The second amendment of the U.S constitution provides all citizens the freedom and the right to bear arms, so that the issue of personal protection of life, family, and property can be handled and dealt with on an individual basis, with persons taking responsibility for their own safety. In harmony with this right, many millions of citizens have purchased guns, ammunition, and all sorts of protective gear, so that great swaths of our nation are now armed to the tooth. The guns thus purchased, and kept in many homes, offices, or those worn on our persons now run the entire gamut, from the popular Smith and Wesson hand revolvers, to A.k 47s, assault rifles which include long-range shot guns, and the very notorious Bushmaster, used to kill several persons a few years ago. Thus it is, that the issue of personal protection, has become much more than a right in, some cases, but instead has ballooned into a sort ofobsession, with gun ownership in the United States now being estimated at approximately 300 million. Let’s read:
Constitution of United States of America 1789 (rev. 1992) 2nd Amendment:
A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
In addition to these rights and freedoms, we are now facing the very real prospect of nationwide open-carry laws, which provide registered gun owners to publicly display their weapons, and there are now hundreds of thousands of public places and venues which allow for such displays. As a matter of fact, there are only five remaining states across the country, which do not have open-carry laws, thus, if there is any national unrest for any reason, we mustunderstand that millions of guns, ammunition and other types of weaponry are readily available, for they are already in the hands of very many people across the land. Thus, we are becoming more and more prone to arm ourselves, because of very real and existential threats to our personal security, and it may not be long before we find ourselves living in the wild, wild, West. Let’s read:
The Washington Examiner: A bill that would allow the open-carry of a firearm in public got its first hearing before a justice subcommittee in the Florida House of Representatives Tuesday. HB 163 would relax existing Florida law by allowing anyone who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon to be able to do so openly, meaning guns could soon be visible on the hips of Floridians. Owners of private property in Florida, such as owners of malls and movies theaters, could still ban guns regardless of a license. Also under Florida law, there is no carrying guns in schools, government meetings, airports or bars. According to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Florida is one of only five states plus the District of Columbia that prohibits the open carrying of guns altogether. Fifteen states currently allow open carry with some sort of license or permit, while 31 states allow open carry without any sort license or permit. The bill cleared the House sub-committee by an 8-4 vote Tuesday morning. It now heads to four more committees before heading for a full floor vote.
Now, while it is true that this forum does not vouch for or against our individual freedoms and rights, yet it has now become necessary for us to study the sensitive issue of personal protection from a Biblical perspective, for whatsoever we decide to do, and whatsoever choices we may make, should bear the stamp of God’s approval, since, as Christians we are under the direct jurisdiction of our invisible Leader, even The Lord Jesus Christ, who is King of kings, and Lord of Lords. Thus, in harmony with the protection project, which is now before our faces, our case study will be taken from the scriptures, where a devout Christian by the name of Job is living, not in the plains of Judea or Palestine, but in the Lone Star state of Texas, where open-carry laws are now the order of the day. Let’s read:
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
Job is a rancher, living on the border with Mexico, and he has several herds of long-horn cattle which he often sells to the local supermarkets and other grocery chains, so that he now has a thriving, and profitable business, with several sheep-handlers, and other servants in his employ, and he is a well-respected member of the community in which his ranch is located. And since the laws of his state do provide for open-carry laws, he can now legally buy several Bushmasters, and other long-range rifles to protect himself and his family from bandits, and other ranchers who may wish to do him harm. And so, he has a decision to make, since, on the border with Mexico where he lives, he has often witnessed many immigrants and drug dealers crossing over his property during the day, and also at nights, and so, the issue of personal protection for his family and property is a very real concern that he has do deal with. Question: Should Job, the Christian purchase a plethora of guns and ammunition as provided for by the state of Texas, or should He simply trust in the invisible protection which God bestows on all of His true servants? This question must now be answered not only by Job, but by every believing child of God, because the issues are right at our very doorsteps.
So let’s begin by establishing some undeniable facts from the scriptures, which deal directly with these very sensitive issues. The very first point for us to address is whether or not the protection from God, trumps the personal protection we may engage in personally, and if so, what should be our response to this fact. The scriptures tell us that there was a day when the various heads of other inhabited worlds in the universe had a conference meeting of sorts with God, and satan, now being the de-facto prince of this world was also in attendance, for because of his temptations to our first parents, he had cunningly usurped this right from Adam. And as he took his proverbial “seat” at the table, The Lord was moved to ask him what he was doing there, to which he replied that he came from wandering up and down in the earth. But under further probing by The Lord, satan was forced to acknowledge one of the most sublime truths ever revealed to mortals,
that The God of heaven takes the protection of His people, their families and their property very seriously, to the point where several invisible agents are sent to watch over us night and day, 24/7. Let’s read:
Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.
7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Now, if Job had gone ahead anyway, and had armed himself to the tooth, because of the many and very real existential threats to his person and property, then the question for us to answer is whether such actions would have been sufficient or adequate to ward off robbers and bandits, if they had decided to make a brazen raid on Job’s family ranch. To answer this question we again turn to the scriptures, for as Christians we are cautioned to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. As the dogs were let loose, and the guardian angels pulled back their protecting forces from around Job, we observe that mayhem and disaster quickly follow, and all of Job’s well-coordinated efforts to protect his life and property are quickly unraveled, for the scriptures explicitly state that if The Lord does not keep the house, the watchman wakes in vain. Let’s read:
Job 1:12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped.
Psalm 127:1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to
eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Psalm 33:16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.
