Combat Boots: The Neglected Weapon

The Times

The times we are living in today are about 2,000 years since the birth of the church of the Lord Jesus—which is actually very close to the allotted time given to us for this age. First John 2:18 (KJV) tells us that it is the last time and there are many antichrists out there. The words “last time” here mean the very farthest hour, the end or last of the latter end. We are just about there.

Do you know what this means? Every Christian who is aware, willing, and yielded to the Holy Spirit is about to embark on the last—and certainly the most exciting—part of the journey through history. 

In Matthew 16:3, Jesus told the Jews there they could discern the weather fine, but they were clueless of the signs of the times. They could recognize the law and quote all the Scripture, but they could not recognize the King standing before them. Sadly, they were oblivious to the time of their visitation, causing them to not only miss their immediate blessing, but also to become so deceived that they wanted to kill Jesus—eventually handing Him over to Pilate. 

On the other hand, 1 Chronicles 12:32 tells us that the leaders of the sons of Issachar were very discerning. They knew two important things:

1. They recognized the signs of the times they lived in (what the Jews later missed).
2. They knew exactly what Israel should do about it.

Nearly every Christian I have talked to in the last year believes we are very close to the time of Jesus’ return. They all appear to recognize the times all right but are not quite as clear on what they should do with it. Most people are seemingly content simply going to church on Sunday morning, praising God for a while—hoping for a sensation or goose bump that may be a sign of His presence, hearing a little Word, and then going home and waiting for Him to drop revival on them like a ripe cherry out of a tree. 

We desperately need some Issachars right now who know what God’s people should do. 

Here is a little food for thought: If our timeline is really as late as we think it is, and if you are actually living here right now in it, and if God really is smarter than you are, then just why would He have you placed here at exactly this time? Could it be that He needs you here right now?

SELAH…

What Is He Waiting For?

Second Peter 3:9 clearly tells us that the Lord is not slack at coming again, but He is holding off as long as He possibly can because He urgently desires that every person have a chance at salvation. James 5:7 tells us all to be patient for the coming of the Lord like the farmer who waits patiently for the fruit of the earth—or the great harvest. God is fervent for that last great harvest of souls! 

In spite of this, did you know that you could help speed up His return? Yes, back to 2 Peter 3:12 where it says we are to be “looking for and hasting to the coming of the day of God…” To hasten it means to hurry it along or to speed it up! Clearly, we are not waiting on God; He is waiting on us. 

So, what is He waiting for? According to these verses, He is waiting for the harvest of souls, all who will call upon the name of the Lord. According to Romans 10:13-15: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?”

Who did Jesus send? First, He told His disciples to pray for laborers and then immediately He sent them; He sent believers (Matthew 9:37 to Matthew 10:5). He sent the ones that He had personally discipled specifically for the upcoming job. If Jesus found it necessary to give intense training for three and a half years in order to prepare them for the job, preparation can be no less important for us today. Paul calls this “having your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace”—your combat boots. 

The Importance of Preparation

In Ephesians 6:14-17, Paul gives us his list of the armor of God. Verse 15 lists “the preparation of the gospel of peace” as what we have our feet shod with. I have heard this spoken of as being the shoes of the gospel of peace or the shoes of the peace of the gospel. But Paul clearly states here these shoes are preparation. He is speaking of being in the state of complete preparedness and readiness—especially military readiness—to dispense and demonstrate the gospel of peace.

God seldom, if ever, sent someone out that He had not first isolated and thoroughly prepared for the mission that He had called them to accomplish. Even Jesus Himself was not exempted from this process.

Preparation of Jesus

In Luke 2, we are told of the time when Jesus was accidentally left behind in Jerusalem. When His parents returned, they found Him in the temple in the middle of some “doctors,” or masters, or elite teachers of the law. When His mother questioned Him, Jesus matter-of-factly stated, “Don’t you know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 

What could that business be that He was speaking about? He ostensibly had a wonderful grasp on the Scriptures already because everyone there who heard Him was astonished at His understanding and answers. And all through the gospels they never got over this astonishment. (Note: Matthew 7:28; Mark 1:22; Luke 4:22; John 7:15) So how was Jesus preparing Himself? Verse 46 of Luke 2 tells us that He was there, both hearing them and asking them questions.

Continued in Part 2