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The Full Armour of Elohim

Posted by James Trimm on July 9, 2009 at 8:16pm in Spiritual Warfare Back to Spiritual Warfare Discussions

We live in a Hellenistic (Greek based) culture. This culture has unfortunately colored our understandings of the Scriptures, often in ways we do not realize. The Hellenistic Roman culture has had a major impact on our own. The commentaries on the Scriptures that we read are all to often unduly influenced by Hellenistic, Roman cultural views. Many books even portray Paul as a Hellenist (he was, in fact an anti-Hellenist). Such is the case with the commentaries on the "Full armor of Elohim" (Eph. 6). Open up many of the main line commentaries and they will tell you how Paul wrote Ephesians in prison and was enormously impressed with the armor of the Roman soldiers. The commentaries will then discuss each element of the armor in terms of Roman armor and seek to draw allegorical implications from the nuances of Roman armor. There is just one problem with this. Paul is not talking about Roman armor at all, he is talking about ancient Hebrew armor! In fact, Paul does not even come up with the idea of the full armor of Elohim on his own, he draws it from the Apocryphal books of Wisdom of Solomon and 4th Maccabees, and to a lesser extent the canonical Book of Isaiah. Paul mentions the full armor in three places. The Armor of Light In Romans 13:12 he calls it "the armor of light": 12 Henceforth, the night is passed and the day is near. Thus, let us lay aside from us the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light. 13 And let us walk in a manner as in the day, not in reveling nor in drunkenness nor in a defiled bed nor in envy and in strife.

(Rom. 13:12-13 HRV) In 1Thes. 5:5-9 he again associates the armor with "light" and with our status as "sons of light": 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. And you are not sons of the night or sons of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be watchful and wise, 7 For those who are asleep sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. 8 But we who are sons of the day [should] be watchful in our mind and be clothed with the breastplate of faith and of love and put on the helmet of the hope of life, (1Thes. 5:5-9) Throughout the New Testament there are extended metaphors revolving around light and darkness. Believers are called "sons of light" (Lk. 16:8; Jn. 12:36; Eph. 5:8; 1Thes. 5:5 see comments to Jn. 12:36). The full armor of Eloah Yahuwah is also called the "armour of light" (Rom. 13:12). The New Testament speaks of those "who walk in darkness" (Jn. 8:12; 12:35; 1Jn. 1:6; 2:11). But what does this idiomatic use of the terms light and darkness mean? For the answer let us turn to the Tanak: For the commandment is a lamp; and the Torah is light... (Prov. 6:23) Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105) To the Torah and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isaiah 8:20) ...for a Torah shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. (Isaiah 51:4) So according to the Tanak the Torah is a light for our paths. Those that walk in the Torah walk in the light. This is why the New Testament speaks of those who walk in darkness (Jn. 8:12; 12:35; 1Jn. 1:6; 2:11). These are those who do not walk by the light of Torah. Of these John writes: And if we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we are liars and we do not walk in truth. (1Jn. 1:6) Notice that John equates "walking in truth" with walking in the light. According to the Tanak, "the Torah is truth" (Ps. 119:142) thus if "walking in the light" means "walking in truth" then both phrases refer to walking in the Torah. When we, as sons of light, put on the "armor of light", we are putting on Torah as a garment!

