p. 78 | The Holy War by B. F. Snook

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 3, 1863

The Holy War.

By B. F. Snook

"FINALLY, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." Eph. vi, 10.

This was a timely admonition in the days of the apostle, and it is equally as much so in our own days. Paul was conscious that the Christian could not stand in his own strength; and hence urged the necessity of his seeking to obtain the strength which God giveth to his weak and trembling saints, to enable them to stand for his truth. He next presents us with such directions as we need to aid us to prepare for service in the divine warfare. "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil." Verse 11. From this we conclude that those who do not heed the testimony of the Lord's servants, in not taking unto themselves the whole armor of God, will fall by the darts of the enemy.

Here is, evidently, a comparison of the Christian's life to the life of the soldier, and a reference also to his equipments for warfare. Gibbon thus describes the armor of the Roman soldier, to which allusion is made:

"Their arms were uniform, and admirably adapted to their service: an open helmet with a lofty crest; a breast-plate, or coat of mail; greaves on their legs, and an ample buckler on their left arm. The buckler was of an oblong and concave figure, four feet in length, and two and a half in breadth, formed of a light wood, covered with a bull's hide, and strongly guarded with plates of brass. Besides a lighter spear, the legionary soldier grasped in his right hand the formidable pilum, a ponderous javelin, whose utmost length was about six feet, and which was terminated by a massy triangular point of steel, of eighteen inches."

This armor was, first, defensive; that is, for the protection of the person. Second, it was offensive, involving those death-dealing weapons with which their enemies were slain on every hand in the deadly contest.

The Christian soldier's armor is somewhat different in its nature. "Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth." The object of the girdle is to strengthen the parts which may be the weakest; hence, the girdle is a symbol of strength. Truth is the Christian's girdle, and if he trusts to such a girdle, he will receive strength.

"And having on the breast-plate of righteousness." This will protect the breast, with the vital organs, from exposure to danger. If the enemy fires his darts of slander and calumny against us with our breasts thus shielded, we shall receive no harm.

"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Verses 14, 17. Here is a complete armor, offensive and defensive.

No man can stand without this armor. Living faith, an unwavering hope, and a holy life, will be a perfect shield to us, in which the enemy cannot harm us in the least. Then with the Christian sword, the word of God, we can slay our enemies. We can live by this blessed word, and while living according to its directions, we can speak forth its precepts, and they will be mighty, and cut their way to the hearts of all the honest.

While engaged in the divine service we must be faithful, and do our whole duty. Says the apostle, "Praying always, with all prayer, and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Verse 18. There is no time for the man of God to spend in a prayerless condition. He should be on his watch, and be praying continually. His heart should swell with holy affection for his God and for his brethren, the companions of his toils and struggles for eternal life. Then he will feel like praising God continually, and praying to him for a continuance of his blessings from day to day.

Thus should we live if we would stand in the evil day. We must face the enemy, and stand our ground. Do not run. There is no protection for the back. And why not? Because all the true soldiers of the cross face the enemy, and only need to have the parts exposed protected. But the traitors and cowards who flee when the enemy appears, for want of a protection of the back, may, and generally do, receive an occasional shot, though Satan considers them his own, in safe keeping, and continues to direct his batteries at the faithful.

Dear brethren, let us take to ourselves the whole armor of God, and be faithful and valiant soldiers, so that we can say in truth, > "I am a soldier of the cross, > A follower of the Lamb, > And shall I fear to own his cause, > Or blush to speak his name?"

We should not fear. Jesus, the coming King of kings and Lord of lords, is our Captain. He is sure to gain the victory. Every enemy of his shall be slain. And every one of his faithful soldiers will surely receive the palm of victory, and the crown of everlasting life.

"Then do not be discouraged, For Jesus is your friend."

O let us be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, that we may stand till he comes; and then share in all the bright realities of his everlasting kingdom.