Thus it is, that a very real question, and a very valid concern looms large in the minds of millions of God fearing Christians such as Job, whether we should take up arms, or whether we should trust to the providences of God. Some are at a loss to grasp the reasons why God, who had protected Job in Texas for so long, now permitted such devastation and trouble to come upon him as in a moment. But it was necessary for the curtain to be lifted, so that all of humanity could get a glimpse of the real issues behind our national and personal security, and thus be led to trust in God rather in the many measures we may take to secure ourselves and our families. Although most of us, as citizens of the land of the free and the home of the brave, might not be aware of it, the mercies of God are the only reason why we are not consumed, for as was demonstrated in the foregoing passages, there are many billions of invisible foes which can, and do wreak havoc when permitted, and there is nothing we can do, and no security measures we can take to to stop them from causing destruction in a moment, except we trust in the Living God. Let’s read:
[The Great Controversy pp. 589>590] Satan delights in war; for it excites the worst passions of the soul, and then sweeps into eternity its victims steeped in vice and blood. It is his object to incite the nations to war against one another; for he can thus divert the minds of the people from the work of preparation to stand in the day of God.
Satan works through the elements also to garner his harvest of unprepared souls. He has studied the secrets of the laboratories of nature, and he uses all his power to control the elements as far as God allows. When he was suffered to afflict Job, how quickly flocks and herds, servants, houses, children, were swept away, one trouble succeeding another as in a moment. It is God that shields his creatures, and hedges them in from the power of the destroyer. Satan has control of all whom God does not especially guard. Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hail-storms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power.
One of the passages of scripture which many people often stumble over, or misinterpret, have to do with the advice once given by Christ, when the time for
His crucifixion drew near. In this instance, The Lord advised that the disciples should purchase swords, which were the equivalent of bearing arms back then, in anticipation of the coming conflict with the powers of darkness. The disciples readily responded by saying that they already had two, which means that they too misunderstood the words of Christ as being an endorsement of the right of Christians to bear arms. Let’s read:
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. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
But this one, singular instance should never be allowed to override other passages which deal with the very same issue of protection, for if we were to take the admonition given on this one occasion, and were to act upon it by purchasing guns and all sorts of ammunition, we will place ourselves in a position where we will have taken the issue of our personal protection out of the hands of God, and therefore, whatever the result might be in any given situation, we would be responsible if we used deadly force in protecting ourselves. Furthermore, if we were to read further upon the very same instance with the disciples, we will observe that Christ was in no way endorsing the bearing, or use of arms, for He then stated emphatically, the laws of cause and effect that will apply to those who decide to go that route. Let’s read:
Matthew 26:51 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. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
It is worthy of note that two important statements are here made by Christ, the first one which says implicitly that they which take the sword will perish by the sword, and then He makes reference to the fact that holy angels are quite capable of protecting Him, if need be. Thus it is, in this particular response Jesus refuted the view that as Christians we should be armed in self-defense, and also confirmed that the angel of The Lord is able to protect us from all foes, whether seen and unseen. But never should we conclude that because of our right to carry guns in self-defense, that we should now arm ourselves to the tooth, in the anticipation of some probable confrontation with robbers, mass-murderers, or even terrorists. Our lives are in God's hands, and as such we should trust His promises to protect those who serve Him according to His will, once we walk in tandem with His laws and institutions. Let's read:
Psalm 91:1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
If a Christian were to adopt the policy of toting guns and ammunition, the possibility of using such items spontaneously goes up exponentially, if a person is confronted with a dangerous situation on the spur of the moment, for it gives us the immediate option to use deadly force, as was the case when Christ and His disciples were rudely apprehended by the mob who came to arrest Jesus at night. The excuse of mental instability that is often put forward when mass-murders shoot many people or many students at random, seems to suggest that their actions were the result of some psychological condition, which does not affect otherwise sober people. But Peter, like most of us, was “Mentally stable”, until he was faced with a sudden danger, and when this threat occurred, the natural instinct of self-preservationkicked in, and he then resorted to the use of deadly force, albeit against God's will. What we need to understand is that it’s not in every situation that it may be God’s will for us to be delivered, for after speaking brilliantly about the heroes of faith, the apostle Paul says “And there were others”. In other words, whilst Daniel and the three Hebrews were delivered by the direct inter-position of God, many martyrs such as Stephen, and many other Christians died at the hands of Rome, however, in the sight of God, both groups were considered conquerors, and will go on to receive the crown of life which God will give to all the faithful. Let’s read:
Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment.
It is therefore necessary that The scriptural truths pertaining to preparations, and efforts to defend ourselves, now be made known, for according to the Bible, things are about to get a whole lot worse, and thus, we will have to decide whether to arm ourselves, or to leave our lives in God’s hands; to adopt our rights granted in the 2nd amendment, or to let God decide whether we live or die. The following scriptures clearly outline both God’s will and the nature of the conflict, so that every true Christian may be acquainted with the right course of action to pursue, when faced with dangerous and life-threatening situations, and while it is true that we still retain our rights to choose, the time is now, that we consider whether the laws and provisions of men will take precedence over the teachings of God’s word in these matters. Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his”... “disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9 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.
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
In closing, there is a detailed account given in the scriptures about how Christians should deal with potential enemies or foes, and it will do us well to carefully consider the effect that following the unique methods of God, has on the minds of the ungodly. God’s ways are not man’s ways, for He deals only in the currency of love, and even though at times He is moved to execute judgments against those who may harm His people, yet His actions are always conducted for the very best good of saints and sinners alike. With this in mind, let us then be humble and willing enough to both implement and learn of Christ’s methods in fending off evils, for the word “Christian” means little Christ. Let’s read:
2nd Kings 6:8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.
9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.
10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?
12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee,
open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
19 And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.
20 And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?
22 And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them:
wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
23 And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
May God bless the study and practice of His Word.