Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:10-11
Connecting Scriptures is one of my favorite things to do. While in Kenya, I was reading from Ephesians 6 concerning the armor we are to put on. Then I flipped to Revelation and my eyes lighted on chapter 19. And they connected!
The armor of God is Jesus.
Jesus is our armor.
According to Ephesians chapter 6, we are to put on the armor of faith, truth, salvation, and the Word of God. And Jesus is all these things! He is our faith and the truth. He is our salvation. He is the Word of God. We are to “clothe [ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). Are you amazed like I am? Let’s walk through this a little bit together.
WAR
Ephesians says: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (6:12). Armor is necessary because we are in a spiritual battle. Revelation says: “With justice He [Jesus] judges and makes war. . . . The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses” (19:11, 14). There is a war, and Jesus is leading the charge victoriously.
TRUTH & FAITH
Ephesians says: “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist . . . [and] take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (6:14, 16). Truth should surround and uphold us, like a belt, while faith is defensive protection against active enemy strikes, like a shield. Revelation says: “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose Rider [Jesus] is called Faithful and True” (19:11). He Himself is the embodiment of faithfulness and truth.
PEACE
Ephesians says: “. . . with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (6:15). We walk in peace, ready to share the good news of the gospel. Truly, “how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace” (Isaiah 52:7). Revelation says: “His [Jesus’] eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns” (19:12). Jesus wears a crown of royalty as our Prince of Peace (Isaiah 6:9). He Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
RIGHTEOUSNESS & SALVATION
Ephesians says: “. . . with the breastplate of righteousness in place . . . [also] take the helmet of salvation” (6:14, 17). Righteousness is armor to cover the chest, protection for our soul. Salvation is armor to cover the head; His salvation is our shelter. Revelation says: “He [Jesus] is dressed in a robe dipped in blood” (19:13). Through the shedding of His blood on the cross, Jesus became our righteousness and our salvation. “Through the obedience [to death] of the one man the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19).
WORD OF GOD
Ephesians says: “Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (6:17). Jesus is the Word made flesh and the Word of God is revealed in Jesus (John 1)! Revelation says: “His name is the Word of God. . . . Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations” (19:13, 15). The connection here is remarkable to me: we are to take up a sword and out of Jesus’ mouth comes a sword. Both swords are the Word of God!
. . . and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:
And so we stand, ready for battle, clothed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Though war wages within, around, and against us, He Himself is our truth, faith, peace, righteousness, salvation, and Word of God. We lift our eyes to Jesus, knowing victory is sure to come–if not in this life, most assuredly in the life to come.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.