FRIDAY, August 20

Scripture: Revelation 11:3-5

In Revelation 11:3-5 we find the opposite command given to the two witnesses as was given to James and John.  The witnesses were told in verse 5, “And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies.  And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this same manner.” It is obvious that Jesus is not opposed to using fire to destroy the enemy.  And it should be obvious from both Elijah’s use of fire in the Old Testament and from the two witnesses commanded use of it in Revelation that God approves of fiery justice.  Now the disjointed, dishonest application of scripture comes when we have somebody trying to tell us that Luke 9 reflects God’s attitude for the church and cements passivity by strengthening “turn-the-other-cheek” Christianity!  All we have to do is read Revelation 11:5 and we see the interpretation of Luke 9 is not only wrong, but can be dishonest.  We have fashioned a passive Jesus for the church in a season when the Judge is coming.  People who have a religious spirit concerning passivity are willing to take one part of scripture and try to destroy another part, rather than honestly allowing both to stand the way they should.  Jesus is both a Priestly Savior and a Kingly Judge who is not opposed to releasing fire in either the Old Testament or the New!  We must learn to walk with Him!