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(The Divine Armor Part 1)

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11,12)

his is a very well known passage to most Christians, as are the verses which follow it, Ephesians 6:13-17, which describe the “Whole Armor of God.” This is a collection of concepts, symbolically likened unto physical armor, which would maintain a faithful follower of Christ in even the most extreme of situations. As with Yahshua, Paul spoke in parables, drawing imagery from the battle gear worn by the Roman soldiers which were a common sight to all of the “civilized world” in that day. Anyone reading these words would know fully well the principles behind the illustrations, and could intelligently apply what he or she had learned from the resulting mental picture.

Let us therefore take a deeper look at these spiritual items mentioned, and perhaps by examining the details of the metaphor, we may also be able to appreciate the simple, yet brilliant comparisons used by the writer of that book. Though the list as it is given begins with the “loins girt about with truth,” (Eph 6:14) I will begin here “at the top” as it were with the helmet. A believer would do well to look first to his/her head in these confusing times.

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:17)

The first question I will ask is: Why a helmet? Why could not the loins be girt with salvation? Why not have a breastplate of salvation to protect the chest? Wouldn’t salvation make a good shield? If studying the Scriptures teaches us anything, it’s that Yah has a reason for everything He does, and can therefore be trusted implicitly, not only with our earthly lives, but also with our eternal existence. There is therefore a good reason salvation is a helmet, and that very reason is because salvation (our eternal existence) is based upon trust.

Trust, faith... all of these begin in the mind. The book of Proverbs has much to say on the subject of wisdom. “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retaineth her.” (Pro 3:13,14&18) Even more emphatically, the sage declares, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.” (Pro 4:7,9&10)

How important wisdom is! It is compared to a most desirable woman, and moreover she bears many gifts, including a happy and long life, riches (both earthly and spiritual) and honor (3:17); not to mention the crown of life itself, as Paul alludes to in what was probably his final letter: 2 Timothy. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” (2 Tim 4:7,8) What confidence! Paul was not yet dead, and surely the threat of death must have been a trying ordeal, yet he did not even consider the possibility that he might deny Christ and save his life.

Already had he clamed the victory over this world, though still in it, and looked forward with unshakeable faith to an unwavering final chapter in his ministry, that of sealing his testimony. Who wants to die? But Paul was ready, for he had wisdom enough to know that true peace and true joy can only be found in a world ruled by Yahshua the Christ, and not it’s current, wretched usurper.

So, where do we get this wisdom? Where do we find this wonderful lady, to persuade her to dwell with us all our days, giving us peace in this life (as much as it is possible to have) and confidence even in the face of death and judgment? Naturally, Proverbs has the answer to this as well: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Pro 1:7) It has a beginning, you see, and that beginning is a choice, a decision.

The word “fool” is used often in the book of Proverbs, but it does not usually denote someone who is mentally deficient or slow of understanding. Rather, the word “fool” is translated from five or so different Hebrew words, including: peti, kesil, les, nabal, eviyl, and so on. Each of these has a slightly different connotation, but all have a common element. Whereas a wise person follows a certain path, that of humility, caution and self control, a fool walks another road, adorned by pride, haste and self gratification. A fool may indeed be clever, but all his wonderful resources are employed in fruitless ventures, in seeking ways to justify a spirit of rebellion.

The wise man’s path, righteousness, has at its end life. The fool’s path, folly, has its end in dust, ashes and sorrow – if he is lucky. But someone may choose which path to follow. “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” (Pro 1:5) Like misery, wisdom also loves company, and one who wishes to walk the path of righteousness will seek after wisdom, understanding, and knowledge which has its beginning in respect and reverence for Yah the Father.

