Great Leadership In Battle: The Difference Between Victory And Defeat
In battle, Roman generals walked behind the lines in preparation for an attack, shouting orders to their legions, and directing things in the moment as the battle unfolded. Their emperors had given them orders to conquer territory for the empire, and they were fully intent on seeing those orders carried out.
Soldiers in the army of God also have a great Conqueror who reigns over them, and likewise charges his generals with gaining spiritual territory and overpowering His enemies. According to scripture, He is one day going to rule with a rod of iron over the entire planet, after returning in glory and power:
11 I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:11-16)
Until His return, Christ Jesus is and has been putting generals in charge of His army, and Peter now brings up three things these generals are often characterized by: They know His will and receive specific direction from the Lord in the moment, they skillfully wield the sword of the Spirit, and they are able to teach and train others so as to be prepared to take their place as leaders after their death. Peter exemplified these three things in our next passage of scripture.
12 Therefore I will determine to always remind you of these things, despite you both knowing and having been established in the present truth. 13 For I esteem it is right so long as I am in this tabernacle to stir you up by way of remembrance, 14 knowing that the putting off my tabernacle is at hand, just as also our Lord Jesus Christ signified to me. 15 And I will be diligent to cause you always to have remembrance of these things after my death. (2 Peter 1:12-15)
Peter knew the specific will of God here, and that his martyrdom was coming soon, just as the apostle Paul was made aware as well. In Acts he was specifically prophesied over that his death was approaching, but when the prophecy was given, Paul's response suggests he already knew of it because he told them he was already prepared. It may not have been the first time the Lord prophesied this to him.
10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" 12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done." (Acts 21:10-14)
Like Paul, Peter likely knew his death was imminent as a result of receiving some form of prophetic declaration such as a dream, vision or prophecy, for he declared, "the putting off my tabernacle is at hand, as also our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me." The Greek word δηλόω here was occasionally used of prophetic revelation, such as when the Jewish priests received divine guidance through the Umim and Thumim (Deuteronomy 33:8), or when King Belshazzar saw writing on the wall and besought Daniel for the interpretation (Daniel 5:15). So Peter too was being warned in advance of his coming martyrdom and was preparing for it, and this brings up yet another characteristic of God's generals: They will be willing to carry out direct orders from the Lord even if it means their death, understanding that "If we die with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. But if we deny Him, He also will deny us." (2 Timothy 2:11-12)
But will His generals be the only ones who receive direct instructions in the end-times? Joel 2:28 states the Spirit will be poured out upon every believer from youngest to oldest, and they will all be receiving direct commands and admonitions from the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves.
Expert With The Sword
Roman generals were not just military strategists, they were also exceptional soldiers in the field, and highly skilled at wielding the sword. This is how they could teach and train men in the use of weapons, by drilling them over and over again on what worked in battle and what did not.
Peter did something similar. Despite being repetitive, he was training his readers over and over again the difference between true doctrine and false, so they would not be deceived or spiritually defeated after he was gone. To prevent this, he kept telling them, "I will be diligent to cause you to always have remembrance of these things after my death."
Why was the Holy Spirit now leading Peter to repeat himself so much? Because the Lord knew this letter would be read for the next two millennium, and by millions upon millions of believers, to serve as a warning not only against a heresy that was prevalent in Peter's time but emerge again in the end-times as one of the most dangerous and destructive heresies in history. One of the lies they were teaching was that the "Day of the Lord" was just an empty threat, and that the fearful judgments mentioned in several Old Testament passages would not take place, so the Gnostics had nothing to fear from the God of the Jews. But it was a lie:
3 Scoffers will come in the last days, walking in accordance with their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:3-7)
Again and again you see the apostles constructing arguments like this from scripture to refute the false teachings that were being raised up by the enemy against the truth. Paul referred to this as "casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God."
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
Military strongholds were harder to bring down because not only were they heavily fortified but also usually elevated as well. Some were almost impregnable, including Masada, the Jewish stronghold that was eventually destroyed by the Romans in 73 A.D. Though it took almost four years, the Romans continued to built ramparts to elevate themselves until they finally entered the fortress and slaughtered everyone still alive. It proved that no matter how high or seemingly "impregnable" a stronghold might be, it could still be conquered.
So too, Paul was saying that no argument raised up against the truth was impregnable either. Every one would be cast to the ground, for the apostles were skilled in refuting the lies Satan was using, and reducing them to rubble. But refuting false doctrine is a skill that is developed over time and through experience. It takes just as much work as becoming skilled with a literal sword did. Many heresies Satan uses to attack the truth are still alive and well today, including those taught by the Jehovah's Witnesses and Gnostics, the latter of which we will be covered more in the next study. The question we must ask is, are we training ourselves in how to wield the sword of the Spirit and cut the enemy's arguments to pieces, or simply content to remain on the sidelines and not get our spiritual hands dirty. It must be done in love so as not to misrepresent the heart of God, but the lies of the enemy must be laid waste, and exposed as weak in light of the truth.
