by Pastor Mike Taylor
Exodus 22:2-3 2 "If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. 3 "If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed.”
Ezekiel 33:1-6
Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.”
There has been a discussion at church over what the parameters for using lethal force during the commission of a crime by an evil intruder into our quiet lives. Many are of the mind that it is wrong to kill in every instance and that God does not give us the right to use deadly force to stop a would be assassin from taking your life, or the life of those around you, including your own family members. Those who are opposed to using weapons for self defense are what are called “pacifist” and are against every instance of harming another human being, even to their own demise. I had a member tell me that if an intruder came and broke into her home, she would allow the intruder to do whatever he was there to do, either to steal, rape, or even murder and she called it martyrdom...really?
Now there is a difference between killing someone in self defense and murder and this has caused a lot of a difference of opinions and strong emotions from various members, but emotions should not drive our convictions, but we look to the handbook for our daily living and our moral compass, our Bible. What does the Bible say about killing someone, even in self defense? Let us look at several passages that will give us hopefully, a clearer picture of the instructions given to us from a Holy God.
Self-defense is defined as "protecting oneself from injury at the hand of others." Self-defense is not about taking vengeance. Self-defense is not about punishing criminals. Self-defense involves preserving one's own health and life when it is threatened by the actions of others. When we speak about using potentially lethal force in self-defense, we're talking about using weapons to protect ourselves and others, even if the weapons used could kill the attacker. Now some people would wonder, and maybe you are one of them, of why would a Christian even consider the subject of using lethal force to protect one's life? First we have to look, as Christians, what the Bible says about harming another, because in this society we live in, with it's 300 million people who possess in the neighborhood of 250 million guns of different sizes and calibers that law abiding people possess and criminals use in the commission of a crime against other men. We want to know how to apply the Bible to something our society was built upon, and that is the 2nd Amendment and the right to bear arms.
“''A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.'' (US Constitution, 2nd Amendment, ratified December 15th, 1791)
Firearms in this country are as much a part of our heritage as baseball, apple pie, and Chevrolet. Problem is that there are forces within our country that are attempting to eradicate the common citizen from owning or possessing firearms because of mass killings at the hands of evil men whose only wish is to cause murder, mayhem, and terror at the expense of others. And when your ability to protect yourself and your family is taken away, then the only ones who will have guns are the criminally insane or the terrorist who wishes to destroy this country.
Sadly, many people don't have a clue what the Bible says about use of deadly force and when it is allowed and when it is not...so let's start in the Old Testament and work our way into the New Testament and see what God has to say about the Biblical application of what is known as “self defense”. We live in a time where the aftermath of mass killings such as Sandy Hook, San Bernadino, and Orlando, and current possibilities of economic and societal collapse, with increasing levels of crime have people buying guns and ammunition in large quantities for self protection. What does the Bible say about that? What does the Bible say about so-called "assault weapons"?
OUR OBLIGATION TO PRESERVE LIFE
The bible is clear that we are to preserve life, the lives of those around us, and our own life as well. Every life is precious to God and God does not take killing another human being lightly, but He makes a distinction when self defense is warranted. 1st Corinthians 6:19-20
“19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
As a Christian, you were bought with a high price, the price of the blood shed by our Lord Jesus Christ. In essence, God owns your body. Not only are we to take care of our bodies and the life contained, we have an obligation to preserve the body and life of other people. Psalm 82:3-5 even cites an obligation to protect those who are in danger:
“3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.”
And how do we accomplish delivering those around us from danger, if we stand idly by and allow murder and destruction to happen without taking some type of action? Especially when we have the means of self protection of those lives around us, and our own.
Note the the verses at the beginning of this message found in Ezekiel chapter 33.
If you know danger is coming to others, and you deliberately fail to warn the others of the danger, you are guilty of harming the victims. This is not to say that you can make people heed your warning. The surrounding verses also say that if the people refuse to heed the warning of the watchmen, the watchman is not guilty if they are harmed. I have warned those in my church and I warn those who read this message, we are in dangerous times and we must take warning to protect those who are defenseless and unable to protect themselves.
We also see in Deuteronomy, that if you fail to protect or guard the lives of others, you are held accountable. The Mosaic law gives examples of failure to put a railing on a flat roof and if someone falls off and kills themselves you are guilty of their death. (Deuteronomy 22:8). It speaks of if an ox gores someone that he is injured, then you are guilty of negligence and if he dies, then you are to be put to death. (Exodus 21:29-31) These passage speak forcefully in no uncertain terms that you must protect your life, and the lives of others. I will go even a little further. If you have the means to prevent an attack by someone determined to take innocent lives and do nothing, then you are guilty of their death. God will hold you accountable, be you a layman or pastor of any church that has people under their charge, even during church services. Again, I am reminded of those poor folks in a black church in North Carolina that were in Bible study when an assailant came in and destroyed 9 innocent lives. What if any one of them had a weapon concealed on their person? Could they have stopped this criminal act? Yes, they could have. What if they had just locked the doors while they were inside? They wouldn't have needed to take lethal action against anybody, but for the simple act of locking and securing an entrance to their church.
THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF BLOODSHED
“Genesis 9:5-6 5 And surely your blood, the blood of your lives, will I require; At the hand of every beast will I require it. And at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man's brother, will I require the life of man.
6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: For in the image of God made he man.”
God considers the blood to be precious. In our culture, with all the video games, TV shows, and movies about killing someone else and the blood that is spilled, is no big deal to many, but to God, it is a big deal. Why? Because the life of the man is found in his blood.
If a man was killed, the man or beast who caused the death must pay with his/its own life. God says here, "I will require the life of man." Killing or bloodshed was not always wrong. But when it was wrong, the penalty was ultimate.
We learn here that there is sanctity to spilled blood. Why? Two reasons:
1) Life is precious, and as mentioned, the life is in the blood. When blood is shed, something precious is lost. You might not think blood is precious. We tend to consider blood to be just a "bodily fluid". It is, however, precious to God.
2). An attack on man is an attack on the image of God. At a trivial level, you're messing with sculptures in God's art studio. In God's view of bloodshed, it is not merely a physiological event, but it is an assault on the divine image. Why is murder punishable by death? It says, "For in the image of God made He man.