Salvation is a helmet, because it protects the head, the brain, the seat of the mind. This is where the decision is made – salvation is a free gift, and given to all, but it is our choice whether to accept it or reject it. Christ Yahshua died for everyone on earth, but not all will stand and say, “Thank you, Lord, I accept.” Why is the grace of Yah not as manifest as in the days of the apostles? Why are the prophecies slow in coming, and the healing so rare? Jeremiah tells us: “... thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms [spiritual unfaithfulness, in this case] and with thy wickedness. Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.” (Jer 3:2,3)

It is upon the forehead that mankind will be sealed for Yah (Rev 7:3) or marked for the Beast, if one chooses his way (Rev 13:16). It is an individual’s choice which determines his eternal destiny. “For [prayer] is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2:4) Yah desires that we all choose righteousness, the path of knowledge, and come to accept His saving grace. But we are not slaves, and He will force no one into Heaven. We must have “faith unfeigned” the apostle writes (1 Tim 1:5); that is, a true and honest trust in Christ and Him who sent the sacrifice.

Notice that while a helmet leaves the front open, for a soldier to see, it also protects the back of the head. This is faith – that we do all we know is right, acting with earnest effort on what we can perceive, but we also trust that Yah will preserve us against that which we have no control over; that which we cannot see or prepare for. Salvation does not blind us, but it covers us, and guards us from unforeseen danger. Salvation is a helmet – it is for the highest place on the body, the head, and it protects all the body from assaults directed downwards unto us, against “spiritual wickedness in high places.”

This is the “Seal of God” in our foreheads – that we have intelligently, completely and consistently chosen the Righteousness of Christ for our clothing, forsaking the folly of our past lives, and moving on, confident, as was Paul, that we are done with doubt and a diluted faith. Faith, John writes, is the Victory over the world (1 John 5:4) and it leads to obedience to the law of love (5:3), ultimately resulting in eternal life (5:11). True faith, based upon constant love, is that which enables us to keep ourselves separate from the desolation of known sin, and even the “smell of smoke,” leaving us free to claim eternal life even before death, as did Christ (John 16:33,17:4), Paul (2 Tim 4:7), Stephen (Acts 7:56), Peter (2 Peter 3:13), John (1 John 5:18,19) and Jude (Jude 24). This is the gift of prophecy at its highest level! This is when we know we shall NOT fail nor be discouraged, and when we grasp the victory and receive the seal.

Look again upon the helmet:

Notice the mark upon the forehead:

This stamp of approval from the Father bears His Name, and the authority by which He claims us as His own. See The Seal of God for more details on this symbol.

The helmet is our covering, our protection and our promise of a coming covering for our heads, the crown of life. It is the guardian of our senses, as the head contains our majority of sensory organs, and enables us to see the “straight paths” for our feet (Heb 12:13) which our Savior graciously provides for us. Some Christians have listed the “major” sins to be Pride, Envy, Sloth, Wrath, Greed, Lust and Gluttony. Of course, we know that there are no “major” sins, per se, and the “soul which sinneth, it shall die,” (Ezek 18:4) but these are perhaps useful categories we can use to examine the natural results of the real problem – a rebellious spirit.

If a man cannot be saved by works, how can he therefore be damned thereby? Rather, if a man is righteous, he will do good works naturally. Similarly, if a man is yet to accept the grace of Christ, he will sin – naturally. The difference is the Grace of Yah, and it is obtained by us choosing to accept it. Of the “Seven Deadly Sins” above, we see that of them all, Gluttony is that which is most associated with the senses. This is a tendency towards unrestrained indulgence, not only in food (which is the most common modern meaning), but in all aspects of life. While the Spirit counsels “every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things,” (1 Cor 9:25) “The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalms 14:1) and rushes headlong into getting all he can out of this life.

If such is the case, he has his reward (and no more) in the pale and insipid pleasures of the fallen earth. But we, who have the Helmet of Salvation, we look forward by faith to a better country. We need only abandon our previous “forehead” and choose to accept the seal of Victory. We need only decide that life is better than death, righteousness better than folly, and Yah a better ruler than Satan. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John17:3) You can have this gift NOW, if you choose to accept it. You also may put on the helmet of salvation and watch with joy as you gain access to the other pieces of armor. Who will be protected in the coming days of wrath? “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God, and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying ‘Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.’” (Rev 7:2,3) “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” (Titus 2:11) “For He saith, ‘I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee,’ behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:2)

David.

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