In battle, Roman generals walked behind the lines in preparation for an attack, shouting orders to their legions, and directing things in the moment as the battle unfolded. Their emperors had given them orders to conquer territory for the empire, and they were fully intent on seeing those orders carried out.
Soldiers in the army of God also have a great Conqueror who reigns over them, and likewise charges his generals with gaining spiritual territory and overpowering His enemies. According to scripture, He is one day going to rule with a rod of iron over the entire planet, after returning in glory and power:
11 I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:11-16)
Until His return, Christ Jesus is and has been putting generals in charge of His army, and Peter now brings up three things these generals are often characterized by: They know His will and receive specific direction from the Lord in the moment, they skillfully wield the sword of the Spirit, and they are able to teach and train others so as to be prepared to take their place as leaders after their death. Peter exemplified these three things in our next passage of scripture.
12 Therefore I will determine to always remind you of these things, despite you both knowing and having been established in the present truth. 13 For I esteem it is right so long as I am in this tabernacle to stir you up by way of remembrance, 14 knowing that the putting off my tabernacle is at hand, just as also our Lord Jesus Christ signified to me. 15 And I will be diligent to cause you always to have remembrance of these things after my death. (2 Peter 1:12-15)
Peter knew the specific will of God here, and that his martyrdom was coming soon, just as the apostle Paul was made aware as well. In Acts he was specifically prophesied over that his death was approaching, but when the prophecy was given, Paul's response suggests he already knew of it because he told them he was already prepared. It may not have been the first time the Lord prophesied this to him.
10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" 12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done." (Acts 21:10-14)
Like Paul, Peter likely knew his death was imminent as a result of receiving some form of prophetic declaration such as a dream, vision or prophecy, for he declared, "the putting off my tabernacle is at hand, as also our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me." The Greek word δηλόω here was occasionally used of prophetic revelation, such as when the Jewish priests received divine guidance through the Umim and Thumim (Deuteronomy 33:8), or when King Belshazzar saw writing on the wall and besought Daniel for the interpretation (Daniel 5:15). So Peter too was being warned in advance of his coming martyrdom and was preparing for it, and this brings up yet another characteristic of God's generals: They will be willing to carry out direct orders from the Lord even if it means their death, understanding that "If we die with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. But if we deny Him, He also will deny us." (2 Timothy 2:11-12)
But will His generals be the only ones who receive direct instructions in the end-times? Joel 2:28 states the Spirit will be poured out upon every believer from youngest to oldest, and they will all be receiving direct commands and admonitions from the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves.
Expert With The Sword
Roman generals were not just military strategists, they were also exceptional soldiers in the field, and highly skilled at wielding the sword. This is how they could teach and train men in the use of weapons, by drilling them over and over again on what worked in battle and what did not.
Peter did something similar. Despite being repetitive, he was training his readers over and over again the difference between true doctrine and false, so they would not be deceived or spiritually defeated after he was gone. To prevent this, he kept telling them, "I will be diligent to cause you to always have remembrance of these things after my death."
Why was the Holy Spirit now leading Peter to repeat himself so much? Because the Lord knew this letter would be read for the next two millennium, and by millions upon millions of believers, to serve as a warning not only against a heresy that was prevalent in Peter's time but emerge again in the end-times as one of the most dangerous and destructive heresies in history. One of the lies they were teaching was that the "Day of the Lord" was just an empty threat, and that the fearful judgments mentioned in several Old Testament passages would not take place, so the Gnostics had nothing to fear from the God of the Jews. But it was a lie:
3 Scoffers will come in the last days, walking in accordance with their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:3-7)
Again and again you see the apostles constructing arguments like this from scripture to refute the false teachings that were being raised up by the enemy against the truth. Paul referred to this as "casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God."
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
Military strongholds were harder to bring down because not only were they heavily fortified but also usually elevated as well. Some were almost impregnable, including Masada, the Jewish stronghold that was eventually destroyed by the Romans in 73 A.D. Though it took almost four years, the Romans continued to built ramparts to elevate themselves until they finally entered the fortress and slaughtered everyone still alive. It proved that no matter how high or seemingly "impregnable" a stronghold might be, it could still be conquered.
So too, Paul was saying that no argument raised up against the truth was impregnable either. Every one would be cast to the ground, for the apostles were skilled in refuting the lies Satan was using, and reducing them to rubble. But refuting false doctrine is a skill that is developed over time and through experience. It takes just as much work as becoming skilled with a literal sword did. Many heresies Satan uses to attack the truth are still alive and well today, including those taught by the Jehovah's Witnesses and Gnostics, the latter of which we will be covered more in the next study. The question we must ask is, are we training ourselves in how to wield the sword of the Spirit and cut the enemy's arguments to pieces, or simply content to remain on the sidelines and not get our spiritual hands dirty. It must be done in love so as not to misrepresent the heart of God, but the lies of the enemy must be laid waste, and exposed as weak in light of the truth.
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