Aren’t We to Be Like Jesus?
You Last Decision is Your Last
It is with a heavy heart, and a deep sadness, that I write this article. Perhaps for some, this article may be a victory. Unfortunately, for me, it comes with the burden of knowing that many people (and particularly awesome Christians) will suffer unnecessarily because of a “mis-understanding”. And worse, may have to pay penalties for it, when standing before the Son of Man.
The other thing that troubles my heart, is that I stand along with some of the greatest Christians to ever live. Certainly, I do not consider myself worthy to be counted as part of their group. In fact I am really not a part of any group, per se. But by virtue of “similar missions” and connected writings the general worldwide readership of Tribulation-Now would naturally assume I am “of one mind” with all those I stand amongst in “our” mission to disclose the enemy’s movements, and warn the world of the forthcoming “dark times”.
Sadly, amongst many of those it is assumed I stand firm with, there may be some “key” differences that MIGHT separate us. These “differences” some people may see as “no big deal” but in fact on a global scale and in the midst of the fight we will certainly find ourselves in “pretty soon”, these differences have an impact that reaches into the Heaven’s and will surely make our Lord God cry out in frustration.
Now it’s okay to disagree with me. And there’s really no point in sending me scriptures you extrapolated in defense or your position. I know what I know not only because it is what Jesus (and his apostles, disciples, and scribes) clearly said, but because …
The only reason I am sad about presenting this material is because I am sure that so many will disagree with me. And while there is no harm in disagreeing, there is enormous harm that will ultimately result due to that disagreement that could have been avoided if the Lord would only “reach out” and speak to them to help them understand the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT and the LEGIONS OF ANGELS we have at our disposal.
But you have to BELIEVE.
Confusion with the Flow of Scripture
We are all guilty of many things. I am the first to raise my hand when asked “who’s guilty”? I stand humbly at the front of the line of sinners unworthy to stand before the Son of Man and I pray, in Jesus name, every day that He pulls me out of harms way when the time comes.
And I am also guilty of “cherry picking” scripture. In fact, I am pretty sure that most of us are unwittingly guilty of this “cherry picking” at one time or another. I have, at least, learned to TRY and seek contextual agreement of verses before I start “waving them in the air” as my “motto” or official “position statement”.
There is a frightening humility that one learns (hopefully) as they begin their journey in understanding this situation we find ourselves in. The more I studied this New World Order situation, (off and on about ten years now, concentrated about 5 years), the more I began to realize that Jesus wasn’t kidding when he said they would take us away and kill us and there would be great persecution. The “natural” thing to want to do is “dig in”. The natural thing to want to do is “hide out” and protect your family from this forthcoming evil.
Let’s study this problem a bit.
Jesus was the Paradigm Shift
There is no question that the Old Testament is full of conquest. Chariots, swords and wars all the time. One Kingdom conquering another. These scriptures are LOADED with verse after verse that one can use to show “beyond of shadow of a doubt” that it’s “okay” to fight a war on the side of YHWH God, and it’s “okay” to defend your family and protect your property. One could even argue that for every verse that says it’s okay to “take up arms” there are an equal number of verses that say otherwise. This is likely the case.
BUT WHY?
Well when you read the Bible there is this really strange “paradigm shift” that occurred when Jesus came down to earth in the flesh. The entire dynamic changed. The list of changes is so utterly vast that it would take me an entire book to document them all.
What should jump off the pages at the reader, is that around the time that Jesus came, the Hebrews were pretty much settled in. Yes, in 70 A.D. there was an uprising against the Roman Empire when the Hebrews decided they had had enough and started waring with the Romans.
BUT LISTEN. Here is the lesson to be learned by what happened. The Jews (Hebrews), did not understand that Jesus was their Messiah. They did not listen to WHO? They failed to listen to the KING OF KINGS. Wow. Think about that for just a minute. And what happened to them when they up-rised against the Roman Empire? Millions of them were slaughtered. MILLIONS. It was an utter disaster. A horrible consequence of not following …. WHO?
JESUS
But who was Jesus? Is not Jesus also God? Are YHWH and Jesus and the Holy Spirit not the essences of the unity of the “Godhead”. Are they not spiritually, one in the same? Was Jesus not here at the “foundation of the world”?
Then it stands to reason, when the Hebrews fought against the Romans, that “their God” (YHWH) wasn’t backing them. Hmmm. Well the evidence is clear. The outcome says it all.
A Commonly Misunderstood Scripture
I decided to do a little looking into the use of the word “sword” in the New Testament. One of the most commonly misunderstood verses in the Bible regarding the notion of “taking up arms” is Matthew 10:34. Let’s take a close look at what Jesus was trying to say here.
