Eph. 6:13 - Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand (withstand, KJV) your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
It is my opinion, that this verse contains a warning regarding the evil day that will be called the Great Tribulation, as described in Rev.12:17 and 13:7-10. There are three acceptable theories as to the meaning of this verse. I believe theories #1 & #3 to hold the most truth.
1. Compared to heaven, all our days are evil and thus we need the armor for daily living.
2. This is meant only for those times when we are in a spiritual conflict; battling sin, diseases, etc.
3. By using "the" it is talking about a special, future prophetic time.
This third aspect is the one I‘m going to focus on today. Looking at it from this perspective there are some biblical truths that need to be pointed out. By utilizing the word "withstand", Paul is shutting out all hope that we will escape this event. We will have no choice but to withstand. The only choice left to you is whether you will be armed or unarmed for that day. Our victory is assured if we are armed, but not if we forsake this opportunity. It is also possible that this alludes to the "hour of trial" from Rev. 3:10 - Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
While we are withstanding, (enduring patiently) Jesus promises to "keep" (to guard against, as in keeping an eye on to protect from danger) us "from" (keep away, protect us from danger in the midst of adversity). This does not say He will "take us away from" as most pre-tribulation theorists try to read into this verse. Therefore we have three inescapable truths.
1.) There will be a day of evil.
Going back to one of our previous discussions concerning God#‘s creation of evil. I still don#‘t believe that God creates evil, in the way we understand that to mean. I believe that what He does is, appropriate evil for Himself from satan and of course we are not talking of evil in its moral or intrinsic sense. He appropriates evil so we can know that no one can do evil upon His own except Him or w/o His permission. Evil in this case means afflictions. We are to choose this type of evil, as exampled by Moses, knowing He will see us through, rather than the type of evil from which sin results. Heb. 11:25 - Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. The evil that God appropriates has a purpose. It is not evil in and of itself. Since God is pure and cannot send or create evil, He utilizes Satan‘s evil to accomplish His purposes. God uses the afflictions of evil to create joy in the believer. Rom. 5:3 - Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings...
When we undergo these trials, it helps us to remember the sinfulness of our past, and makes us aware of the dark parts that still reside within us. This "day of evil" will reveal the falseness of the hypocrite. We may find that our corruption is stronger and our grace weaker then we had presumed. Thus the need to be "purified as though with fire". For the sinner, as the plagues of Moses caused Pharoah’s heart to harden, so in the evil day, it will cause the heart of man to harden. Rev. 9:20-21 - The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
2.) It is unavoidable.
That some believers consider themselves immune from this day is hardly surprising. As history began with the free choice of Adam to partake of the fruit, so will it end with humanity choosing, "this day whom they will serve". Christ won the war on the cross but Satan battles on to steal as many souls away from God as he can.
3.) It behooves us to prepare for this evil day.
It is our duty as servants of Christ to prepare to our utmost for this final battle. Failure to prepare will border on treason against our most faithful God. The servant in Matt. 24:45-50, had to be found doing his "good works" in order to get his reward. Now I am not saying that salvation is dependant on works, but works are part of our responsibility to God for so great a salvation.
While we are over the beasts concerning the possession of a rational soul, they excel in one way or another over our individual senses. As we exercise our sixth spiritual sense, we must also exercise our five physical senses per these scriptures:
Matt. 13:16 - But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
Phil. 4:18 - an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. Our gifts and sacrifices are a sweet smelling fragrance to God.
Ps. 34:8 - Taste and see that the LORD is good...
In Matt. 9:21, the woman knew that if she could just touch the hem of his garment she would be healed.
Men and women of the world may seem to excel in this life more than believers do, but it is only temporary. They will be resurrected to judgment, while we will be resurrected to eternal life because we exercised our spiritual sense while they neglected theirs. Preparation for the evil day must be placed high on our list of priorities so that its arrival won#‘t catch us sleeping. 1 Thess. 5:6 - So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. We do not know what types of evil shall befall us personally so it is best to be prepared for all things. What good is it to have on hand much wood to be burned to keep us warm if we have no matches with which to light the fire. Things that are done in a hurry are seldom done well. In this way, it is better to have our armor ready and well polished, then to try and repair it when the battle comes.
There are five ways a believer can fail to prepare for the "day of evil".
1. They realize they are so unprepared that they won’t even let the thought of facing it cross their minds through fear of it.
