Massacres Within the Church: A Call for Unity and True Worship

In 1994, Rwanda experienced one of the worst human tragedies of modern times. What began as an ethnic conflict escalated into a genocide where, in just three months, over 800,000 people were brutally killed. Many victims were not just shot—they were hacked with machetes or burned alive inside churches, places meant to be sanctuaries of hope. The world still mourns the memory of those events.

Although this happened between just two ethnic groups, the destruction was unimaginable. This tragedy mirrors a lesser-known but equally shocking event found in Scripture: a civil war within ancient Israel itself—between the tribes of Judah and Israel. These were not enemies from outside, but brothers of the same nation.

In 2 Chronicles 13:15–18, we read:

“…God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. The Israelites fled… and 500,000 of Israel’s able men were slain. The Israelites were subdued… because they relied on the Lord, the God of their ancestors.”

Think about that—half a million people from the same nation were killed in just one battle. It’s the highest recorded internal death toll in all of biblical history. Even Israel’s enemies like the Philistines never suffered losses on that scale. This tragedy wasn’t just political—it was deeply spiritual.

So what led to such devastation?

According to 1 Kings 11:9–14, it began with King Solomon turning away from God:

“The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord… So the Lord said to Solomon, ‘Since this is your attitude… I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.’”

Solomon compromised his faith by worshiping foreign gods. As a result, God judged the kingdom by dividing it into two—Judah and Israel. But even in judgment, God remembered His covenant with David and left a remnant.

This division marked the beginning of centuries of internal strife, proving a vital biblical principle: division always begins with disobedience to God.

The Modern Parallel: Division in the Body of Christ

Today, the spiritual Israel—the Church—is repeating the same mistakes. With over 30,000 Christian denominations worldwide, many claim to represent Christ, yet few walk in unity. Instead of reflecting the oneness Jesus prayed for in John 17:21, we often reflect the pride, division, and competition seen in ancient Israel.

Jesus Himself warned us in John 16:2

“They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.”

Today, many believers are more loyal to their denominations than to Christ. We’re quick to fight one another over doctrine, tradition, and church identity. Spiritual pride has blinded many. We speak of love but promote division. We speak of Christ but idolize systems, leaders, and labels.

This is spiritual murder—where believers wound each other with words, condemnation, and exclusion, believing they are serving God by defending their particular group.

But God is calling His people to something higher.

Revelation 18:4

“Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues.”

This is a call to leave behind the spiritual Babylon—a system of religion that prioritizes tradition, pride, and form over the living presence of Christ. The Lord is inviting us to come back to the foundation: Jesus Himself.

The Way Forward: Return to Christ Alone

If the ancient Israelites had repented and turned back to God, the kingdom could have been restored. Similarly, if the Church today would humble itself, confess its divisions, and return to Christ, healing and unity would begin.

The apostle Paul reminds us in

1 Corinthians 1:10

“I appeal to you… that all of you agree with one another… and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

This doesn’t mean uniformity in every opinion, but unity in Christ—where Jesus is the center, not denominations or personal pride.

So, dear friend, step out of the bondage of sectarianism. Return to Christ, not just in name but in truth. Let Him be the King of your heart, not your denomination or traditions. Let love for Christ and His Word guide your life.

Because at the end of it all, God isn’t coming back for denominations—He’s returning for a unified, faithful Bride.

May the Lord bless you and give you discernment in these last days.

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