Matt 10:34
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
NKJV
WOW. Now those are some powerful words. I have heard time and time again, people that I dearly love, use this verse as their “motto” to demonstrate that Jesus wasn’t a “pacifist”. I have heard this verse used to demonstrate that people have a RIGHT to stand up against an unjust government. Hmm. Maybe. Surely we can cut Romans 13 out of the Bible. Surely … right?
Sorta makes you wonder why GOD (YHWH) made it PERFECTLY CLEAR that He was USING Babylon to place an IRON YOKE around the neck of the Hebrews for not following his instructions. And for 70 years no less.
I have a wonderful Jewish friend that is surprisingly knowledgeable about such things and often teases me. He says things to me like “Johnny, you sound like my old Uncle Frank. Even HE thinks we still have the iron yoke of Babylon around our necks!”. Funny. Maybe Uncle Frank is right. Maybe.
BUT WAIT.
Just this morning, even I was questioning that scripture’s meaning. Surely is “implies” that Jesus is coming to bring a “sword” and to cause division of sorts … right? Surely.
Well. Turns out not really. Never mind the fact that there are about 27 verses in the New Testament (the new COVENANT) that mention the word “sword”. And never mind such alarming wake up calls like the verses in Romans that say:
Rom 12:14-21
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore
NKJV
Now if this scripture is not solid enough instruction on how to behave like a true Christian with the FAITH that GOD and His Holy Spirit and Legions of Angels will STAND in your defense (when you do so), then I suppose I am left wondering a bit.
BUT WAIT
Let’s revisit Mark 10:34 again, but THIS TIME, let’s do it with the Kenneth Wuest Expanded New Testament. Maybe there is some “hint” of why Jesus would say he is coming to bring a “sword”. After all, Kenneth Wuest in supposedly one of the greatest Greek translators to ever live. You see the Greek language doesn’t translate well to English. For example in Greek, there are 5 words for “love”. Did you know that? Each Greek word for “love” means something entirely different than the other. And Mr. Wuest doesn’t just “translate” word for word because this is simply not possible. He “transliterates” the language so the result is the “intended meaning”.
You DO want to know the “intended meaning” don’t you?
(Note: In the Kenneth Wuest translation, he has to rearrange the “paragraph structures” to ensure the context of the communication is not lost by the errors of the original attempts. So since each “paragraph” should be speaking about a single “thought stream” when you read Mr. Wuest’s translation, you will see he clumps together the verses a bit differently than the other texts. This is critical to understand the true and intended meaning)
Matt 10:32
32-1 Everyone therefore who is of such a character that he will confess me before men in the realization of and in testimony to his oneness with me, I also will confess him before my Father who is in heaven in the realization of and testimony to my oneness with him. But whoever is of such a nature that he will deny me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. Do not suppose that I came with the result that my coming would throw peace suddenly upon the earth. I did not come with the result that my coming would throw peace, but a sword. For I came with the result that my coming puts a man at variance with his father, and a daughter against her mother, and the newly married wife against her mother-in-law, and the enemies of a man shall be those of his household. He who has an affection for father or mother above that which he has for me, is not worthy of me. And he who has an affection for son or daughter above that which he has for me, is not worthy of me. And he who does not take his cross and take the same road with me which I take, is not worthy of me. He who has found his soul-life, shall ruin and render it useless, and he who has passed a sentence of death upon his soul-life for my sake shall find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives Him who sent me on a mission. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever shall give one of these lesser ones in their station in life a drink of cool water in the name of a pupil, assuredly I am saying to you, he shall positively not lose his reward. And it came to pass that when Jesus finished giving detailed orders to the twelve disciples, He went away from that place for the purpose of teaching and of making a public proclamation in their cities with that formality, gravity, and authority which must be listened to and obeyed.
(from The New Testament: An Expanded Translation by Kenneth S. Wuest Copyright © 1961 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. All rights reserved.)
WOW. What an amazing difference. Here you quickly understand that Jesus was merely suggesting that HIS coming to the earth would bring choas to the world. The “word” sword is simply being used as a metaphore to point out that the “demons seed” generations of the world would not accept him and his teachings (those of His Father YHWH, our Heavenly Father), and the RESULT of this….
HUGE PARADIGM SHIFT
… would be fighting and chaos.
But who would be fighting and where would the chaos be coming from?
Go back and re-read Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13 to wrap your arms around the fact that we Christians will be persecuted.
