What a year to be starting. 100 years on from 1914 that changed the world so significantly. The start of World War 1 or the 'Great War' launched upon the world large losses of men fighting over small areas of land and for the first time involved men coming from most parts of the world.

It changed the face of Europe and those countries who had Kings or Queens, who were head of the government as well as head of state, did not have them afterwards, such as in Russia and Germany and were replaced by democracies. The changes were outside Europe too, and the fall of the Ottoman Empire brought changes to Palestine and other parts of the Middle East.

We are to expect a great deal of media space and time to be given over to the anniversary for that war. According to the Daily Mail, the BBC, for 2014 to 2018, has more than 2,500 hours of television and radio airtime dedicated to it, will collect 1,500 stories, photos and trench diaries, as well as preparing a 'digital cenotaph'.

What we can rejoice in is the message of peace that comes from the Bible. There will be a time when war will cease as it says in Isa. 2.4 "they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more." It is a scripture that can be treasured.

1914 appeared in Chronology for the appearing of our Lord Jesus. Many thought this was going to happen when the war began as many scriptures concerning the "time of trouble" are associated with his second appearing. However it is now 2014 and those hopes have yet to be fulfilled. Nevertheless this has given those of us now living an opportunity to run for the "prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus". So we can now be thankful that there was time for Christians living in the 21st Century to appreciate this wonderful calling.

NAC