At one point in history the English infantry was trained to bayonet the attacker on their right. When they swung to bayonet the man in the side who was attacking their comrade to the right of them, the left side of their body was unprotected. They escaped death only if the comrade to the left of them did the same thing—swung to his right and bayoneted the enemy attacking his comrade on his right. Do you get the picture?

How many Evangelical churches in America are mature enough that the believers can trust their fellow worshipers to this extent? Well, every soldier in the army of the Lord will be this trustworthy. Each one has been called, chosen, and proven faithful.

They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows. (Joel 2:9—NIV)

We may not imagine ourselves behaving in the above manner. But we shall if we appear with Christ. The wicked must be driven from every place where they are entrenched. As we said, deliverance and blessing will come through the saints, not poured down from Heaven.

The Lord Jesus said He would return as a thief. Now we understand what He meant!

All of the above characteristics are absolutely essential if we are to participate in the Battle of Armageddon.

In addition we must be conformed to the moral image of Jesus Christ. We must have the fruit of the Spirit abounding in our personality. We must develop iron righteousness, fiery holiness, and stern obedience to the Father.

How can we do this? By obeying, through the Spirit, the commandments of Christ and His Apostles. As we obey the numerous commandments found in the New Testament, Christ, the Day Star, is formed in us. We cannot ride with Christ in the Day of the Lord unless He has been formed in us. We cannot rule the nations with a rod of iron until the Day Star has risen in our heart.

He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery—just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:27,28—NIV)

There is no place here for the sinful nature or the carnal mind of the human being. These are the sons of God and He is with them. He has begotten them by His Word and has trained them until they are ready to assume the government of the nations.

The only people who will be raised to the slain Lamb when He appears in the sky above us are the eagles who have learned to live by His body and blood. Where the Carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered.

Conclusion

We have known the Lord Jesus as the Good Shepherd of the twenty-third Psalm. Now He is coming to us as the Lord of Hosts of the twenty-fourth Psalm.

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty—he is the King of glory. Selah (Psalms 24:7-10—NIV)

To be continued.