The Election Count – Part 19
Buy a sword?
Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
You say, “Yeah, yeah, I know, I know ultimately the Lord will keep me safe, but I still have my defences prepared. I got my guns all loaded up. I have my swords, my knives. I’m prepared for the battle! That’s just wise. That’s just Godly right there! You’re just a fool if you think otherwise! I mean even Jesus told us to make sure we are ready to defend ourselves. Jesus said to make sure you “buy a sword”! You should know that Pastor. Come on man!”
Luke 22:36 Then said he [Jesus] 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.
“So you see Pastor, right here we have Bible justification to prepare a carnal defence! Jesus wants us ready to fight. Armed and ready to defend ourselves.”
Is that so? You believe this is direction to buy a sword and to be ready to defend yourself? And this is justification to defend yourself or your family with that sword when you are in danger?
Personally, I disagree. I don’t believe this is what you think it is.
I don’t believe this is justification for a Christian to buy and possess loaded weapon.
I know that is what you’ve heard, and been taught. But I disagree.
Rather, I will show you what I believe this IS telling you to do. And it is not to buy a sword and prepare your horse to the day of battle.
You say, “but that is what it says!”. You’re right. That is what it says. It says “buy a sword”. And I believe that. But I do not believe that it means that you should go to the local outdoor world and buy a sword, a spear, a gun, a bow and arrow, a hatchet, a pocketknife, or even a baseball bat to defend yourself.
Now, I may not be able to 100%, conclusively prove to your satisfaction in the Scripture that you as a Christian have absolutely no justification to own a sword or a gun. This IS here in the Scripture. It says what it says. And you can choose to see this as justification to prepare your defences. I could be wrong. Let’s say you’re right. Let’s say you have a Scriptural right to own deadly weapons. Let’s say you have Scriptural justification to have loaded guns: to buy yourself a sword and prepare yourself with it.
My question would then be.. why would you do that? Why would you own guns, or a sword? Why would you waste your money on weapons? Why would you waste your time practicing with them?
Because even if you are right to own them, I can also clearly see from Scripture that:
- You’re always wrong to use them.
- If you do take them, you will perish with them.
- They are not able to protect you.
Jesus said very clearly, he that hath no sword, should buy one!
Luke 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Was it enough swords? How could it have been. There were 12 men there, and only 2 swords among them. That means that 10 of the 12 men would have “no sword”. How could that be “enough”? And there were about to be a band of soldiers coming to take Jesus! It is very unlikely that Jesus would be saying that two swords were “enough”, given His command 2 verses ago.
It is much more likely that Jesus was saying, “it is enough” violence, swords, enough fighting with swords. No more fighting. I didn’t come up with that.. but I think I can agree with that.
Now notice what happens when they try to use those few swords that they had (which the apostles certainly thought they had just been told were “enough”) to defend against the enemies:
Luke 22:49-51 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
Certainly they thought “okay, we’re about to see some OT-type salvation”. God fighting for Israel when they were outnumbered and ill-equipped. But instead they were rebuked for taking the sword, after just being told how important it was to have one. What is going on!?
Suffer ye thus far: Allow it this far. Allow THIS to happen. What is happening right now to me, it will happen to you in the future, and you are to suffer it! Allow yourselves to be taken, in secret, by wicked hands in the night. But as for the swords, “it is enough”. No more fighting, no more taking swords to fight.
John 18:10-11 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. 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?
There was a time to fight for the Lord’s people: to preserve the seed. But now, It is enough. There was a time to take the sword and fight for the King of Israel. There was a time to destroy the heathen out of the land. There was a time to rid Israel of fornication and idolatry by. The seed had to be preserved. But now Jesus said, it is enough fighting
That is what I’ve been taught. And I get that. And I even can agree with that..
But here is where I struggle… This is mere hours after He told them to sell the VERY clothes on their back to buy a sword. It was on the exact same day that He expressed how CRUCIALLY important it was for them to individually sell whatever they had to and buy a sword. Sell your clothing, to get one! Wow! That is an important purchase!
And now, mere hours, basically immediately after telling them to sell whatever was necessary to buy a sword, He effectively says, “never ever use a sword”:
Matthew 26:51-52 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
And we also see:
Revelation 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
So here is where I struggle… why would Jesus say this to His disciples? Why did He command them to sell their garments and buy a sword? A sword!? A spear!? A gun!? A slaughtering weapon!? WHY!?
