路22:36 耶穌說：「但如今有錢囊的可以帶著，有口袋的也可以帶著，沒有刀的要賣衣服買刀。」
美國第二次革命／內戰 40
（摘自雷克喬納(Rick Joyner) word for the week, Week40, 2019）
這週，我們繼續尋求一個爭議性的話題：基督徒該軍事武裝自己嗎？如果是，他們是否該加入當地區域性防衛的民兵組織？
我們要記得，身為基督徒，我們的敵人不是屬血氣的，我們爭戰的兵器不是屬肉體的；我們不是要取人的性命，而是要醫治和引導人的生命。我們能獲得的最大勝利是將敵人引向耶穌，這樣，他們不僅會成為我們的朋友、弟兄。而且會成為我們的初熟果子。
但是難道我們沒有責任保護我們的家人，夥伴或是鄰舍嗎？耶穌對他說：「收刀入鞘吧！凡動刀的，必死在刀下。」(太26:52)我們該注意的是耶穌在彼得砍下大祭司僕人的耳朵時，耶穌請他放下刀，並不是對此事忽略不管。耶穌很明顯的知道彼得帶刀，但他說：這不是爭戰的時候，但也有爭戰的時候。因為他後來說：那些沒有劍的，可以賣外套去買武器。(路22:36 耶穌說：「但如今有錢囊的可以帶著，有口袋的也可以帶著，沒有刀的要賣衣服買刀。」)那把刀是當天的武器。
當我們讀到傳道書第3章時，爭戰有時和平有時。當耶穌提到動劍時，其實跟時機有關。當耶穌為我們的罪，死在十字架上時，我們就知道爭戰是免不了的事。當宗教迫害來時，或許我們不需要反抗，而是從容的殉道。但當我們的國家受到恐怖份子、暴徒攻擊時，那就是賣衣服買武器護衛家人的時候了。
在聖經中我找不到和平主義的經文。但該戰鬥時卻想講和平，實在是一種愚蠢致叛徒的行為。提摩太前書5:8「人若不看顧親屬，就是背了真道，比不信的人還不好，不看顧自己家裏的人，更是如此。」這裡指的可能是食物、遮蔽物或帳篷，但更有可能是安全，身為父母，我們豈不提供一切去保護我們的家人嗎？
我已經為此議題禱告並研讀相關經文已經非常多時了。現在我有結論了，我知道有些人的結論與我不同。如果我鼓勵他們不要表現的像個懦夫，我希望不會讓他們覺得是在壓力下違反了自由意志。
這樣說吧，該是好好思想這個議題的時候了，因為這將來會成為非常重要的議題。我曾在夢中被啟示退伍軍人是保護我們的主力，很多人會成為保護社區的主力。我會謹慎選擇加入的團體，不要加入那些被極端主義驅動及摻雜在其中的團體。
如果我們決定買槍，就該被訓練能面對敵人，而不是因為使用不慎，對我們所愛的造成更大的危險。武器應該是被存在一個安全的地方，更勝於被我們的孩子所觸摸到。這對我們的家人及所愛的人給予最大安全的保證。
隨著時節變得越來越嚴峻，會有越來越多的民兵組織發生。在我的夢中，這些民兵組織像蘑菇般的發生在美國的每一處角落。我鼓勵基督徒要對這些事情及早警覺，這樣你們就可以用敬虔的動機和正確的策略來引導他們。如果他們開始偏離方向，我們就必須捍衛什麼是敬虔的和正確的。
很多爭議的議題會導向種族的戰爭，很多人會用政治議題的操作將這個議題變得具有侵略性。對我來說，這是關乎能不能護衛我的家庭，包括屬靈的家，和我的鄰舍，而不在乎他們的種族或政治議題。與其取人的性命，我願意保存人的性命。
這個議題值得更多被教導給大家，但我們現在更需要的是信心，而不是懼怕。我們必須知道我們相信什麼，以致於我們能採取行動。開始在教會及朋友間討論這件事吧。決定你要相信什麼，然後為你所愛的人採取行動。
如果只有我一個人的話，我可能會使用武器保護自己、勝於救那些攻擊我人的性命。這可能只是我個人自私的立場，如果站在死後有永生的觀點，我又希望在死後能與基督一同作王(即使我殺了人後) 。但我不太讓這件事讓人覺得我很魯莽，因為他可能是一樁自殺案，非殉道案。無論如何，我得承認我其實非常期待與主同在。如果有任何人的安全繫於我身上，我將會盡全力有效率的保護他。這是我的誓詞。你必須有你自己的誓詞。
The Second American Revolutionary/Civil War, Part 40
Rick Joyner
This week, we are going to cover one of the more controversial issues: should Christians arm themselves? If so, should they join militias that emerge for local defense?
