of his own household."
This is the religious divide that occurs within families all the time. imo, he was giving a warning of how it would be, not a description of how it should be.
To argue that Jesus was a war hawk contradicts the rest of the Bible:
Psalm 34:14
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 37:37
Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future [ Or there will be posterity ] for the man of peace.
Psalm 85:8
I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints- but let them not return to folly.
Psalm 120:6
Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.
Proverbs 16:7
When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD , he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
John 20:21
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 14:19
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 15:33
The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace…
Romans 12:20
If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink... |