For some, it is so unthinkable that they might be here to face it, they immediately quash any thoughts they may have about it. However, the banishing of this period from their thoughts will be a short relief for they can neither hinder its arrival nor take away its sting when it arrives. They act like babies who cover their eyes and believe that because they can see no one, no one can see them.
2. They believe that the "day" is so far off, it has no concern for them.
They see the "day" as they would a cannon. They know if they are right in front of it, it will blow them to bits but if they stand a lot farther away; they feel they are free from danger even though they remain within its range of fire. The further away we see this day of evil the less of an impression it makes on us. It#‘s like a sinner who believes he has many years to go before his death and waits to repent. When death comes earlier then expected, they are unprepared to face God‘s judgment.
3. They think often of the evil day but they continue on, trusting in luck to see them through.
Despite all the warnings, they continue in their sin desperately, as if trying to get as much in as possible. They, instead of arming themselves against the evil day, arm the evil day against themselves.
4. They are aware of the evil day but "rest" in their unarmed condition, expecting the Lord to fight the battle for them.
They ignore Eph. 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
5. They ready their defenses and put on the armor but fail to arm themselves with the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God".
While they have prepared adequate defenses against the fiery arrows of the devil, the attack is endless because they possess no weapon to drive the devil away.
Here are some ways we can successfully prepare for the "day of evil".
1. Make sure you‘re in a right relationship with God.
Build a solid foundation of faith and overcome the sin in your life so you can await the day of evil with confidence.
2. Be ready to give up the comfort and ease of your present life style.
We must be willing to accept whatever God desires for us, even if it means uprooting ourselves from our homes and communities to become missionaries for Him. As Paul did, we have to "die daily", to the pleasures of this world, that we may be better prepared for the next.
3. We must obey the admonition of Rom. 12:1-2.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The more our life has been tainted by hypocrisy or unfaithfulness, the weaker we will be when the day of evil arrives. Familiarize yourself with the facts of the evil day so that its arrival won‘t catch you unawares.
I realize that many of you will feel all this is unnecessary but I just ask that you ponder it awhile and if you still feel it doesn’t concern you then just remember the spirit of good will in which it is offered.
It is my opinion, that this verse contains a warning regarding the evil day that will be called the Great Tribulation, as described in Rev.12:17 and 13:7-10. There are three acceptable theories as to the meaning of this verse. I believe theories #1 & #3 to hold the most truth.
1. Compared to heaven, all our days are evil and thus we need the armor for daily living.
2. This is meant only for those times when we are in a spiritual conflict; battling sin, diseases, etc.
3. By using "the" it is talking about a special, future prophetic time.
This third aspect is the one I‘m going to focus on today. Looking at it from this perspective there are some biblical truths that need to be pointed out. By utilizing the word "withstand", Paul is shutting out all hope that we will escape this event. We will have no choice but to withstand. The only choice left to you is whether you will be armed or unarmed for that day. Our victory is assured if we are armed, but not if we forsake this opportunity. It is also possible that this alludes to the "hour of trial" from Rev. 3:10 - Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
While we are withstanding, (enduring patiently) Jesus promises to "keep" (to guard against, as in keeping an eye on to protect from danger) us "from" (keep away, protect us from danger in the midst of adversity). This does not say He will "take us away from" as most pre-tribulation theorists try to read into this verse. Therefore we have three inescapable truths.
1.) There will be a day of evil.
Going back to one of our previous discussions concerning God#‘s creation of evil. I still don#‘t believe that God creates evil, in the way we understand that to mean. I believe that what He does is, appropriate evil for Himself from satan and of course we are not talking of evil in its moral or intrinsic sense. He appropriates evil so we can know that no one can do evil upon His own except Him or w/o His permission. Evil in this case means afflictions. We are to choose this type of evil, as exampled by Moses, knowing He will see us through, rather than the type of evil from which sin results. Heb. 11:25 - Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. The evil that God appropriates has a purpose. It is not evil in and of itself. Since God is pure and cannot send or create evil, He utilizes Satan‘s evil to accomplish His purposes. God uses the afflictions of evil to create joy in the believer. Rom. 5:3 - Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings...
