The Belt Of Truth Series

May 30, 2020

Next Sabbath – June 6th – is the 76th anniversary of D-Day - Operation Overlord. It was the largest amphibious invasion in military history and one of the greatest achievements of the war – According to the History Channel:

• The Combined Forces of the US, Britain, Canada = 156,115 men – stormed 50 miles of heavenly defended beaches – a part of Hitler’s Atlantic wall {5 beaches - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, Sword} on France’s Normandy coast.

• Approximately 13,000 paratroopers jumped and 4,000 glider troops landed behind enemy lines in the hours leading up to the beach landings.

• 6939 – Ships and landing craft.

• 2395 – Aircraft.

• 867 – Gliders

By June 11 all 5 beaches were secure – less than a year later Hitler was dead by his own hand and the war in Europe was over.

As great as the achievements were on that day and the days following, D-Day didn’t happen by chance – it was intentionally planned and prepared for. From nearly the start of the war, allied leaders knew that a massive invasion of mainland Europe would be necessary to win the war – but early on the allies were not prepared for a large-scale invasion. Planning began in earnest in January 1944 for what would become known as D-Day.

• For the paratroopers jumping behind the lines there was an additional level of preparedness needed. They had to assume that they would be on their own or fighting in small groups for an extended period of time, so they carried every possible thing they MIGHT need – Some paratroopers report carrying an additional 100 lbs of equipment when they jumped into France.

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Paul alludes to Spiritual warfare in the book of Ephesians, but in the heart of chapter 6 he finally comes right out with it:

• Be strong {from which we get the word Dynamite} in the mighty power of God – who’s explosive power? GODS.

• Put on the full armor of God – don’t leave off one piece.

• Stand {eyeball to eyeball} against the devil’s schemes.

BECAUSE

• Ephesians 6:12 - Our 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.

• 1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Paul wanted his readers to know that they are facing an ANGRY foe who is REAL and POWERFUL.

With relentless consistency, Satan will bombard every Christian with temptations, trials, and persecutions. In short, we have an enemy who is in the destroying business and he has declared war on us.

One of the greatest weakness within the Christian World is the belief that Satan is fictional or just a weird guy who wears red PJ’s – that he is NOT all that powerful – and that is a part of his “craftiness” {see Genesis 3} – after all if he isn’t all that powerful, then there is no need to prepare for battle against him….

• Ellen White {4T 212} – We must put on the armor and be prepared to successfully resist all the attacks of Satan. His malignity and cruel power are not sufficiently estimated. When he finds himself foiled upon one point he takes new ground and fresh tactics, and tries again, working wonders in order to deceive and destroy the children of men.

The context of these verses makes clear that humans CANNOT resist Satan in their own power and if they try, they WILL be overcome {See Genesis 3} Knowing this, God says:

THEREFORE

• Put on the WHOLE ARMOR of God,

SO THAT

• when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand – Ephesians 6:13.

Christian Victory doesn’t happen by accident. It must be actively and intentionally planned and prepared for and it’s important to note that we are not told to put on our own armor but GOD’S armor – in other words, we do not have to go to the military surplus store and buy our own armor. God has provided it for us. It is armor that He himself has worn that he provides for his people:

• Isaiah 11:5 - Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

• Isaiah 52:7 - How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

• Isaiah 59:17 - He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.