|
Post by Brother Ben on Dec 29, 2006 13:41:01 GMT -5
This issue has arisen from time to time and I never fealt the liberty to speak to it because it was so emotionally charged. While looking at some scriptures the following points came together. First of all, I want to acknowledge that I know some of you have been, or currently are in the military, or have loved ones who are in active duty. I too fall into this catagory. My father was in the Air Force, my brother retired after 20 years of faithful duty in the Air Force. My father-in-law, is a retired full bird colonel from the Army. The list goes on and on. I believe that a person can be saved, and love the Lord, and actively serve in the armed forces. We are living in the age of grace, the church age and the times of the tribulation have not come upon us yet. Because of this, men are free to believe in their hearts, even if they have to be bivouaced in the woods one Sunday on manuvers. However, there is a time coming when the hearts of man will begin to be drawn to the left and to the right spiritually as the antichrist comes to power. Even now, we see the ever growing hostility toward Christ in the public arena. Because, I believe, godly men, were used for the foundation of our country, we believe that we are one nation, under God, indivisable; after all, that is what it says in the pledge of allegiance. God is the Sovereign of the universe and the Earth belongs to the Lord, but Satan, currently, has limited domain here on the globe. The Bible says, Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. When Satan tempted Christ look at the claim he made because it was in his power to offer it: Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Though, good men laid down some strong principles, we have seen the erosion into our current state of affairs. It will become worse than it is now. Satan is establishing in our "blessed" land, just who in in charge. One day, the following scene will occur. Rev 19:17 ΒΆ And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
Rev 19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all [men, both] free and bond, both small and great.
Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. Did you notice verse 19, "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army." The kings, or rulers of the earth, the United States included, (if they make it through to Rev. 19,) and they were gathering to make war with the KING OF KINGS, and His army. There are only two armies that day, the army of the Lord, and the armies of the kings of this world. One day, dear frined, all the armies of the world will be unified to make an assault on our Great King. The very armed forces that we are so proud of with our national (not biblical) pride, are going to turn against our God. The changes needed to have such a mindset will not rise up over night. No, they are currently being implemented as the kings of this world become more and more hostile toward our Christ, and his servants. Yes, this is the age of grace and the church is active, but times are coming in preparation for the coming world chaos, and the lines are being drawn. It is time for God's people, especially those in the military to wake up and take these things into consideration. One day it will boil down to a war between the armies of the kings of this world...and the army of the Lord. Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Rev 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. We must stop reading the Bible with red, white, and blue colored glasses. God has not called us to be gun slingen', hymn singen', Bible quoten', pistol toten' believers. We are inocent lambs listening for the voice of our Great Shepherd, or are we? Jhn 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Jhn 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
2Cr 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.In which army are you?
|
|
|
Post by benshelpmeet on Dec 30, 2006 10:21:28 GMT -5
Amen! That was good!
Sometimes it's hard to put a truth into words others can comprehend, I often struggle with that, but this was well written, and so easy to understand. God is so good to give us the words to say when trying to relay a truth.
This topic is so touchy with most people, People have their blinders on. Most christians do not comprehend truths like this. Alot of christians think in the realm flesh, not in the spiritual realm.
The teaching of the Two Kingdoms, is a strong spiritual truth, and a good one to understand and get ahold of.
May the Lord open our spiritual eyes to the truth presented here.
Blessings to you my brother, and husband!
~ Darlene ~
|
|
|
Post by benshelpmeet on Jan 2, 2007 14:06:26 GMT -5
This is a must read!
|
|
|
Post by dragonfly on Jan 3, 2007 0:21:18 GMT -5
This was very well written. I can only wonder how many times I have read that verse and never really 'seen' the armies gathered.. Thank you.. It was very good.
|
|
|
Post by jeff on Jan 10, 2007 22:12:56 GMT -5
Thank you for that, Bro. Ben. I have to admit being bothered by the "saber rattling" that occurs in churches (ours included). A lot of folks seem to go for the "shoot first and ask questions later" mentality and I don't agree with it.
Again, I appreciate your stand and thanks again for the article.
|
|
|
Post by joanneshr on Feb 21, 2007 13:57:01 GMT -5
Something that's been on my mind for quite a while ... I guess now would be a good time to see what other's think? My husband is currently in the Army (active duty) about to go to Iraq. Thankfully, he is just a medic and will probably never be in a position where he'd have to use his weapon. He is against killing, but he is not a Christian. He and all his work buddies wear a thing around their necks called 'The Soldier's Creed'. As a Christian, I'm wondering how other Christian's in the Army can honestly say this creed? They have to memorize it and say it on demand. Here's the creed:
I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.
Now, notice the lines I put in bold and italics. I was brushing my teeth one day and saw my husband's tags laying on the sink. I read the creed as I was brushing. How can a Christian say these things?? If you do say them, you are lying, and we all know lying is a sin.
As Christians, we serve the LORD first. As Christians, we live by the LORD'S VALUES, not the Army's values. As Christians, we will always place the LORD'S will first, not the Army's mission. As Christians, we are to obey Jesus Christ and turn the other cheek, bless our enemies, etc..., not "stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat."
What does everyone else think of this?
|
|
|
Post by prv31wife on Feb 22, 2007 18:28:01 GMT -5
Their creed sounds very brutal and not very God honoring if you ask me
|
|
|
Post by parris on Mar 2, 2007 22:57:55 GMT -5
Wow! Everytime I come to this website, there is something from the Bible that I have read many times, but missed critical, life changing words in it. Thanks so much.