It WAS often necessary for the Jews to fight, to protect the seed of Abraham, the seed of David, for the hundreds and thousands of years before Jesus was born. I get that…
But now, at the time when Jesus commands His disciples to buy a sword, that time is over. As shown by Jesus saying “it is enough” and “put up thy sword into his sheath” and “all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword”.
So my question is still: why did He say it NOW? Why command them to buy a sword NOW?
Why was having a sword so crucially important, if they would never use it? If a physical sword was needed to protect the seed – Jesus – why didn’t Jesus say this at the beginning of His ministry. Why now? Why wait until mere HOURS before He was to be crucified, and the very same DAY that the seed of God (the seed of the new, living, eternal human race) died, and was planted in the earth? Why wait until just 3 days before the seed of eternal life, as a tree (a tree of life) burst up from beneath the ground, already instant with fruit (the firstfruits) on it? Why wait to say it until that same night? Was it really even applicable? Did they really need to protect the seed anymore? They were rebuked when they tried! They never were told to buy a sword before this, and they clearly weren’t to USE the swords they had to protect Jesus NOW. His time had come. He was ready to be delivered. He was actively being betrayed and delivered into the hands of men. So why HAVE one NOW? Why NOW, it is all of the sudden so important as to sell your garments, and buy a sword NOW? What need was there for a sword any more? What need was there for a sword to protect the seed – Jesus?
Matthew 26:52-53 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
If Jesus needed physical protection, there was no doubt that He would be delivered. He had the entire army of heaven at His disposal. So why, not needing physical protection, and not intending to fight for His life, would He tell His disciples to buy a sword NOW.. that is if this was truly about protecting the Seed?
Honestly, I wonder, what need was there EVER for a physical sword? As David told Goliath:
1 Samuel 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.
The Lord saveth not with sword and with spear. He didn’t require a sword THEN, so why would He require one NOW?
Of course, the Lord HAS saved His people using physical swords, but He never ever NEEDED any. He’s got PLENTY of angels at his disposal, with spiritual swords. And if He didn’t want to use the angels, He could send lighting and thunder, hailstones from heaven, or just turn the swords of the enemy upon themselves! He did all these things in the OT to save Israel WITHOUT Israel having swords.
Consider this: The Lord never commanded Israel to make, or to buy, or to have swords in the OT law. I don’t see such a commandment in the entire OT. Not in the law, or the prophets, or the psalms. Why not … if it so important to possess one, and if that was truly required, if it was the only way to protect the Seed? Of course, when they did have them, they often used them. But when they didn’t, He didn’t require them to make them, or to go and buy them… He saved them anyways!
2 Chronicles 32:20-21 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. 21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. …
The Lord gives salvation.. with no physical swords!
1 Samuel 13:22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
There were two swords. None of the people had swords. But it didn’t matter.
1 Samuel 14:20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
The Lord fought against the enemy, and the enemy fought against themselves. The Israelites that didn’t have swords, DIDN’T NEED THEM!
If they had swords, the Lord would, most of the time, allow them to use them. But when they didn’t have swords, it didn’t matter… the Lord saved them anyways.
And, when Israel sinned against Him, if swords were available, He would use them against Israel, but if there were no swords, it wouldn’t matter… He would destroy them anyways!
Leviticus 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.
Swords never really mattered to the people of God. Israel was never required to have swords. A command, or even a recommendation, to buy a sword was nowhere in the law! So again, I ask, why here, and why NOW?? It seems VERY out of place to me! VERY uncharacteristic of The LORD. Something is different here! Something about our understanding is wrong here!
When in the Scriptures, The Lord DOES tell someone to make themselves physical swords, its not for their protection or for their victory in battle. Rather, its for their destruction:
Joel 3:9-11 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: 10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. 11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
I don’t see another statement like this in the OT. And it is spoken to His enemies, not His own people.
Zechariah 12:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
If the Lord is telling you to get some physical weapons in place real quick, you’re on the wrong side, and in some big trouble! “Put up your dukes, man!”
So why command His disciples to buy a sword? What good is a physical sword? What use is one? What value is one to a son of God, to the elect of the Lord? What value did they have to Israel, and how much less do they now have to a Christian?
Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, … he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Its just so OPPOSITE of the Scriptures for Jesus to command them to buy physical swords? Its so out of place. Its just so.. different.. I’d even say WRONG, anti-Scriptural! What is going on here?
For me, personally, I am inclined to believe that this was NOT AT ALL about buying a physical sword.
