When War Drums Sound, What Shall The Faithful Realize?
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| He protects His children under His wings. Notice the cloud that looks like a palm branch, being laid down for the faithful to walk on. |
God has spoken the Word through His prophets (and continues to), and all that came before Messiah was purposed / allowed in order to reveal a lasting covenant in Messiah (Hebrews 1: 1-2).
The believer does not respond to violence as mere humans usually do, but is a new creation because the old gone (2 Corinthians 5: 16-17).
The believer is not 'created' to repeat the patterns of this world (Romans 12:1-2), but created to be just like Messiah (perfect, loving, forgiving, submitting even unto death, depending on God for protection).
Yeshua was risen up and glorified after trusting God, exemplifying full submission to God... so man may learn.
Yeshua expressed humility and submission before men - as the perfect example of the believer is to be: an obedient servant / child of God.
Yeshua stayed at peace in the face of death - so we also may stay in His peace when tempted to lash out and defend our momentary flesh.
Yeshua is the example of what comes of the faithful: they shall be raised up high after submitting to and suffering death.
A few questions:
Did God continue the prior covenant (Law of Moses - ritual sacrifice, eye for an eye retribution, the allowance for war, etc.)?
No, because the Law is fulfilled in Messiah and also in us when we obey the call to love others... even our enemies (Romans 13: 10).
Did God indeed fulfill the prior covenant and introduced a new covenant?
Yes.
Matthew 5 (specifically verse 17) clarifies what Messiah fulfilled (by obeying it perfectly) while introducing the new Way:
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
- Matthew 5: 17-20Since the old is fulfilled (Matthew 5: 17), notice the warning at verse 19 about not “setting aside one of the least of these” (the commands being invoked in Matthew by Yeshua).
It warns not to teach others to also set these new commands aside, otherwise they will be called least.
Notice the warning in verse 20 about one's righteousness having to surpass that of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law... otherwise one will “not enter the kingdom of heaven”
Yeshua was accused of breaking the Law by the religious zealots of His time (Pharisees, teachers of the law, etc. - (Matthew 12: 2, 10).
Yeshua did not violate the Law, but purposefully fulfilled the Law while introducing a new Law (Matthew 5)... built and based on love.
Did God carry over all things from the prior covenant, or only certain things?
No, only the moral code (from the ten commandments to the details of moral and ethical bounds).
Messiah is the final sacrifice for sin; the body of Messiah is the Temple that was destroyed and built again in three days as the final Temple comprised of the rest of His body: the Church.
This is the mountain of the Lord that continues to rise above all other mountains.
The rituals of worship have been fulfilled and thus finished (Hebrews 10: 26).
The believer's worship is an internal process producing an outward obedience (John 4: 21-24 / Romans 12: 1-2).
Matthew 5 reveals that not all things were brought into the new from the old.
Acts 15 reveals certain things were brought into the new, and what was not (circumcision).
Did violence, self defense, and use of worldly weapons also come into the new?
No.
Where it speaks of 'helmets' and 'swords', it is speaking metaphorical words in describing how the believer's faith in God 'protects' them spiritually as these earthly things protects the physical body (Ephesians 6: 10-20).
If the old is still in effect (or the teachings of violence and physical self defense), then the Gospel message is contradicted.
To be certain, this contradiction is simply by men who lack faith or are utterly confused... who are still infants who cannot tell good from evil since they foolishly argue evil as being some form of good (Hebrews 5: 12, 14).
The internet and many pulpits are full of preachers that lean heavily on the Law / Old Testament to argue their support and justifications for violence, war, etc..
Are they not simply seeing the world through secular eyes and not the eyes of Messiah?
Are they simply repeating the conformed patterns of this fallen world?
God does not contradict Himself (Numbers 23: 19 / 1 Corinthians14: 33).
There is a completion of the old and an introduction of the new.
Those who are confused are preaching peace and love while justifying physically hurting someone who strikes them on the cheek... or to use force / violence if attacked... or to withhold from those who steals from them... or persecute those who encroaches on dirt believed to be 'owned'... or some other earthly argument built upon the ideas of this world but void of Messiah's righteousness.
Surely the Old Covenant was utilized by the early disciples in proving Yeshua was the Messiah (Acts 17: 2), but where do we find the disciples also proving or arguing for self defense and / or war in quoting the Old Covenant?
Perhaps only in the writings of men about several centuries later.
Previously, the Holy Spirit revealed a lifestyle of peace and submission to God and men regarding violence.
It is through fear, misguided zealotry, and an identity crisis lacking faith in the God that is quick to save that men ask believers to support war and / or the use of weapons.
The argument to participate in war and / or pick up the weapons of this world, instead of lifting arms in prayer and begging the Lord to act, is a faith issue... and reveals the fear of death outweighing hopeful expectation of God fulfilling His promises.
The reality is that Messiah has truly fulfilled the old, and has introduced the new that calls the believer to live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Timothy 2: 2).