All the Armour of Elohim Paul's most detailed treatment of the Armour is in Ephesians Chapter 6: 10 Henceforth, my brothers, be strong in our Adon and in the might of his power, 11 and put on all the armour of Eloah, so that you may be able to stand against the strategies of 'Akel Kartza, 12 because your struggle is not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and with authorities and with the possessors of this dark world and with the evil spirits that are under heaven. 13 Because of this, put on all the armour of Eloah that you may be able to meet the evil one, and being prepared in everything, you may stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and gird up your loins with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness 15 And bind on your feet the preparation of the good news of shalom. 16 And with these, take to you the shield of faith, by which you will have power to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And put on the helmet of salvation and take hold of the sword of the spirit, which is the word of Eloah. 18 And with all prayers, and with all petitions, pray at all times in the spirit, and in prayer, be watchful in every season while praying continually and making supplication on behalf of all the set-apart-ones, (Eph. 6:10-18 HRV) Paul is clearly drawing from Wisdom of Solomon: 15: But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with YHWH, and the care of them is with the Most High. 16: Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the hand of YHWH: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them. 17: He shall take to him in his zeal all the armor, and shall armor with him all his creation. For the desolation of the detestable ones. 18: He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and judgment that is not false instead of an helmet. 19: He shall take holiness for an invincible shield. 20: His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the foolish. (Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-20 HRV) Here Solomon not only discusses "all the armor [of Elohim]" but implies that YHWH shall arm us with his armor. It is this suggestion that prompts Paul's concept of believers wearing "all the armor of Elohim". We as believers wear the armor of Elohim because we have a covenant with YHWH and one of the ancient Hebrew customs associated with entering a covenant with someone involved exchanging garments and swords with them (as in 1Sam. 18:4). We therefore are given the armor of Elohim to wear ourselves. The concept of believer's wearing this armour is also found in 4Maccabees 13:16: Therefore put on the full armour of authority over the passions,

which belongs to the mind that fears Eloah. (4Macc. 13:16 HRV) The Torah defines the "fear of YHWH" as being Torah Observant: "that he may learn to fear YHWH his Elohim, to keep all the words of this Torah and these statutes, to do them." (Deut. 17:19 HRV) "that they may learn, and fear YHWH your Elohim, and observe to do all the words of this Torah." (Deut. 31:12 HRV) You may have heard the Channukah story of the martyrdom of Hanna and her seven sons, who refused to forsake YHWH and embrace Hellenism 4Maccabees tells us that she overcame seeing her seven sons tortured and killed before being tortured and killed herself (2Macc. 7; 4Macc 8-13), because she was wearing the armour. The Four Strategies of HaSatan In the Aramaic of Ephesians 6:11 there is a wordplay in the original Aramaic between the words TZEN'TA ("strategies") and ZAYNA ("armor"). There is in the armor of Elohim a built in contrast between the four strategies of HaSatan illustrated in the Tanak, and the four fixed items of armor in the armor of Elohim.

The Helmet of Salvation (Is. 59:17; Wisdom 5:18) Isaiah mentions the "helmet of salvation" (Is. 59:17) while Wisdom mentions the "helmet of judgment that is not false" (Wisdom 5:18). They are the same because in Hebrew "salvation" and "deliverance" are the same word ("shua") and YHWH's deliverance on the last day is based on his judgment that is not false. The ancient Hebrew warrior's head and ears were protected by his helmet. The helmet of salvation protects us from HaSatan's strategy of "accusation". This is the strategy we see illustrated in the Tanak in Zecheriah 3:1-5 where HaSatan is accusing Yahushua the High Priest. In Revelation 12:10 we read: "the accuser of our brothers who accused them day and night before our Eloah." (Rev. 12:10) The strategy of accusation includes both "slander" and "lashon hara". "Lashon HaRa" (the evil tongue) is the sin of harming another person with words, even when they are true. Those who would never harm a person with a stick, but would not hesitate to harm them with words. The Torah tells us: You shall not go up and down as a talebearer among your people; neither shall you stand idly by the blood of your neighbor: I am YHWH. (Lev. 19:16) When HaSatan comes before the throne of Elohim with accusation, there can be little doubt that the accusations are true (why would he even try to lie to the All-Knowing One). The Torah requires two witnesses for a case to brought. Thus HaSatan is always on the look out for a collaborating witness. When we engage in