Most of the time, when I teach you something that goes against what common Christian interpretation is, I can prove it conclusively for you. This, I will not claim to be able do so at this time, conclusively. But I do think I can do a very good job of convincing you that this was NOT about obtaining a physical sword. And if I can’t convince you entirely, I think I can at least succeed in putting some cause for skepticism/doubt in your mind of the standard “interpretation”.
So if this is NOT a direct command to buy a sword, and its NOT justification to have the OPTION of owning a sword (how stupid is that – an option?). If its not justification, or a direct command, to go out and buy a physical sword, what IS Jesus saying?
Well, lets take a look around at what swords Jesus uses, and what swords Jesus valued.
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Did Jesus send a physical sword on the Earth? Did Jesus ever use a physical sword? Did He ever encourage the use, or the possession of a physical sword? Did He ever command an army? Did He ever promote physical violence? Well, how then did He send this sword on the earth?
Mary the mother of Jesus was told:
Luke 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Do you know of any physical swords that pierce through souls? I don’t.
But I know of a SPIRITUAL sword that can cut through flesh and through soul. There is ANOTHER sword that Jesus could have been talking about. A much more important sword to buy:
Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Revelation 2:12,16 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; … 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 19:15-21 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: … 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
The sword of His mouth. That is what sword He sent on the Earth. That is a sword with value to God!
But what is that to us? Could He be telling His disciples to buy that sword? And how?
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
That is the sword that pierces a soul. That is the sword Jesus came to send on the earth: the word of God.
I believe this is the sword that we should buy. Jesus’ command was to sell anything necessary, your own clothes, and buy this sword.
Whether this is the ONLY sword Jesus was talking about.. whether or not a physical sword was also encouraged to defend the apostles for the next few hours or days while Jesus was taken from them… whether it also applied to physical swords for some short time… this IS absolutely true today. For you. The only sword you should buy, the only sword that you should take, the only sword that matters, is the sword of His Mouth: the Word of God.
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
This is the ONLY time in all of the epistles (Jewish or Pauline) that “take” and “sword” appear together in the same verse. And furthermore it’s the only time in the ENTIRE new testament that we are told to “take the sword”. Jesus said to buy one, but ONLY Paul, in this one place, tells us to TAKE the sword.
“And take… the sword of the Spirit…”
This is the sword that the Lord values. THIS is the sword that we are commanded to buy!
–
So let’s reexamine the command:
Luke 22:36 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.
Hours after telling them to buy a sword, Jesus told them that all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Why?? Why command this now? Because, I believe, its not about a physical sword.
Neither was it about a physical purse, nor physical scrip, nor physical bread:
Here is what Jesus commanded when He sent His disciples out to preach the gospel.
Mark 6:8-9 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip [bag; see 1 Sam 17:40], no bread, no money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
Bags, money, clothes, shoes, bread, swords, spears.
Why did He tell them to NOT take those things when He sent them out to preach?
Because The Lord would care for them! Take nothing! Carry nothing. God would supply all their need. He would give them their daily bread, the clothes, shoes, and all the things that they needed.
Matthew 10:9-10 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
The Lord would provide for His disciples, His servants, working for Him. Physical provision and physical protection is of the Lord for His servants. This was true of His OT prophets, and its true today of His Christians.
But NOW, He commands, mere hours before His death, hours before the law was all fulfilled, now.. take those things.
Luke 22:36 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.
What changed? Why say this now? Was He saying, “now the Lord will no longer care for your flesh, so you need to care for it yourselves?” “Now you better provide your own money and bread and clothes and shoes and swords because the Father won’t be taking care of you now that I’m going away?”
Some Christians think so. But No, of course this is not what Jesus was saying! That is absolutely not NT doctrine.
Matthew 6:25-26 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Of course this was spoken before His crucifixion, but it absolutely applies to believers today. Its NT doctrine. Its Pauline doctrine even!
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
That is hard to enact, sure. Its hard to be content with little and not fear, and worry where tomorrow’s meal is coming from. Scripturally, we are supposed to work, but we only need to work to be worthy of food for today. Scripturally, we do not need to lay up food and things for tomorrow. So, having your daily bread given you, be content.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So no, when He says, “but now, take your purses and your swords”, He wasn’t saying He would soon stop providing for His disciples. He wasn’t saying He would no longer provide those necessary things for His own anymore. He still provides those necessary physical things!