As Christians our enemies are not flesh and blood, and our weapons are not carnal. We are not here to take lives, but to heal and lead people to true life. This we must not forget. Our main victory in the battle to come is leading our enemies to Jesus so that they not only become friends, but brothers. This must always be our first devotion.
But do we not have a responsibility to defend our families, our fellow believers, and our neighbors? Jesus said, “Those who live by the sword will die by the sword” (see Matthew 26:52). We should note here that even though Jesus told Peter to put up his sword after he had struck the high priest’s servant, He did not say to get rid of it. He obviously knew that Peter had this sword and had brought it with him, but it was not the time to fight. Later He said, “Those who do not have a sword let them sell their coat and buy one” (see Luke 22:36). The sword was the weapon of that day.
As we read in Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time for war and a time for peace. What Jesus said about the sword in the above cases seem to have to do with timing. Jesus was here to go to the cross and die for our sins. It was not a time to fight to prevent this. There are times in religious persecution when it is not time to resist, but to embrace the honor of suffering for the sake of the Gospel, and to even die as a martyr. However, when our country is under attack, and our families and neighbors are threatened by terrorists, mobs, or enemy troops, it is time to even sell our clothes if we have to in order to buy weapons and fight.
I see no basis for pacifism in The Scriptures. When it is time for war and we are still trying to live in peace, then we will be considered anything from foolish to a traitor. In I Timothy 5:8 we are told: “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Certainly this means providing them with food, covering, and shelter, but does it not also mean security? What kind of parent would we be if we did not do everything we could to protect our families?
I have thought and prayed about this, and poured over The Scriptures seeking understanding on it for decades. This is where I have landed. However, I also understand how others would land at a different place. If I judge them to be sincere in their conviction and not just cowards, I would never pressure them to do anything against their conscience.
This being said, now is the time to search out what we believe on this issue because it will soon be a major one. I was shown in a dream that veterans were a major provision from The Lord for our protection in the coming times, and many of these would be forming militias for community protection. I would personally join one of these and encourage others to do so as well. I would also be careful about any I joined, and would not join one that is racially motivated or motivated by other extremist beliefs.
If we decide that it is right to acquire a gun, we should be trained on how to use it or it could be a greater danger to our loved ones than to an enemy. It needs to be kept in a safe and secure place, far out of the reach of any children. This too is providing security for our families and loved ones.
As the times get more intense there will be militias popping up everywhere. In my dream, I saw them popping up like mushrooms across the United States. I encourage Christians to get involved in these early so that you can help steer them with godly motives and right strategies. We need to stand up for what is godly and right if they start to veer off.
Many will try to turn what unfolds into a race war. Others will try to make it about certain political agendas that they will be aggressive about. For me, it is about defending and protecting my family, including my spiritual family, and my neighbors, regardless of their race or political affiliation. If I have to take lives, I want it to be to save lives. This is where I have landed.
There is much more that needs to be said, and taught, about these issues, but for now we must do all of these things in faith, not fear. Now is the time to know what we believe so that we can take action with confidence when the time is needed. Start discussing these issues in your church and with your friends. Determine what you believe, and then take action to be prepared for the sake of those you love.
I have considered that if I was in a place where it was just me, I might not use a weapon just to save myself, but rather try to save those who are attacking me. Now this could also be a selfish motive on my part because I am so looking forward to eternity and being with The Lord that I get excited about the prospect of death. I do not let this cause me to be reckless because then it would be a suicide and not a martyrdom. However, I admit to looking forward to when my time is up here. Yet, if anyone else’s safety depends on me, I have determined that I want to be as effective in protecting them as I can. That is my conviction. You must have your own.
