Sound the Charge! A Call for Militancy Among God’s People – Revelation 19:11ff

      For more than a year now, there has been non-stop debate concerning the actions of the United States and some of her allies in reference to the nation of Iraq. Much of this debate centers around the right of the US and her allies to wage war against Iraq. Within the context of this debate has been the discussion of “just war” (“just” here meaning “morally acceptable”).

      Modern discussion of just war is influenced by the writing of Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274) in his classic Summa Theologica. Aquinas gave three criteria for just war. They were: (1) legitimate authority; (2) just cause; and (3) rightful intention. Whether or not one believes in the validity of the Just War Theory, we must understand that, as Christians, we are at war. The Scriptures are replete with references to the Christian life as one paralleling that of a soldier or one engaged in warfare (cf Eph 6:11-18; 1 Tim 1:12, 18; 2 Tim 2:3-4; 4:7). In my earlier lecture, the identity and characteristics of our enemy were discussed. Now our attention is turned to a discussion of the warfare in which all Christians are (or should be) engaged. For our discussion, the main criteria for our conflict (just war) can be summarized as follows: (1) Just Cause; (2) Just Intent; (3) Legitimate Authority; and (4) Reasonable Prospect for Success. Within the first two criterion are defining concepts which further clarify the issue. Our discussion of Just Cause will include: (1) Defense against unjust invader; (2) Protection of family & home; and (3) Defense of unjustly attacked allies. Within Just Intent we will examine: (1) Pursuit of peace as opposed to power, and (2) Making sure our motives and intentions are pure. The concepts of Legitimate Authority and Prospect for Success are self-explanatory and will be discussed at face value.

1.   Just Cause – In 1 Samuel 17:29, David asked, “Is there not a cause?” The answer then, as now, is a resounding “YES!”

      a.   Defense against an Unjust Invader:

            i.   John 8:44 – The devil is a murderer from the beginning and the father of lies (Gen 3)

            ii.  Matthew 13:25, 38-39 – The devil desires to utterly ruin the righteous things of God

      b.   Defense of Family and Home – the devil is waging war on the home:

            i.   By age 30, half of all American women will have cohabited outside of marriage.

            ii.  The rate of divorce in America remains near 50%, but only about 25% of all people have been divorced.

            iii. the virginity rate among all American teens is less than 50%

            iv. the virginity rate among teens in the church is better (71%), but there remains much room for improvement

      c.   Defense of unjustly attacked allies

            i.   Our brethren are under attack from liberalism

                  (1) William Woodson: “Show me a single congregation established on the principles of change agentry.”

                  (2) incapable of reproducing after their own kind, liberals must recruit and sway members from faithful congregations.

            ii.  Our brethren are under attack from radicalism

                  (1) radicalism demands agreement in matters of liberty and conscience

                  (2) radicalism demands agreement in matters of procedure - ‘You must not only agree with my position, but you must also agree with the way I promote it.’

                  (3) in many ways, radicalism is more dangerous than liberalism.

2.   Just Intent

      a.   Pursuit of Peace as Opposed to Power

            i.   Explanation from the voices of history:

                  (1) Aristotle (384-322 BC): “We make war that we may live in peace.”

                  (2) “Peace is our profession” was the motto of the Strategic Air Command and still appears on billboards on US Air Force bases.

            ii.  Ephesians 2:11-17

            iii. Colossians 1:20-22

            iv. Hebrews 2:14-15

      b.   Making Sure our Own Motives are Pure:

            i.   The apostles had a problem with motives

                  (1) Who should be the greatest in the kingdom

                  (2) “Shall we call down fire from heaven?”

                  (3) “We rebuked him because he walked not with us.”

            ii.  Acts 20:28-31 – the intent of false teachers is to draw away disciples after them (present-day liberals and radicals)

            iii. Romans 16:17-18 – some are not serving the Lord, but their own lusts

            iv. 3 John 9-10 – Diotrephes loved to have preeminence among the brethren

            v.   Philippians 1:15-18

            vi. 2 Corinthians 4:1-5

            vii.   Pharisaic opposition to Jesus and His teaching had nothing to do with “protecting the faith” (Jesus had on several occasions shown their inability to do this, cf Matt 21:23-27), but rather to protect their own power and authority over the people.

3.   Legitimate Authority

      a.   God is our Authority

            i.   Isaiah 45:5, 6, 21 – “I am the Lord, and there is none else beside Me.”

            ii.  Matthew 28:18

            iii. Colossians 3:17

      b.   God hath commanded us to fight without ceasing

            i.   1 Timothy 6:12-14

            ii.  2 Timothy 4:7-8

4.   Reasonable Prospect for Success

      a.   Deuteronomy 31:5-6

      b.   John 16:33

      c.   Revelation 12:7-11

      d.   1 Corinthians 15:54-57

      e.   Romans 8:35-39