Revelation 12:11, Not so Dear Life

We American Christians have grown soft in the pursuit of happiness. For example, I recently enjoyed chatting with a friend while at an amusement park about how to safely watch worldly movies using technologies to remove objectionable content. Later I reflected that as we strolled at the park discussing movies, Christians round the world enlist as soldiers of Christ to evangelize, disciple, and testify, even unto death. Revelation 12:11 (WEB) says, “They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death.”  While we hold on for dear life (and comfort), these disciples often lose their lives holding on to dear truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
We American Christians have also grown soft behind the American flag. While Christians round the world suffer for preaching the truth to their countrymen, we deceive ourselves believing that there is such a thing as a “Christian Nation” while we quietly preach the truth to ourselves in Sunday school. Certainly many American’s have bravely served in war, even losing their lives, for the noble goal of protecting their countrymen. But all is ranked in the military for priority decision making and there is a goal ranked higher than protecting the American “way of life.”  We must soberly remember it is not our commander’s objective to save the “way of life” in America or any nation, but to save people from sin. He commands those that would obey to enlist in his military campaign. He commands you and me to follow him who is the “Way, Truth, and Life.” Warfare demands commitment, resolve, and sacrifice, whether a physical or spiritual campaign. Rank the campaigns and see for yourself below... or get back to the movies.
 
Warfare
Physical
(flesh and blood
)
Spiritual
(not flesh and blood
)
Suicide
Army News Service, Aug. 20, 2007 - In terms of a threat to Army National Guard Soldiers, it easily rivals rounds from a concealed sniper, the devastation of an improvised explosive device or a blast from rocket-propelled grenade. The threat doesn't stem from any foreign armed forces or military power, and casualties resulting from this threat are often the saddest and most heartbreaking of deaths for the family and friends of these soldiers. The threat is suicide, which is the No. 3 cause of death for National Guard Soldiers so far this year...
Like physical warfare the pressures of spiritual warfare can result in tragedy as terrible as suicide if we are unbelieving. Judas sought escape, yet our commander must lead on in spite of the loss, Matthew 27:1-10.
Fratricide
1863 - Lt. Gen. T. J. “Stonewall” Jackson, a famous Confederate Civil War general, was accidentally mortally wounded by his own troops at Chancellorsville, VA.. 2004 - Pat Tillman, a famous American football player, was a friendly fire victim in Afghanistan.
Like physical warfare our failures in spiritual warfare result in harming our own men, yet our commander will not give up the battle, James 4:1-12.
Purple
Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after 5 April 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in Newburgh, New York.
Like physical warfare there are honors bestowed in spiritual warfare and Paul championed the decoration of Christ-likeness, Philippians 3:7-11.
Command
You ask, What is our policy? I will say; "It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy." You ask, What is our aim? I can answer with one word: “Victory - victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.” - Churchill
Like physical warfare strong leadership is needed to press soldiers to spiritual warfare with courage and resolve as Jesus commanded Peter to follow, John 21:15-19.
Objective
Temporal survival
Like physical warfare, spiritual warfare has an objective, though higher in rank, eternal life, Ephesians 6:10-20.
Rank
“For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood…” Ephesians 6:12a (WEB)
 
 
 
“…but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12b (WEB)