OLD TESTAMENT PASSAGES OF LETHAL FORCE AND SELF DEFENSE.
We all should be familiar with the Ten Commandments and the command “Thou shalt not kill”...but the Hebrew word here is better translated, “thou shalt not murder”. Murder is wrong in a fit a rage, or emotions. Premeditated murder with forethought is wrong in every instance. But not all killing of a man is wrong in certain instances, such as spoken of in Leviticus 24:16-17
Those who blaspheme God, or murders another are condemned. But not all killing is prohibited, as the mentioned verse testifies.
In Exodus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers, there are passages that speak of accidental killings without malice, and that person was to go to “sanctuary cities” to escape the avenger of blood that could take revenge on the life of the one who was killed accidentally. This person was to stay in the city until the high priest died and then could return to his own land, but if caught outside the city walls before this happened, and was caught by the avenger of blood, then his life would be taken from him. (By the way, this is a beautiful picture of Christ's work—Christ, the city of refuge in whom we must remain hidden! And Christ is the high priest whose death takes our guilt and sets us free.)
We should see that killing someone out of 1) hatred, 2) negligence, or 3) sheer accident were subject to capital punishment. In the case of sheer accident without negligence, God established a network of cities of refuge which made merciful provision to spare the life of the killer. This is one side of the coin when speaking of killing another, but let us look at the flip side of this same coin. With that important background, let's look at passages speaking about victims of crime.
Note the first verse that opened this message in Exodus 22. What does the Word of God mean when speaking of striking a thief at night and it is permissible, but if the “sun is risen” it is not permissible? Picture a thief who has broken into your home. It's dark and you're not sure if he's there to steal, or something worse. You don't know if he has a gun, knife, or some other form of deadly weapon and you don't know if he will stop at being a thief, but deal harshly with his victims by imposing kidnapping, rape, or even murder upon those he wishes to violate their sense of security. The Bible says that it is permissible to strike such an intruder, even if he dies and you will not be held accountable. Because it is happening at night. But, …..there's that word....if the intruder attempts to steal during the daytime, you are aware if he has a weapon or not. To kill for the sake of property is not permissible, because he has no weapon. Big difference here is threat to life with deadly force from an intruder is granted to defend yourself with a counter measure of deadly force, but not so with loss of property. But again, if the thief has a weapon that would cause harm, injury or even death to the victims, lethal force and the protection of your family or those around you that are in danger, then self defense with lethal force is permitted, even in the day time.
Mathew Henry writes “...if it was in the day-time that the thief was killed, he that killed him must be accountable for it, unless it was in the necessary defense of his own life. ... We ought to be tender of the lives even of bad men; the magistrate must afford us redress, and we must not avenge ourselves."
There are more passage that affirm the use of lethal force found in Nehemiah when families, not law enforcement worked on the wall of Jerusalem with tool in one hand and their sword girded about them for self defense of those around them who hated them and wished to destroy their work and their lives. And again in Esther, when the Jews were allowed by King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) to defend themselves from those who would kill them. Esther chapter 9:
Esther 9:1-2,5 ...the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them.
2 The Jews gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, because fear of them fell upon all people....
5 Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction”
In this passage, the Jews were given legal sanction to defend their lives, not in war time, or law enforcement scenario, but in daily living by the use of their major weapon, the sword. Today, our sword is a gun as our weapon.
PASSAGE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Lethal force and the use of self defensive measures is not confined to just the Old Testament, but into the New Testament as well.
“Luke 22:35-39 And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing."
36Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.
37 "For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end."
38 So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."
39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.”
Jesus had his disciples arm themselves against robbers and bad men who might attack them as they walked to their missions to reach others for the Kingdom of God. Some make the error that Jesus was a “pacifist”. The Bible speaks of many instances when Jesus railed against the religious authorities for the “traditions of men”. Jesus challenged them at every turn about their hypocrisy and failure to follow the spiritual intent of the law. Remember, this was a Jewish man, fully man, and fully God that used a whip to drive the money changers out of the temple in righteous indignation. No, Jesus was not a pacifist, but a realist that knew His enemy, but when it came time, Jesus submitted Himself to unlawful accusation and crucifixion, because that was His mission. It was a mission that the apostles did NOT understand, until Jesus was resurrected. Remember what Peter did to the servant of the High Priest, by cutting off his ear? Luke 22,
49 “When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.”
In another Gospel account of this same event, Peter is rebuked by Jesus when He told Peter to put away his sword by saying in Matthew 26:
51 “And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”
Peter was not being rebuked for self defense, but for not realizing that this was the Divine mission that Jesus was on. Peter did not understand, or any of the disciples until Jesus had been risen from the dead and appeared to them. To use this passage as a means of Jesus being against self defense, is to ignore the other passages where He had them arm themselves, for whatever reason for their own self defense. Jesus didn't need Peter to interfere, even as our Lord was rebuked by Peter for Jesus saying that He would be killed by the Jewish authorities and Jesus turned and spoke to Peter, “Get thee behind me Satan, thou are an offense to me.” Because even here, Peter did not understand the Divine mission Jesus was going to complete for the salvation of mankind.
In these passages, you get a sense that Jesus is saying, "Though we have a right to employ our swords in defense of this unrighteous arrest, we are intentionally putting aside our lawful right, and I am allowing myself to be taken without resistance." See how this is expressed: "Lord shall we strike with the sword?" "No more of this." "This is your hour, and the power of darkness." "Put up your sword... or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father... all this was done that the Scriptures...might be fulfilled." "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup...?"
Why Christ tells Peter to put up the sword:
The sword is not always the appropriate response, especially in persecution for Christ. But in the case to prevent murder, lethal force and self defense are warranted.