When we undergo these trials, it helps us to remember the sinfulness of our past, and makes us aware of the dark parts that still reside within us. This "day of evil" will reveal the falseness of the hypocrite. We may find that our corruption is stronger and our grace weaker then we had presumed. Thus the need to be "purified as though with fire". For the sinner, as the plagues of Moses caused Pharoah’s heart to harden, so in the evil day, it will cause the heart of man to harden. Rev. 9:20-21 - The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
2.) It is unavoidable.
That some believers consider themselves immune from this day is hardly surprising. As history began with the free choice of Adam to partake of the fruit, so will it end with humanity choosing, "this day whom they will serve". Christ won the war on the cross but Satan battles on to steal as many souls away from God as he can.
3.) It behooves us to prepare for this evil day.
It is our duty as servants of Christ to prepare to our utmost for this final battle. Failure to prepare will border on treason against our most faithful God. The servant in Matt. 24:45-50, had to be found doing his "good works" in order to get his reward. Now I am not saying that salvation is dependant on works, but works are part of our responsibility to God for so great a salvation.
While we are over the beasts concerning the possession of a rational soul, they excel in one way or another over our individual senses. As we exercise our sixth spiritual sense, we must also exercise our five physical senses per these scriptures:
Matt. 13:16 - But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
Phil. 4:18 - an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. Our gifts and sacrifices are a sweet smelling fragrance to God.
Ps. 34:8 - Taste and see that the LORD is good...
In Matt. 9:21, the woman knew that if she could just touch the hem of his garment she would be healed.
Men and women of the world may seem to excel in this life more than believers do, but it is only temporary. They will be resurrected to judgment, while we will be resurrected to eternal life because we exercised our spiritual sense while they neglected theirs. Preparation for the evil day must be placed high on our list of priorities so that its arrival won#‘t catch us sleeping. 1 Thess. 5:6 - So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. We do not know what types of evil shall befall us personally so it is best to be prepared for all things. What good is it to have on hand much wood to be burned to keep us warm if we have no matches with which to light the fire. Things that are done in a hurry are seldom done well. In this way, it is better to have our armor ready and well polished, then to try and repair it when the battle comes.
There are five ways a believer can fail to prepare for the "day of evil".
1. They realize they are so unprepared that they won’t even let the thought of facing it cross their minds through fear of it.
For some, it is so unthinkable that they might be here to face it, they immediately quash any thoughts they may have about it. However, the banishing of this period from their thoughts will be a short relief for they can neither hinder its arrival nor take away its sting when it arrives. They act like babies who cover their eyes and believe that because they can see no one, no one can see them.
2. They believe that the "day" is so far off, it has no concern for them.
They see the "day" as they would a cannon. They know if they are right in front of it, it will blow them to bits but if they stand a lot farther away; they feel they are free from danger even though they remain within its range of fire. The further away we see this day of evil the less of an impression it makes on us. It#‘s like a sinner who believes he has many years to go before his death and waits to repent. When death comes earlier then expected, they are unprepared to face God‘s judgment.
3. They think often of the evil day but they continue on, trusting in luck to see them through.
Despite all the warnings, they continue in their sin desperately, as if trying to get as much in as possible. They, instead of arming themselves against the evil day, arm the evil day against themselves.
4. They are aware of the evil day but "rest" in their unarmed condition, expecting the Lord to fight the battle for them.
They ignore Eph. 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
5. They ready their defenses and put on the armor but fail to arm themselves with the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God".
While they have prepared adequate defenses against the fiery arrows of the devil, the attack is endless because they possess no weapon to drive the devil away.
Here are some ways we can successfully prepare for the "day of evil".
1. Make sure you‘re in a right relationship with God.
Build a solid foundation of faith and overcome the sin in your life so you can await the day of evil with confidence.
2. Be ready to give up the comfort and ease of your present life style.
We must be willing to accept whatever God desires for us, even if it means uprooting ourselves from our homes and communities to become missionaries for Him. As Paul did, we have to "die daily", to the pleasures of this world, that we may be better prepared for the next.
3. We must obey the admonition of Rom. 12:1-2.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The more our life has been tainted by hypocrisy or unfaithfulness, the weaker we will be when the day of evil arrives. Familiarize yourself with the facts of the evil day so that its arrival won‘t catch you unawares.
I realize that many of you will feel all this is unnecessary but I just ask that you ponder it awhile and if you still feel it doesn’t concern you then just remember the spirit of good will in which it is offered.