This doesn’t mean we “fight back”. This means we ….
Luke 21:3636 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
NKJV
Amen, i couldnt agree more. I Have done my army service, but I dont need to own a gun, so I dont. I understand Americans see it differently, and I have American christians patriot friends who are all "Lock and load" and ready to go, but I think its wrong.
Like you say, we should be like Jesus, and trust in God and the holy spirit to guide and protect. When the crap hits the fan, I fear it will get very ugly, especially in the us, and exactly because of all the weapons and fear mongering by Alex J and the like.
I would encourage all who read this to read the story about Gideon in the old testament,
Judges 6:11 and onwards to 7:25. He trusted the Lord and he did EXACTLY as he was told, and what happened?
Notice how the Lord often use the small and weak to accomplish his things, since it in a greater way shows the power of God. Let us stay sinless, pure and humble. We have no mighty weapons like guns, but if HE arms us, nobody can stop us.
May Jesus Bless
Anyone ever read Foxes Book of Martyrs? Thanks for bringing this valuable information to our attention for such a time as this JB! As much as I love and respect some of our other Brothers and Sisters in Christ, that are wonderful Watchmen on the wall, I have to say, "we are going to need a bigger boat!" I just don't see how our weapons, gold & silver, food & water storage, survival gear and barricades are going to protect us from what is coming in Joel 2 or Rev 9 to name a couple. What's more, WHO WANTS TO? Men will seek death and NOT find it! Our only HOPE and SALVATION is through JESUS CHRIST. If I perish, I perish.
Tamra
“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.” John 18:36
There is a Christian woman condemned to death because reportedly she blasphemed the name of Islamic Prophet in front of her Muslim workmates.
This is because of one law passed by a military dictator General Zia Ul Haq in the 1980s when he was in power and Pakistan was the launching pad for the ‘so called Islamic Jehad’ funded by CIA and the west against the Russians.
Now members of minorities of Pakistan are the easy target because of this law.
Christians and Hindus are the favorite.
There was lot of talk in the government about changing this law, in fact, the present government spoke about it and one of our secular Governor Mr. Salman Taseer was an outspoken objector of this law and promised to free the jailed woman.
Salman Taseer was brutally murdered by his own guards as he came out of a restaurant a few days ago and there was a wave of jubilation that went through a sizable portion of Pakistani society.
Please say a prayer for the Christian woman Asia bibi her family and the bereaved family of Salman Taseer.
Sure there were good Muslims like my family and friends who privately deplored the heinous act but no one speaks out against it for fear of death.
The writing is on the wall John!
All over the world the name of JESUS has become a taunt a jeer and the demons are inciting everyone who believes in the Son of God.
Those who believe in the Son (especially the Son in Muslim lands are liable to death).
Your brother in Jesus
Here's some more ammo for you.
The following verses come from Revelation.
Rev 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
…
Rev 2:16 Repent therefore; or else I come to thee quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
…
Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.
…
Rev 19:21 and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, even the sword which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh.
So even when Jesus returns He will not kill with a physical sword in His hand but with the word of God in His mouth.
_______
Then there is Ephesians and the whole armor of God.
"Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Eph 6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, "
Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, right there, in black and white, could not be more obvious.
Ephesians confirms Revelation.
Another thing to consider, look at Ephesians 6:12, where it says our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual host of darkness. I think many people get hung up on the heavenly enemy and the implications for their prayer life and seem to forget the other implication of this statement. That other implication being that other humans are not the enemy and should not be treated as such, regardless of what they do to us personally.
You can't shoot a spirit. And you shouldn't want to shoot a human. But you can put an evil spirit to flight by using the word of God
God Bless You Anonyous for that awesome and humbling message. I thank you for the email and I reprinted your comment anonymously for obvious reasons.
And thank you too AP. You are an wise and awesome contributor. Praise Jesus
John:
With this article, I think you have really lost your marbles! Romans 12:14-21 clearly applies to interpersonal relationships. Why do you think we have not been taken over by the government yet?! 2nd Amendment!! The slaughter that happened in 70 AD occurred between the Romans and the Hebrews–two nations! (Most of us already knew that Jesus' sword is a metaphor.)
What king of a man would stand by and allow his wife to be raped OR his family to be dragged off to a FEMA camp–an infidel!! We are only subject to the government until they become tyranical, after which we owe them no loyalty!! You know perfectly well that FEMA created the "clergy response teams" to reinforce Romans 13–these supposed men of God are traitors to their congregations!!! Also remember the fourth amendment–no search and seizure OR invasion of one's home without a warrant and "probable cause".
