Too often Christians accept the wisdom of the world instead of really looking at what the Word of God says. This is especially true when it comes to survival preparedness. The wisdom of the world says you had better have a way to defend yourself against the mindless hoards of killers, rapists and thieves.
One of the most commonly recommended methods of defense is a firearm. Which is why almost every person who is preparing is also accumulating at least one or more firearms along with a good supply of ammunition. Even a brief visit to any online survival group and a look through their archives will reveal a number of conversations about the wisdom of having a gun, rifle or shotgun.
However, what's the wisdom of the Word say? First of all, before I get to much further into this, let me point out that I believe in the right to keep and bear arms, and I would not hesitate to use a gun to defend a loved one.
Having said that I am beginning to wonder if that's just worldly wisdom seeping into my mind. What does the Word say about defending oneself?
Since we are talking about the end times, look at this:
Psalms 20:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
Here is says that in the "day of trouble"...which is a term associate with end times (day of wrath, day of the Lord, day of darkness, etc.) Here it says that God Himself will defend. That's one...are there others?
Psa 7:10 My defense is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
Psa 31:2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for a house of defense to save me.
Psa 59:9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defense.
Psa 59:16-17 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. 17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.
Psa 62:2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.
Psa 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved.
Psa 94:22 But the LORD is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
Does the Word say that God is our protection and refuge?
Psa 46:1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Deu 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Psa 145:20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
Pro 3:26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. What takes a foot but a trap. Here is a promise that God will protect from "running" into traps.
Psa 37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. It's interesting that here the Word says that the "arms of the wicked that be broken" when today we use the word "arms" to describe weapons.
Does that mean we should not have firearms? That's something you have to decide for yourself; it's between you and your God. However, here's something to think about:
Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Here is clearly says that if a sword (major weapon of the day) is used to kill then whoever uses the sword will be killed. Since the gun is the major weapon of today this could mean that if the saints rely on a physical weapon to protect and defend them that they can expect to be killed that way.
Since the weapon spoken of figuratively in the New Testament is the Sword of the Word, is it possible that we are to use the Word of God as protection? That idea would seem to be confirmed by:
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Here it says that it is the "word" of the saints' testimony that allows them to overcome "him" being the Antichrist. Since it's Satan who controls the Antichrist and those other enemies that would attempt to attack or destroy us then it's the Sword or the Word of God that we are to use.
Will I have a gun? Yes, at least for hunting. Will I use it to defend myself or loved ones?....that is a question that can only be answered at that time. It's a question I will have to answer for myself, as you will have to decide for yourself where you stand.