But let me be frank, my brethren, there is a difference between martyrdom and murder. If one is asked to deny Christ upon pain of death, then their death would be martyrdom. But to die at the hands of evil men for no other reason that for terror or the sick idea of causing death and destruction to helpless victims, is MURDER and those who are entrusted to our care, whether they be the parents of the children, the kinsman of those being in danger of their lives, the life of your neighbor, or being entrusted with the safety of your own congregation as the shepherd of the local flock, it is your duty, it is your right under God's Word to preserve life in whatever you can do. I am reminded of several instances in recent days of innocent men and women in a theater, or a madman in San Bernadino that killed fellow workers, or even killing of students at Sandy Hook. If by chance anyone of them had a CCW permit and had a weapon to stop the gunman in his tracks, I wonder, how many lives could have been saved? What about the evil man the entered the Orlando nightclub and took his time to murder 50 people who cowered under furniture while the gunman calmly reloaded. During those times, what if someone had wounded the man who had the semi-auto rifle or pistols and put him out of commission? Would it have been right in God's eyes? Yes, no one wants to think about taking another one's life, or inflicting harm, and if forced to make that decision, I would want to injure the perpetrator to stop his evil deed and spare their life, if at all possible.
The world grows darker and more evil as the days of the coming Tribulation will plunge mankind into being completely sold out to evil in every second of their lives. As we approach that hour, men will grow worse and worse and many will die because of evil men and their Satanic influence to commit heinous crimes. NO where in the Bible are we to take punitive measures against another person, without exhausting every measure to defuse a situation and prevent harm to any living soul. Possession of weapons is never discouraged in Scripture, but let's look at two verses from the Psalms:
Psalm 144:1 Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
Psalm 18:34 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze
Skill and ability to use weapons here, whether literal and/or metaphorical, is positively portrayed in these verses.
Understand my brethren, that there is coming a day when those who wish to impose tyranny over men, will attempt to disarm them, so that they can conquer them. It has happened many times in the past during Hitler's reign of terror, communist Russia and China did likewise. But as we approach the return of Jesus Christ for His Bride, the Church, we may have to face situations where self defense is our only choice, and a wise man or woman takes precautions and ask for God's protection from the evil as it grows. I'm a firm believer in claiming Psalm 91 and God's protection, but I am also a firm believer that God uses men to protect other men from evil in the land. We are not to harm another person, if at all possible and to preserve life if it can be done. Random violence is never condoned in scripture and God hates a violent man who spills blood needlessly. May we look to the Rock of our Salvation for guidance and know when to take action for self defense, as clearly the Bible supports such action...
WE LIVE IN A FALLEN WORLD
This world is becoming more evil as the hour of God's wrath approaches. Paul the apostle warned us that it would be so in 2nd Timothy 3:2-5
“For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, braggarts, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3, Without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, despisers of those who are good,
4, Betrayers, reckless, egotistical, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
5, Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Paul is describing a time where evil abounds. We are living in that time where men will do unspeakable unholy, cruel, and sinful acts against other men and women AND their children. As Christians, we have a promise from God that when things get really bad, and I mean really bad, leading up to the time of the coming Tribulation, God will protect those that are His. Psalm 91:
“A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8, Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9, Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10, There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”
Now some will use this passage to say that we can sit on our laurels and God will protect us, in all cases. Yes, God is able to do just that, but if that is what we must do to just sit on our laurels, then why do we go to a doctor when we're sick? God gave us the tools to act on our behalf with His guidance and faith in His ability to do so. We go to a doctor out of self defense against diseases and medications to promote the bodies ability to heal, but God does the work using these tools.
Knowing that God is with us during this dark days that lie ahead of us, He also gave us the tools to stand in the gap for others, be it our family, or our neighbor. He also gave us the common sense to act upon those instances where we can make a difference in another person's life, either to protect it, or to save it. To do otherwise in both examples is to tempt the Lord they God, in my personal opinion.
ARE YOU PROTECTED?
In all cases, protect life with all that you possess and God will provide the means to escape and survive, being a child of His. But my question to those who read this message, can you say that God is your protection? Could the people that were slaughtered in Orlando's Gay Bar say the same thing? No, because they had no protection except themselves and were in a gun free zone. Sadly, many died because of the lack of that protection from God, or the ability to protect themselves. With evil all around us, if you are caught in such a predicament and you are faced with an assailant that takes your life, where will you spend eternity?
Have you thought about becoming a victim by chance and circumstance? Nobody likes to think that they could be murdered by an insane individual or a terrorist, but friend in an unsaved condition where you rely on only yourself and you can't call on God, because you have cast Him out of your life, what will become of you after you die? Will you spend eternity in the Glory of God found in our Savior, Jesus Christ, or will you spend eternity separated from God and all it's glory of hope, love, joy, happiness and anything good? Will you become a statistic of the barbarism that will overtake this world when people who proclaimed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior suddenly vanish from this earth? It is coming, my friend.
Again, this world will only get more evil as time passes, and when a newsflash comes across your TV screen about a disappearance of millions of people without explanation that makes any sense, you will know that the danger to your life just got exponentially greater than you can even perceive. Until that time, my friend, take God at His Word and know that whether in life or in death, you will be found in Jesus Christ and will live forever!!..How you say?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God sent not His Son to condemn the world, but the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)
This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying you stay safe in the face of any danger. If you need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at realteam1999@sbcglobal.net, or visit me online at www.churchofgod-usa.org for more biblical instruction in these end of days. God bless you all.
TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET
Comments
Jerry C
07/07/2016 10:41am
Reminds me of the saying:
A democracy is a lamb and two wolves deciding on what to eat for lunch. A republic is a lamb and two wolves deciding on what to eat for lunch, but the lamb is armed.
The Colt 45 was called the Peacemaker for a very good reason and I am greatly our founding fathers included the 2nd Amendment.
A democracy is a lamb and two wolves deciding on what to eat for lunch. A republic is a lamb and two wolves deciding on what to eat for lunch, but the lamb is armed.
The Colt 45 was called the Peacemaker for a very good reason and I am greatly our founding fathers included the 2nd Amendment.
Ort
07/07/2016 1:10pm
I carry my Glock and for a good reason. Being born again doesn't mean that I have to allow anyone who wishes to take my life from me without a struggle. To think that God hates self defense is foolish.
Do I go looking for trouble? Of course not. But May God help the one who is foolish enough to think I am an easy target.
Do I go looking for trouble? Of course not. But May God help the one who is foolish enough to think I am an easy target.
07/07/2016 2:16pm
A comment emailed to me from a sister in Christ:
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Dear Pastor Mike!!!
