This is a good question. The U.S. constitution says we have a God given right to bear arms. Therefore, in this country, which I am a citizen, I have a right to use arms of my choosing to defend myself and my family members or any other innocent person being threatened with bodily harm from a law-breaker.
My husband and I are 65 and until a few years ago never really thought to have a firearm, but with the social climate of lawlessness and violence in our country in the present times and with our increasing vulnerability as senior citizens, we see the need to be able to defend ourselves against someone who wishes to do us serious harm or kill us.
Luckily, our oldest son is knowledgeable and experienced with firearms and is training us to shoot with accuracy. In fact, I just went out last weekend with him and one of my other sons to do target practice. My husband is going with him today to do the same with my youngest son, too.
We hope that we will never need to use our firearm on any person, but the Bible does not prohibit self-defense as far as I know. I am aware of the account Suze spoke of about Peter drawing his sword against the guard. But I also recall that Jesus told his disciples to carry a sword when He sent them out. I am not sure of the passage. I will look for it later.
Hello Gigi , do u believe that u are an American first and a Christian second ? Or are u a Christian first and an American second ? It is true that God sanctioned violence in the Old Testament but Jesus is definately against his followers using it as I'm sure u have read and understood from your reading of the New Testament . If u can point out anywhere were Jesus sanctions the use of violence please let me know .
There is no questioning that I am a Christian first. God has chosen for me to be born in this country, therefore, I am to abide by the constitution on this country. In Luke 22:36 Jesus instructs his disciples to acquire a sword along with a few other things. So, for what purpose would they need a sword except for self defense. Defending oneself from harm or death is not violence in the way you seem to be saying. Whether one uses their body, fists, sword, club, knife, gun, or any other kind of weapon to defend themselves from an attack is sanctioned here by Jesus. This is my interpretation of this verse.
I believe what Sister Suze was saying, Peter and most others, even today, don't UNDERSTAND: the SWORD was the WORD, not a metal blade.
But he was going to show them a miracle by healing the man's ear, and when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they would remember and UNDERSTAND.
THIS IS A PARABLE:
Luke 22:36 And he said unto them, But now (TODAY is the day), he that hath a purse, let him now take it, and like wise his script: and he that hath no SWORD, let him sell his garments, AN BUY ONE.
THIS IS A PARABLE:
Revelation 13:16 And he (the SWORD, the WORD, the Holy Ghost) CAUSED ALL, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark (the SPIRIT of TRUTH) in their fight hand, or in their forehead.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel of thee, TO BUY OF ME .....
Revelation 13:1 And that NO MAN might BUY or SELL (the Kingdom of God), save he had the MARK (CHRIST IN YOU), or the NAME (Christ in You) of the BEAST (the forth kingdom, the kingdom of God: Daniel 7:23), or the number or HIS NAME (Christ in you).
I see you found the account I was seeking in my post, Luke 22:, which is not a parable, by the way. Also, we can read in the O.T. how God told the Israelites to eliminate the inhabitants of the Land promised to Abraham and his descendants when they entered the land after the 40 years in the wilderness. This meant to kill ALL. Not run them off into another area, not enslave and subdue them, and not to co-exist with them in the promised land. Here God sanctioned killing and doing violence to others.
I do believe that Jesus spoke many parables to the multitudes within the hearing of the disciples. But He also spoke plainly to the disciples on many occasions. Also, it is not true that the disciples did not understand anything Jesus said.
I think that it is important for one to understand the context of what one is reading to distinguish between various literary genres such as: narrative, conversation, parable, prophecy, preaching, teaching, etc.
Hi Gigi , if you have any doubt about the sword being a symbol for the Word of God , please read Ephesians Ch 6 , V 10-17 . This is what will be used to divide the goats from the sheep , the Word of God as spoken by Christ . We must try to keep his word or we will be judged as goats and cast away forever .
Dear Suze, I know that the Word of God is called a sword often in the Bible. But in the case of Luke 22:36, I do not believe that Jesus was referring to the Scriptures when he told the disciples that they were to acquire a sword for the next time He was sending them out.
With respect, I do not wish to continue a conversation on this topic, as we disagree, and I am not convinced by your
Hi M , if you are a Christian you ought to listen to what God says and not to men , any man who tells you that it's acceptable for a Christian to use violence is , I believe on dangerous ground . Acts Ch 5 V 29 . In Matthew Ch 26 we read about one of the disciples taking up a sword against those who had come to arrest Jesus , what is Jesus's response to this action ? Matthew Ch 26 V 52 . You might say to yourself that there are many people who have used violence and they didn't die by it , they died peaceful deaths after long and happy lives . Firstly , Jesus doesn't say ' die ' he says perish , which is the Greek word for total destruction . Not quite the same as die . Also , I personally believe that Jesus is referring to the day of judgement , check out Revelation Ch 2 V 12-16 . The sharp two edged sword , which to me represents the word of God that we have in the Bible ( not ever the words of men ) is what Jesus will use to divide between the goats and the sheep . We want to be on the side of the sheep right ? So , I think that the sword that Jesus is referring to in Matthew Ch 26 is the actual words that he spoke , that he was given by his Father , our God ,that we should be doing our best to live by so that when Christ returns to divide his sheep from his goats , we can be on side of the sheep . I hope I have made this clear .
THE SECOND AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES US THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.
These verses tell us who is Lord over our Constitutional Rights. You bear the responsibility to follow God, First.
On a personal note from me: BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS. America is rapidly becoming lawless.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and THE GOVERNMENT shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Romans 13:4 - For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister OF GOD, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Romans 13:1 - Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be ARE ordained of God.
Jeremiah 29:7 - And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you [church Leaders] and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
We need to vote responsibly and stop voting red, white blue, rainbows and nuclear weapons as an answer.
