How should we respond to wars and rumours of wars?
Scripture teaches that when we hear of wars and rumors of wars we are not to be troubled, because these things must come to pass but the end is not yet; they are only the beginning of sorrows that will lead into greater tribulation.
When wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom come, along with famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places, the Lord tells us plainly that all these things must come to pass, but we are not to be troubled, for the end is not yet. These are called the beginning of sorrows. They are not the final judgment, but the early signs that the world is being set up for the revelation of the antichrist and the great falling away that comes before the day of Christ.
Our response is not to panic or to have our hearts faint, but to remain sober, watch unto prayer, and settle it in our hearts to trust the chronological order the Lord Himself has given: wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, then the instruction that these things must come to pass, that we be not troubled, that the end is not yet, and that these are only the beginning of sorrows. Believing His word in this order keeps us from being shaken in mind or troubled by every report, since Christ warned His disciples ahead of time exactly so they would not be caught off guard.
Instead of fear, this season calls for intense ministry. The harvest is ripe and many are searching for answers as the false securities of the world, including trust in money and government, are being shaken. We are to have fervent love for one another, show hospitality without grudging, minister the gifts we have received as good stewards of the grace of God, and speak as the oracles of God, so that in the midst of turbulence the church becomes a light in dim and gloomy days.
As the sorrows increase, persecution of the church begins, many will be offended and betray one another, false prophets will rise to deceive many, and love will grow cold because iniquity abounds. Yet the promise remains that he who endures to the end shall be saved, and the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations, and then the end will come. Recognizing these signs of the times, we are called to discern them rather than deny them, tend carefully to sound doctrine, and move in urgency, watchfulness, and unity as the Body of Christ prepares for what is coming.
The scriptures
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
From the books
This answer is drawn from these passages in the Mary Banks Faith Library.