Bible Sermons Online

CHRIST GOING FORTH TO THE WAR

1. Proof it is Christ (i) Hebrews 1 (ii) Revelation 19:11-16 (iii) [the whole Psalm] a reference to Christ + His Church at war for a time with enemies -> marriage of both at last.
2. Christ here is
   1. NOT a mere soldier/lieutenant/ general
   2. BUT Supreme Commander of Allied Forces. He rides at front of His troops/rides in majesty/is fully armed/ has enemies/ will conquer.
   3. Picture fortified by Revelation 19:11-16
3. Why should Christ go to war? (Saviours, surely)
   • creation "very good" - no war then
   • but SIN entered (i) Satan (ii) Adam (Def.)
   • sin defies, disobeys, dishonours God; Christ commissioned to defeat it and all who practise it: "The Son of God was manifest -".
   DOCTRINE: Sin is against God/ opposed to God/ challenges His authority/ defiles universe (Trinity v 3 evils)
   ILLUSTRATION: Recent events in USA...Afghanistan. WWII - Hitler
   LESSON: You cannot "leave sin alone"
4. Christ will conduct war till victorious:
   • SIN to be dealt with. ILLUSTRATION: for a month
   • sinners to be subdued
   • empires of evil crushed
   • Satan + Antichrist overthrown
   DOCTRINE: Christ will never rest till sin put out of universe.

CHRIST'S WEAPONS OF WAR

fully adequate (Illustration - tanks/atom/B52 bombers)

1. These weapons not CARNAL but mighty to casting down of strongholds.
   As Ephesians 6 a picture, so is this.
   So 2 weapons: (i) the arrows (ii) the sword (see v.3/5)
   EXPLAIN: the means by which He overcomes all.
2. The arrows - not in anger but in love.
   ILLUSTRATION: Cupid's arrows - to cause love:
   1. arrow of conviction - awaken men - "MY LIFE IS EMPTY"
   2. arrow of compunction - "WHAT MUST I DO"
   3. arrow of regeneration - Converted - John 3
   4. arrow of love - to reassure. Illustration: Kevin Kondo
   5. arrow of euthanasia - 'asleep in Jesus'
   .
   ILLUSTRATION: Saul of Tarsus - all seen in his life. (So also John Bunyan/John Newton)...
   APPLICATION: However much sinners fight against His convicting arrows, Christ will overthrow.
   Q. Are you resisting Christ? (Arrows of His love)
3. His sword: Revelation 19:15 "out of his mouth -" a 'ROMPHAIA' (mighty/massive sword). This against the wicked to destroy them.
   1. Herod killing Christ's servants (Acts 12:2)
   2. Judas Iscariot - unpardonable sin.
   3. Julian the Apostate: "Turn...Galilean!"
   4. Adolph Hitler: 1945. 6 million Jews/55 million died.
      ALSO
      i.e. "All who do evil He will crush - sooner or later -
   5. Nations which lapse into rebellion and apostasy: [Jews/Germany + UK]
   6. Churches which sink into decay (Perga) - especially disobedience (Revelation 2:16 - 3)
      APPLICATION: Two types of weapons. Have you seen it?

THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR TILL THE END

1. When did the war begin? Garden of Eden:
   As soon as sin entered: ref. to Christ as Mediator.
2. In OT: Flood/Babel/Sodom - all the judgements of Christ. He protected His own: Adam/Exodus/overthrew Canaanite nations (Angel went before them)/Jews till He came in the flesh; e.g. Decree of CYRUS, etc.
   OBSERVE: OT/NT - only one church of Christ (See Hebrews 11 "they - perfect").
3. In NT: He mounts His steed to go now to ALL the earth (JERUSALEM - JUDEA - SAMARIA) fall of Roman Empire:3,12/ Scotland by Roman Empire conquered/European lands.
   Modern period (18f) India/Africa/Asia - then state of China.
   ILLUSTRATION: No better explanation that 1620 America/then Australia, New Zealand/etc.
   OBSERVE: All nations must fall before Him - they have not all yet done so.
4. [3 periods: Israel/Gentiles/Both.
   Every period is a widening and a strengthening of Christ's Kingdom in all the earth: ILLUSTRATION: "life - death".]
5. The End:
   1. all elect gathered out/"sprinkled" (Isaiah).
   2. Christ to angel with Trumpet
   3. all things stopped/time no longer
   4. the Last Judgement
   APPLICATION: Have you prepared for it?