ARCHAIC TERMS WITH TIMELY SYMBOLISM
Blood, swords , arrows and stones are very common features of the Old Testament. Blood is far less common in the New Testament and swords even less common. Both words invite gory interpretations of ancient, pagan nations who showed no regard for human life as they either initiated war to expand their kingdoms, or built strongholds to defended their kingdoms from foreign invaders. It is a great mistake, however, to think of Biblical references to blood and swords with such literal, historical perspectives. Thinking this way makes it impossible to interpret scripture in a way that will teach, reproof, correct and train us for righteousness.
STUDY TIP: See Kings, Queens and Princes, Cities, Kingdoms and Nations, Religion is a Stronghold of Wrong Thinking, and Gods at War for understanding of the symbolic meaning of kingdoms at war with each other. Also see Model Warriors for understanding of Godly warfare.
The symbolism of the sword is the easiest to comprehend as we see in the following scriptures:
Ephesians 6:17: And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
COMMENTARY: The symbolism of swords is explained clearly as the word of God spoken through his spirit to the heart. When we read about swords and the spirit in the Bible, therefore, we must always keep the following truths in mind:
When reading, we must always be alert to who is wielding the sword (i.e. who is speaking). Is it God and his agents (e.g. angels, warriors, Levites, prophets, etc.), or is it evil people (e.g. pagan nations, false prophets, etc.)? When God and his agents are speaking, God’s spoken word (i.e. tongue) is a two edged sword that has the power to bring life or death. When false prophets speak, their words only bring death in the imagery of evil, impure hearts.
God not only speaks to his people directly, but he also speaks through True Prophets (e.g. angels, messiahs, warriors) who always speak for God. Because Jesus was a true prophet, we see imagery of him coming with a sword coming out of his mouth in Revelation. This means that he speaks the word of God. It also means that followers of Jesus (i.e. New Covenant disciples) also speak the word of God.
STUDY TIP: See Messiahs, and True Prophets for understanding of God’s purpose in sending his spirit to people. Also see Model Warriors for understanding of how spirit-filled people use their mouths (i.e. swords).
Revelation 2:12-16: “And to the angel of the church in Per’gamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; you hold fast my name and you did not deny my faith even in the days of An’tipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice immorality. 15 So you also have some who hold the teaching of the Nicola’itans. 16 Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
COMMENTARY: The teaching of Balaam and the teaching of the Nicola’itans is countered with the sword of Jesus’ mouth. This confirms the symbolism of sword as God’s words.
This prophetic scripture is a picture of untruthful words of false prophets overcome by truthful words spoken by all true prophets of which Jesus is an example. It is not, however, prophetic for some unknown, future time. It applies to us in real-time. If it did not apply to us today, the scripture about all scripture being profitable for training in righteousness would not apply to us today.
STUDY TIP: See Time: Hours, Days, Weeks and Ages for understanding of how God uses time in the Bible.
Since Jesus speaks for God, his words may be interpreted to be coming directly from God’s mouth. Thus the sword of God’s mouth spoken through Jesus, and other true prophets, wages war against the words of false prophets who are advancing their religious kingdoms. This picture must be expanded to include all New Covenant disciples who speak for God because they, like Jesus, are anointed with God’s spirit so that they can teach like Jesus taught. Thus it must be said that all New Covenant disciples speak with sharp, two-edged swords to wage war against religious leaders (e.g. satan, Balaam, Balaak, Nicola’itans).
The stumbling block in verse 14 refers to high places with altars that Balaam taught Balaak to build and deploy to entice Israel to eat food sacrificed to idols.
The written law (i.e. literal words of the Bible) includes references to physical altars in religious structures (i.e. tabernacle, temple, tent). Therefore, following the written law by building altars and high places (i.e. physical places for worship) is a stumbling block to faith which only allows for worship in spirit and truth in the heart.
See The Law is a Stumbling Block.
2 Thessalonians 2:8: And then the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing and his coming.
COMMENTARY: Again we see that what comes out of the mouth (i.e. words) has the power of life and death. First, Jesus’ words have spiritual power to demolish the strongholds of wrong thinking of religious people who follow religious laws but are lawless with respect to God’s spiritual laws. And then, after they have died to religion, Jesus’ words have the spiritual power to bring new life to people who have overcome religion. This process is also called being “born again“.
The lawless one is a collective term for religious leaders (e.g. Serpent, Devil, Satan, Adversary, Demons, Evil Spirits and Anti-Christs). These are not unique physical or spiritual entities as religion teaches. They are, however, among the many terms God uses to identify religious leaders. With this understanding in mind, we should think in terms of “lawless ones” — not a singular, unique lawless one.
This so-called “end times” scripture does not anticipate a singular, unique event in time. Rather, it anticipates the end of the time of being religious and the beginning of the time of being New Covenant disciples (i.e. born again). Since Jesus is a symbolic reference to all New Covenant disciples, it can be said that the spoken words (i.e. breath of the mouth) of all New Covenant disciples slays religious leaders. This is possible because New Covenant disciples, like Jesus, speak with God’s authority, and their words, like Jesus’ words, have the power and authority to heal people from the disease of religion and raise them from spiritual death.
Revelation 1:12-16: Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast; 14 his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters; 16 in his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth issued a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
COMMENTARY: Swords symbolize words from the mouth of God. A two-edged sword represents words (i.e. tongues) that bring either death or life.
This contrasts with God’s enemies (i.e. False prophets) who only bring death through the swords of their mouths.
The mouth of God, however, speaks both words of death and life. This is true when God speaks directly to people or through True Prophets.
See: Jesus Son of Man for more understanding of the son of man.
Revelation 19:15: From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine-press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
COMMENTARY: The purpose of God’s word (i.e. sword) is to strike down. He gives his people the sword of his spirit so that they can destroy nations (i.e. religion) and tear down high places.
STUDY TIP: See High Places.
God uses the truth of his spoken word to destroy religious kingdoms that are his enemies because they have deceived and enslaved his people so that they practice religion. He uses the truth of his teaching (i.e. words) to set his people free from listening to false prophets who teach and promote religion. He want to set them free so that they can listen to his spoken voice.
The conflict which ensues is God at war with other gods who do not want to lose their status and incomes. The weapons of warfare for both God and his enemies (i.e. religion) are words. God’s words are spoken through true prophets and his enemies speak through false prophets.
COMMENTARY: Nowhere in scripture do we read that Jesus actually carried or used a sword. What Jesus is best known for, however, is words which he exhorts people to hear, believe and obey.
When the Bible says “believe in Jesus”, it means “believe Jesus’ words” — not believe in Jesus the person. People who believe in Jesus as a flesh and blood person have stumbled over him.
STUDY TIP: See Belief, Trust and Faith for understanding of what it means to believe in Jesus.
Jesus was very aware that he was only a man. Even though God spoke through him, Jesus had no aspiration to be like God. He was content being a bond-servant (i.e. spokesperson/prophet) for God with no desire to be personally exalted. Jesus always deferred to Father God and put God ahead/above himself.
We can conclude, therefore, that the sword that Jesus uses is words inspired by the spirit of God who speaks through him. This is true for Jesus and all New Covenant disciples who speak for God
The words that New Covenant disciples are words of truth. God’s words spoken through messiahs (i.e. New Covenant disciples) are swords that cut just as the truth cuts the heart when we hear it and are convicted by it. But they also brings new life to those who repent for practicing religion.