Mar 28 2021
The Election Count – Part 19
Downloadable Word document:
The Election Count – Part 19
The Election Count – Part 19
Buy a sword?
Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
You say, “Yeah, yeah, I know, I know ultimately the Lord will keep me safe, but I still have my defences prepared. I got my guns all loaded up. I have my swords, my knives. I’m prepared for the battle! That’s just wise. That’s just Godly right there! You’re just a fool if you think otherwise! I mean even Jesus told us to make sure we are ready to defend ourselves. Jesus said to make sure you “buy a sword”! You should know that Pastor. Come on man!”
Luke 22:36 Then said he [Jesus] 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.
“So you see Pastor, right here we have Bible justification to prepare a carnal defence! Jesus wants us ready to fight. Armed and ready to defend ourselves.”
Is that so? You believe this is direction to buy a sword and to be ready to defend yourself? And this is justification to defend yourself or your family with that sword when you are in danger?
Personally, I disagree. I don’t believe this is what you think it is.
I don’t believe this is justification for a Christian to buy and possess loaded weapon.
I know that is what you’ve heard, and been taught. But I disagree.
Rather, I will show you what I believe this IS telling you to do. And it is not to buy a sword and prepare your horse to the day of battle.
You say, “but that is what it says!”. You’re right. That is what it says. It says “buy a sword”. And I believe that. But I do not believe that it means that you should go to the local outdoor world and buy a sword, a spear, a gun, a bow and arrow, a hatchet, a pocketknife, or even a baseball bat to defend yourself.
Now, I may not be able to 100%, conclusively prove to your satisfaction in the Scripture that you as a Christian have absolutely no justification to own a sword or a gun. This IS here in the Scripture. It says what it says. And you can choose to see this as justification to prepare your defences. I could be wrong. Let’s say you’re right. Let’s say you have a Scriptural right to own deadly weapons. Let’s say you have Scriptural justification to have loaded guns: to buy yourself a sword and prepare yourself with it.
My question would then be.. why would you do that? Why would you own guns, or a sword? Why would you waste your money on weapons? Why would you waste your time practicing with them?
Because even if you are right to own them, I can also clearly see from Scripture that:
Jesus said very clearly, he that hath no sword, should buy one!
Luke 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Was it enough swords? How could it have been. There were 12 men there, and only 2 swords among them. That means that 10 of the 12 men would have “no sword”. How could that be “enough”? And there were about to be a band of soldiers coming to take Jesus! It is very unlikely that Jesus would be saying that two swords were “enough”, given His command 2 verses ago.
It is much more likely that Jesus was saying, “it is enough” violence, swords, enough fighting with swords. No more fighting. I didn’t come up with that.. but I think I can agree with that.
Now notice what happens when they try to use those few swords that they had (which the apostles certainly thought they had just been told were “enough”) to defend against the enemies:
Luke 22:49-51 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
Certainly they thought “okay, we’re about to see some OT-type salvation”. God fighting for Israel when they were outnumbered and ill-equipped. But instead they were rebuked for taking the sword, after just being told how important it was to have one. What is going on!?
Suffer ye thus far: Allow it this far. Allow THIS to happen. What is happening right now to me, it will happen to you in the future, and you are to suffer it! Allow yourselves to be taken, in secret, by wicked hands in the night. But as for the swords, “it is enough”. No more fighting, no more taking swords to fight.
John 18:10-11 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. 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?
There was a time to fight for the Lord’s people: to preserve the seed. But now, It is enough. There was a time to take the sword and fight for the King of Israel. There was a time to destroy the heathen out of the land. There was a time to rid Israel of fornication and idolatry by. The seed had to be preserved. But now Jesus said, it is enough fighting
That is what I’ve been taught. And I get that. And I even can agree with that..
But here is where I struggle… This is mere hours after He told them to sell the VERY clothes on their back to buy a sword. It was on the exact same day that He expressed how CRUCIALLY important it was for them to individually sell whatever they had to and buy a sword. Sell your clothing, to get one! Wow! That is an important purchase!
And now, mere hours, basically immediately after telling them to sell whatever was necessary to buy a sword, He effectively says, “never ever use a sword”:
Matthew 26:51-52 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
And we also see:
Revelation 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
So here is where I struggle… why would Jesus say this to His disciples? Why did He command them to sell their garments and buy a sword? A sword!? A spear!? A gun!? A slaughtering weapon!? WHY!?
