Today is the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz, the complex of German Nazi concentration and extermination camps during World War II. Each anniversary since 2005 is now commemorated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The Bible has much to say about violence. Many people do not read the Bible, so they do not know what it says.

Recent history

The latest scandal in Britain is the discovery of rape gangs who capture and rape vulnerable young girls neglected by social services.  These gangs are so numerous that 50 cities have been identified who harbour them, and there are probably more.  Some under-age girls are held in captivity and there have even been deaths reported.

Another recent talk of the media is a teenager who knifed three young children to death, showing no remorse.  Although the murderer was known to the authorities and had been referred several times to the anti-terrorism Prevent programme, he was not put on the Prevent program, because his gratuitous violence was judged not to be terrorism, according to the current definition of terrorism. Teenager murderers are becoming commoner in Britain. This demonstrates the inability of our secular society to deal with violence.

Remembrance

People are properly shocked by this violence.   The Holocaust was worse.  A Holocaust Remembrance Day is one way to remind the public of the history of human violence.  Daily reading of the Christian Bible is a better reminder because it shows us not only the origin and history of this violence but it also shows us the solution to it.

This violence is the price paid for losing Christianity.  Long ago Britain stopped promoting Christianity and now we are losing the benefits of Christianity, some areas faster than others.

Mankind’s violent history

The first violence mentioned in the Bible is fratricide, Cain killing his brother Abel Gen 4:8.  This murderous spirit developed to such an extent that widespread violence led to God’s judgment of the global flood in Noah’s day Gen 6:11,13.  Following this, God authorized the death penalty for murder Gen 9:6 to nip each murderer in the bud. Having shown His opposition to violence, God does not need to repeat His displeasure, and promised that He would not do so in this manner again.  The rainbow is the symbol of this promise Gen 9:13.  If young people would read the Bible they would learn this and be delivered from the global panic created by secular, false religion.  People who ignore God and His promises will find out too late how angry He is with violent people.

Godly King David, who penned so many beautiful and useful Psalms, suffered from men of violence, but the Lord delivered him from them. He was inspired by God to write that God hates those who love violence Ps 11:5. For some people, violence is an addiction like wine Pro 4:17.

Violence became so common that the Lord reminded mankind to “do no violence” Jer 22:3 but this was ignored Jer 22:17. “The land is full of bloody crimes and the city is full of violence” Ezk 7:23. “They have filled the land with violence” Ezk 8:17. This sounds quite contemporary, but it simply shows us that violence has been a prominent feature of human society throughout history. The Lord expressed His determination to deal with such men of violence Ezk 12:19, some of whom were even among the princes of the land Ezk 45:9, who “store up violence in their palaces” Amo 3:10. They did not consider that God will deal with them and they pushed His day of reckoning far away from them, while at the very same time when they brought violence near to themselves Amo 6:3.

Even religious people did violence to the law of God Zep 3:4 and some treacherously covered over their violence Mal 2:16.

What should we do about it?

Violence begins with hatred and anger in the heart Mat 5:22, but it emerges through one’s behaviour, oppressing families and violently stealing assets Mic 2:2, even by some who were already rich Mic 6:12.

The godly bemoan the violence they witness Hab 1:2-3,9 and its widespread behaviour Hab 2:8,17. Jonah’s preaching made the Ninevites reconsider their behaviour and successfully resolved to stop it Jon 3:8.

John the Baptist told soldiers to behave themselves and to do no violence Lk 3:14. The apostle Paul suffered from the violence of Jews Act 21:35, 2Cor 11:25 and of Gentiles Act 14:19, 2Cor 11:26, but “none of these things move me”, he said, as he continued to preach the Gospel of forgiveness and peace, “to testify the Gospel of the grace of God” Act 20:24, “testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” Act 20:21.

What does God do about it?

However, the Lord notices it all, and in due time He will punish those who fill whole houses with violence Zep 1:9.

Periodically one views documentaries which lament those Nazis and other tyrants “who got away from justice”. If people understood the Bible better, they would know that however these tyrants may escape punishment from men, yet they will not escape God’s righteous judgment. There is an eternity ahead of them during which these wicked people, having been exposed for what they are, will have a conscience burning in them like a fire that will never be extinguished.

National violence

However, nations exist in this world rather than in “the world to come”.  So God must punish nations now, such as nationalistic violence against the Jews Joel 3:12,19 and Oba 1:10. People should not think that international violence means that there is no God; rather, thoughtful people should realise that only in this world does God punish nations Ps 2.  If rulers want their nations to enjoy peace and prosperity, God tells them to acknowledge Jesus Christ as King of kings Ps 2:10-12. Meanwhile, nations are reaping what they have sown Job 4:8, Hos 8:7 and Gal 6:7.

The future is good

However, the Bible points to a blessed time when “violence shall be heard no more” in the land Isa 60:18.  Progress to this end is hindered by the do-gooders who think that if they are given a little more time they can sort out the problems on Earth.  Their agenda has not included, and does not include, the Prince of Peace.

The future is good but how long will it take mankind to arrive there, and what about the present?  It is time to preach and promote the Gospel of peace.

“No God, no peace – Know God, know peace.”

Links:

27 Jan 2025: the official website for viewing today the memorial of the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust.

27 Jan 2025: after the English towns, and Dundee in Scotland, we now have the conviction of a rape gang in Glasgow, Scotland. The revelations are spreading. What does secularism have to offer?