Talk about common sense–I find no common sense in what you said and here is why: God is the one who gave us the gift of freedom. Any time God gives you or your nation a gift, you don't give it away without showing extreme disrespect for God (with the exception of personal gifts between humans, such as love, alms, etc. Prime example: Israel is being told to give back the land God gave them. This would be a huge affront to God and we pretty well know that God does not want it.
By the way, I will not be doing any protesting because I am 63 and not well.
Chris
The Apostles (ref. Peter in Gethsemane)and other people of the times routinely carred swords and knives. Typcially they were carried ONLY to protect themselves from abmushes and robbers (which would also apply to such crimes in a family protection situation).
However Jesus was swift to tell Peter to put down the sword when confronting the "government". These are two different dynamics and will endanger other Christians who are walking precisely as Jesus walked, in love and forgiveness at all times.
Thanks John. I would not kill over a can of beans, but I am sure that other's would. I appreciate this column very much. It must have been tough for you to write, but I think most would agree with you.
The straight Gate and the Narrow way is the key to understanding how to respond to this or any scenario , it is a journey of Regeneration (being Born again) dieing to ones self in order for Jesus to live through you because it is he(instead of you ) that is seated in your Holy of Hollies, at some point in this journey along the narrow path you receive a supernatural bestowment of Agape Love (Unconditional Love ) from God the Father and at THAT point the regeneration is completed , We are told to take up our cross any follow Jesus!! and stay here for what ?
While I agree that perhaps a “sword” or weapon of any sort should not be used on another individual, Jesus did flee from the hands of His enemy-as we are told to flee many times in the Bible. I don’t think He is calling us to be ultimately submissive like sheep being led to the slaughter. We are called to be wise and knowledgeable, surely not in vain. I will do all I can to flee from tribulation, persecution, and suffering, as well as protect my family.
We don’t (to my knowledge)have a parable or story of Jesus to compare something like a child being wrongly treated or attacked-other than Matthew 19 when the disciples rebuked the children and Jesus stood up for them. What would He have done if the situation had been worse, or perhaps life threatening? Would He have just stood there? and watched? I cannot say, as a mother, that I would allow anyone to touch my child in an inappropriate way and I don’t think even a mother in Jesus’ time-His own mother included-would ever allow something like that without doing all she can to protect her young. I believe it to be a natural God given maternal instinct. I can resist using a “sword” to defend myself, but don’t my child!
Then when I think even further into the topic, if I were to see a fellow mate being attacked would I not do something to help them? What would be there to stop them? Call the police? So THEY can do the ‘dirty work’ that you are afraid of being sent to hell for? Perhaps just walk away? Not me. God be with all of us!
You must ALWAYS follow the word of GOD FIRST. Read Romans 12. Amen God Be with ALL of those who are left behind … It will be HORRIBLE.
I have found a lot of great and awesome reports and opinions on this web-site, but now I have to say AMEN AND AMEN!! I have had in the recent past a fellow believer tell me we would not be able to fellowship because of differences of opinion on this very subject. From the beginning of my total surrender to Him I have searched and found what you are saying to be THE ONLY WAY for a true follower to act. I believe that as the children of Israel were led out of Egypt there will be those whom God has prepared for such a time as this to be leaders of those who call on the Lord, and lead us thru the wilderness, until THE COMING OF THE LORD. I do believe in His supernatural ways and in my life of “dangers,toils,and fears” He has never forsaken me or deserted me. He is faitful and true. Lean upon Him and you will never go wrong. Thank you for STANDING up for THE TRUTH. A siChrist our Lord, Ya’shua ha Mashiach all glory to Our King our Redeemer,my one true love.
I am personally a nobody, a spec of dust on this planet and I do not even expect anyone to read what I have to say. So it is by pure faith that I ask you to Please just give one moments thought to the following.
We are told to be as wise as a serpent. Not as defensive as a serpent. So, using everything we have learned in our journey we are to make wise choices. However, we are also told to be as gentle as a dove. Why did God use the symbol of a dove? A dove is a slow flying bird, it does not see very well and is absolutely and completely defenceless yet the dove has survived throughout history and is viewed as a symbol of peace ALL over the world by ALL people.
Can a dove use a weapon to defend itself? Does the dove depend completely on God’s will?
Is a Christian not supposed to be a symbol of peace and love and do we not pray daily “thy will be done”.
A smart person once said “ A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still”. So I do not expect anyone to change their mind today. I do however pray for all to ponder the dove, love one another and above all we have to stick together. The easiest way for Satan to win is to divide and conquer.