Soldier on Service
Introduction. The Scriptures often describe Jesus’ death as a great victory. Satan’s head was bruised (Gen 3:15)! Jesus led captivity captive (Eph 4:8), bound the strong man (Mt 12:29), and through death brought to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil (Heb 2:14). Jesus now has the keys of death and of Hades (Rev 1:18), reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords (1Tim 6:15), and we are “more than conquerors through him” (Rom 8:37).
Though symbolic, John summed up both the battle and the victory: “there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war.” After this war, “the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him” (Rev 12:7-17). The victory won in heaven was complete and final. “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them.” (12:12) What an amazing event it must have been in heaven when Jesus returned victorious to sit on the throne. “Behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom” (Dan 7:13-14).
What about Us? But as he turns his attention to those of us still on earth, it is a very different picture. “Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time, . . . he went away to make war with the rest of her seed, that keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus.”
No matter how we interpret the symbolism of this passage, there is no doubt saints on earth are in the midst of a life and death struggle! The Devil is “making war” against all “that keep the commands of God and hold the testimony of Jesus.” We can never let down our guard, for “the devil as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour.” (1Pet 5:8)
Still, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able (1Cor 10:13). “The weapons of our warfare are mighty before God” (2Cor 10:4), and when we “put on the whole armor of God,” we can “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:11). We have access to the “armor of righteousness” (2Cor 6:7) and “armor of light” (Rom 13:12). But with all God has done and will do, it still comes down to us. We must “abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul” (1Pet 2:11). As long as we are here we must be prepared to “war the good warfare” (1Tim 1:18), and “suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2Tim 2:3).
As we sit in our home today in peaceful America, do we see ourselves in a great battle? Are we “good soldiers of Christ Jesus?” Do we mean it when we sing: “in battle we must trod,” “the fight is on arouse ye soldiers brave and true,” “soldiers of the cross,” and “soldiers of Christ arise and put your armor on?” Have we come to realize these are not figures of speech, but a frightening reality? “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).
Singing about being a soldier is not the same as being a soldier. A true “soldier of Christ” having “put our armor on” takes seriously Paul’s exhortation to Timothy. “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life” (2 Tim 2:4)
This is the real issue, isn’t it? We are at war - soldiers in a life and death spiritual struggle. The real question: Are we soldiers prepared for battle or soldiers so entangled in the affairs of this life we no longer act like soldiers at all. Are we competent enough in battle to say with confidence “resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7-8 )?
The assault on Pearl Harbor occurred before a declaration of war. Their soldiers were ready. Ours, entangled in the affairs of this life, were not. Not knowing there was a war, they were unprepared to fight and our losses were great. What about us? “The fight is on O Christian soldier” “The cry ‘to arms’ is heard afar and near.” We are fighting a “spiritual host of wickedness in heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12). They are fighting and waging war in deadly earnest. They know the time is short and they want to do as much damage as possible. Our time is also short. We want to do as much good as possible. With our armor on, doing battle with the sword of the Spirit, we can accomplish great good (2Tim 2:26). Is this reality daily in our mind?
Though symbolic, John summed up both the battle and the victory: “there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war.” After this war, “the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him” (Rev 12:7-17). The victory won in heaven was complete and final. “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them.” (12:12) What an amazing event it must have been in heaven when Jesus returned victorious to sit on the throne. “Behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom” (Dan 7:13-14).
What about Us? But as he turns his attention to those of us still on earth, it is a very different picture. “Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time, . . . he went away to make war with the rest of her seed, that keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus.”
No matter how we interpret the symbolism of this passage, there is no doubt saints on earth are in the midst of a life and death struggle! The Devil is “making war” against all “that keep the commands of God and hold the testimony of Jesus.” We can never let down our guard, for “the devil as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour.” (1Pet 5:8)
Still, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able (1Cor 10:13). “The weapons of our warfare are mighty before God” (2Cor 10:4), and when we “put on the whole armor of God,” we can “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:11). We have access to the “armor of righteousness” (2Cor 6:7) and “armor of light” (Rom 13:12). But with all God has done and will do, it still comes down to us. We must “abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul” (1Pet 2:11). As long as we are here we must be prepared to “war the good warfare” (1Tim 1:18), and “suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2Tim 2:3).
As we sit in our home today in peaceful America, do we see ourselves in a great battle? Are we “good soldiers of Christ Jesus?” Do we mean it when we sing: “in battle we must trod,” “the fight is on arouse ye soldiers brave and true,” “soldiers of the cross,” and “soldiers of Christ arise and put your armor on?” Have we come to realize these are not figures of speech, but a frightening reality? “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).
Singing about being a soldier is not the same as being a soldier. A true “soldier of Christ” having “put our armor on” takes seriously Paul’s exhortation to Timothy. “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life” (2 Tim 2:4)
This is the real issue, isn’t it? We are at war - soldiers in a life and death spiritual struggle. The real question: Are we soldiers prepared for battle or soldiers so entangled in the affairs of this life we no longer act like soldiers at all. Are we competent enough in battle to say with confidence “resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7-8 )?
The assault on Pearl Harbor occurred before a declaration of war. Their soldiers were ready. Ours, entangled in the affairs of this life, were not. Not knowing there was a war, they were unprepared to fight and our losses were great. What about us? “The fight is on O Christian soldier” “The cry ‘to arms’ is heard afar and near.” We are fighting a “spiritual host of wickedness in heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12). They are fighting and waging war in deadly earnest. They know the time is short and they want to do as much damage as possible. Our time is also short. We want to do as much good as possible. With our armor on, doing battle with the sword of the Spirit, we can accomplish great good (2Tim 2:26). Is this reality daily in our mind?