Abandoning the taking of life, the ascetic Gautama dwells refraining from taking life, without stick or sword.
Put your sword back in place; for those who take the sword will perish by the sword.
“Put your sword back in place; for those who take the sword will perish by the sword.” -Matthew 26.52
“Abandoning the taking of life, the ascetic Gautama dwells refraining from taking life, without stick or sword.” -Digha Nikaya 1.1.8
“He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.” -Book of Revelation 13.10
“They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” -Isaiah 2:4 & Micah 4:3
“I am a soldier of Christ. I cannot fight.” -Martin of Tours, Roman Soldier 336 A.D.
Interest in The Book of Revelation surged with the advent of the War in Iraq and a quite literal invasion of Babylon. The Book of Revelation urges Christians not to take up weapons against their oppressors, but rather to be prepared to endure the pattern of Christ’s life, even including martyrdom. The Book of Revelation offers a strong appeal to non-retaliation and non-violence in reaction to abuse, pressure, persecution, prosecution, and even execution. Far from encouraging militaristic solutions even for the battle of Armageddon, the Book of Revelation instead urges Christians to refuse to repay evil for evil. In fact, there is no battle of Armageddon between human armies in the book of Revelation.
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink...” -Romans 12:19–21
“Jesus called us to love our enemy, not take up arms against him. We are to pray for those who persecute us. We are to turn the other cheek. We are not to resist evil, but to allow love to overcome evil. How can we kill another human being for whom Jesus died? How can we adopt the attitude that Jesus loves you, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to kill you?” -Mennonite Pacifist Myron Augsburger
“They are not following dharma who resort to violence to achieve their purpose. But those who lead others through nonviolent means, knowing right and wrong, may be called guardians of the dharma.” -Buddha