Lashon HaRa we place ourselves in the position of becoming HaSatan's collaborating witness. One of the terms used as a title for HaSatan in the Aramaic "New Testament" is "'Akel Kartza". 'Akel Kartza is a compound term. 'AKEL means "to devour" or "to consume". KARTZA means "hunch of bread; carping; pulling to pieces; accusation; disparagement, biting words, biting, current destruction." The 'Akel Kartza uses biting words and accusation to consume and devour and to destroy. He is a slanderous backbiter. The 'Akel Kartza and his minions use lies, slander, Lashon HaRa and accusation to attack believers and nibble away and disparage the Body of Messiah. The 'Akel Kartza is ever in our midst seeking to destroy and always seeking a willing ear for his slanderous biting words. Kefa tells us that in the first century "untaught and unstable" persons were "twisting" Paul's words to make it appear he was teaching things he did not teach (2Kefa 3:15-16). Paul also tells us that he was "slanderously reported" as saying and teaching things that he had not said or taught (Rom. 3:8). When Paul arrived in Jerusalem in Acts 21 he was immediately approached regarding these slanderous reports of his teaching (Acts 21:20-21). This was HaSatan's tactic in the first century and it is still his tactic today. He is still using the same playbook. Today 'Akel Kartza has unstable minions twisting words and giving slanderous reports to attack many teachers in the Messianic/Nazarene movement. The levels of slanderous reports from unlearned and unstable persons seems to be reaching an all time high. We should not be surprised by this. The Scripture warns us that in the last days HaSatan will wage a special war against the "remnant" a group who "keep the commandments of Eloah and have the testimony of Yahushua" (Rev. 12:17). Those who advocate Yahushua as Messiah and Torah Observance are therefore special targets of Akel Kartza and "slanderous reports" from "unstable" persons. As believers we must be careful not to entertain the 'Akel Kartza by entertaining Lashon HaRa (evil speech). Happy are they which are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Happy are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for persecuted they the prophets . -Matt. 5:10-12 HRV The Breastplate of Righteousness (Is. 59:17; Wisdom 5:18) The "Breastplate of righteousness" is mentioned in Is. 59:17 and Wisdom 5:19. The Hebrew word for "breastplate" is SHIRYON (Strong's 8302). This word more accurately refers to "chain mail". Ancient Hebrew chain mail was made of tiny interlinked chains of brass. Since brass chains can easily become corroded and brittle. It was important that an ancient Hebrew warrior keep his chain mail clean, polished and shiny,

otherwise it would develop weak spots and be susceptible to enemy attacks. This is just like our righteousness, we must keep our righteousness polished and shiny, otherwise it becomes weak and subject to attack by the enemy. The Torah says: And it will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before YHWH our Elohim, just as He commanded us. (Deut. 6:25) ...if he walks in My statutes and My ordinances so as to deal faithfully-- he is righteous... (Ezek. 18:9) ...it is those who obey the Torah who will be declared righteous. (Rom. 2:13-- WOW! You mean Paul said THAT?!?!) Wearing the breastplate of righteousness means to be careful to observe all the commandments before YHWH our Elohim. We must keep our chain mail of Torah righteousness clean, polished and shiny so as not to give the enemy a weak point to attack. Our chain mail of Torah righteousness defends us against HaSatan's attack of temptation. "Temptation" is the strategy of HaSatan illustrated in the Tanak in 1Chron. 21:1. In this passage of the Tanak, David is tempted to take a census of Israel. Paul tells us: Because of this also, I could not endure until I had sent to know your faith, lest the tempter had tempted you and our labor had been in vain. (1Thes. 3:5) If we are careful to observe Torah, we will be protected from the temptation of HaSatan. The Belt of Truth (Is. 11:5) The belt of truth is taken from Isaiah 11:5. Ancient Hebrews wore loose fitting tunic like garments with skirt like bottoms. Belts were used to hold the loose fitting garment together. Hebrew warriors would gird up the skirt of their garment and tuck it under the belt to free up their legs for battle, preventing them from getting tripped up in their loose fitting garment. In the same way truth keeps us from getting tripped up by error. our righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your Torah is truth. (Psalm 119:142) You are near, O YHWH, and all your commandments are truth. (Psalm 119:151) This definition explains many phrases in the New Testament: "Obey the truth" (Gal. 3:1) "But he that does truth..." (Jn. 3:20)

And I rejoice that I found your children walking in the truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. (2Jn. 1:4) The Tanak definition of truth gives whole new meaning to Yahuwah's words: For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness of the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice. (John 18:37-38) Yahushua came to bear witness of the Torah, those who hear the Torah hear his voice. This leads us to another important saying from Yahushua: Then Yahushua said to those Jews who believed on him, you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32) Paul, however, speaks of those "who changed the truth of Eloah Yahuwah into a lie" (Rom. 1:25) Now if Messiah came to bear witness of the truth then what has HaSatan to bear witness to? The scriptures tell us: He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not the truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44) HaSatan, who deceives the whole world... (Rev. 12:9) When HaSatan speaks a lie, he is merely speaking his native language. The Torah is truth and keeps us from being tripped up by Torahlessness (lawlessness). The Torah is a guide that keeps us free from error. The belt of Torah truth protects us from HaSatan's strategy of deception. This strategy of deception is illustrated in the Tanak in Gen. 3:1-6 in which the serpent deceived Hava (Eve) Rev. 12:9 tells us HaSatan deceives the whole world. Yahushua said that HaSatan is the father of lies (Jn. 8:44). The belt of Torah Truth is our protection against HaSatan's deception.