The parable of the old wine skins tearing when putting new wine in them is the issue raised when the contradiction and hypocrisy in men is revealed when they argue 'holiness' in fighting.
Yet no such example is found with Messiah nor His disciples besides that single time a disciple used a physical sword and was chastised for doing so (Matthew 26: 52).
Consider, now, how God had already brought the new model of civilization to Israel when He brought Greece, and then Rome, to rule over Israel before He appeared on earth as Messiah.
This consideration makes more obvious what is mentioned in Romans 13 and the letters of Timothy in teaching believers how to submit to those who are to do the dirty work of warring, policing, and enforcement God's order over the rebellious.
To be clear, the children of God have the Law of God written on their hearts, and thus need no civil authority to 'control' them.
The civil authority exists to deal with the rebellious.
This is why when those who consider themselves Christians (like Messiah) and act out in protest, or take up arms against government, or resist government in any way contradicting Messiah's example and that of the martyrs... they are utterly confused and vacant of the love of Messiah which fulfills the Law.
This civilization model is how the temporal and secular kingdoms of men have been made to be servants of God to protect the Church!
This is why the armies of men have nothing to do with the Lord's Army of priests (holding spiritual swords, not actual physical weapons) do not get involved in the issues of the state other than to lead the state back to peace after times of rebellion.
I suggest reading Matthew 5 and Romans 12 in their entirety.
Notice how Romans 12 segues into chapter 13 by declaring this:
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
- Romans 13: 1-5If you do all things out of love, you are doing 'right'.
Consider what is being explained.
Those who execute 'justice' in the form of physical punishment, who bear a physical sword, are also “God's servants” and also “agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer”.
However, is the disciple of Christ an agent of wrath? or a servant of God in the violent sense?
Is it not the complete opposite?
Notice that God sends angels to bring war (1 Chronicles 21: 15), and also notice how Satan seems to do as he pleases yet is bound in certain ways according to and within God's will and set purpose (Job 1: 12).
Were we made to be like the angels (or those angels revealed to be demons) in this way?
Or are we, rather, made and created to be like Messiah?
Hebrews 1 relates how Messiah is not like the angels.
Since we are created in His likeness, we also are not like the angels when it comes to executing wrath.
Rather we are those who minister reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5: 18) to the world (as modeled after Messiah).
Consider how angels are subject to Messiah and how angels protect those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1: 14).
Angels serve our purpose when our purpose follows the Way.
God has ordained a particular order in the world which religious people too often confuse, due to their lack of faith and understanding.
The religious seem to have their eyes too closely on the things of this world and this world's standards, and not what has been revealed from Above and God's higher calling.
Considering the following narrative from the Old Testament, for it is a very prescient event many centuries before Messiah.
A certain foreign king sent his army to attack and capture the prophet Elisha.
Elisha understood God's power and protection and was not worried despite the lack of faith of those with him:
“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.
After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”
“Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.
- 2 Kings 6: 13-23Notice how Elisha exercised mercy and grace upon the enemy.
Notice how the king of Samaria (a Hebrew) asked for permission from the prophet to execute justice, a justice that was within the Law to follow... but Elisha revealed the higher calling.
Realize this very ancient example is exactly the role of the disciples of Messiah in the new age.
This is how to faithfully act and speak regarding such events and challenges.
Elisha's servant showed he had very weak faith, only 'seeing' the physical things of this world... forgetting God in the process.
The faithful still exist on earth, and there are many who believe in the Lord as their Savior... yet their faith can often be very weak.
Today's prophet speaks, and in due time the walls shall fall (the walls in people's minds and hearts).
This age's king speaks, and what is confusing is being clarified to those God desires to enlighten.
The sheep are easily distracted... and easily tempted to shrink back and consider using weapons of this world instead of the weapons that God has already provided them - the weapons of the Spirit.
In short (and again) it is a faith issue.
Holding a physical sword in hand (living according to the physical) is having faith in one's self, in one's humanity... and striving with and against the rest of humanity according to this world... and God is dishonored.
Yet He provides grace, even to the confused and the divided... for He is Holy and His Word stands.
The kingdoms of men rise and fall according to such earthly manners.
Despite confusions and contradictions, the kingdom of heaven continues to grow and reign in ways only the Spirit can reveal to the faithful.
Standing firm in the Word of God, holding it in heart and mind and following the example of Messiah.
This is having faith in God's protection.
In the end with His salvation, even if / when death comes and whether or not God protects your flesh, your soul will rise into Him.
Since the faithful have their hearts and minds set on things Above, not on things below (this world), may the eyes of the faithful be opened to see how God works, moves, and brings them heavenward.
Take comfort in this message... for it speaks of your high position and a glorious death that awaits those whose next moment after death is an eternal basking in the Light and Love of God:
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of My Name, for they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me hates My Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both Me and My Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’
- John 15: 18-25
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