By Chuck Reber 

The Church today is engaged in a time of war that is unprecedented in all her history. I recently read an article concerning how the magnificent, luxury cruise ship the Queen Mary, had been converted into a troop carrier ship during WW II. Her regal decks were of little use to a nation in the grips of world war. Thus the radical transformation of the Queen Mary was underway. That article really arrested my mind and got me thinking seriously about a wartime lifestyle.

Historically, when a nation went to war, her priorities would undergo radical changes in order to facilitate the demands of war. During war, the daily cares of life drop on the list of priorities and a single focus is embraced...the war effort. While some young men go off to battle, others re-enlist. Older men stay at home, but eagerly lend their support in other ways. Every family sacrifices the non-essentials in order that more can be contributed to winning the war. Factories change their product manufacturing in order to produce materials needed for the war. Again, the entire nation in some way becomes involved in the war, for they know that if the war is lost, both their lives and the lives of their loved ones are at stake. People stay informed too, because the lives of their sons, fathers, and countrymen are at risk, the people at home will watch and keep track of every move in the war. They learn the names of every island, every beachhead, every country, every body of water, and of every general involved in war.

The Bible describes the Church as God’s “Holy Nation” (1 Pet 2:9). This Holy Nation, among other things, is God’s army on this earth. Jesus, the Captain of the Lord of Hosts, is our Commander and Chief. Multitudes of angels are His “secret agents” sent out to minister on behalf of His army. I believe that the Lord is saying that His Church is handling this portion of the war against the powers of darkness, just like the United States treated the Vietnam War, and the more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I want to present five analogies that I believe are prophetic parallels for this hour.

1) The Church refuses to admit it is at war...all out war. Even though our Commander-in-Chief has declared the holy nation to be at war, some leaders still refuse to recognize His authority to do so. We are treating this war as though it is just a “police action” or a mere "conflict,” and not an all out war. Yet if you look at the number of casualties, you will notice that they are much greater in number than a Police Action would warrant. This distorted perspective has confronted us with the second parallel.

2) The Church is not geared-up to sacrifice, as a nation should when it goes to war. Materialism, the American dream, and love of pleasure have so captured our hearts that while our young men go off to battle and lay down their lives; we go on with life and business as usual. For most, there is very little personal sacrifice. Corporately even less, and nationally...well, forget it! Instead of unity of mind and purpose we are still fighting one another, still looking out for our own well being, numb to the fact that the war is claiming the lives of people every day. The reality of war and its cost is far removed from us. Some among us, however, have been to the battlefront and returned. These know the cold, stark reality of war. Others, having loved ones on the front lines, know too well the sacrifice that an all out war demands.

3) We have some in our ranks that are pacifists, who are crying, ”love and peace, not war,” as the battle rages on. They refuse to fight, while unjustly judging those who do. God has drafted them into the battle, but they have burned their draft cards in rebellion. They persecute those who have returned from the fray, refusing to give them the honor and recognition due a true soldier.

4) We treat those who have fought as though they are fanatics and mere adventure seekers. Those involved in this war realize that the enemy (Satan) will use every devious means possible to achieve victory. No life is precious to him, not even a child’s. Even as the enemy used little children wired with bombs to kill and maim, he is doing the same with this generation of young people. Abortion, child abuse, child pornography, drug and alcohol addiction among children and teens, twelve and fourteen year old prostitutes (both male and female), and babies born with AIDS are just a few of his ruthless attacks.

5) Primarily professional soldiers and bureaucrats have run the war. The religious “big wigs” who sit in posts of ease, in the security and comfort of their organizations, while making decisions based on politics, popularity, and personal gain, rather than strategizing for victory and sacrificing for the lives of their soldiers.

True authority is earned through love not by rank. There is a “changing of the guard” in leadership today. A new breed of warriors has emerged on the scene. Servant leaders, who will lay down their lives for the sake of their men, will lead the troops into the fight. These soldiers will lead not because of rank, but by example. Their call to battle will be, ”follow me as I follow Christ,” because “these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (1 Cor 11:1; Rev 14:4b). We have far too many POWs (Prisoners of War) in the Church; and thousands more that are MIAs (Missing in Action), or should I say, those who are MFA (Missing From Action) because they never even showed up for the fight!

The hours ahead will demand a show down of strength. Will we be prepared for an all out assault of the enemy? Heaven's Intelligence warns us that the enemy is about to attack us “with great wrath, because he knows he has but a short time” (Rev 12:12). Let us learn from the mistakes of the past and listen for the prophetic voice of the Holy Spirit. Then let us follow our glorious Captain into the battle until “the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." (Rev 11:15)

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