You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Hebrews 12:4)

If you are reading this post, then this verse speaks to you, that is, so long as you are striving against sin.

We live in the Day when the beast, the governments of men, rule with blatant tyranny over the lives of their citizens. Many eloquently point this out, but many end up thinking that these citizens will have to rise up in arms against their governments if their peaceful protests do not bring necessary changes.  See, for example, this excellent article by Greg Evenson, which I agree with except for his remedy. Some, like Evenson, say that the time comes when righteous men must even take up arms against lawless, evil governments, and he warns that the United States government quickly approaches this point. He is right that our government is lawless and evil, and that it continually gets worse, but he is wrong about the method of our warfare.

Paul never teaches disciples of Christ to take up arms against the state power. Instead he says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Jesus said,

You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That you resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. And whosoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him two. (Matthew 5:38-41 KJ2000)

The word translated “evil” in verse 39 above is from the Greek word “poneros” which according to Strong’s means “hurtful, i.e. evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from 2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from 4550, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue).” The word thus speaks of specific acts, not of the sin or evil nature. On the other hand Hebrews 12:4 translates the Greek word “hamartia” as sin and relates to the abstract principle of sin which every man must deal with.

These verses make it clear Christians must fight a spiritual war against sin which battles against our souls, not a physical war against evil acts by sinful men indulging their flesh.

Now, it is true that this spiritual battle may cause men to hate us who will then want to destroy us (kill our bodies) simply because they cannot stand the truth we speak and live. This is what Hebrews 12:4 refers to. Jesus and the first generations of Christians were not killed and persecuted because they attacked the reigning government; they were tortured because they would not bow to the gods those governments worshiped.

The entire Western world has been in the process of changing her gods for many years now, with America drastically quickening her pace in 1963 when the Supreme Court outlawed the Bible and prayer in public schools. The time soon comes when Christians will be forced to bow to a god other than Jesus, or else be murdered in what once was called the “land of the free.” Revelation shows us two images of those persecuted by the beast world government as the Day of the LORD begins. The first pictures those who overcome in their strife against sin:

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. (Revelation 6:9 KJ2000)

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4 KJ2000)

The second reveals those religious ones who rise up in the power of their flesh against the beast:

And the ten horns which you saw upon the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God has put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman whom you saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:16-18 KJ2000)

“That great city” is Babylon the Great, the harlot who poses as true religion. She is also the ancient city of Jerusalem who always opposes and kills God’s overcomers, the residents of New Jerusalem.

The ways of God are not our ways of the flesh. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says our God. Christians must not take up arms to fight against Satan’s beast kingdom which even now manifests in the earth. Instead we must learn God’s ways, walk in them, teach them, and still attempt to live at peace with all men. Although we despise the shame of being ruled by evil, just as Jesus despised the shame of his humiliation and crucifixion, let us run with endurance the race which God sets before us.

Therefore seeing we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily ensnare us [our unbelief], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such hostility of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds. You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Hebrews 12:1-4 KJ2000)