Christian Warfare

Christian Warfare

Do you remember the song Onward Christian Soldiers? I remember singing it mightily as a child:

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war
With the cross of Jesus going on before
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe
Forward into battle see His banners go

Do you recognize that we are in a war?

When you think of this war, what comes to mind?

Jesus said,

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it (Matthew 11:12 NIV84).

But what does this mean? How do forceful people lay hold of God’s kingdom? Can God’s kingdom be obtained by force, might, or power? Didn’t God previously say that it is “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit” that His kingdom advances? (Zechariah 4:6 NIV84). So how can forceful people lay hold of God’s kingdom if it doesn’t advance with might and power?

The Good News translation helps clear up the confusion:

From the time John preached his message until this very day the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks, and violent men try to seize it (Matthew 11:12).

God’s kingdom is the kingdom of love, truth, and liberty. It is built upon design law, the protocols upon which the Creator built reality to operate. It cannot be advanced through might, power, force, coercion, external control, imposed laws, or inflicted punishments.

That’s why God cannot win people to love and trust by threatening to torture and kill those who don’t love and trust Him. Such actions result in just the opposite outcome—more rebellion, less trust, and the destruction of love.

It is Satan’s kingdom that operates upon imposed law and advances through external control, inflicted punishments, and violence.

So Jesus is telling us that since John the Baptist came preaching about the true kingdom of God—the kingdom that operates within the hearts and minds of men (Luke 17:21)—violent men, humans who embrace Satan’s kingdom of imposed laws and coercive force, have been trying to take control of it. Meaning, violent men who use imposed law, imposed punishments, and external control have been trying to take control of the Christian message and, ultimately, control of human hearts and minds.

And sadly, they have succeeded far too often.

We are in a war, fighting upon the same battlefield against the same enemy, and utilizing the same weapons that Jesus did. Jesus won every encounter, but after His ascension, the violent people slowly took over the “church” and rebuilt it not upon God’s design laws of truth, love, and freedom, but upon Roman law, Roman power, and violent methods of coercive control.

The idea that God’s law functions like human law, imposed rules requiring God to use power to punish rule-breakers, has become assumed truth to almost all Christians. Thus, violent people have taken control of the theology of Christianity and teach a violent, punishing god that wars against Jesus and what Jesus lived, taught, and revealed.

 

The Gates of Hell

But Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against His true church, which is built upon Him (Matthew 16:18). What a strange and interesting expression—the gates will not prevail? Think about that imagery. In warfare, what role do gates play? Do people carry gates into battle? No, gates are used to close out opposing forces and to seal in a captive people.

Jesus is saying that Satan, with his lies about God, has taken the hearts and minds of people captive in fear and selfishness. The enemy has closed the minds and hearts of many through fear and falsehood, but his gates of lies, of fear, of selfishness cannot prevail against the divine weapons given to us by God.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3–5 NIV84).

Our divine weapons have the power to demolish the gates of hell, to open hearts and minds to healing and salvation, to set the captives free!

  • The divine weapon of truth demolishes lies—“you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NIV84).
  • The divine weapon of love demolishes fear—“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18 NRSV).

We war against lies with truth and against fear and selfishness with love—the infinite love of God found only in Jesus. We do as Jesus instructed:

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. … Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:44, 45, 48 NIV84).

We can never win the war for God’s kingdom by embracing and practicing the methods of this world. We cannot win people to love by seeking to control, dominate, punish, and destroy those who disagree with us. So we move forward with the truth, in love, leaving others free.

But we also cannot win the war by compromising with the enemy, by agreeing with their falsehoods, in order to get their approval. The truth cannot be exchanged for a lie for the sake of peace. No, we are at war. We must war against all lies, all falsehoods, and all violations of the kingdom of God.

In a war, the force that takes the initiative dictates the place and the flow of the battle and often wins the conflict; the force defending scrambles to react to the force directing the terms of the engagement.

As Christians, we are to be advancing the kingdom of God by taking the initiative, moving forward the truth about Jesus, and standing firm for reality as God created things to be. But all too often, reacting to the false allegations of God’s enemy, too many good-hearted people find themselves placating the enemy rather than advancing the truth God has given them.

Have we fallen into a trap of reacting to the methods, standards, practices, rules, and logic of the world, trying to meet the worldly on the platform of godless standards, or are we advancing the kingdom of God on God’s terms, with His methods, holding to His principles and refusing to step down into the perversion of the world?

When COVID swept the world and the fear-messaging, mind manipulation, and other coercive tactics were employed, did Christian organizations stand for the principles of truth, love, and liberty of conscience—or did far too many embrace the methods of the world and justify coercion of conscience and collusion with the false governmental narratives? (If you would like to know what the false narratives were and how minds were manipulated, see my presentation COVID and the Manipulation of Your Mind.)

When greed-driven corporations and power-hungry politicians divide society based on race, sex, gender, or any other identity issue, does the church fall into their trap and seek to prove how inclusive it is by holding sensitivity training and working to be inclusive of each and every identity group—or does the church stand for the principles of God’s kingdom and stand firm on the truth that there are only two groups of people: the righteous and the wicked, the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares, the saved and the lost. Do Christians recognize that in God’s kingdom, race, sex, nationality, tribe, language, marital status, or vax status doesn’t matter? What matters is character. In God’s kingdom, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28 NIV84). In God’s kingdom, there are only those who are like Jesus in character—and we are to advance the kingdom of God by keeping Christ, His character, methods, principles, and design laws central.

Martin Luther King Jr. understood this and dreamed of a country in which his little girls would be judged by the quality of their character and not by the color of their skin. Has the church continued to advance this high standard of godliness—or has it fallen into the devil’s trap and worked to prove to the world how inclusive it is?

Yes, we are at war, but it is not a war of might or power; it is a war of methods: truth, love, freedom at war against lies, fear and selfishness, and control. I invite you to embrace the kingdom of God and advance it by using only His methods—truth, love, and freedom.

 

 

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Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 61

I grew up in a prominent protestant church and had what I like to call religious anxiety. I’ve always had questions about God and Salvation that no one could seem to answer.  I didn’t know how to find resolution. During 2020, at the height of my anxiety, I fell to my knees and begged God to show me truth and light and to give me the hope that I’ve been longing for. Days later, I stumbled upon your online videos and it was like a veil was lifted and EVERYTHING made sense! For the first time in my almost 39 years of life, my religious/spiritual anxiety has lessened. I feel a sense of freedom and peace I’ve NEVER had before… and it’s all because my view of God has changed. Thank you!

Ashleighn C.

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia