Sheffield Castle

This rather unappealing building site is the place upon which once stood mighty Sheffield Castle, in South Yorkshire. Although we now associate the greatness of that city with industrialisation and the making of steel goods, it played an important part in the great civil wars, exchanging hands as war’s tides turned. It was demolished after those conflicts by order of the Parliament, and was never rebuilt. The place became an orchard, and then a bowling green. Now, developers and the local authority have their own plans for it, and I doubt any involve building watchtowers and curtain walls. Whatever businesses or leisure pursuits find their home on the site’s latest incarnation, I imagine they shall be perfectly peaceable.

The day is coming when all military bases, naval yards and barrack blocks shall be redundant, for there shall be no war, no conflict, no violence. This shall only be achieved at Christ’s return, not before. Those who pray for world peace without Jesus Christ are on a fool’s errand; those who pray for His return get it thrown in for free.

Come and behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the ends of the world, he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear, and burneth the chariots with fire. Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth. Ps 46:8-10, Geneva Bible