Read the Signs of the times: China, Russia, Pakistan are underwater. The rest of the planet is burning up. IT IS NOT GLOBAL WARMING!! IT IS GOD ABOUT TO STAND UP.
THE GREEN DEAL IS THE ONE WORLD RELIGION.
Antichrist MUST CONTROL FOOD WORLDWIDE.
All nations will BLAME ISRAEL__and point their nukes at them.
If we are living for the Lord, he will protect us
This is a good question. The U.S. constitution says we have a God given right to bear arms. Therefore, in this country, which I am a citizen, I have a right to use arms of my choosing to defend myself and my family members or any other innocent person being threatened with bodily harm from a law-breaker.
My husband and I are 65 and until a few years ago never really thought to have a firearm, but with the social climate of lawlessness and violence in our country in the present times and with our increasing vulnerability as senior citizens, we see the need to be able to defend ourselves against someone who wishes to do us serious harm or kill us.
Luckily, our oldest son is knowledgeable and experienced with firearms and is training us to shoot with accuracy. In fact, I just went out last weekend with him and one of my other sons to do target practice. My husband is going with him today to do the same with my youngest son, too.
We hope that we will never need to use our firearm on any person, but the Bible does not prohibit self-defense as far as I know. I am aware of the account Suze spoke of about Peter drawing his sword against the guard. But I also recall that Jesus told his disciples to carry a sword when He sent them out. I am not sure of the passage. I will look for it later.
There is no questioning that I am a Christian first. God has chosen for me to be born in this country, therefore, I am to abide by the constitution on this country. In Luke 22:36 Jesus instructs his disciples to acquire a sword along with a few other things. So, for what purpose would they need a sword except for self defense. Defending oneself from harm or death is not violence in the way you seem to be saying. Whether one uses their body, fists, sword, club, knife, gun, or any other kind of weapon to defend themselves from an attack is sanctioned here by Jesus. This is my interpretation of this verse.
I believe what Sister Suze was saying, Peter and most others, even today, don't UNDERSTAND: the SWORD was the WORD, not a metal blade.
But he was going to show them a miracle by healing the man's ear, and when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they would remember and UNDERSTAND.
THIS IS A PARABLE:
Luke 22:36 And he said unto them, But now (TODAY is the day), he that hath a purse, let him now take it, and like wise his script: and he that hath no SWORD, let him sell his garments, AN BUY ONE.
THIS IS A PARABLE:
Revelation 13:16 And he (the SWORD, the WORD, the Holy Ghost) CAUSED ALL, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark (the SPIRIT of TRUTH) in their fight hand, or in their forehead.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel of thee, TO BUY OF ME .....
Revelation 13:1 And that NO MAN might BUY or SELL (the Kingdom of God), save he had the MARK (CHRIST IN YOU), or the NAME (Christ in You) of the BEAST (the forth kingdom, the kingdom of God: Daniel 7:23), or the number or HIS NAME (Christ in you).
God Bless YOU.
I see you found the account I was seeking in my post, Luke 22:, which is not a parable, by the way. Also, we can read in the O.T. how God told the Israelites to eliminate the inhabitants of the Land promised to Abraham and his descendants when they entered the land after the 40 years in the wilderness. This meant to kill ALL. Not run them off into another area, not enslave and subdue them, and not to co-exist with them in the promised land. Here God sanctioned killing and doing violence to others.
Do you know why most done understand God's WORD?
Because they don't BELIEVE what he SAYS.
The Bible is GOD'S WORDS: The Old Testament is LAW and PROPHECIES
Psalms 78:2 I (the Word) will open my mouth in a PARABLE: I (the Word) will utter DARK SAYINGS upon the harp.
Ezekiel 17:2 Son of Man (the Word), put forth a RIDDLE, and speak a PARABLE to the house of ISRAEL.
Prophecy Fulfilled:
Matthew 13:34 ALL THESE THINGS spake Jesus into the multitudes in a PARABLES; and WITHOUT A PARABLE he SPAKE NOT to them.
The multitudes THEN as well as the multitudes NOW don't UNDERSTAND: because they don't believe God's Words ARE A PARABLE.
His own disciples NEVER UNDERSTOOD a word he was saying.
Christ had to take them aside and explain it to them.
The same TODAY, unless the Holy Spirit takes you aside and explains the PARABLES to you, you want understand the full truth.
This is why Christ SAYS: ASK and you shall receive; But again the receiving is on God's TIMETABLE not ours.
God Bless You.
I do believe that Jesus spoke many parables to the multitudes within the hearing of the disciples. But He also spoke plainly to the disciples on many occasions. Also, it is not true that the disciples did not understand anything Jesus said.
I think that it is important for one to understand the context of what one is reading to distinguish between various literary genres such as: narrative, conversation, parable, prophecy, preaching, teaching, etc.
With respect, I do not wish to continue a conversation on this topic, as we disagree, and I am not convinced by your
These verses tell us who is Lord over our Constitutional Rights. You bear the responsibility to follow God, First.
On a personal note from me: BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS. America is rapidly becoming lawless.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and THE GOVERNMENT shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Romans 13:4 - For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister OF GOD, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Romans 13:1 - Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be ARE ordained of God.
Jeremiah 29:7 - And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you [church Leaders] and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
We need to vote responsibly and stop voting red, white blue, rainbows and nuclear weapons as an answer.
Read the Signs of the times: China, Russia, Pakistan are underwater. The rest of the planet is burning up. IT IS NOT GLOBAL WARMING!! IT IS GOD ABOUT TO STAND UP.
THE GREEN DEAL IS THE ONE WORLD RELIGION.
Antichrist MUST CONTROL FOOD WORLDWIDE.
All nations will BLAME ISRAEL__and point their nukes at them.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES: Matthew 24
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