THANK YOU for creating this article because it is important for Christians to know you can defend yourself. Jesus would never want us to just stand by and let someone hurt or kill us! We must flee if possible, or fight back. I know I personally would rather die standing, than live crawling.
We are seeing many in high places that wish to totally dictate to us where, when and what. I'm proud to be an American who is well armed and not afraid to defend my life if necessary. My children are the same way.
We hope it never comes to that ... but if it should, I'm ready as is the other 200 million gun owners!
God bless and thank you again! I have forwarded this to several people who have asked that question.
Linda
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Dear Pastor Mike!!!
THANK YOU for creating this article because it is important for Christians to know you can defend yourself. Jesus would never want us to just stand by and let someone hurt or kill us! We must flee if possible, or fight back. I know I personally would rather die standing, than live crawling.
We are seeing many in high places that wish to totally dictate to us where, when and what. I'm proud to be an American who is well armed and not afraid to defend my life if necessary. My children are the same way.
We hope it never comes to that ... but if it should, I'm ready as is the other 200 million gun owners!
God bless and thank you again! I have forwarded this to several people who have asked that question.
Linda
Sultana Butt
07/07/2016 11:34pm
Thank you for taking the trouble to warn us in these last days which are so dangerous and helping people to realize that their lives could be lost and they may go into a Christless eternity.
Skywatcher57
07/08/2016 12:18pm
THAT was an EXCELLENT word, Pastor Mike! At one time, I thought I was the only one preaching such a message! "Well done, thou faifthful servant"! I will be passing it along, if you don't mind.
God bless you, for your faithfulness! Keep up the great work!!!
God bless you, for your faithfulness! Keep up the great work!!!
07/08/2016 2:01pm
Brother,
absolutely....it is why this website exist, to spread the message far and wide...pass it along..God bless,
YBIC,
Pastor Mike
absolutely....it is why this website exist, to spread the message far and wide...pass it along..God bless,
YBIC,
Pastor Mike
Gerald
07/08/2016 7:31pm
Bro. Mike. I was given a two volume book entitled "Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment A call for Preachers Who Will Fight, by Dan Fisher a Baptist minister, Tate Publishing. It is a story of the ministers of the Gospel who had to take up arms and fight the British for our independence. It is an inspiring book. One preacher left the ministry because of the guilt he had in killing the enemy.
I have been told that when I received the Lord Jesus as my Savior that His blood has covered my past, present and future sins and if I have to take a life to save mine and my wife's then His blood still covers it. One of my favorite Gospel songs is "It is well with my soul" and particularly the third verse. The third verse says "My sin - oh the bliss of this glorious thought-my sin not in part but the whole has been nailed to His cross and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord oh my soul." So much truth in one verse.
The Scripture that troubles me the most is Romans 13:1-2 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." I have thought for seven and one-half years that we the people may have to defend ourselves against this government. It is oppressive, dictatorial and tyrannical and we may yet have to defend ourselves against it.
I don't know if the oath that a person takes going into the military is the same as the one I had to give when I went in in 1952, but it said to defend the Constitution and t he country against enemies both foreign and domestic. Romans 13:1-2 does not leave a person any "wiggle room" unless there are other scriptures that explain it better. I can't see submitting to the shoving of Islam down our throats.
Very good article Pastor. I thank you for it.
I have been told that when I received the Lord Jesus as my Savior that His blood has covered my past, present and future sins and if I have to take a life to save mine and my wife's then His blood still covers it. One of my favorite Gospel songs is "It is well with my soul" and particularly the third verse. The third verse says "My sin - oh the bliss of this glorious thought-my sin not in part but the whole has been nailed to His cross and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord oh my soul." So much truth in one verse.
The Scripture that troubles me the most is Romans 13:1-2 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." I have thought for seven and one-half years that we the people may have to defend ourselves against this government. It is oppressive, dictatorial and tyrannical and we may yet have to defend ourselves against it.
I don't know if the oath that a person takes going into the military is the same as the one I had to give when I went in in 1952, but it said to defend the Constitution and t he country against enemies both foreign and domestic. Romans 13:1-2 does not leave a person any "wiggle room" unless there are other scriptures that explain it better. I can't see submitting to the shoving of Islam down our throats.
Very good article Pastor. I thank you for it.
Skywatcher57
07/09/2016 4:43am
Brother Gerald, that was an excellent post, however, you stopped short of the quantifying verse, 3: "For rulers are NOT a terror to good works, but to the evil..."
**Rom. 13 is referring to the leadership of godly or righteous rulers! There is no need to fear them or to uprise against them.** Conversely, if they are not godly or righteous, then there is a need to rise up to take them down. Scripture must always be read in context, my brother, otherwise, we have unnecessary anguish and confusion.
**Rom. 13 is referring to the leadership of godly or righteous rulers! There is no need to fear them or to uprise against them.** Conversely, if they are not godly or righteous, then there is a need to rise up to take them down. Scripture must always be read in context, my brother, otherwise, we have unnecessary anguish and confusion.
Gerald Hadley
07/09/2016 1:13pm
My brother, the reason I feel that there is "no wiggle room" in Romans 13:1-2 is that God sometimes raises up rulers, kings or presidents to bring about judgment on the people to make them turn to Him. When Obama first declared his intention to run for president, I could see through him and I started spending more time in prayer asking the Lord to keep him from winning the presidency and yet he won. I firmly feel that God is using Obama to punish this nation for the rebellion against Him, for national support for the LGBT movement, for the 50 million plus abortions, for gay marriages, and the list goes on. If we rise up in rebellion to overthrow Obama then wouldn't we be interfering with God's plans?
Just my thoughts and I appreciate yours. In fact, your thoughts give me more peace of mind than mine.
Just my thoughts and I appreciate yours. In fact, your thoughts give me more peace of mind than mine.
Dave
07/09/2016 5:18am
Great article Mike. I got in an argument with a friend on this very subject and tried to explain that God allows self defense and the taking of a life in certain circumstances. He replied thou shalt not kill and I replied that was changed from thou shalt murder. He will be enlightened by this article. Since I carry a firearm I have tried to find out what my duties to other people might be as far as protecting them if the need arises. I am now no longer questioning what those duties are. I just hope I have what it takes and pray I am never put in a situation to take a life but it is all in God's hands anyway and in him I trust.