The Shoes of the Goodnews of Shalom (Is. 52:7) Isaiah never actually mentions "shoes" but he does have this to say about the feet of Messiah: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that said unto Zion, Your Elohim reigns! (Is. 52:7) For an ancient Hebrew warrior shoes were important. Although not actually part of the armor, shoes protected a warrior's feet from the oppression of sharp jagged rocks. Such sharp rocks could easily distract a warrior from the actual battle he was carrying on with the enemy. The shoes protect us from HaSatan's strategy of oppression. The strategy of oppression is illustrated in the Tanak in the book of Job in which HaSatan is allowed to oppress Job. In Acts 10:38 we read that Yeshua

"healed those who were oppressed by evil". The Apocryphal book of 4th Maccabees deals with martyrs who were oppressed under Antiochus Epiphanies. 4th Maccabees is a handbook on using the armor, especially in dealing with oppression. 4th Maccabees opens saying: The word of philosophy that I am about to discuss before you: If the true mind of shalom (peace) is sovereign to the fear of Elohim. I am an upright advisor to you, that you should pay earnest attention in philosophy. (4Macc. 1:1 HRV) 4th Maccabees then discusses the martyrdom of Eleazer saying: No city besieged ever held out against mighty vassals coming against its walls and its various parts like this. He was dressed in all the armor. For while his soul was suffering, consumed by torture, and by tribulation, and by burning, he conquered the tribulation because of his mind was fighting with the shield of truth. (4Macc. 7:4 - HRV) Finally 4th Maccabees discusses the martyrdom of Hanna and her seven sons saying: Therefore put on the full armor of authority over the passions, which belongs to the mind that fears Eloah. (4Macc. 13:16 - HRV) The Goodnews ("The Gospel") is the "word of truth" (Col. 1:5) which is to be obeyed (2Thes. 1:8).The Gospel is the message Yahushua taught (Mt. 4:23) in fact it is a message he taught in the Temple ( Lk. 20:1).According to Mt. 4:12-17 this message was the "light" of Is. 8:23-9:1(9:1-2) and if we look at Is. 8:20, we see that this "light" is the Torah. Also according to Matthew 12:17-21, this message is the Torah as quoted in Is. 42:1-4.(Note that the Greek text of Mt. 12:21 ends the quote from Is. 42:4 before the phrase about Torah, however DuTillet Hebrew Matthew contains the whole quote. If we diligently search the Tanak we will find that the Torah is his "Word" (Is. 2:3; Deut. 17:19; 27:1-3; 27:26; 31:12; 32:45-46; 2Kn. 23:24; Neh. 8:9) and the Torah is truth (Ps. 119:142, 151). Obviously then the "word of truth" which must be obeyed is the Torah. It is with the Goodnews (Torah) of Shalom (peace) that we are able to overcome the oppression of HaSatan. Through the Torah we can have the true mind of shalom and overcome oppression.

The Shield of Faith (Wisdom 5:19; 4Macc. 7:4) The shield of faith the first of the two mobile items of armor. As such it can be used to defend against attack. In Wisdom of Solomon 5:19 it is called the "shield of holiness". "Holiness" is set-apart-ness and our set apartness comes from our faith. The Psalmist writes: Remove the false way from me, and graciously grant me your Torah. I have chosen the way of faith; I have placed your ordinance before me. (Ps. 119:29-30) The Torah therefore is the way of faith. The Torah is a shield which can protect us from any of the four strategies of HaSatan. In 2nd and 4th Maccabees we read the story of the martyr Eleazar (2Macc. 6:1-29; 4Macc. 7) Eleazer was a prominent Jew under the Helene rule. A day came when all of the Jews were to show their loyalty by eating meat

