The Christian Armor

What power is to make war upon the remnant church prior to the second advent of the Savior to this earth?

‘Then the dragon  [Satan] was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring – those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Revelation 12:17.

What reward is promised to all who overcome each besetting sin?

“I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

Revelation 2:7. (See also Revelation 2:11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21.) “He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” Revelation 21:7.

The Conquering Leader

Through whom are we able to conquer the power that wars against us?

“No in all things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:37.

Who was the invisible leader of the armies of Israel?

“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come. Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant.” Joshua 5:13,14. {Michael/Jesus was the man with the drawn sword] (See also 1 Corinthians 10:1-14.)

Weapons for Warfare

What is the character of the Christian’s weapons of warfare?

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4.  [Christ’s power]

What are these weapons able to conquer?

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Verse 5. 

What are we to put on?

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11.

For what kind of forces do we have to contend?

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Verse 12. 

Note – “Spiritual wickedness in high places” is more accurately rendered, “wicked spirits in heavenly places.”

What are the essentials of the needed armor?

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Verse 14. 

With what are the feet of the children of God to be shod?

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” Ephesians 2:14. (See also James 3:18.)

What piece of armor is mentioned as necessary?

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16. (See 1 John 5:4; Hebrews 11:6.)

What armor is the Christian to put on as protection to his head?

“Take the helmet of salvation.”  Ephesians 6:17.

Note – In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 the helmet is called “the hope of salvation.” The helmet was worn to protect the head. So the hope of salvation will preserve the courage, and thus aid in protecting the spiritual life of the Christian pilgrim when beset by the enemy of righteousness.

What is the sword of the Christian soldier?

“The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17.   

Note – By this Christ defeated the enemy. (See Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13.) But no one can use this sword that does not know it.  Hence, the importance of studying and knowing for oneself what the Bible teaches.

Faithfulness and Victory

In what words are the courage, faithfulness, and loyalty of the church expressed?

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Revelation 12:11. 

Will Christ’s loyal soldiers be victorious under Him?

“And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb.” Revelation 15:2.  

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