The Full Armor of the Victor

In Ephesians 6:10-18, we read about the full armor of God, which we "must put on, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." This is followed by a description of this armor and a narrative about our opponents. Interestingly, the full armor includes some elements of a warrior's clothing: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of readiness, the helmet of salvation. The equipment includes the shield of faith and the spiritual sword of the Word of God, and the fighting spirit includes all prayer and supplication at all times, with perseverance and for all the saints.

What do you imagine when reading this instruction? Life with Christ teaches me to possess and be able to wield all the listed equipment and weapons. Even if this verse were not in the Bible, the arsenal would not be different, and we, being in constant opposition to Satan's spirits, would use all this with some success. The Holy Spirit teaches every son and daughter of God to wage war in this way.

In the book of Revelation, from the second to the third chapters, all periods of the Christian era are described, which ends with a description of the reward for the last victors.

It's worth noting that the final period of the Laodicean church has interesting additions to the full armor of God, and the Faithful Witness offers to buy them from Him.

Decoding the symbols of the offered goods, we determined that gold refined by fire is the faith and love of God the Father or faith working through love. White clothes are the righteousness of Christ or His character manifested in my life and written in my heart. Eye salve is Heavenly wisdom and vision, as well as empowerment by the Holy Spirit.

In these three goods, we see the special presence of all Three Persons of the Godhead.

It's also interesting that all the mentioned qualities of the soul, offered by the True and Faithful Witness, are not something new, but relate to the mandatory properties of the heart for Christians of all past ages. From the history of Christianity, we know that all the listed goods were present in the lives of believers. We read in 2 Corinthians 13:14: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." This verse shows all the goods offered to Laodicea.

But in the last period of the Christian era, the Lord for some reason strongly advises to buy all this from Him and to be zealous in this. And then He makes it clear that He will personally come and teach me to use His goods and to fight. The Lord's offer is so significant in His eyes that He promises to seat all those who think and respond to His knock and advice next to Him on His throne, calling these believers victors. Many questions arise. Why did Jesus choose exactly this path of victory and such an addition to the full armor of God?

Why does He want to see among the victors people with a happy warlike spirit, filled with love for each other, united in brotherly communion of love, filled with the Holy Spirit? After all, all this was present in Christians of all times!

The answer to these questions lies in the power of Christ - this is His plan of victory, and this is exactly how He wants to clothe His victors. Love for one another is not something new in my life, but unfortunately, it has become some kind of commonplace interjection in the communication of Christians, and looks very superficial, remaining for many just a beautiful word in the form of a pink heart. And therefore, the Lord wants to resurrect this property of the soul in me and sell me real Agape, inscribe it in my heart and thoughts, teach me to live in love.

I noticed that the constant presence of God's agape in my heart also extends to other areas of my life. And even when there's war all around, and we're all busy with this topic, for some reason I think about how to insert God's Agape into our communication and relationships, directing people's gaze to this important commodity for the last time. My knowledge of political intrigues and behind-the-scenes events, world news and recognition of the true culprits of what is happening will help me understand that the time of the Second Coming is very close. But they only make me informed, but do not give me the strength to win and the right to Eternal life.

The peculiarities of the last struggle with the forces of the spirits of evil in the heavenly places consist in resisting them when they attack with love, friendliness and a happy spirit in Christ Jesus. And He advises me to buy this as true knowledge and wisdom.

To buy means to devote one's time to obtaining and assimilating this science and to lay at His feet all one's earthly ideas and stereotypes about love and happiness, as well as one's sinful ambitions as payment for what is offered. The Lord counts on my constancy and zeal in this trade and calls me to it, assuring me of his love and hinting that he will punish me for ignorance in this matter.

I might not pay attention to all these tips, but I'm very confused by the definition of "overcomer." I understand that if I accept and do everything that the Faithful Witness offers, I will become a victor at the end of time. And if I choose another path, I won't be able to overcome anyone, because I won't have weapons, equipment, or knowledge of warfare.

Simply telling your neighbor about your love without understanding its laws and power is not a victory, it's an attempt to appear in full armor without having it. White clothes are not put on over dirty and smelly underwear. The Lord first leads me to the bath for cleansing, and then clothes me in Himself, endowing my will with new and holy properties of the soul. Eye salve makes me seeing and understanding what is happening around, and how in all this one can preserve holiness, revealing God's love to the thirsty. Everything needs to be learned, and therefore the Teacher Himself stands at the door of my heart and wants to enter to give me an example of victory in a relaxed atmosphere and teach me to conquer every thought in obedience to Christ with love.

The Lord wants each of us to turn our attention to this wonderful plan of victory in the war in which Jesus has already prevailed and in which He calls me to become a victor.

It's not enough to just read this plan. If you learn it by heart and underline it with a red pencil, making notes in the margins of the Bible, it's also not enough.

If I offer my hand and heart to my beloved, it's not for her to take my surname and for them to put a marriage mark in my passport. I plan to live with this little person so that we never part, always solving all issues together and winning victories of love in all difficult situations and trials. In the message to Laodicea, Jesus offers me something eternal and beautiful, so that in our relationship it never ceases, but endlessly develops, is affirmed in truth and love for constant victory.

God's plan for the victor is very simple, and His full armor is beautiful in its design. One must be completely blind and foolish to refuse the One who wants to enrich you, clothe you and make you wise. Although I don't fully understand everything, the very fact that Jesus Himself offers all this to me gives me confidence in the vital necessity of His call. I say "yes" to Him and enter into Eternal trade.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read: Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Cor. 6:4-10; 10:3-6; Luke 11:21-23; Rev. 3:18; 19:14; Song of Sol. 4:7; Isa. 54:5; Phil. 1:6; Rev. 19:7-9,11-16,20-21 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. What is the full armor of God?

5. Why does the Lord want to endow us with His weapons and armor? Wouldn't it be easier to fence us off from the world and keep us in this state until the end of our days?

6. Can I, believing in Jesus, avoid war with His opponents? John 15:20.

7. Is it so important to acquire what the Faithful Witness advises me?

8. Can I justify my ignorance in buying goods for Laodicea, referring to the fact that in Africa many believing brothers don't even have a Bible in their native language?

9. What does Heavenly trade with the Faithful Witness give me?

10. Is the reward for the overcomer from Rev. 3:21 somehow connected with the purchase of previously offered goods and Christ's friendly visit to my dinner?

11. What should I do with what I still decided to buy?

12. Is it important to understand what is offered to me in Rev. 3:18?

13. Will I benefit from purchased goods without knowing what to do with them next?

14. Has our School revealed to you the mystery of the message to Laodicea?

15. Does the message to Laodicea have any direct relation to our time? If so, why is it rarely talked about?