07/09/2016 7:48am
a great comment on us defending our freedom. Not actually about personal defense, but national defense and I thought it good to post for all to read...thank you brother
===================================================
Turn the Table
What did Jesus do when he saw the lawlessness taking place against his followers? He fashioned him a whip made to his own specifications went into the temple overturned the tables and
put that whip to good use.
It is time for all of us to do the unexpected by lashing out at Obama with very serious vitriol that gets the attention of our elected and the media. We must stand and protest so loud the
elected feel threatened with firing this November for allowing Obama to get away with his pushing his communist ideology on America while they sat back and furnished him the funding.
Obama must feel the heat from the citizenry or else he has planned to put the peddle to the metal in the destruction of this country in his last six months He must fear we the people so much
he rethinks his plan to step up the violence and division he now has planned.
Obama, Valerie Jarrett and George Soros are stepping up their efforts in Obama's last six months to unravel any stability that might exist in American society. Since day one his mission
has been to destroy this country and anyone with any sense at all realizes this. Creating division in the populace is a favorite trick of the devil. A nation divided cannot stand is what God's
word teaches us so Satan using the human agency has his Imps of which Obama and the others named above are going about his business.
Folks, we have to be honest with ourselves about this; our elected have sit back and allowed him to get away with it but it has reached a fever pitch now and very soon will spike into blacks
killing individual Americans at random. That's the way it works when lawlessness abounds from the highest echelon of Government Power then trickles down into the streets of America. The
people we sent to Washington have not represented our interest and everyone of you know that is true so why are you bent on being loyal to these people?
There are things they can do for instance to put a halt to the militant Black Lives Matter movement that George Soros funds. They can tell these groups something they can't ignore such as
their actions demands extra funding for law enforcement and the money to pay for it is coming out of their social welfare programs meaning they either stop or go to Soros and demand he
make up the difference in what they are losing.
Just a few things to prove the point of why all incumbents must be fired in November to take back our country.
1. They prove their incompetence it by allowing terrorism by both Muslims and black militant groups flourish.
2. The FBI and other government agencies allow the likes of Louie Farrakhan go public telling blacks to kill white people and nothing is done about it. I thought inciting murder would be a
capital offense but maybe I am wrong. I do know we have too many real idiots on the benches of the courts put there by Democrats. One example of a statement after she made a ruling:
Rosemary Barkett—Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals__The defendant is a good man, except that he sometimes kills people. No comment on the victims.
3. Our elected sit back and let Obama bring potential Islamic terrorists from Syria into America knowing full-well there is no way to vet these people to know whether or not they are terrorist
or part of ISIS.
4. George Soros funds the Black Lives Matter militant group and nothing is done about it.
5. There is over 21 known Islamic terrorist training sites in America today and nothing is done about it.
6. The Muslim Brotherhood the umbrella Islamic terrorist supporting organization that use front groups like CAIR and others in America is manning high positions in our intelligence agencies
and nothing is done about it.
I could go on and on but the point is why do we act like stupid idiots and keep reelecting these same people that are allowing these things to take place? Join me in calling a spade a spade
and let us all use our power guaranteed us by the Declaration of Independence. In particular, these parts:
• Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed.
• Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.
• When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off
such Government.
Shuck the shackles of Political Correctness and be the free American citizen our founding fathers intended by speaking out calling Obama what he is a "communist". Shout it from the
rooftops because if you don't these last six months he has left are going to be hell in America with his intent to declare Martial Law
===================================================
Turn the Table
What did Jesus do when he saw the lawlessness taking place against his followers? He fashioned him a whip made to his own specifications went into the temple overturned the tables and
put that whip to good use.
It is time for all of us to do the unexpected by lashing out at Obama with very serious vitriol that gets the attention of our elected and the media. We must stand and protest so loud the
elected feel threatened with firing this November for allowing Obama to get away with his pushing his communist ideology on America while they sat back and furnished him the funding.
Obama must feel the heat from the citizenry or else he has planned to put the peddle to the metal in the destruction of this country in his last six months He must fear we the people so much
he rethinks his plan to step up the violence and division he now has planned.
Obama, Valerie Jarrett and George Soros are stepping up their efforts in Obama's last six months to unravel any stability that might exist in American society. Since day one his mission
has been to destroy this country and anyone with any sense at all realizes this. Creating division in the populace is a favorite trick of the devil. A nation divided cannot stand is what God's
word teaches us so Satan using the human agency has his Imps of which Obama and the others named above are going about his business.
Folks, we have to be honest with ourselves about this; our elected have sit back and allowed him to get away with it but it has reached a fever pitch now and very soon will spike into blacks
killing individual Americans at random. That's the way it works when lawlessness abounds from the highest echelon of Government Power then trickles down into the streets of America. The
people we sent to Washington have not represented our interest and everyone of you know that is true so why are you bent on being loyal to these people?
There are things they can do for instance to put a halt to the militant Black Lives Matter movement that George Soros funds. They can tell these groups something they can't ignore such as
their actions demands extra funding for law enforcement and the money to pay for it is coming out of their social welfare programs meaning they either stop or go to Soros and demand he
make up the difference in what they are losing.
Just a few things to prove the point of why all incumbents must be fired in November to take back our country.
1. They prove their incompetence it by allowing terrorism by both Muslims and black militant groups flourish.
2. The FBI and other government agencies allow the likes of Louie Farrakhan go public telling blacks to kill white people and nothing is done about it. I thought inciting murder would be a
capital offense but maybe I am wrong. I do know we have too many real idiots on the benches of the courts put there by Democrats. One example of a statement after she made a ruling:
Rosemary Barkett—Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals__The defendant is a good man, except that he sometimes kills people. No comment on the victims.
3. Our elected sit back and let Obama bring potential Islamic terrorists from Syria into America knowing full-well there is no way to vet these people to know whether or not they are terrorist
or part of ISIS.
4. George Soros funds the Black Lives Matter militant group and nothing is done about it.
5. There is over 21 known Islamic terrorist training sites in America today and nothing is done about it.
6. The Muslim Brotherhood the umbrella Islamic terrorist supporting organization that use front groups like CAIR and others in America is manning high positions in our intelligence agencies
and nothing is done about it.
