THE PHENOMENON OF CHRISTOLOGY
The ninth phenomenon of Christology is that the six significant
elements as spiritual weapon to defeat the satanic attack and Darkness forces
of evil. Christianities understand the spiritual warfare before the creation of
man. In
Gen.3 Satan was a serpent, Satan’s rebellion against God, and he was judged and
sentenced to be case into sheol (Hades). Through the seventy disciples
(Luke10:1), Christ on the cross (Heb.2:14;John12:31), the man-child and Michael
before the great tribulation, when Satan will be case down to the earth
(Rev.12:5,7-10,13), and through the angel before the millennium, when Satan
will be cast into the abyss, the bottomless pit (Rev.20:1-3), Finally, Satan
will be cast into the lake of fire to suffer the punishment of eternal fire
after the millennium (Rev.20:10) for eternity. Christians who want to live in
the victory life, they need six significant elements as spiritual weapon. Full of Armor of God (Eph6:13); the
breastplate of righteousness (Eph.6:14); Gospel of peace; Helmet of salvation; Shield
of faith and the sword of spirit (Eph.6:17). These six spiritual elements
empower Christianities to stand firm and fight good fight of faith in this Dark
Age and live a victorious Christians’ life. This make Christology phenomenon.( By
Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce 2017)
Introduction
Living in this Dark Age, and
face spiritual warfare, how to overcome a satanic attack and live in unity? What
did Jesus urge His disciples? And what elements can result in victorious life? Christianities
emphasize the six significant elements as spiritual weapon to defeat the
satanic attack and evil forces in this Dark Age. First, full armor of God (Eph6:13);
Second, the breastplate of righteousness (Eph.6:14); Third, Gospel of peace;
Fourth, helmet of salvation; Fifth, shield of faith; Sixth, the sword of spirit
(Eph.6:17). In the spiritual warfare against Satan and his evil kingdom,
Christians can fight only in God’s strength, not in themselves, whenever they
are in themselves, they are defeated. Church is seen as a warrior for the
defeating of God’s enemy, the devil. And six spiritual elements empower
Christianities to stand firm, fight good fight of faith in this Dark Age, and
live a victorious Christian’s life. These victorious factors develop the ninth
phenomenon of Christology.
Biblical precepts of a dragon, “δράκων”,
“龍 蛇”( lueng’ shie’), a name
for Satan
The followers of Christ and
disciples are aware of Satan’s scheme, and Devil’s intention. Devil constantly
creates the sense of fear, worry, depression, and anxiety in Christians’ life,
it results Christians afraid to stand for the name of Jesus Christ, and fear to
testify of Christ, because of afraid to be rejected or isolated. Satan will not
stop to steal, destroy, and kill, until Christians give up their faith, hope
and love in Christ. Christians’ struggle is not against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark
world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
According to the book of Revelation 12:3,4,7,9,13,16,17;13:2,4,11;16:13;20:2,10
describes dragon as follows,
And
there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having
seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.(Rev.12:3).And there was war in heaven: Michael
and his angels fought against the dragon;
and the dragon fought and his angels (Rev.12:7). And the great
dragon was cast out,
that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole
world: he was cast out into the
earth, and his angels were cast out with him.(Rev.12:9). And when the dragon saw that
he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child
(Rev.12:13).And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up
the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. (Rev.12:16).
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with
the remnant of her seed, which keep the
commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ. (Rev.12:17). The devil who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur where the beast and
the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev.20:10).
In Greek the “δράκων” drakōn means, “a dragon, a great serpent, a name for Satan”. In Chinese literally
says,
“龍
蛇” ( lueng’ shie’). It signifies Satan in Gen.3. Satan was a serpent, a smaller
creature, a subtle one. He has become a dragon, much larger than a serpent and
cruel. Therefore, he is called “a great red dragon” (Rev.12:3). Red here
signifies the shedding of blood caused by Satan’s murders (Jh.8:44). The seven
heads and ten horns are those of the beast, antichrist (13:1). This indicates
that the dragon and the beast are one and antichrist is the embodiment of Satan.
The dragon stood before the woman signifies that Satan is always against the
people of God, opposing them. From the time of Gen.3:15 to this day, Satan, the
ancient serpent, has been fighting continually against the woman with the
intention of devouring her child. In the Bible, woman signifies the weaker
one and man the stronger one. The man-child signifies the stronger part
of God’s people. That the man-child is to shepherd all the nations with an iron,
the man-child consists of the overcomers. The dragon is angry because he
has been cast down and limited to the earth, thereby losing his territory in
the heavens and in the air. Satan, the angry dragon, will concentrate his
hatred upon God’s people. In Rev.12:17 indicate that dragon went to make war with
the remnant of her seed, which signifies the people of God other than the
man-child; those people constitute the weaker part of the woman. Among them,
some are the Jews, who keep the commandments of God, and some are the
believers, who have the testimony of Jesus. Both will pass through the great
tribulation and suffer the dragon’s persecution and attack.
How to overcome the dragon (Satan- the ancient serpent) in this era?