offered to idols at a public feast. Eleazar was not willing to do so, but because of his prominence, the authorities offered to allow him to sneak kosher meat into the feast and eat it instead, thus only appearing to eat meat offered up to idols. Eleazer refused, knowing that this would appear to endorse idolatry, despite the fact that the meat would be kosher. As a result Eleazar was tortured and executed. (This was the basis for Paul's argument in 1Cor. 10:28). 4Maccabees tells us that Eleazer was able to stand fast his ground and not give into the torture or the threat of death because he had the armor and the shield: No city besieged ever held out against mighty vassals coming against its walls and its various parts like this. He was dressed in all the armor. For while his soul was suffering, consumed by torture, and by tribulation, and by burning, he conquered the tribulation because of his mind was fighting with the shield of truth. (4Macc. 7:4 - HRV) The Sword of the Spirit Which is the Word (Wisdom 5:19-20; 18:16) The Wisdom of Solomon says: "His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword," (Wisdom 5:20) Your all powerful Word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed, a stern warrior carrying the sharp sword of your authentic command (Wisdom 18:15-16) Paul writes in Hebrews: For the living and strong Word of Elohim is sharper than a two-edged sword and penetrating until it separates the n'shoma (upper-soul) and the ruach (spirit) also dividing the limbs and piercing the bones which are in them discerning the thoughts and understanding of the heart." (Heb. 4:12 HRV) What does the Tanak say that the "Word of God" is? Hear the word of YHWH give ear to the Torah of our Elohim, (Isaiah 1:10) ...For the Torah will go out from Zion; and the Word of YHWH from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3) Note that just as "Zion" and "Jerusalem" are synonyms in this poetic parallelism, so are "Torah" and the "Word of YHWH". If we diligently search the Tanak we will find that the Torah is his "Word" (Is. 1:10; 2:3; Deut. 17:19; 27:1-3; 27:26; 31:12; 32:45-46; 2Kn. 23:24; Neh. 8:9)

The Sword of the Word is our only offensive weapon in our fight against HaSatan is the Torah. The Talmud says: Whoever reads the Shema upon his bed is as though he holds a two edged sword in his hand (to ward off evil spirits); as it is said Let the high praises of Elohim be in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hand (Ps. 149:6) (b.Ber. 5a) Revelation tells us that in the last days there will be a major war in heaven between Micka'el and his angels, and HaSatan and his angels: And there was war in heaven and Mikha'el and his angels were fighting with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought. (Rev. 12:7 - HRV) HaSatan will lose this heavenly war and be cast down to the earth: 8 And they did not prevail and no place was found for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that head serpent who is called 'Akel Kartza and HaSatan, who deceived the whole earth. And he was cast out upon the earth and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a great voice from heaven saying, Behold, there is deliverance and power and the kingdom of our Eloah, for the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accused them night and day before our Eloah. (Rev. 12:8-10 - HRV) But the next verse reveals to us that Torah Observant believers in Messiah will actually bring about Michael's victory: 11 And they overcame by the blood of the lamb and through the word of his testimony; and they did not love their own nefeshot, even unto death. (Rev. 12:11 - HRV) We know this must refer to the Torah Observant believers, because they bring the victory about because "they did not love their own nefeshot (souls), even onto death". This cannot refer to angels. How is it that Torah Observant believers in Messiah will impact this war? A clue is found in the Book of Daniel. In this book we read of a battle between Michael and the "Prince of the Kingdom of Paras (Persia)": Then said he unto me: ` Fear not, Daniel; for the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your Elohim, your words were heard; and I am come because of your words. But the prince of the Kingdom of Paras withstood me one and twenty days; but, behold, Mikha'el, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I was left over there beside the kings of Paras. (Dan. 10:12-13) Daniel impacted this battle with intercessory prayer and fasting here on earth: In those days I Daniel was mourning three whole weeks.