I could go on and on but the point is why do we act like stupid idiots and keep reelecting these same people that are allowing these things to take place? Join me in calling a spade a spade
and let us all use our power guaranteed us by the Declaration of Independence. In particular, these parts:
• Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed.
• Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.
• When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off
such Government.
Shuck the shackles of Political Correctness and be the free American citizen our founding fathers intended by speaking out calling Obama what he is a "communist". Shout it from the
rooftops because if you don't these last six months he has left are going to be hell in America with his intent to declare Martial Law
07/09/2016 2:25pm
A reply to the above sent to me in an email...I must share..thank you, Mike P.
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Brothers in Christ , I to feel the anger and injustice that abounds I n this country. At one time we were the greatest nation this world had ever seen ! How the mighty have fallen ! But the sad fact that we must acknowledge is that this country is too far gone to be pulled from the fire. The United States will suffer God’s wrath and judgment ! Our elected officials are the worst scum the devil has put into positions of great power and authority. The stage is being set ,for humanity and its downfall ! The kind of events taking place are just the beginning of what’s to come ! When they say peace , then comes sudden destruction ! The leaders of this country have forsaken the constitution , and to their own shame they have totally disregarded the Word of God altogether. Satan has spiritually blinded most of humanity, or to put it in the words of Psalm 91 they have been taken by the snare of the fowler . Humanity has been consumed by their own greed. They have turned their ears from the truth and been turned unto fables. This process began many years ago. Only a very small remnant will be saved ! Evil will begin to run more and more rampant as the days go by. We can warn the masses , but are they listening ? I wish we could turn things around, but here is where the worlds free choice comes into play. But with that being said all we can do is to continue to proclaim the Word of God to those around us. I guess if there is a bright side to any of this it is that there will a great multitude saved out of the great tribulation . Even so it will not be crowded in Heaven. But I think God is looking at quality rather than quantity ! So let us run our race , finish our course , and keep the faith ! Amen and Amen mike p.
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Brothers in Christ , I to feel the anger and injustice that abounds I n this country. At one time we were the greatest nation this world had ever seen ! How the mighty have fallen ! But the sad fact that we must acknowledge is that this country is too far gone to be pulled from the fire. The United States will suffer God’s wrath and judgment ! Our elected officials are the worst scum the devil has put into positions of great power and authority. The stage is being set ,for humanity and its downfall ! The kind of events taking place are just the beginning of what’s to come ! When they say peace , then comes sudden destruction ! The leaders of this country have forsaken the constitution , and to their own shame they have totally disregarded the Word of God altogether. Satan has spiritually blinded most of humanity, or to put it in the words of Psalm 91 they have been taken by the snare of the fowler . Humanity has been consumed by their own greed. They have turned their ears from the truth and been turned unto fables. This process began many years ago. Only a very small remnant will be saved ! Evil will begin to run more and more rampant as the days go by. We can warn the masses , but are they listening ? I wish we could turn things around, but here is where the worlds free choice comes into play. But with that being said all we can do is to continue to proclaim the Word of God to those around us. I guess if there is a bright side to any of this it is that there will a great multitude saved out of the great tribulation . Even so it will not be crowded in Heaven. But I think God is looking at quality rather than quantity ! So let us run our race , finish our course , and keep the faith ! Amen and Amen mike p.
07/09/2016 2:59pm
Brethren,
a rebuttal to the above view...of course, until Jesus come we must stand against evil in all forms. We cannot throw up our hands and say it is inevitable and do nothing but sit on laurels...but thank you, Larry for your point of view..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey,
Thank you for your posts, however I disagree with this one. In my opinion, it's far too late to change things. Because of false ministers teaching the law was done away and the people loving it so, God is punishing to get our attention and repentance.
Isaiah 30:9-13
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the LORD;
10 Who say to the seers, "Do not see," and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.
11 Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us."
12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: "Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perversity, and rely on them,
13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.
(NKJ)
No logic could put Obama in twice and probably a third by Hillary. God wants us to turn around, but I'm afraid it wont happen. Also, God installs governments according to His will. King Nebuchadnezzar became full of pride and God brought him down, but notice what Daniel says.
Dan 2:20-21
20 Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings and raises up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
(NKJ)
Dan 4:24-27
24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:
25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.
26 And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.
27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity."
(NKJ)
Dan 5:21
21 "Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.
(NKJ)
God chose Saul, David and other kings, not Samuel.
1 Sam 9:17
17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people."
(NKJ)
1 Sam 16:1
1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons."
(NKJ)
The Apostle Paul also confirms God chooses authorities!
Romans 13:1
1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
(NKJ)
I'm sorry, I wish it would turn around, but day by day we're closer to Jesus return and the Kingdom of God. Hallelujah! Praise God!
a rebuttal to the above view...of course, until Jesus come we must stand against evil in all forms. We cannot throw up our hands and say it is inevitable and do nothing but sit on laurels...but thank you, Larry for your point of view..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey,
Thank you for your posts, however I disagree with this one. In my opinion, it's far too late to change things. Because of false ministers teaching the law was done away and the people loving it so, God is punishing to get our attention and repentance.
Isaiah 30:9-13
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the LORD;
10 Who say to the seers, "Do not see," and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.
11 Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us."
12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: "Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perversity, and rely on them,
13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.
(NKJ)
No logic could put Obama in twice and probably a third by Hillary. God wants us to turn around, but I'm afraid it wont happen. Also, God installs governments according to His will. King Nebuchadnezzar became full of pride and God brought him down, but notice what Daniel says.
Dan 2:20-21
20 Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings and raises up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
(NKJ)
Dan 4:24-27
24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:
25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.
26 And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.
27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity."
(NKJ)
Dan 5:21
21 "Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.
(NKJ)
God chose Saul, David and other kings, not Samuel.
1 Sam 9:17
17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people."
(NKJ)
1 Sam 16:1
1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons."
(NKJ)
The Apostle Paul also confirms God chooses authorities!
Romans 13:1
1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
(NKJ)
I'm sorry, I wish it would turn around, but day by day we're closer to Jesus return and the Kingdom of God. Hallelujah! Praise God!
