GOD’S WORD IS OUR SWORD AGAINST THE ENEMY
Sakkie Parsons
A lady wrote to me saying that in the Word it speaks of someone out of whose mouth comes a sword, and now she wants to know, against the background of “Jesus is love,” how a person should understand this.
I want to begin by saying that there are many places in the Word where the unusual is mentioned, for example, animals or beings with more than one head, or one or more horns, and more than two eyes. This, however, is a type of visions which symbolize something.
So let us focus on the example from the Word about the Person from whose mouth a sword comes—
This speaks of Jesus Himself, from whose mouth a sword comes.
I quote for you:
Revelation 1:16
In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword [of judgment]; and His face reflected and shone like the sun in all its power at midday.
Just for the interest of it—
The seven stars in His right hand, of which you just read, are the seven messengers (ministers) of the seven churches to whom Revelation was originally addressed. The Word explains this itself just a little further in:
Revelation 1:20
As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the [angels, divine messengers of the] seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Back to the sword with two edges that comes from Jesus’ mouth.
Here I must first just mention that the sword at that time was one of the most powerful weapons in a soldier’s hand, and even more so if that sword was razor sharp on both sides. That is why I see that the symbolism of the sword is used several times in the Word, and I share with you three examples:
Here Simeon prophesies about the baby Jesus and then says to Mary, His mother:
Luke 2:34–35
34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and [for a sign that is to be opposed—
35 and a sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Persecutions:
Revelation 2:12
“And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of Him who has and wields the sharp two-edged sword [in judgment]:”
Revelation 2:16
So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will]; otherwise, I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war and fight against them with the sword of My mouth [in judgment].
As well as:
Hebrews 4:12–13
12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.
So—
Why does our Lord use in His Word the symbolism of a two-edged sword that goes out of His (Jesus’) mouth?
Because Almighty God does not need any weapon of any kind!
Praise the Name of our Lord!
He only speaks a Word.
It was then through just speaking a Word that the entire creation, which includes the universe, came into existence.
Do you remember:
Genesis 1:3
And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
That is why His Word, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is also the only weapon given to us, His children/soldiers, with which we can defend ourselves against the attacks of satan.
We read:
Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Because you see, no man-made weapon has any effect against your and my real enemy. The people who wrong me are merely the instruments in the hand of my real enemy—and who is this enemy?
Ephesians 6:12–17
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.
13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].
14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth [personal integrity, moral courage] around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness [an upright heart],
15 and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].
16 Above all, lift up the protective shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
If I remember what I have just read, then the following passage from the Word also makes very good sense when I read:
2 Corinthians 10:3–5
3 For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man.
4 The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ.
I then conclude this thought from the Word with the following from Scripture which we can surely believe, and which every true child of God can longingly look forward to:
2 Peter 3:5–11
5 For they willingly forget [the fact] that the heavens existed long ago by the word of God, and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.
7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people.
8 Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day.
9 The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish with a [mighty] and thunderous roar, and the [material] elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and the works that are on it will be burned up.
11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be [to be found] in holy behavior (in godliness), [that is, in a pattern of daily life that sets you apart as a believer], and in godliness [displaying profound reverence toward our awesome God],
You and I, we who have a love for His Word and who, to the best of our ability, walk in the ways of our Lord through this life, can proclaim and also look forward with great expectation to:
2 Peter 3:12–13
12 [while you earnestly] look for and await the coming of the day of God. For on this day the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the [material] elements will melt with intense heat!
13 But in accordance with His promise we expectantly await new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
Greetings,
Sakkie