Restoring Biblical Foundations

Revealing God's Plan for the Ages

Christianity has been under attack every since God began to dwell with man in the flesh though his Son Jesus Christ. Because of these attacks Christians have always armed themselves for the protection of their families, friends, and homeland. Physical attacks on Christians are still taking place today, including at our churches. Some preachers are either reluctant or dead set against arming church leaders and certain members of their congregation. They say they do not want their church to look like an armed camp. And for some reason they think it is wrong to allow weapons into the house of God. So, the question is, what exactly do the scriptures say about this subject.

Let us start with Psalms chapter 23 verse 4.

Verse 4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

The word rod is #7626 in the Hebrew dictionary of the Strong's Concordance and has the meaning of a stick, for punishment, for fighting, etc.

The word staff is #4938 from #4937 in Strong's Concordance and means, a support, a protector.

These were typical weapons for personal protection at that time. Using my God given common sense I understand that the use of the words “rod and staff” in Psalms chapter 23 verse 4 means, finding comfort in having personal weapons available for one's protection.

In Jeremiah chapter 51 verse 20 God reminds his people what they are to him.

Verse 20: “Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms.”

And what does Jesus Christ have to say on this subject? In Luke chapter 22 verse 36 we are told.

Verse 36: “Then said he unto them, but now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”

And what about Jesus Christ and his disciples, did they go around armed or unarmed? Let us read Luke chapter 22 verse 38 when Jesus and his disciples were about to go to the mount of Olives, and his disciples said the following.

Verse 38: “And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, it is enough.”

Now whether it is Christian preachers or Hollywood movies, they all try to portray Jesus, his disciples, and all Christians in general as pacifist. Remember what Christ did to the Jew impostor money changers in John chapter 2 verses 13-16.

Verse 13: “And the Jews Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.”

Verse 14: “And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting.”

Verse 15: “And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers money and overthrew the tables.”

Verse 16: “And said unto them that sold doves, take these things; hence, make not my Father's house and house of merchandise.”

Jesus Christ was no pacifist, nor were his disciples.

Speaking of his disciples let us go to John and Luke in the bible and read about what happened when Judas and the officers of the Jew impostors came to arrest Jesus Christ.

John chapter 18 verses 10-11.

Verse 10: “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.”

Verse 11: “Then said Jesus unto Peter, put up thy sword into the sheath, the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”

Luke chapter 22 verses 49-53.

Verse 49: “When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?”

Verse 50: “And one of them smote the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.”

Verse 51: “And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear and healed him.”

Verse 52: “Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?”

Verse 53: “When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Using my God given common sense, and a real-world perspective, here is my interpretation on what took place that night of betrayal.

Christ and his disciples go to the mount of Olives. Shortly after they arrived the traitor Judas with some officers from the Jew impostors show up. With a kiss, Judas singles out Jesus as the man to be arrested. Christ disciples ask him should they go on the attack. Before Jesus could answer Simon Peter took out his sword and as the scriptures say he cut off the ear of Malchus one of the officers of the high priest. Let me just stop here and say, you and I know that Peter was not just trying to cut off an ear. He swung his sword to split the officers head open, and most likely Malchus moved just enough for the sword to slide off the side of his head cutting off his ear. At this point both sides were ready to fight.

Then Jesus stepped forward ending the conflict by healing the officers' wound. Did Jesus verbally attack Peter for what he had done, no he did not.

Rather he verbally attacked those that had come out to arrest him. Jesus Christ did not like the servants of the Jew impostors treating him like some criminal, but he allowed it to fulfill the purpose for which he came in the flesh, and that was for the forgiveness of sin so to redeem his people.

Agree with me or disagree, that is my real-world flesh and blood interpretation of what happened the night Jesus was arrested. But one thing you cannot disagree with is the fact that, beginning with Jesus Christ to this very day, Christians are under attack, and because of that they have and should always arm themselves. As for me, “my rod/gun and staff/club they do comfort me”.