07/09/2016 7:25pm
the comments via email just keep coming, and I'll keep posting them if they don't wish to comment on the website....thanks Crystal for you insight...God bless,
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Pastor Mike I live about 30 minutes from Dallas. My mom and I were talking about 2 months ago or maybe whenever that Ferguson stuff was happening and both of us agreed that it would be a matter of time before it happened here so I am not shocked by any means and I won't be shocked either if this continues to be a weekly occurrence abroad the US that President Obama won't impose martial law and delaying or stopping the elections from happening. It is amazing to me though how people are oblivious to what is going on. Just living their lives as normal not noticing at all or maybe noticing not caring enough to see what is coming ahead. Of course, there is no need for worry for us but I sometimes wonder if I am one of the few like you that wants just scream,"People! Don't you see what is happening here?" You almost just want to laugh and cry at the same time on how ridiculous people are? I just needed to email you and vent. This is just so crazy. Come Lord ,Jesus Come!!! Your friend, Crystal😁
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Pastor Mike I live about 30 minutes from Dallas. My mom and I were talking about 2 months ago or maybe whenever that Ferguson stuff was happening and both of us agreed that it would be a matter of time before it happened here so I am not shocked by any means and I won't be shocked either if this continues to be a weekly occurrence abroad the US that President Obama won't impose martial law and delaying or stopping the elections from happening. It is amazing to me though how people are oblivious to what is going on. Just living their lives as normal not noticing at all or maybe noticing not caring enough to see what is coming ahead. Of course, there is no need for worry for us but I sometimes wonder if I am one of the few like you that wants just scream,"People! Don't you see what is happening here?" You almost just want to laugh and cry at the same time on how ridiculous people are? I just needed to email you and vent. This is just so crazy. Come Lord ,Jesus Come!!! Your friend, Crystal😁
07/09/2016 7:54am
Another great comment sent to me via email....this has brought out some strong feelings about the subject, thank you, sister
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EXCELLENT teaching, Mike! Very well written. Will share with many!
My husband insisted I go to a concealed carry training class many years ago and so I have had a permit all these years but to date I do not carry. Only recently have I become comfortable with keeping the guns in the house loaded. That was a huge step for me. I know it is said that they're no good unless they're loaded but for many women that's difficult! I finally arrived just in the past year at that point. The problem with women carrying is WHERE to carry. It is foolhardy to carry it in your purse -it should always be on your person which is easier for a man. But I'm coming to the place I realize I do need to start carrying because I simply feel too vulnerable otherwise. The Lord will help me with the next step too.
Thank you for your great work! Very practical and helpful.
Blessings!
Helen
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EXCELLENT teaching, Mike! Very well written. Will share with many!
My husband insisted I go to a concealed carry training class many years ago and so I have had a permit all these years but to date I do not carry. Only recently have I become comfortable with keeping the guns in the house loaded. That was a huge step for me. I know it is said that they're no good unless they're loaded but for many women that's difficult! I finally arrived just in the past year at that point. The problem with women carrying is WHERE to carry. It is foolhardy to carry it in your purse -it should always be on your person which is easier for a man. But I'm coming to the place I realize I do need to start carrying because I simply feel too vulnerable otherwise. The Lord will help me with the next step too.
Thank you for your great work! Very practical and helpful.
Blessings!
Helen
Ort
07/09/2016 2:12pm
Hi Helen. As a woman I also carry. I agree that a purse is not a place to carry, because if your purse is stolen........we all know the ramifications.
I carry a Glock 42. It's a .380 caliber 6 shot single stack and my holster is a Kydex molded holster made for that particular gun. It's so concealable, I have no problem in the summer wearing a t-shirt and jeans while I carry. I also recently started carrying "hot" so I don't have to waste precious time after drawing to rack the slide.
Please carry! One day it will save your life. God bless.
I carry a Glock 42. It's a .380 caliber 6 shot single stack and my holster is a Kydex molded holster made for that particular gun. It's so concealable, I have no problem in the summer wearing a t-shirt and jeans while I carry. I also recently started carrying "hot" so I don't have to waste precious time after drawing to rack the slide.
Please carry! One day it will save your life. God bless.
07/10/2016 4:54pm
A comment via email from a brother in Christ...and my answer below..God bless you, Gerald,
===============================================
Bro. Mike, you really had the responses to your article on self defense. I posted an article and there was one response to it and I responded to that response. My concern is the wording of Romans 13:1-2. I guess what I would like to know is at what point could I know when the government is trying to destroy me and if I am free to fight back. Like I mentioned in my post and my response to the reply to it, I feel that God allows the election of a wicked president in order to execute His judgment on the people for their sins It would be good if you would address Romans 13:1-2 in another article in the future. I have thought many times that we may have to defend ourselves against this president and we still may have to. Hillary Clinton says that she is going after the Second Amendment. If she is elected and does somehow get rid of it by executive order (which she can't do legally) and then confiscates all guns except for criminals, then I foresee no more elections in this country. Will be just like Germany under Hitler If she is elected I hope Jesus comes and gets us before she is sworn in.
===============================================
Bro. Mike, you really had the responses to your article on self defense. I posted an article and there was one response to it and I responded to that response. My concern is the wording of Romans 13:1-2. I guess what I would like to know is at what point could I know when the government is trying to destroy me and if I am free to fight back. Like I mentioned in my post and my response to the reply to it, I feel that God allows the election of a wicked president in order to execute His judgment on the people for their sins It would be good if you would address Romans 13:1-2 in another article in the future. I have thought many times that we may have to defend ourselves against this president and we still may have to. Hillary Clinton says that she is going after the Second Amendment. If she is elected and does somehow get rid of it by executive order (which she can't do legally) and then confiscates all guns except for criminals, then I foresee no more elections in this country. Will be just like Germany under Hitler If she is elected I hope Jesus comes and gets us before she is sworn in.
07/10/2016 5:03pm
Gerald,
God has set up rulers for our good, to a point. That is IF THEY do not go against the laws of God. Remember what Peter told the ruling authorities in Acts 5:28-29,
" Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
v. 29, Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
In all things we submit to the authorities, as long as they do not conflict with the Word of God. If an executive order by any POTUS tells us to do something unlawful in God's Law, then we are not obligated to obey it. So was it in the days of Ahab, the King of Israel. He was an unjust and wicked ruler influenced by an even more wicked queen, Jezebel. Elijah did not submit to their commands but stood against it to their faces. We must also take a stand for righteousness, no matter what the ruling authorities say.
