If you are over the age of about forty you probably remember one of the most amazing moments of modern history. On December 22, 1989, just over thirty years ago, the first section of the Berlin Wall was demolished and opened. For more than 28 years, the wall had separated the democratic and free West Berlin from the Communist ruled East Berlin. When that wall finally came down in 1991, East and West Germany were reunited. And when the Soviet Union collapsed that same year, it marked the sudden and unexpected end of the 45 year Cold War.
At the time, for a while, there was a feeling that the world was now going to be free of wars and the threat of nuclear attacks. Many truly believed it would a time of peace! Some saw it as the dawn of the Age of Aquarius. Others said it was the “End of History” as humanity had known it for millennia. Some optimists even said the U.N. could shut its doors for good.
Well, it did not turn out quite as glorious as some hoped. In the 30 years since the end of the Cold War, the United States has endured the worst terrorist attack ever on its own shore (9/11/01) and has fought in seven wars. Yes, American forces were deployed in Panama, Kuwait, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria. And, though ideological Soviet communism is gone, nationalistic Russia is again making trouble in the world, as is (still) Communist China. Even worse, fanatical regimes in North Korea and Iran are rattling aggressive nuclear sabers and threatening world peace. The Middle East remains a powder keg with Syria embroiled in a seemingly endless civil war forcing millions of refugees to flee to overcrowded camps.
It is obvious that free nations, especially the United States, are still finding it necessary to keep their militaries strong and alert against evil forces in the world. In my lifetime I have had many opportunities to meet veterans. I have known brave men and women who fought in World War I (all of whom are now gone), World War II (most of whom are now gone), the Korean War, the Vietnam War (many were my friends), Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The thing that always impressed me was the courage they showed in doing things I cannot imagine doing myself. Years ago, one early one morning, I ate breakfast with an army Lt. Col. who was a member of my church in Key West, Fla. I asked him, “Well, Pete, what are you doing today?” Without looking up from his eggs and bacon, he casually answered: “We’re making a training air-born jump off shore this morning.” Awe struck, I looked at him and remarked, “If I was getting ready to jump out of an airplane I don’t think I could eat anything!”
In this era, as in the past, soldiers have to be equipped for combat. Modern infantry soldiers wear helmets and bullet proof vests made of Kevlar (a substance harder than steel but much lighter). They put on boots with metal soles. Each carries a rifle with a bayonet attached, or a submachine gun or handgun. Obviously, military technology has drastically changed over the centuries. Nonetheless, the basic foot soldier’s equipment is quite similar to what was used in ancient days. Roman Legionnaires each wore a breastplate made of bronze and wood, carried a large wooden shield, wore a bronze helmet, wore heavy sandals, and were armed with a sword, a spear, and/or bow and arrow.
The Apostle Paul reminded believers in his letter to Ephesus that Christians are involved in a warfare as real as what soldiers are engaged. It is not a war of swords or guns, but is of a spiritual nature and is fought on a supernatural battlefield.
Paul was in prison in Rome when he penned this tome. During his incarceration, he was often chained to Roman soldiers who guarded the jail. He also observed the Praetorian Guards who policed the city. Paul was impressed and recognized a close analogy to spiritual battle. His point in writing about this was that every Christian must be equipped to engage the enemy. We must put on the Full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20).
In Ephesians, chapter six, Paul addresses the nature of spiritual warfare and identified the enemy.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:10-13 NASB)
Paul starts by telling his readers to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. It had to be His power and not their own. They really had no ability to fight the battle they were facing. He says to put on “the full armor of God.” This was the necessary spiritual gear to fight a supernatural war, and to “stand against the devil’s schemes.” The key word in this section is “stand” or “withstand” (from the root Greek word histemi) and is used four times in verses 10-14. “Stand,” in this context, is a military term used to describe the soldier’s posture, both physical and mental. The trooper must establish his proper bodily stance to fight the enemy, and be mentally tough to face the possibility of death.
Paul reminds them that they, unlike an earthly military force, were NOT fighting against flesh and blood. They were engaged in conflict against what Paul calls rulers, authorities, the powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. These are terms used in Scripture for evil demonic powers at work in the world and in the unseen universe. These powers are more brutal than Al-Qaida, ISIS, or any force on earth. They want to destroy not just people’s physical lives, but their eternal souls as well.
From beginning to end, the Bible teaches the reality of spiritual beings – most often called angels (lit.: messengers). They are identified 108 times in the Old Testament, and 165 times in the New Testament. The Scriptures indicate that they are involved in the events on earth. One example is found in 2 Kings 6:15-17. The prophet Elisha, his servant, and the city were surrounded by enemy armies. Nonetheless, Elisha assured the fearful sevant that they were in no danger.
15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (NASB)
Another Old Testament case when angels came to the rescue of God’s servants is found in Daniel, chapters 3 and 6. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel were delivered from the blazing furnace and the lions den. In the New Testament, in Acts 5:19 and Acts 12:6-11, the Apostles were freed from jail by angelic intercession. We have all heard testimonies of modern Christians who escaped some terrible fate in ways that can only be attributed to God’s angels. I personally have spoken to soldiers who, while in actual battles, described their miraculous escapes from enemy attacks. Angels maybe?
There are also, of course, as Paul asserts, demonic forces at work in the world. These are attested to in many Scriptures. Jesus confronted evil spirits throughout his ministry and, in Matthew 25, says hell is for the devil and demons. 2 Peter 2 speaks of the fate of rebellious spirits. In the Book of Revelation, John foresees the inevitable fate of Satan and his minions. Those anti-God powers are still active seeking to destroy lives and undermine the testimonies of Christians.
Given these powerful foes, the believer must “put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” In Ephesians 6:14-20, Paul, using his familiarity with the Roman guards, delineates the pieces of armor required to be fully equipped. In Part two of this three part series, we will analyze the specific defensive weapons in the spiritual arsenal Paul says God has provided for us (Ephesians 6:14-17a). In part three, we will examine the powerful offensive weapons available for our spiritual battle, including what may be God’s spiritual Atomic Bomb (Ephesians 6:17b-20).
© 2020 Tal Davis