Lesson 12 Review: The Call to Stand

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10, 11, ESV).

Like Elisha's prayer for God to open the eyes of his servant who was overwhelmed by the sight of a hostile army, Paul's prayer for believers is for an enhanced vision of the full reality of the great controversy and for believers to draw hope from the full reality of the great controversy.

How does Paul conclude Ephesians?

Paul concludes Ephesians with a call to battle, urging believers to take their stand in the church’s war against evil (Ephesians 6:10-20).

He begins with an overarching exhortation “to be strong in the Lord” (Eph. 6:10), which he repeats as a call to put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11). He specifies the purpose why we must put on the whole armor of God, and that is to enable us to be able to stand against the devil's schemes (Eph. 6:11). Paul then offers a rationale: the battle is against spiritual forces of evil (Eph. 6:12).

He then reissues the call to arms: “take up the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13) in order to stand firm in battle.

Then finally, He invites believers now fully armed and ready to enter the fray to do what soldiers in ancient times might do – and that is, to pray (Eph. 6:18-20).

What do Paul's battle exhortations signal?

Paul’s battle exhortations signal the mission of the church in terms of military conflict and weapons.

How are we to derive our victory over the devil?

Victory results from depending on the presence and power of God and not in the superiority of our weapons or army.

What are the themes Paul makes bold in exhorting believers in the conclusion of Ephesians?

1.      Active in pursuing the church’s mission.

2.      Attentive to the unseen dimensions that impact their lives and witness.

3.      Cognizant of the Divine provision for their success.

4.      Always alert to the importance of unity and collaboration among believers.

Who does Paul identify as the source of believers’ strength?

Paul identifies Christ as the source of believers’ strength with his phrase, “in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10, NKJV).

How do we know that the triune God is involved in strengthening believers for spiritual combat against evil?

God makes His power available as the “armor of God” (Eph. 6:11, 13; compare Isa. 59:17).

Paul's initial command identifies Christ as active in providing strength for believers (Eph. 6:10).

 Earlier, Paul identified the Spirit as active in strengthening believers. Paul prayed that God may grant you “to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being” (Eph. 3:16, ESV). The Spirit issues “the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). Believers are also to pray “at all times in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18, ESV).

Why does Paul use military language in his exhortation to believers?

Paul frequently uses military language and imagery in his letters, inviting believers to mimic exemplary, soldierly behavior.

This is a way of understanding the gospel story, having conquered the “rulers and authorities” at the cross (Col. 2:15, ESV), the exalted Christ now works out the results of that victory from His position of exalted Lord over the powers (Phil. 2:9-11).

Thus imagery also leads believers recruited in the Army of Light to the grand day of victory.

This imagery helps us understand that the conflict between good and evil is a long-running cosmic one.

What elements does Paul draw together concerning the cosmic war that he has already used?

God’s empowering of believers with immense “power” (Eph. 1:18-20; Eph. 3:16, 20);

Christ’s victory and exaltation above the powers (Eph. 1:20-23);

Believers as the resurrected army of the once-dead but now empowered by their identity with the exalted Christ and able to fight against their former, dark master (Eph. 2:1-10);

The church’s role in revealing to the powers their coming doom (Eph. 3:10);

The use of Psalm 68:18 to portray Christ as the conquering, divine Warrior (Eph. 4:7-11);

And the call for Believers to “put on” gospel clothing (Eph. 4:20-24).

What is the hope for all Believers from the military imagery?

When called to put on God's “full armor,” we are well prepared to understand the central role of cosmic conflict, but also, we are to remain firm in the assurance that we have in participating in Christ’s ultimate victory.

What three successive actions must take place if a side must be victorious according to the writings of Thucydides, one of the great classical authors of battle literature?

1.      Soldiers must “close with the enemy,” which means they must march to meet their foes; then,

2.      They must attack and “stand fast,” or “stand our ground,” fighting hand-to-hand with their foes; and finally,

3.      They must “beat back the enemy”

See Wednesday’s lesson for references.

What was the great challenge of ancient battle?

‘Standing firm, holding one’s ground at this strategic moment, was the great challenge of ancient battle.’

What does Paul mean when he says Believers should stand?

This is no relaxed stance! To “stand,” then, means to be vigorously engaged in battle, employing every weapon in close-order combat, a point obvious from Paul’s earlier exhortation to be “found standing firm in one Spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27, ESV).

How does Paul describe our struggle as believers?

Our struggle as believers is described by Paul as a wrestle against evil powers. Wrestling is identified as an excellent preparation for battle, hence making Wrestling the appropriate description for the struggle believers face against evil powers.

What are the titles Paul gives the evil powers in Ephesians?

Ephesians 1:21	Ephesians 3:10	Ephesians 6:12
every ruler (or every rule)	the rulers	the rulers
(every) authority	the authorities	the authorities
(every) power		the cosmic powers over this present darkness
(every) dominion		the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places
every name named

What does Paul affirm in his broad descriptions of evil powers?

Paul does affirm that all evil and supernatural powers are subjected to Christ (Eph. 1:21).

What other thing are we to be careful about in this cosmic battle?

We should be careful not to underestimate the forces on the opposing side, because they are not “flesh and blood”, but “spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12, NKJV). We must be on the alert against our powerful foes, we need not be daunted by them.

What is our assurance of victory in this cosmic battle?

God’s presence with us in the battle, along with all His provisions for us to stand against the powerful foes is assurance of victory in this cosmic battle. God has placed at our disposal His truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:13-17). Equipped from head to toe with the armor God has supplied, we cannot fail (Rom.16:20; 1 Cor. 15:23, 24; 2 Thess. 2:8).

In Conclusion,

The Call for Believers of this age is to stand in our faith, and this is not some relaxed stance, it entails being vigorously engaged in battle against the willy foes. With God by our side, we are victorious. I pray that God helps us to stand in Jesus’ name.