It WAS often necessary for the Jews to fight, to protect the seed of Abraham, the seed of David, for the hundreds and thousands of years before Jesus was born. I get that…
But now, at the time when Jesus commands His disciples to buy a sword, that time is over. As shown by Jesus saying “it is enough” and “put up thy sword into his sheath” and “all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword”.
So my question is still: why did He say it NOW? Why command them to buy a sword NOW?
Why was having a sword so crucially important, if they would never use it? If a physical sword was needed to protect the seed – Jesus – why didn’t Jesus say this at the beginning of His ministry. Why now? Why wait until mere HOURS before He was to be crucified, and the very same DAY that the seed of God (the seed of the new, living, eternal human race) died, and was planted in the earth? Why wait until just 3 days before the seed of eternal life, as a tree (a tree of life) burst up from beneath the ground, already instant with fruit (the firstfruits) on it? Why wait to say it until that same night? Was it really even applicable? Did they really need to protect the seed anymore? They were rebuked when they tried! They never were told to buy a sword before this, and they clearly weren’t to USE the swords they had to protect Jesus NOW. His time had come. He was ready to be delivered. He was actively being betrayed and delivered into the hands of men. So why HAVE one NOW? Why NOW, it is all of the sudden so important as to sell your garments, and buy a sword NOW? What need was there for a sword any more? What need was there for a sword to protect the seed – Jesus?
Matthew 26:52-53 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
If Jesus needed physical protection, there was no doubt that He would be delivered. He had the entire army of heaven at His disposal. So why, not needing physical protection, and not intending to fight for His life, would He tell His disciples to buy a sword NOW.. that is if this was truly about protecting the Seed?
Honestly, I wonder, what need was there EVER for a physical sword? As David told Goliath:
1 Samuel 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.
The Lord saveth not with sword and with spear. He didn’t require a sword THEN, so why would He require one NOW?
Of course, the Lord HAS saved His people using physical swords, but He never ever NEEDED any. He’s got PLENTY of angels at his disposal, with spiritual swords. And if He didn’t want to use the angels, He could send lighting and thunder, hailstones from heaven, or just turn the swords of the enemy upon themselves! He did all these things in the OT to save Israel WITHOUT Israel having swords.
Consider this: The Lord never commanded Israel to make, or to buy, or to have swords in the OT law. I don’t see such a commandment in the entire OT. Not in the law, or the prophets, or the psalms. Why not … if it so important to possess one, and if that was truly required, if it was the only way to protect the Seed? Of course, when they did have them, they often used them. But when they didn’t, He didn’t require them to make them, or to go and buy them… He saved them anyways!
2 Chronicles 32:20-21 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. 21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. …
The Lord gives salvation.. with no physical swords!
1 Samuel 13:22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
There were two swords. None of the people had swords. But it didn’t matter.
1 Samuel 14:20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
The Lord fought against the enemy, and the enemy fought against themselves. The Israelites that didn’t have swords, DIDN’T NEED THEM!
If they had swords, the Lord would, most of the time, allow them to use them. But when they didn’t have swords, it didn’t matter… the Lord saved them anyways.
And, when Israel sinned against Him, if swords were available, He would use them against Israel, but if there were no swords, it wouldn’t matter… He would destroy them anyways!
Leviticus 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.
Swords never really mattered to the people of God. Israel was never required to have swords. A command, or even a recommendation, to buy a sword was nowhere in the law! So again, I ask, why here, and why NOW?? It seems VERY out of place to me! VERY uncharacteristic of The LORD. Something is different here! Something about our understanding is wrong here!
When in the Scriptures, The Lord DOES tell someone to make themselves physical swords, its not for their protection or for their victory in battle. Rather, its for their destruction:
Joel 3:9-11 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: 10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. 11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
I don’t see another statement like this in the OT. And it is spoken to His enemies, not His own people.
Zechariah 12:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
If the Lord is telling you to get some physical weapons in place real quick, you’re on the wrong side, and in some big trouble! “Put up your dukes, man!”
So why command His disciples to buy a sword? What good is a physical sword? What use is one? What value is one to a son of God, to the elect of the Lord? What value did they have to Israel, and how much less do they now have to a Christian?
Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, … he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Its just so OPPOSITE of the Scriptures for Jesus to command them to buy physical swords? Its so out of place. Its just so.. different.. I’d even say WRONG, anti-Scriptural! What is going on here?
For me, personally, I am inclined to believe that this was NOT AT ALL about buying a physical sword.