I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled." (Dan. 10:2-3) Now Paul tells us more specifically that putting on the full armor of Elohim allows us to participate in the heavenly "struggle" with HaSatan through intercessory prayer: 10 Henceforth, my brothers, be strong in our Eloah and in the might of his power, 11 and put on all the armor of Eloah, so that you may be able to stand against the strategies of 'Akel Kartza, 12 because your struggle is not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and with authorities and with the possessors of this dark world and with the evil spirits that are under heaven. 13 Because of this, put on all the armor of Eloah that you may be able to meet the evil one, and being prepared in everything, you may stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and gird up your loins with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness 15 And bind on your feet the preparation of the good news of shalom. 16 And with these, take to you the shield of faith, by which you will have power to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And put on the helmet of salvation and take hold of the sword of the spirit, which is the word of Eloah. 18 And with all prayers, and with all petitions, pray at all times in the spirit, and in prayer, be watchful in every season while praying continually and making supplication on behalf of all the set-apart-ones, (Eph. 6:10-18 HRV) Revelation tells us that HaSatan will, having been defeated, come to earth to make war with those very Torah Observant believers who had brought about his defeat in the heavens: 12 Because of this, rejoice, [O] heavens and those who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the 'Akel Kartza, who has great fury, has come down to them while knowing that the time is short for him. 13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast upon the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. 14 And two wings of a great eagle were given to the woman that she might fly to the wilderness to her place to be fed there [for] a time, times, and half of a time, from before the face of the serpent. 15 And the serpent cast water as a river out of his mouth after the woman that the water might cause her to be carried away. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon cast out of its mouth. 17 And the dragon was angry concerning the woman and he went to wage war with the remnant of her seed, those

who keep the commandments of Eloah and have the testimony of Yahushua. (Rev. 12:12-17) This is the three and one half years of the Great Tribulation. In the period leading up to this time and during this Tribulation, believers will, using all the armor of Elohim, help Michael defeat HaSatan. This last days battle is what the Wisdom of Solomon refers to when it says: 15: But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with YHWH, and the care of them is with the Most High. 16: Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the hand of YHWH: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them. 17: He shall take to him in his zeal all the armor, and shall armor with him all his creation. For the desolation of the detestable ones. 18: He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and judgment that is not false instead of an helmet. 19: He shall take holiness for an invincible shield. 20: His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the foolish. (Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-20 HRV) Another evidence of the last days importance of the armor of Elohim is in 1Thes. 5:2-10 where we read: 2 For you truly know that the day of our Yahuwah will so come like a thief in the night, 3 as they are saying, shalom and quiet. And then suddenly, destruction will come upon them, as birth pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, my brothers, are not in darkness so that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. And you are not sons of the night or sons of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be watchful and wise, 7 For those who are asleep sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. 8 But we who are sons of the day [should] be watchful in our mind and be clothed with the breastplate of faith and of love and put on the helmet of the hope of life, 9 Because Eloah has not appointed us to wrath, but to the obtaining of life in our Adon Yahushua the Messiah, 10 who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we would live as one with him. (1Thes. 5:2-10) Now in reading this passage we should recall the Thief in the Night parable that is clearly being referred to here. One of the catch phrases used by prior-rapturists is the phrase "thief in the night." The prior-rapturists use this term to describe their prior rapture as a "secret rapture" in which the Church is secretly snatched away. This is however a complete misuse of the biblical term "thief in the night." The "thief in the night" parable is one of the many parables Yahushua told (Mt. 24:42-51) it is referred to in the scriptures on three additional places (1Thes. 5:2-10; 2Pt. 3:10; Rev. 3:3 & Rev. 16:15). A true analysis of the term "thief in the night" as it is used in the scriptures will reveal a post-trib rapture which is anything but a secret prior-rapture.