You suggestion that I address Romans 13 in light of the lawless times we live in, is something I will pray about and seek God's direction in putting together a message...Thank you for your continued support and friendship...God bless you, brother,
Pastor Mike
God has set up rulers for our good, to a point. That is IF THEY do not go against the laws of God. Remember what Peter told the ruling authorities in Acts 5:28-29,
" Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
v. 29, Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
In all things we submit to the authorities, as long as they do not conflict with the Word of God. If an executive order by any POTUS tells us to do something unlawful in God's Law, then we are not obligated to obey it. So was it in the days of Ahab, the King of Israel. He was an unjust and wicked ruler influenced by an even more wicked queen, Jezebel. Elijah did not submit to their commands but stood against it to their faces. We must also take a stand for righteousness, no matter what the ruling authorities say.
You suggestion that I address Romans 13 in light of the lawless times we live in, is something I will pray about and seek God's direction in putting together a message...Thank you for your continued support and friendship...God bless you, brother,
Pastor Mike
Gerald
07/10/2016 7:20pm
Bro. Mike those three paragraphs cleared up a lot for me in connection with the interpretation of Rom. 13:1-2. What this POTUS is doing in making the public submit to the transgenders gives us every right to resist. I would not want my wife or daughter to go into a ladies room and there waiting in one of the stalls would be a rapist or molester who just might be there to kill someone. There is a lot that he is doing that we as Christians should resist and it seems that we would be doing it alone as we have a congress that seems to be afraid of him and they sit on their hands and do nothing. They have allowed him free rein to rule as a dictator by executive order. Every one of them needs to be replaced.
07/11/2016 9:10am
A question from a brother in Christ over this issue...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pastor Mike,
I share your anger for the lawlessness that is so openly expressed against the will of the people in this country. A question that continues to loom in my mind is the issue of personal protection. I expect that any day now, our political overlords will make it illegal or overly burdensome to protect ourselves. In your understanding of the scripture, are we allowed to maintain a reasonable level of personal security when the government acts violently against the people? Is this a “render unto Caesar issue,” or do we retain a God-given right to protection?
I understand that all decisions and actions carry repercussions regardless of whether they pass the righteousness test or not. What I really want to know is whether I am in conflict with His word when I defy Caesar on this issue.
God Bless You Brother Mike,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pastor Mike,
I share your anger for the lawlessness that is so openly expressed against the will of the people in this country. A question that continues to loom in my mind is the issue of personal protection. I expect that any day now, our political overlords will make it illegal or overly burdensome to protect ourselves. In your understanding of the scripture, are we allowed to maintain a reasonable level of personal security when the government acts violently against the people? Is this a “render unto Caesar issue,” or do we retain a God-given right to protection?
I understand that all decisions and actions carry repercussions regardless of whether they pass the righteousness test or not. What I really want to know is whether I am in conflict with His word when I defy Caesar on this issue.
God Bless You Brother Mike,
07/11/2016 9:26am
Brother,
I had a similar question noted above this one, but you go a little further when the authorities may come to our homes and confiscate legally owned firearms during marshal law...will it happen? I don't know, but God is in control. If that happens then we have lost all of our freedoms. I don't advocate violent revolt against unjust laws.
We don't know how much we will have to suffer before Jesus comes back for His Church, (true born again believers in Him) , but as mentioned, we must obey God rather than men. God gives us the right to self defense, but not to unwarranted violence and blood shed. I hope I made that clear in the message posted on the subject.
If an oppressive government, no a dictatorship should arise in this country, whether under Obama or someone else, it is our Constitution right to attempt to throw off such government.
Many in my family believe we are on the verge of Civil War in this country between races, and between law abiding and lawlessness of a run away government of tyranny. I believe you should protect your life if someone is trying to harm you, but when a dictatorship steps on your God given freedoms and attempts to force you to comply, then we will have to submit ourselves to God, as to actively fight against the powers that be will get many people hurt, or killed.
Personally, I don't see this nation crossing that line until there is no "Restrainer" abiding on this earth. That comes in the Tribulation, and I could be wrong about how much lawlessness in government tyranny will be coming while the church is here, but if it does, then as a Church, we must band together and support one another and pray Psalm 91 over our families and our fellow brothers...we may even have to go underground away from prying eyes and ears....but that is something we will have to wait and see, but know that God is control and I pray Romans 8:28 "All things work together for good to those who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.". We stay sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, resist violence, but resist tyranny while our Republic still stands...God bless you,
YBIC,
Pastor Mike
I had a similar question noted above this one, but you go a little further when the authorities may come to our homes and confiscate legally owned firearms during marshal law...will it happen? I don't know, but God is in control. If that happens then we have lost all of our freedoms. I don't advocate violent revolt against unjust laws.
We don't know how much we will have to suffer before Jesus comes back for His Church, (true born again believers in Him) , but as mentioned, we must obey God rather than men. God gives us the right to self defense, but not to unwarranted violence and blood shed. I hope I made that clear in the message posted on the subject.
If an oppressive government, no a dictatorship should arise in this country, whether under Obama or someone else, it is our Constitution right to attempt to throw off such government.
Many in my family believe we are on the verge of Civil War in this country between races, and between law abiding and lawlessness of a run away government of tyranny. I believe you should protect your life if someone is trying to harm you, but when a dictatorship steps on your God given freedoms and attempts to force you to comply, then we will have to submit ourselves to God, as to actively fight against the powers that be will get many people hurt, or killed.
Personally, I don't see this nation crossing that line until there is no "Restrainer" abiding on this earth. That comes in the Tribulation, and I could be wrong about how much lawlessness in government tyranny will be coming while the church is here, but if it does, then as a Church, we must band together and support one another and pray Psalm 91 over our families and our fellow brothers...we may even have to go underground away from prying eyes and ears....but that is something we will have to wait and see, but know that God is control and I pray Romans 8:28 "All things work together for good to those who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.". We stay sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, resist violence, but resist tyranny while our Republic still stands...God bless you,
YBIC,
Pastor Mike
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