Sword of the Spirit – Jesus the Righteous Path

When Christians begin reading the Book of Revelation they often find themselves confused by the language regarding the Seals, the Trumpets, the Bowls, God’s Judgment and the Harvest. But I will show you how Matthew, Mark, and Luke all mirror the seven seals spoken of in the Book of Revelation. Starting with the first seal I will apply each of the scriptures and show how they connect to one of the 7 Seals.

The First Seal – The Conqueror

Revelation 6:1,2 – Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and See.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

So we see that the first seal is a rider on a white horse. But let’s read Matthew, Mark Luke and John and see how it aligns with the First Seal of Revelation.

Matthew 24:4,5 – And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My Name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many.”

Mark 13:5,6 – And Jesus, answering them, began to say: Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My Name, saying I am He, and will deceive many.

Luke 21:8,9 – And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived.” For many will come in My Name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’

These three Gospels align with what the Apostle John sees in the Book of Revelation regarding the first seal.

It’s at this stage that many connect Him to Christ since Christ rides a white horse. But to prove the rider on the White Horse is NOT Christ, let’s see how Christ is described when He is seen riding the White Horse, the Scriptures read;

Revelation 19:11,13 – Now I saw heaven opened, and He who sat on Him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called the Word of God.

As one can see from this description found in Revelation, the only time Christ rides a white horse is when He comes to strike the nations.

There is another point I would like to make, there isn’t any scriptures stating Christ with a bow, but, there are many which speaks of Jesus as a Sword or baring a Sword. For instance, Jesus tells us;

Matthew 10:34 – Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

Jesus Christ is the Word of God and we know from the Armor of God that the Sword of the Spirit, is the Word of God!

The rider of the first seal, with one crown is none other than those who represent false christs who claim to be the Lord Jesus Christ, which also includes the antichrist. Many will come in His name and these false Christ will use His name to deceive many. Think Jim Jones, David Koresh and many others…

Jesus warned us, do not be deceived!

It seems difficult times are upon us and my desire is for all Christians to have the Armor of God scripture memorized. Now more than ever we must be ready for the Spiritual battle that many will face. It’s also important for Christians to offer support, encouragement and love for one another regardless of what challenges come our way. The scriptures I’m referring to read;

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with Truth,
having put on the Breastplate of Righteousness, and
having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel
of Peace; Above all, taking the Shield of Faith with which
you will 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 6:13-17

Last night as I read through these scriptures I felt the need to break down each piece of Armor spoken of to see if I could reveal a deeper meaning. What I found really helped me understand a Truth I never realized. and made these scriptures confirm everything taught by the Lord Jesus and the Apostles.

Having Girded Your Waist With Truth
Galatians 2:5 – We did not give into them for a moment, so that the Truth of the Gospel would remain with you.
Ephesians 1:13 – And in Him, having heard and believed the Word of Truth – the Gospel of your Salvation – you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
John 17:17 – Sanctify them by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.

Put on the Breastplate of Righteousness
1 John 3:7 – Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.
2 Corinthians 5:21 – God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Shod Your Feet with the Preparation of the Gospel
Romans 10:10 – How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without some one to preach? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News!
Isaiah 52:7 – How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring the Good News, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say in Zion, Your God reigns!

Shield of Faith
1 John 5:4 – Because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: Our Faith.
Galatians 3:26 – You are Sons of God through Faith in Christ Jesus.
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Ephesians 2:8 – For it is by Grace you have been saved through Faith, and this is not of yourselves; it is the Gift of God.
Romans 10:9,10 – That if you confess with your mouth, that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart, that is the Word of Faith we are proclaiming. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth one confesses and is saved.

Helmet of Salvation
1 Corinthians 6:11 – And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Matthew 10:32 – Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in Heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny Him before My Father in Heaven.

Sword of the Spirit
Hebrews 4:12 – For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Matthew 4:4 – But Jesus answered, It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes from the Mouth of God.
Luke 11:28 – But He replied, Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it.

When it comes down to it, the Armor of God is all about belief in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, standing firm in the Faith, standing firm in God’s Word and obeying it.

But the very foundation that holds all these pieces of armor together is love. The love we have for God, because, we love Him with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind and all our strength. And, the love we have for our neighbor. Since God is love, the very essence of love, we need to ensure before we put on each piece of armor we’re completely covered in it.

Just my thoughts…