The first place to look is the parable itself. The thief in the night parable is given by Yahushua in Mt. 24:42-44: Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Yahushua Messiyah does come. But know this, that if the good-man of he house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of Man comes. There are a number of important elements to this parable. First it should be noted that the "thief" in this parable is clearly the Messiah. However in the parable of the Thief in the Night the Messiah is a thief who comes at an unexpected time. He is not pictured as "stealing the church away" If anything the assembly is the victim of his surprise visit, but not the thing being stolen. Secondly we not that the thief/Messiah comes at a time that the Assembly does not expect him. Finally it is significant that the thief comes at a time later than the Assembly expected and found the Assembly sleeping. Throughout the scriptures sleeping is a type of apostasy (see Is. 29:10 = Rom. 11:8). The Thief in the Night parable is part of a section of scripture beginning in Mt. 24:42 and ending in Mt. 25:13 in which Yahushua illustrates that the Messiah comes later than expected to a sleeping assembly which expected him earlier. Yahushua first states this theme in verse 42. Then in Mt. 24:43 Yahushua give the thief in the night parable. Then in verse 44 Yahushua restates this theme. Then in Mt. 24:45-51 Yahushua gives the parable of the "faithful and wise servant." In this parable also the Messiah comes at a time later than the servant expected (verses 48 & 50) to find an apostate servant (verses 48-49). Finally Yahushua gives the illustration of the "ten virgins" (Mt. 25:1-12) in which the bridegroom comes later than the virgins expected. The virgins (at least some of them) are clearly believers for five of them have oil in their lamps. The bridegroom comes to find the virgins sleeping. Even though many of them had oil in their lamps, they thought the Messiah would come sooner than he did and as a result the fell into a sleep of apostasy. Rather than teaching a pre-trib rapture this section of scripture warns us that much of the assembly will expect the Messiah sooner than he comes (pretrib), and when the Messiah comes later than the Assembly thought he was supposed to (post-trib) these believers fall into apostate sleep. The pretribbers have been falsely taught by many of the teachers of Christendom that the Bible teaches Messiah will rescue them from the tribulation before it comes. When this does not happen many of them will lose faith and think that the scriptures are a lie. They will fall into an apostate sleep. In 1Thes. 5 we learn that the sleeping apostates will be duped by a "shalom and quiet" (KJV: "peace and safety") doctrine (verse 3) however "suddenly destruction will come upon themand they will not escape" (verse 3). Here those that expect the Messiah to come later than he does believe in a "peace and safety" teaching and fall into apostasy when the Messiah does not come as soon as they expect but instead "sudden destruction comes upon them" something they apparently expected to "escape." At this point they seem to fall into a sleep of apostasy. A great falling away comes when pretribbers are disappointed when they enter the tribulation instead of escaping it in a pre-trib rapture. But wait! Look at 1Thes 5:1! This whole section of scripture refers to the timing of the "rapture" event of 1Thes. 4:16-18. In fact, the chapter change from 1Thes. 4:18 to 5:1 occurs in the middle of a paragraph! The reference to the thief in the night parable in 1Thes. 4:16-5:10 is also important for another reason. This reference gives us some context for the "rapture" event of 1Thes. 4:16-17. The thief in the night parable of Mt. 24:43 takes place in a large segment of Matthew (Mt. 24:29-25:46) which clearly discusses the post-trib (Mt. 24:29) second coming of Messiah. The thief of Mt. 24:42-44 comes at a time that is like "the days of Noah before the flood" (Mt. 24:37-41 with Mt, 24:42-51). Luke also discusses this time that is like the days of Noah (Mt. 24:37-41 = Lk. 26-36). Luke goes on to say that those "taken" in Mt.24:37-41 = Lk. 17:26-36 will be consumed by birds of prey (see Lk. 17:37 = Mt. 24:28). These men consumed by birds of prey are those who come against Israel and are destroyed at the second coming (Rev. 19:11-21 esp. 19:17-18, 21). The timing of the "thief" event is therefore that of the second coming of Messiah in Rev. 19:11-21. Since the timing of "thief" event of 1Thes. 5:2-10 is that of the "rapture" event of 1Thes. 4:16-18