Brothers and sisters, please keep my 20 year old son, Jessie, in your prayers. He is a new Marine. He is in Twenty-Nine Palms, California, training to be a computer systems analyst. The school has a high failure rate. The boys who flunk out get put in infantry. My son already has many buddies who failed out, got stuck in infantry, and already are in Iraq.
My son says he is not sure he will make it through school. It is very difficult for him. Most importantly, I am not sure he is saved. He made a profession of faith around the age of 6, but he has been living in rebellion and openly questions Chrisianity. Pray for his soul more than anything else, that if he is not saved, he will get saved. We should not be afraid of man, who can destroy the body (in war), but God, who can punish us in hell (if we are not saved).
I am so thankful for the fellowship I have with all of you here. You are reassurance and comfort for me.
Praise God for everything we have, and don't have. Praise him for all things, not just good things. When we think He is letting something bad happen to us, and we don't understand why, it is for our good. Only later will we find out how He helped us and how much He really loves us beyond our imaginations. Who are we to question the Almighty Lord and Saviour.
Sorry to ramble on, but I just felt the need to express my gratitude for everything our Heavenly Father does for us.
In Christ,
Traci
|
|
|
Post by titus2daughter on Apr 6, 2007 13:41:22 GMT -5
Something that's been on my mind for quite a while ... I guess now would be a good time to see what other's think? My husband is currently in the Army (active duty) about to go to Iraq. Thankfully, he is just a medic and will probably never be in a position where he'd have to use his weapon. He is against killing, but he is not a Christian. He and all his work buddies wear a thing around their necks called 'The Soldier's Creed'. As a Christian, I'm wondering how other Christian's in the Army can honestly say this creed? They have to memorize it and say it on demand. Here's the creed: I am an American Soldier. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier. Now, notice the lines I put in bold and italics. I was brushing my teeth one day and saw my husband's tags laying on the sink. I read the creed as I was brushing. How can a Christian say these things?? If you do say them, you are lying, and we all know lying is a sin. As Christians, we serve the LORD first. As Christians, we live by the LORD'S VALUES, not the Army's values. As Christians, we will always place the LORD'S will first, not the Army's mission. As Christians, we are to obey Jesus Christ and turn the other cheek, bless our enemies, etc..., not "stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat." What does everyone else think of this? As a daughter of a military officer... This gave me shivers down my back when I read this. I do not understand how a Christian could say that with a clear heart... Well I'm not one to judge but that gave me chills when I read that.
|
|
|
Post by Brother Ben on Apr 7, 2007 18:26:26 GMT -5
Compare: I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
"... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. " Josh. 24:15
I will always place the mission first.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Luk 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Luk 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
The Christian does not lack for counsel as to just how we should treat our enemies.
Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
Thank the Lord he has not set out to destroy us for being His enemies!
|
|
|
Post by Tammy on Apr 9, 2007 23:52:41 GMT -5
Bro Ben, Thanks for that discourse on military issues. That's probably the most I've ever read on the subject. I was raised to be a patriot, blessed to be an American and a citizen of heaven. What about saying the pledge of aliegance? And what about the battles won by the Lord in the OT - Gideon, Joshua, David, God was with them all! Help me here.
|
|
|
Post by Brother Ben on Apr 10, 2007 8:02:35 GMT -5
Tammy said:
It is o.k. to be an American and a citizen of heaven. But you allegiance to Heaven overrides you citizenship here. Jesus has clearly stated in the previous posts that citizens of heavan DO NOT fight Earths battles.
Notice who you used at battle soldiers: Gideon, Joshua, and David, all O.T. characters. That is because the Old Covenant was about LAND the new covenant is about LIFE. Show me where in the N.T. God ask Paul or any beleiver to take a sword and fight for land, government, etc. He didn't. Now, we are to overcome with love and faith.
Being a citizen of heaven and an ambassador of THAT SUPERIOR LAND, I cannot in good conscience take the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. It is unscriptural.
To whom do you belong? God and America, or God?
Ben
|
|
|
Post by nightingale on Apr 10, 2007 11:24:55 GMT -5
Brother Ben I have been following everyone's concern over the military. I too have been raised to be patriotic, and was a military wife for 12 years. I did a little research and study and found this verse concerning Jesus telling his disciples to sell their garment and purchase a sword. Luke 22:36,38 36:Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no swrod, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 38: And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. and he said unto them, It is enough. Can you explain what this was all about Thanks Love ya all Blessings Sis Debbie
|
|
|
Post by Brother Ben on Apr 12, 2007 7:42:22 GMT -5
Jhn 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
Jhn 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
The purpose of God is fulfilled. The Lord knew of Peters natural propencity to resolve the problem through physical retaliation. This is mans natural response to crisis. It is not what the Lord wanted Peter to do, but he knew that was what he was going to do. He (Jesus) stated His policy for Believers:
Jhn 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
One would better spend their time trying to save the whales than save this old world, or this republic. The sovereign will of God is not a run away train, but a full loaded freight train bearing down the track of time. It will not be stopped and we had best spend our time winning souls, saving our family, and praying (our REAL warfare!)
Ben
|
|
|
Post by nightingale on Apr 12, 2007 19:16:14 GMT -5
Thanks Brother Ben for your reply....but if Jesus is against using violence why did he tell His disciples to buy a sword? Luke 22:36 36:Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.Blessings Sis Debbie
|
|