- 1) By believing the Lord gave authority to the disciples to subdue the Satan and Demons. As Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Luke10:18). Satan’s rebellion against God, before the creation of man, he was judged and sentenced to be case into sheol (Hades), to the recesses (the deepest part) of the pit (Isa.14:15; Ezek.28:17). Then God began to execute the sentence He had imposed on him. He has executed, and will execute, his sentence on different occasions and to different degrees, such as through the seventy disciples (Luke10:1), Christ on the cross (Heb.2:14;John12:31), the man-child and Michael before the great tribulation, when Satan will be case down to the earth (Rev.12:5,7-10,13), and through the angel before the millennium, when Satan will be cast into the abyss, the bottomless pit (Rev.20:1-3), Finally, Satan will be cast into the lake of fire to suffer the punishment of eternal fire after the millennium (Rev.20:10) for eternity.
- 2) By testifying and declare with the uttered word the Lord’s victory over him.
Jesus urged His disciples, "I
have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you
will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world. (Jh.16: 33). "Peace I leave with you; my peace I
give you. I do not give to you as the world gives, do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.” (John14:27). In this era, all saints need to testify that
the devil has been judged by the Lord. Whenever we sense the devil’s
accusation, we should verbally testify how the Lord has already dealt with him.
We must declare with the uttered word the Lord’s victory over him.
- 3) By the powerful name –Jesus as Jesus' prayer in John 17 indicates the significant element to protect believers and disciples from evil one. That is his powerful name “Jesus”. He prayed, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from evil one. Holy Father, Protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me so that they may be one as we are one (v.11). We who follow Jesus Christ have an enemy, and his name is Satan (Mark1:13). A created being, Satan is loose in the world but limited in what he can carry out against us. Satan's schemes and intends to draw us away from God through both direct and subtle means. Satan intends to thwart God's purpose in our lives by getting us out of our Father's will. Or deny God His rightful glory and honor, which results from our choosing to live obedient lives. But Jesus said, "Take heart! I have overcome". Christians believe “Jesus Christ is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John4:4)
Today, there are many dividing walls between people. Human nature
is no different in the modern age than it was in the first century: Power,
pride, and privilege still dominate in the kingdom of darkness. Unfortunately,
many dividing walls also exist in the Christian community. Yet, the gospel of
Jesus Christ is just as powerful today in "Making the two into
one new man, thus establishing peace".(Eph.2:15) It doesn't matter
what the barriers are -we can overcome them by
recognizing that we all have our access to the Father through the same Spirit.
(Eph.2:18). As Apostle Paul spoke to the church in Ephesus, "Now in
Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood
of Christ. For He himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and
broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.” (Eph.2:13-14). In the
Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of peacemakers (Matt.5:9) some people do have
a way about them that brings peace wherever they go. All of us, however, can
become peacemakers because, as 1 Corinthians7:15 says, "God has called
us to peace." and " if possible, so far as it depends on you, be at
peace with all men." (Rom.12:18). Jesus made it clear that unity
within the church is a top priority. It doesn't really matter whether we
have offended others or they have offended us in either case, we should take
the initiative to be reconciled with our brothers. Even if a brother will not
listen, we can still pursue the things which make for peace and the building up
of one another (Rom.14:19). Accept one’s faith is weak, without passing
judgment on disputable matters. Everyone must submit himself to the governing
authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God. Christians shall pursue
what they consider good not to be spoken of as evil.
- 4) By take up the six elements as spiritual weapon in Book of Ephesians 6:10-18
How
to overcome a satanic attack? Christians need to know there are six elements in
Ephesians six in order to stand firm in this Dark Age and live a victorious
Christians’ life. The six elements as
follows,
Ø
First,
we need to take up the “full of Armor of God”(Eph6:13). In
the spiritual warfare against Satan and his evil kingdom, we can fight only in
the Lord’s strength, not in our selves, whenever we are in ourselves, we are
defeated. Church is seen as a warrior for the defeating of God’s enemy, the
devil. To defeat God’s enemy, we need to put on the whole armor of God. To
fight the spiritual warfare, we need not only the power of the Lord but also
the armor of God. Our weapons do not avail, but God’s armor, even the whole
armor of God, does avail. The whole armor of God is for the
entire Body of Christ, not for any individual member of the
Body. The church is a corporate warrior, and the believers are parts of this
unique warrior. Only the corporate warrior, not any individual believer, can
wear the whole armor of God. We must fight the spiritual warfare in the
Body, not as individuals.
Ø Second, the breastplate of righteousness is to cover our
conscience, signified by the breast. Satan is the one who accuses us. In
fighting against him we need a conscience void of offense. Regardless of how
clear we feel our conscience is, it needs to be covered with the breastplate of
righteousness, to be righteous
is to be right with bother God and man. If we are just a litter wrong with
either God or man, Satan will accuse us and there will be holes in our
conscience through which all our faith and boldness will leak out. Therefore,
we need the covering of righteousness to protect us from the enemy’s
accusation. Such righteousness is Christ. (1Cor.1:10).
Ø
Third, “Gospel of
peace” means the Christ made peace for us, with both God and man, on
the cross, and this peace has become our gospel. This gospel of peace has been
established as a firm foundation as a readiness with which our feet may be
shod. Being thus shod, we will have a firm footing what we may stand to fight
the spiritual warfare. The peace for such a firm foundation also is Christ.
