Throughout the post antediluvian world, the most powerful empires spread their influence with the use of massive armies. After the great flood in which only Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives survived, men began to use a monarchy system of government. Kings of every generation knew that a standing army was necessary for the protection of the citizens and their throne. In the cradle of civilization war between kingdoms was continual. When not in war, a war was being planned and prepared for. The kingdoms of Egypt, Israel, Syria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome expanded and increased in influence via the instrument of war. Their success on the battlefield enabled the intimidation of peaceful nations into paying tribute (exacted or enforced payment) to avoid the costs of armed conflict, which brings to mind the question. Why do men war continually? Really?
The underlying reason for war is the control of the minds of men. Of a truth it’s not for riches, land or power. This is the ostensible rationale of men. But men who take that which our gracious God did not give them, are subjects of a lower form of reason, that of the most low lucifer, the prince of darkness, who hates our God, who cast him and one third of the angels out of heaven as well as mankind who when he fell into sin, was offered the hope of forgiveness. Satan was not offered the hope of forgiveness but received eternal condemnation. From the day that God promised a redeemer for man (he will crush your head and you will strike his heel) the devil (whose name means ‘accuser’) has accused the bretheren and attacked the true believers (those who walked with God in spirit and truth).
War is a machine of death. The physical war is actually a spiritual war. All opposition is stamped out. The law requiring emporer worship was a method of identifying Gods’ people. Once identified, they were systematically required to renounce their faith, or die. If they loved their lives more than God, they refuted their true beliefs thus perverting their faith. Satan knew that they weren’t true converts, but he was content to silence them and mute their witness. He really prefers no blood shed. To kill a believer is to create a martyr. Martyrs draw undesired attention to the true nature of the evil kingdom. In the mindset of the devil, rebellions result because not enough people have died thus more believers must be purged.
Then came the triumphant Jesus Christ. He came without a standing army with the weapons of man. His weapon was the Word of God. His power was in his weakness, for the weakness of God is always greater than the strength of satan or man. His Holy Father sends the enemies of God, both spiritual beings (angels & demons) and physical man, ‘strong delusion that they might believe a lie and be damned.’
Christ came to seek and save the lost, to redeem the the sons and daughters of Adam and restore the dominion of man. He allows decisions/choices and never coerces our allegiance. Christ doesn’t need an army because his kingdom is within us. It is not the world around us. We live (reside) on the earth, but we live (have life) in Christ. He came ‘that we might have live and to have it more abundantly.’ Satan attempts to conquer the mind through the physical body. Christ in the spirit gives life and knowledge to the soul and mind of man and the body (earthly vessel of the soul of man) is aligned with the body and soul. In satan the mind is at war with the flesh. In Christ the spirit, body and soul are one in harmony and peace.
The armies of man always ultimately fail in their planned objective. Though the book of Revelation tells us that Christ will return with an army in the last day, in his relationship as brother with man, he doesn’t need an army.
The redeeming love of our Lord Jesus Christ abide with you, Kochany
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