“…and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.” Revelation 1:16
Dear Ones:
The Bible has a lot to say about swords, especially in the Old Testament, when one considers the battles that were fought between Israel and her enemies. But there are two swords that not only stand out in importance, but also in their meaning and effect. One of these swords is listed in Paul’s description of the Christian’s spiritual armor. He calls it, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:17) Why is the word of God called a sword, specifically one that has its origin in Christ, and by which the power of God is revealed? It is in the epistle to the Hebrews that we see the nature of this sword, as described by the effect that it produces when used. “For the word of God is quick (or living), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (4:12) When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to Jerusalem, “…to present Him to the Lord,” (Luke 2:22), Simeon, a “just and devout” man, upon whom the Holy Spirit rested, told Mary: “….this child is set for the fall and rise again of many in Israel.” He then added, “Yes, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (2:35) The word of God, which is used by the Spirit of God, and accomplished by His power, has the capacity and authority to pierce through one’s soul, to make convincingly clear that which is of God and not. Because of the power of its truth, the sword reveals the truth concerning the “thoughts and intents of the heart.” Why is this so very important? The word of God is forever settled in heaven, and God will do all that He chooses to do, always according to, and by His word. But this “word of God” is given also to reveal God to the heart and soul of man, so that, by its entrance, and “discerning” capacity and power, it is used to reprove or convict the world of its sin, righteousness, and judgment. Only by this word of God, and the power of it, is there a line drawn between that which is true, with regard to one’s attitude towards God, one’s standard for that which is right, and finally, that which is equally and rightly judged. So then, the “sword of the Spirit” is that offensive weapon of the disciple of Christ, used to pierce and cut through the lies, darkness, and confusion of the enemy, so that truth, light, and life can come forth by the Spirit. There is another application of this sword of the Spirit, of truth, and we see it in the vision of the glorified Christ, as revealed in the book of Revelation.
In John’s description of what he saw of the glorified Christ, he writes in part: “…and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword.” This is the revelation of Christ at the beginning of the book, before the Lord’s addresses the specific churches of Asia Minor. In the nineteenth chapter, we see again the glorified Christ, but this time he is not “in the midst of the candlesticks,” or the churches. He is seen upon a white horse, coming to judge and to wage war. He is called faithful and true, but also, “the word of God.” That which is common to the vision of Christ and the churches, and Christ coming to wage war, is the sharp sword protruding out of His mouth. For the churches it is His way, by the Spirit, to exercise His power and authority to build up the churches, preparing them for His return. Concerning the enemies of God, the same sword is used to wage war, and to conquer entirely.
Dear Father, May the sword of Thy Son, and the Spirit, have its perfect way in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad