Thanks for your comments Tom,
I too for a few months worked in a hostile environment as a CO in a juvenile prison and carried a side arm when out side the prison gates, watching the area for possible escapes, with authority to use deadly force in accordance to law.  I was at that time dealing with some questions concerning being a Christian and under state government authority as a CO.  My present stance was arrived at gradually in time.  Defending an attacker upon a child or person in ordinary life situations is not what I concider as being a solider.  Nor do I disapprove of what the US is doing to stop evil as in WW2.  What I know of the NT is that the one who recieves Christ as LORD and Savior is now under a New Authority and
alligence.  If the Word of God is our sole rule for faith and practice and if the new life of Christ within is a real one indeed, there must follow a different way of conducting ourselves in this world-even if I as a normal person who would take up arms if not surrendered to Jesus to follow Him.  There is one thing the Church has failed to do, and has lost it's power to do, to pray and know God hears and is doing His job.

Thanks Tom,

My understanding of the Gospels compared with the time of the Exodus through the kings of Israel is that Jesus and His teachings presented a new commandment.  Israel rejected their Messiah.  The New Covenant was established with the Gentiles--one that will also become of force with Israel with the Coming of Christ future.  Since you and I and all saints belong no longer to a nation in spiritual reality by new birth and are citizens of the Kingdom of God in Heaven (this Paul establishes in Eph. and other epistles), we have a Governor who is the Lord Jesus in Heaven.  That Kingdom is not presently an arms kingdom but a spiritual one, "else [Jesus'] disciples would fight" as our Lord replied to Pilate.  Therefore, there is no instructions given to the Christian to join a government in arms against another government.  The world indeed does and always will fight each other till Jesus returns--then, at that time, there will be Absolute rule by Him with an Iron Rod against all opposers, just as your reference tell.  
     Do you see no distinction between God's way with the Church and His purpose and that of the Old Testament?  God warred against His foes through Israel.  Today God sends the Church to proclaim the Gospel.  Therein I do not find a place for the Saved to participate in any governments war as a soldier.  I would appreciate a doctrinal mandate or instruction concerning what justifies the Saint to become a soldier based upon the New Testament.  This is a touchy subject but one that every Christian must find God's truth concerning.   If I act as a Natural Man (i.e., unsaved) then I will not be a Christian according to the New Testament--saved by grace, yes, obedient to the New Testament call upon the saint in this world, no.  I simply find no direction for the saved person voluntarily becoming a soldier.  I find for myself that the NT does not permit me to become a soldier while I follow Christ and His Purpose in this world presently.  Others will disagree, but based upon what NT principle?  To follow Christ is not easy.  It is easy to receive His grace, for that costs me nothing.  To be a Christian is costly however.

[had]

Is War with Iraq justified?:

As with many I suppose, I have often dealt with the question of war as a Christian. I remember the story of Sgt. York and ponder if I should participate in active duty with the military when I deem a certain conflict worthy, as WW2 for example.  Then I concider what I should so if the war seems questionable, as the Vietnam conflict.  As a man I wonder what I would do if a time came that I had to decide to join the military and be confronted with the consequences of not doing so (concerning the views of my peers, family, national feeling, ect.).  Upon that I must then concider, "what does God, as a Christian, expect me to do"?  Not an easy question, and one every Christian must deal with.  It's difficult for the non-Christian.  If I deal with this question as a man, I will choose a natural path--that may be for or against.  But being a Christian by New Birth I have to concider the call of Christ.  Should the Christian, I, participate in war?  
        This may seem off the question, but only by understanding that the Christain is not any longer a national citizen, but a son of God and of His Kingdom, can we answer the question asked.
         Who goes to war anyway?  Governments, not the Church of God (not refering here to the Catholic Church).  What is the Church to do in the event of war?  I know one thing She must do, nothing that is contrary to the commands of God.  Can I be a Christian and a Soldier?  Yes.  But will my participation as a soldier hinder the cause of Christ in this world and/or my participation His eternital kingdom?  
       The natural man says, If a war is justifiable I will do everything to fight the nation's enemy.  The Christian is accountable otherwise.  I must know what God requires of me as a son, rather than doing what I feel I should as a man (or as others expect).  We are the Church as individuals.  
        Should we ponder for a little while, "What justifies the Church being in this world today and what role will we play as Christians while in it"?  I do not think that we Christians realize the present and eternal consequenses of our decisions here and now.  Jesus never took a position of arms.  What did He do instead?  What should I, will I, do???  What does Jesus call justifiable?  We have Brethren [out] of all nationalities.