Christians & Guns

God told the apostles to arm up. However, people look at this message only from a physical perspective, without going into detail or because they have no faith (God tests our faith).

Luke 22:36–38

“But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, SELL YOUR CLOAK and buy one! For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among THE REBELS.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”

“Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.”

“That’s enough,” he said.”

• The motive for getting the sword was to fulfill the prophecy “He was counted among the rebels.”

• Isaiah 53:12 “I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because HE EXPOSED HIMSELF TO DEATH. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded FOR REBELS.”

Matthew 26:50–54

“Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.”

Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.

“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.”

“Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

• A man used the sword in “self-defense” to protect Jesus from being taken away. Jesus however did not defend Himself but gave in. Clearly, the meaning of “arming up with the Sword” is SPIRITUAL.

• NONE of the Apostles or Disciples ever used physical swords again in self-defense or attack after REPENTING. They followed Jesus, who never used one either.

• The first King of Israel, Saul was rejected by God for disobeying Him. He persecuted David, with the intention to kill him. David had opportunities to kill Saul but showed him mercy. Saul fought with the sword and then died by the sword.

• 1 Samuel 31:4-6 “Saul groaned to his armor bearer, “Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines come to run me through and taunt and torture me.” But his armor bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When his armor bearer realized that Saul was dead, he fell on his own sword and died beside the king. So Saul, his three sons, his armor bearer, and his troops all died together that same day.”

1 John 3:15 “Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.”

Luke 6:35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we live by believing and not by seeing.” THEREFORE;

The Spiritual Meaning;

God gave the message about getting the sword to His disciples - those He sends to preach the Good News. He did not say that to the general public.

THE WORD OF GOD IS A TWO-EDGED SWORD.

Speaking God’s Words cuts people and exposes them.

• Hebrews 4:12 “For THE WORD OF GOD is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged SWORD, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

• Revelation 1:16 “He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged SWORD CAME FROM HIS MOUTH. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.”

God speaks through those He has chosen to proclaim the Good News by giving them His Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 6:17 “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is THE WORD OF GOD.”

Isaiah 51:16 “And I have put MY WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH and hidden you safely in my hand. I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, ‘You are my people!’”

Hosea 6:5 “I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces— to slaughter you with MY WORDS, with judgments as inescapable as light.”

Jeremiah 48:10 “Cursed are those who refuse to do the LORD’S WORK, who hold back their swords from shedding blood!”

• Acts 7:51 “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!”

2 Corinthians 10:1–6

“Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.

We are human, but WE DON’T WAGE WAR AS HUMANS DO. We use GOD’S MIGHTY WEAPONS, NOT WORLDLY WEAPONS, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.”

Revelation 12:10–12

“Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have DEFEATED HIM BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB and by their TESTIMONY. And THEY DID NOT LOVE THEIR LIVES SO MUCH THAT THEY WERE AFRAID TO DIE. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”

John 12:25 “Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.”

Matthew 10:28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul.

Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

John 21:18–19 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “FOLLOW ME.”

• Luke 22:36 “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SWORD, SELL YOUR CLOAK and buy one!"

• Matthew 19:21 “Jesus told him, “IF YOU WANT TO BE PERFECT, go and SELL ALL YOUR POSSESSIONS and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, FOLLOW ME.”

Jeremiah 15:19-21 “This is how the Lord responds: “IF YOU RETURN TO ME, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. IF YOU SPEAK GOOD WORDS rather than worthless ones, YOU WILL BE MY SPOKESMAN. YOU MUST INFLUENCE THEM; do not let them influence you! They will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze. They will not conquer you, for I am with you to protect and rescue you. I, the Lord, have spoken! Yes, I WILL CERTAINLY KEEP YOU SAFE FROM THESE WICKED MEN. I WILL RESCUE YOU FROM THEIR CRUEL HANDS."