Did Jesus Prescribe to Violent Behavior or Vengeance?

Well, let us see exactly what the New Testament gives us for a record and what were the beliefs of Jesus, according to violent predictions or prescriptions given to us from Jesus Christ.  First off, Jesus drove the money-changers and sellers out of the temple, overturning their tables and the seats of all the sellers for profit.  That sounds like a good example and behavior that should be emulated and ascribed to by all His followers.  I´m all for physically driving out the profit takers and get rich schemers from the church.  There was violence in His actions and not just His words.  Then He spoke a targeted parable, giving a direct dire prediction of violence and destruction, more like a threat and a fateful revelation, which was aimed specifically at the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the temple.   

 Mark 11:15

“And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;” 

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Mark-11-15/

Jesus relates and tells a story about a certain man who planted a vineyard, and he let it out to husbandmen then went away into a far country.  He sent three servants at three different times that he might receive fruit of the vineyard, but the husbandmen killed and beat them and many others also that he sent.  So, finally he sent his son, thinking that they would reverence his only son and respect him.  But, sadly they killed his son too, thinking that they would have the vineyard for their own.  Jesus puts a question and also an answer to his listeners, as he was in the temple at the time with the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the church.  "What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do?  he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others."  That is a prescription for violence and a testimony as to the eventual fate of the husbandmen, (the chief priests and scribes).

  He also said that the stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner, meaning that they had rejected His teachings, but would soon come to regret it, as He would be accepted, and they would be rejected and totally destroyed.  Jesus had spoken this parable specifically against the chief priests and the scribes, who were in His presence at the temple.  So, there is violence in the words of Jesus Christ and also complete destruction for those who do not heed His warnings.

Mark 12:9 - 12:11 

9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

11 This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Mark-12-9_12-11/ 

Shortly after that, Jesus also spoke about the great violence that would soon be coming, after one of His disciples remarked about what great stones and buildings were of the temple.  He said dramatically that there would not be left one stone upon another, that they will all be completely destroyed and thrown down.  This was also a reference back to the vineyard that was meticulously built and the murderous husbandmen that would be utterly destroyed and the vineyard given to others.    

Mark 13:1 - 13:2

1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Mark-13-1_13-2/

This was not the end of His predictions of violence and destruction, as He said that there would be many that would be coming in His name, all false witnesses, liars, and false prophets that would deceive many.  There would be wars and rumors of wars, with nations rising up against each other and kingdom against kingdom, even such as has not been seen since the beginning of creation.  There will be earthquakes and famines, but these are only the beginnings of sorrows.  He also said that those who endure until the end shall be saved.  He ultimately also said that heaven and earth will pass away, but his words shall not pass away.  

Mark 13:31

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Mark-13-31/

Jesus was the healer, peaceful and humble, but He was not a pacifist.  He believed in defending the rights and safety of all people, especially the disciples and all his followers.  The chief priests and scribes sought out how they might kill him, since He had spoken directly against them in the temple.  This was after the Passover and Jesus did not want to go up to the mount of olives without being armed, as in those days a sword was the only and best weapon available.  Judas had just betrayed Him and was about to bring armed soldiers to take and crucify Jesus.  In the end, at the Garden of Gethsemane, He knew that His small band of disciples was drastically outnumbered and violence would be no good, only to make the matter much worse and told Peter to put away his sword.  Jesus knew that God would soon have His own eternal vengeance and bring about an end and complete total destruction to all the evil that was around.  He had already resigned himself to the fact that only He could atone for all the sins of the whole world and would be crucified, that the cup would not pass from Him.  He would accept the fate that God had given Him.       

Luke 22:36

“Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-22-36/ 

In the end, Jesus gave a prediction that the temple would be completely destroyed and it happened.  The Romans invaded the city, wreaking complete devastation in A.D. 70.  They left no stone upon another.  He gives another prediction of the end of everything we know, and that will also surely come to pass.  That is pretty widespread destruction and violence, for even heaven and earth to pass away completely.  There will be nothing left but the words of Jesus Christ.  

Do you have the words of Jesus within your heart, as there will be nothing left but only the words that He has given us?  Also, remember to watch.  We know not when He will be coming back, at evening, at night, or in the morning, lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping.  Jesus says for all to Watch.  

Mark 13:35 - 13:37

35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Mark-13-35_13-37/

So, this destruction and violence from God will not just be a total covering of a flood water, raging throughout all the earth to rid the place of evil, but instead there will be a complete destruction of even heaven and earth.  The only rainbow left after the total violence and destruction will be the words of Jesus Christ.  This will be a hot war like as has never before been seen by all of mankind, since the beginning of creation.  

If I was still left in the body and not in the spirit, I would be quickly learning and memorizing the words of Jesus Christ, and do it in a hurry.  Nobody knows the time, except that we are all to WATCH.

July 11, 2023

Cliff Rhodes Christian Ministry