Ø
Fourth, “Helmet of
salvation” is for covering our mind, our mentality against the negative
thoughts shot in by the evil one. Such a helmet, such a covering is God’s
salvation. Satan injects threats, worries, anxieties, and other weakening thoughts
into our mind. God’s salvation is the covering that we take up against all
these. Such a salvation is the saving Christ whom we experience in our daily
life.
Ø
Fifth, “Shield of
faith”. In Eph.6:16 indicate that believers need to take up “the shield
of faith”, with which they will be able to quench all the flaming darts of the
evil one. “The flaming darts” are Satan’s temptations, proposals, doubts,
questions, lies, and attacks. Flaming darts were used by fighters in the
apostle’s time. The apostle used this term to illustrate Satan’s attacks on us.
Therefore, believers need “Shield of faith” to protect ourselves
against the attacks of the enemy. And to have our loins girded with truth, our
conscience covered with righteousness, our feet shod with peace, and our entire
being protected with the shield of faith. If we live by God as reality (truth),
we have righteousness. And righteousness issues in peace. Having all these, we
can easily have faith as a shield against the evil one’s flaming darts. Christ
is the Author and Perfecter of such faith. For us to stand firmly in the
battle, we need to be equipped with all these four time of God’s armor.
Ø
Sixth, “sword of the
spirit” (Eph.6:17). It indicates not sword, but “Spirit” which is “Word
of God”. Both the Spirit and the Word are Christ (2cor.3:17; Rev.19:13).
Christ as the Spirit and the word furnishes us with a sword as an offensive
weapon to defeat and slay the enemy. “The spirit is the word of God” meant the
instant word spoken at the moment by the Spirit in any situation. The sword,
the spirit, and the word are one. When the constant word in the Bible becomes
the instant word, that word is the Spirit as the sword that defeats the enemy.
Therefore, to memorize Word of God is important to all the disciples and
believers.
Through it all, God's intention to His people are good
not evil. So that Christ may make His home in all the believers' hearts through
faith. And being rooted and grounded in love. And be full of
strength to apprehend with all the saints what the breadth and length and
height and depth are. And to know the knowledge-surpassing love of Christ, that
all the saints may be filled unto all the fullness of God. For to Him who is
able to do super abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the
power which operates in us. (Eph.6:17-20). For this cause I bow my knees unto
the Father, of whom every family in the heavens and on earth is named, that He
would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with
power through His Spirit into the inner man. That Christ may make His home in
your hearts through faith.(Eph.3:14-17).
Conclusion
The ninth phenomenon of
Christology unveils the powerful name of Jesus, and six elements of victory of
Christian’s life. They need to believe Jesus’ powerful name and authority that
He gave to them can triumph the serpents and scorpions and over all the power
of the enemy. Christians can fight only in the Lord’s strength, not in
themselves, whenever they are in themselves, they are defeated. Church is as a
warrior for the defeating of God’s enemy, the devil. The followers of Christ
need to stand firm for the word of God and not be shaken. For the Satan’s
rebellion against God, before the creation of man, he was judged and sentenced
to be case into sheol (Hades), to the recesses (the deepest part) of the pit
(Isa.14:15; Ezek.28:17). through the seventy disciples (Luke10:1), Christ
on the cross (Heb.2:14;John12:31), the man-child and Michael before
the great tribulation, when Satan will be case down to the earth
(Rev.12:5,7-10,13), and through the angel before the millennium, when Satan
will be cast into the abyss, the bottomless pit (Rev.20:1-3), Finally, Satan
will be cast into the lake of fire to suffer the punishment of eternal fire
after the millennium (Rev.20:10) for eternity. All the disciples, followers of
Christ must be aware that the whole armor of God is for the entire Body
of Christ, not for any individual member of the Body. The church is a corporate
warrior, and the believers are parts of this unique warrior. Only the corporate
warrior, not any individual believer, can wear the whole armor of God. We
must fight the spiritual warfare in the Body, not as individuals. Christians need
the covering of righteousness to protect them from the enemy’s accusation, such
righteousness is Christ. (1Cor.1:10). And “Helmet of
salvation” is for covering our mind, our mentality against the negative
thoughts shot in by the evil one. Believers need to take up “the shield of
faith”, with which they will be able to quench all the flaming darts of the
evil one. And take up “sword of the spirit”, it indicates not sword, but
“Spirit” which is “Word of God”. Both the Spirit and the Word are Christ
(2cor.3:17; Rev.19:13). When the constant word in the Bible becomes the instant
word, that word is the Spirit as the sword that defeats the enemy. These six
elements are significant spiritual weapon, it enables Christianities stand firm
for their faith in this Dark Age. Hence, these victorious factors develop the ninth
phenomenon of Christology.
Bibliography,
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Brown, Robert, Philip
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Friberg, Timothy, Barbara Friberg, and
Neva F. Miller et al., eds. Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament.1st
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Lee, Witness. The
New Testament (R.V.) Anaheim, CA: Living Stream Ministry, 1985.
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Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible
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