This Is the Way... Turning Swords Into Plowshares: Starting Now
A nation ahead of its time in repairing the breaches.
by Robin Webber
At times prophecy can appear foreboding,
even gloomy. Especially if we focus on aspects of the historical
cycles of pain that humans inflict upon others that are not quite
like themselves. Christ shared in the Olivet Prophecy this natural
tendency brought about by deception, armed conflict, famine and pestilence.
Any serious student of the Scriptures knows all too well the refrain "nation
will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom!" But have
we ever considered the time when this phrase will be passe, replaced
by "nation shall apologize to nation, and kingdom will say, 'I am
sorry to kingdom'"?
You will not find much news like
this today. But occasionally there are faint glimmers of light in
current events that offer us a sense of the possible that lies ahead
when nations have the vision and capacity to apologize and forgive.
The question or concern that so often holds off reconciliation-whether
between nations, families or individuals-is, "Who goes first?"
Kevin Sullivan, a reporter for
the Washington Post Service, writes of such a bold first step in "In
a First, Japan's Leaders Apologize to Kim for Occupation of Korea" (International
Herald Tribune, October 6, 1998). Mr. Sullivan spotlights the
challenge, frustrations, and opportunities that forgiveness between
former enemies can produce. "Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Keizo
Obuchi have offered frank and unambiguous apologies to President
Kim Dae Jung of South Korea for suffering Japan caused during its
1910 occupation of the Korean Peninsula. In a joint statement issued
by the leaders...during Mr. Kim's state visit to Japan, Mr. Obuchi
expressed 'deep remorse and a heartfelt apology to the people of
South Korea, having humbly accepted the historical fact that Japan
inflicted heavy damage and pain on the people of South Korea through
its colonial role.'"
