> [!title|noicon] **Statement of Benevolence / Nonviolence** ^top <br> Living in a day such as we are -- with all of the unrest, division, delusion, extremism, radicalization, hatred, thievery, murder and fear on many sides -- it's imperative to positively promote and support Biblical benevolence, to continue being a light in this extremely dark world. The Bible declares many harsh things that are difficult for a sensitive modern society. There is intense language of spiritual warfare between God and humanity, and of the severe judgments of God upon the wicked -- even judgment unto eternal death. Left at that, the message of the Bible for humanity en masse is deeply gloomy and dark outside of Christ. However, it must be kept in mind that the Bible is ultimately a *spiritual* book. The battle is a spiritual battle, with the Bible acting as the Sword of the *Spirit*: > *And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. . . .* ([Eph 6:17](Ephesians%206.md#^17)) > > *Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.* ([1 Cor 2:13](1%20Corinthians%202.md#^13)) <br> As such, Christians are to send forth the Gospel (the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God) prayerfully and with care toward the spiritual enemies of God (having once been spiritual enemies to God themselves) -- with compassion, with the desire for salvation and eternal life for the hearers. Unfortunately, the typical reactions to God's message are indifference, ridicule, derision and even hatred because humanity has an intense detestation for the God of the Bible, and His Word causes them to recoil and to silence the Truth at all costs: > *For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold [that is, suppress] the truth in unrighteousness;* ([Ro 1:18](Romans%201.md#^18)) <br> Thus, indeed, judgment and the finality of death will soon eventuate for this sin-cursed world -- from God Himself. But it should *never* be that anyone who publicizes the Gospel should do so with violence or pride. Rather, it should always be with humility, with the hope of mercy and grace upon those God plans to save. So the description of the Bible as a Sword is a *spiritual* concept, even as God is Spirit. Thus believers are *never* called to fight physically or to provoke others to violence or abuse. > *God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.* ([Jn 4:24](John%204.md#^24)) > > *Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.* ([Jn 18:36](John%2018.md#^36)) <br> The Bible, and thus this website, emphatically rejects any and all physical violence and/or harm to others of any kind for Christ's ambassadors, but rather advocates for the hope of eternal life through God's Word. Nevertheless, we are called to *declare* the harsh judgments of God upon the world for its spiritual allegiance to sin and Satan in its warfare against God. But it is God who brings judgment against His enemies, in His timing, with no physical action whatsoever allowed on the part of His people: > *Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.* ([Ro 12:19](Romans%2012.md#^19)) > > *And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.* ([1 Sa 17:47](1%20Samuel%2017.md#^47)) > > *Ye shall not [need] to fight in this [battle]: set yourselves, stand ye [still], and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD [will be] with you.* ([2 Chr 20:17](2%20Chronicles%2020.md#^17)) > > *Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.* ([Zech 14:3](Zechariah%2014.md#^3)) <br> When God brings final judgment it will be an infinitely intense event. God will destroy the whole of creation -- the entire universe -- by fire as it collapses upon itself like a "reverse big bang." This is very obviously not something that any person can do, only Christ Himself can execute such an action. In the meantime, we are simply to warn of this fiery end, just as we would want for someone to warn us of an upcoming calamity and to publish the Way of Escape on our behalf. The calamity itself cannot be prevented, but an early warning may be enough to spare the victims from the death and destruction left in its wake. And when it comes to Judgment Day, it will arrive much those of this world would like to believe. > *Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [them] all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.* ([Lk 17:28](Luke%2017.md#^28), [29](Luke%2017.md#^29), [30](Luke%2017.md#^30)) > > *But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.* ([2 Peter 3:7-13](2%20Peter%203.md)) > > *And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falls off from the vine, and as a falling [fig] from the fig tree.* ([Is 34:4](Isaiah%2034.md#^4)) > > *And account [that] the long-suffering of our Lord [is] salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you;* ([2 Pe 3:15](2%20Peter%203.md#^15))