Most of the time, when I teach you something that goes against what common Christian interpretation is, I can prove it conclusively for you. This, I will not claim to be able do so at this time, conclusively. But I do think I can do a very good job of convincing you that this was NOT about obtaining a physical sword. And if I can’t convince you entirely, I think I can at least succeed in putting some cause for skepticism/doubt in your mind of the standard “interpretation”.
So if this is NOT a direct command to buy a sword, and its NOT justification to have the OPTION of owning a sword (how stupid is that – an option?). If its not justification, or a direct command, to go out and buy a physical sword, what IS Jesus saying?
Well, lets take a look around at what swords Jesus uses, and what swords Jesus valued.
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Did Jesus send a physical sword on the Earth? Did Jesus ever use a physical sword? Did He ever encourage the use, or the possession of a physical sword? Did He ever command an army? Did He ever promote physical violence? Well, how then did He send this sword on the earth?
Mary the mother of Jesus was told:
Luke 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Do you know of any physical swords that pierce through souls? I don’t.
But I know of a SPIRITUAL sword that can cut through flesh and through soul. There is ANOTHER sword that Jesus could have been talking about. A much more important sword to buy:
Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Revelation 2:12,16 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; … 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 19:15-21 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: … 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
The sword of His mouth. That is what sword He sent on the Earth. That is a sword with value to God!
But what is that to us? Could He be telling His disciples to buy that sword? And how?
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
That is the sword that pierces a soul. That is the sword Jesus came to send on the earth: the word of God.
I believe this is the sword that we should buy. Jesus’ command was to sell anything necessary, your own clothes, and buy this sword.
Whether this is the ONLY sword Jesus was talking about.. whether or not a physical sword was also encouraged to defend the apostles for the next few hours or days while Jesus was taken from them… whether it also applied to physical swords for some short time… this IS absolutely true today. For you. The only sword you should buy, the only sword that you should take, the only sword that matters, is the sword of His Mouth: the Word of God.
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
This is the ONLY time in all of the epistles (Jewish or Pauline) that “take” and “sword” appear together in the same verse. And furthermore it’s the only time in the ENTIRE new testament that we are told to “take the sword”. Jesus said to buy one, but ONLY Paul, in this one place, tells us to TAKE the sword.
“And take… the sword of the Spirit…”
This is the sword that the Lord values. THIS is the sword that we are commanded to buy!
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So let’s reexamine the command:
Luke 22:36 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.
Hours after telling them to buy a sword, Jesus told them that all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Why?? Why command this now? Because, I believe, its not about a physical sword.
Neither was it about a physical purse, nor physical scrip, nor physical bread:
Here is what Jesus commanded when He sent His disciples out to preach the gospel.
Mark 6:8-9 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip [bag; see 1 Sam 17:40], no bread, no money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
Bags, money, clothes, shoes, bread, swords, spears.
Why did He tell them to NOT take those things when He sent them out to preach?
Because The Lord would care for them! Take nothing! Carry nothing. God would supply all their need. He would give them their daily bread, the clothes, shoes, and all the things that they needed.
Matthew 10:9-10 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
The Lord would provide for His disciples, His servants, working for Him. Physical provision and physical protection is of the Lord for His servants. This was true of His OT prophets, and its true today of His Christians.
But NOW, He commands, mere hours before His death, hours before the law was all fulfilled, now.. take those things.
Luke 22:36 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.
What changed? Why say this now? Was He saying, “now the Lord will no longer care for your flesh, so you need to care for it yourselves?” “Now you better provide your own money and bread and clothes and shoes and swords because the Father won’t be taking care of you now that I’m going away?”
Some Christians think so. But No, of course this is not what Jesus was saying! That is absolutely not NT doctrine.
Matthew 6:25-26 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Of course this was spoken before His crucifixion, but it absolutely applies to believers today. Its NT doctrine. Its Pauline doctrine even!
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
That is hard to enact, sure. Its hard to be content with little and not fear, and worry where tomorrow’s meal is coming from. Scripturally, we are supposed to work, but we only need to work to be worthy of food for today. Scripturally, we do not need to lay up food and things for tomorrow. So, having your daily bread given you, be content.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So no, when He says, “but now, take your purses and your swords”, He wasn’t saying He would soon stop providing for His disciples. He wasn’t saying He would no longer provide those necessary things for His own anymore. He still provides those necessary physical things!
By Pastor • Christian Life, Suffering Persecutions • 0