The Cost of War

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. —Revelation 12:7, 8, NKJV

Today, the focus is on honoring the veterans who fought in World War I and World War II. Many TV stations showed survivors marching in parades and being honored in local celebrations throughout the country where I live.

Some family members held photos of loved ones who had long since passed away. Stories were told of young boys, barely able to carry a rifle, who left home and did not return. They gave their lives for their country. Soldiers from other countries joined the allies to fight against the enemy. Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, or Veteran’s Day marks the day World War I ended at 11:00 A.M. on November 11, 1918. The day is commemorated lest we forget the sacrifices of these brave men and women who served their countries to bring about the peace we enjoy today. I watched children place poppies on the headstones of war heroes.

Others braved the cold to watch or participate in parades.

Dignitaries placed wreaths at the base of monuments honoring the dead.

As I watched the celebrations, I could not help but think of an unsung Hero who fought in a war thousands of years ago but seldom receives any airtime.

The Bible recounts the story of how the war broke out in heaven.

In the end, Satan and a third of the angels were cast out.

That same enemy deceived Eve, and she and Adam partook of the fruit God had told them not to touch. Sin entered the world, and death was the result.

Mankind needed someone to pay the ransom to save us from the claws of the enemy. Satan’s desire is to kill us, period. In Galatians 4:4–7, the Bible tells us, When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, . . . to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as [daughters]. And because you are [daughters], God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying “Abba, Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a [daughter], and if a [daughter], then an heir of God through Christ (NKJV). The cost of war was the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Sharon Long