Saturday, March 5, 2011

The Warrior-King

Watching people protest at the funerals of fallen soldiers is a despicable thing. But what is worse is discovering that the protesters are members of a Christian (Baptist) church in Kansas. I have not taken the time to investigate the motivation of these people and frankly, I don't care. Anyone who protests deceased soldiers, for any reason, needs to be examined for a mental illness.

I would love to know what the Biblical reasons are for their protest. I would love to debate them on whatever passage of Scripture they use as the basis for their insanity; maybe that will happen one day.

I am a Christian. I am a believer in Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him. Jesus is the Son of God and is presently seated at the right hand of God in that vast and incredible realm we know as heaven.

In the Bible, Jesus has many titles attributed to Him. In Revelation 22.16, He is, "the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star". In Revelation 5.5, He is, "The Lion of the tribe of Judah". In Daniel 2.35, He is, "the Stone cut out without hands".

I could go on and on but I want to zero in on one Title found in the Old Testament that fly's in the face of the protesters of fallen soldiers. Joshua 5.15 states, "The Captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so." In context, Joshua and the armies of Israel are about to take the city of Jericho. Joshua looks up and sees a man standing opposite him holding a sword. A study of the passage reveals that man to be not an angel, but what is called a "Christophany" (the pre-incarnate Christ).

The literal translation of "the Captain of the Lord's host" is "Lord of the Angelic armies". Jesus Christ, in this passage is the Commander of a vast host of angels all drawn up for war. Excuse me, but does that not sound like soldiers drawn up for battle.

My point is this. Throughout His word God, draws parallels between the realms of humanity and angelic creation. Many times those parallels speak of soldiers, battle, war, commanders, etc..things that we understand in military terms.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul uses military terms and pictures to make his point about spiritual truth (Ephesians 6.10-17 is one example). When Christ returns at His second advent there will be literally millions of people who have refused His mercy who will fall dead at His word (Revelation 19.15).

The U.S. military has long stood on the foundation of freedom. It is not oppressive it does not seek to enslave anyone only help to provide a better way of life. World War 2 would have been lost without the intervention of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Westboro Baptist Church, when you protest a soldier at a funeral remember that the very One you claim to represent, Jesus Christ; is known as the Greatest Soldier, Warrior, Commander and King in the created universe.