When Jesus stood before Pilate he asked Him if he were a king. Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered unto the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36).
Grasping the nature of Christ’s kingdom is not an easy matter for us, nor was it for those who were Jesus’ early disciples. They were ready to “smite with the sword,” and when Peter took up his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant (John 18:10), a real battle might have ensued had Jesus allowed the other apostles to follow Peter’s lead. But Jesus commanded Peter, “Put up thy sword into the sheath. They that take up the sword shall perish by the sword.” Peter, to his credit, obeyed the Master’s voice but without doubt, at that moment, was utterly frustrated by his Lord’s command.
Still, Jesus had earlier taught them this: “Resist not him that is evil.” He said, “But whosoever smiteth thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other, also” (Matthew 5:39). And Paul, who “got it,” wrote, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds)” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).
When we read in Revelation of the battle of the Lord and His saints, what kind of battle do men imagine the Lord and His saints were fighting? “These have one mind, and they give their authority and power to the Beast. These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:13-14). In Revelation 19 John wrote, “And I saw the heavens opened; and behold, a white horse, and he who sat thereon is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war … and the armies who are in heaven follow him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and pure. And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword that with it he should smite the nations …” (vv. 11, 14-15). I know what those who look for a future earthly kingdom view these battles to be. However, those who believe a physical battle is described in these verses need to turn back and see how Jesus responded when physical violence was threatened in the garden. When Peter cut off Malchus’ ear, Jesus said, “Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matthew 26:52).
Christians are engaged in a fight, a battle. We are urged, “Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12). Then later Paul said, “I have fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7). All the physical items for protection are absolutely of no value in this spiritual battle we fight: we must put on the armor prescribed by the Lord. Of that armor Paul wrote. “Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God …” (Ephesians 6:10-17).
The armor Paul said we must wear with which we are to protect ourselves would be absolutely worthless in a literal battle; the weapons of a physical war would be absolutely worthless in a spiritual battle with the “spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” It wasn’t then. It isn’t now. It never will be.
Peter learned that the battle his Lord had prepared him for was a different kind of battle than what he saw around him in his day. He learned that lesson well and fought for the faith and ultimately did go to prison and death for his Lord. So did Paul and so (if called upon to do so) must we.
Christ’s kingdom is not physical; it is spiritual. The bullets and swords of men can’t destroy the soul, although they can take our physical life. Still, Jesus taught us we are not to fear those who can take our life but can do no more than that. According to Jesus we should “rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Let us prepare ourselves for the spiritual battle we are in (Ephesians 6:10-17) so that we may be conquerors in this, the greatest battle of all.
Jim McDonald