Vietnam War Reflections
Six years before I was born on November 1st 1955, war broke out in Vietnam. It was a very ugly, insufferable war leaving tens of thousands in the grave and five times that disabled, shattered and broken. After 19 and a half years, the war ended with the fall of Saigon when America pulled out of the conflict and North Vietnam overtook the South Vietnam city, which they renamed Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh was a communist leader who led a long but ultimately successful battle to make Vietnam independent and served as President of North Vietnam from 1945 to 1969 when he died. Under his leadership, and with the support of the Soviet Union and Communist China, he fed those loyal to him with supplies, ammunition, and arms through what was named the Ho Chi Minh Road. Even though the war ended with the surrender of Saigon, conflict continued for years within the country causing many to believe, especially in the more remote locations, that it was still a full-blown military action.
The War's Lingering Effects
What’s interesting and poignant is that lost in that dense jungle—with many discovered decades later—have been former soldiers and journalists, who, for one reason or another, were convinced the war still raged. And they had not only lost decades of life outside of the jungle to the misinformation but lived those decades in fear.
I can’t help, reading the Bible in context and looking around at what the world has done with that narrative, to see comparisons. See, the Bible clearly—clearly depicts the war being over. Ask yourselves, just in terms of logic, is God still losing souls to Satan whom Jesus came and defeated? Didn’t Jesus say even BEFORE He went to the cross,
John 12:31 (RSV) Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out;
Didn’t Jesus say after His resurrection
Matthew 28:18 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Doesn’t Paul say
Ephesians 1:20 Which he GOD wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
And in 1st Corinthians 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Doesn’t Paul also write
“that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
The Conclusion of War
Of course, they all said these things. And the victory has been had. There is no continuing war. None. We are not at war with the world, we are not at war with Satan or demons, we are not at war with non-believers, and we are not at war with each other in or out of our respective faiths.
Come out of the jungle and bask in the light and love of His glorious victory and Kingdom. The VICTORY has been had, all things—all things that once stood in our way because of the Fall have been beaten and overcome. And the Lord God Almighty has been reigning from His throne ever since.
This is the Great News. This is the Kingdom alive and at work in the hearts of those who seek Him. And those who don’t? God has given them life, and choice—leave them alone. No strike that, don’t leave them alone—LOVE THEM!!
Love everyone and when you pass from this world to the next the only thing that will experience defeat once and for all will be your flesh, which even in the case of Adam and Eve, works against the living God. So be like Paul, and with the mind serve the Law of God but with the flesh recognize that you will serve.
The Law of Sin and Death
Going back to our deluded soldier running and hiding in the Vietnam jungle for decades, still fighting in his mind a war that was long over, step out of your jungle of former biblical warfare and accept the fact that Jesus won. Period. And that God reigns. Period. And all of us are now individually like Adam or Eve choosing how we will live.
Embracing His Victory
And if you care about God and truth and freedom and love, then embrace His victory long over, and live free in love for God and Man – all humans.