(1Thes. 5:1 states clearly that 1Thes. 5:2-10 refers to the timing of 1Thes. 4:16-18) then the "rapture" of 1Thes. 4:16-18 is simply a part of the post-trib coming of the Messiah. Now look what Paul says in 1Thes. 5:5-8: 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. And you are not sons of the night or sons of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be watchful and wise, 7 For those who are asleep sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. 8 But we who are sons of the day [should] be watchful in our mind and be clothed with the breastplate of faith and of love and put on the helmet of the hope of life, (1Thes. 5:5-9) Paul is telling us that during this Great Tribulation it will be important for believers to be wearing all the armor of Elohim. Finally there is evidence of the special importance of wearing all the armor of Elohim imbedded in the events surrounding the first Channukah and the fourth book of the Maccabees. The festival of Channukah is a picture of the last days. The last days apostasy (2Thes. 2:3) parallels the Paganization of Israel (1Macc. 1:11-15). The false prophet who causes people to follow the beast (Rev. 13:11-18; 19:20) parallels the purchase of the priesthood by a certain "Yahushua" who prefers to go by his Greek name "Jason" and who leads the people to adopt pagan customs. (2Macc. 4:1-22). The beast of Rev. 13 commits the abomination of desolation referred to by Daniel. (Mt. 24:15; 2Thes. 2:1-4). This parallels the desecration of the Temple by Antiochus Epiphanies. (1Macc. 1:41-64 & 2Macc. 6:1-6). In the last days there are three and one half years in which Y'hudah spends having fled into the wilderness. (Luke 21:20-24 & Rev. 12). This parallels the fact that Judas (Y'hudah) Maccabee and his family and allies to retreated into the Judean wilderness for three years. In the last days Messiah who is both a Cohen (Priest) and a King prevails. In the Maccabean period Y'hudah who becomes both a Cohen (Priest) and a King ultimately prevailed. In the last days a new Temple is dedicated (Ezek. 40-48) and Tabernacles is celebrated by the world in the Kingdom. (Zech. 14:16-19). In the Maccabean era the Temple was rededicated to YHWH with a belated celebration of Tabernacles. (1Macc. 4:36-61; 2Macc. 10:1-9). In the last days Only a small sealed remnant are found at Messiah's return (Rev. 12:17; Rev. 8)and the Ark reveals its position (2Macc. 2:4-8). By parallel in the days of the Maccabees only one bottle of oil sealed by the High Priest was found hidden in the Temple (b.Shabbat 21b). Finally and most importantly for us, the martyrs of the Tribulation (Mt. 24:9-13, 29) parallel the martyrs of the Maccabean period (2Macc. 6:7-31; 7; 4Macc. 5-18). Like the last days martyrs of Revelation 12:11 they did not love their souls, even onto death. The Apocryphal book of 4th Maccabees deals with these martyrs who were oppressed under Antiochus Epiphanies. 4th Maccabees is a handbook on using the armor, especially in dealing with oppression. 4th Maccabees opens saying: The word of philosophy that I am about to discuss before you: If the true mind of shalom (peace) is sovereign to the fear of Elohim. I am an upright advisor to you, that you should pay earnest attention in philosophy. (4Macc. 1:1 HRV)

4th Maccabees then discusses the martyrdom of Eleazer saying: No city besieged ever held out against mighty vessels coming against its walls and its various parts like this. He was dressed in all the armor. For while his soul was suffering, consumed by torture, and by tribulation, and by burning, he conquered the tribulation because of his mind was fighting with the shield of truth. (4Macc. 7:4 - HRV) Finally 4th Maccabees discusses the martyrdom of Hanna and her seven sons saying: Therefore put on the full armor of authority over the passions, which belongs to the mind that fears Eloah. (4Macc. 13:16 - HRV) The 4th Book of the Maccabees is a guidebook to using all the armor of Elohim to overcome the Tribulation. Unfortunately the original Hebrew of this book has been lost, and the Aramaic version has never been translated into English (The HRV version will be the first English version based primarily on the Aramaic text).
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Per m alink

Reply by on December 7, 2009 at 8:50pm

Excellent point about Shaul - why would he be impressed with the Romans armor, they we're basically his enemies, and hey guess what - ROMAN SOLDIERS, IN ROMAN ARMOR, KILLED YAHUSHUA. Some Roman henchman even stabbed Yahushua with a Roman weapon. It is interesting to note that when stabbed, "blood and water" gushed from the wound - why is this? It is because Yahushua's body is the Temple, and what liquids were in the temple? Blood from the sacrifices, and the water used to wash it. In the Third Temple, there shall even be a "River of the Water of Life" issuing from the Altar. Blood and water were the liquids of the Temple. Historians have even noted that Levite Priests often suffered from foot-fungus from walking in liquids that were on the Temple floors.

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Reply by Melvin Creston Williams on July 4, 2010 at 12:41pm

Yes, the Hellenistic view has caused too much misunderstanding.