But when Peter used his sword, Jesus told him to put it away, so what is it to be?
One more time, for the babes/sheep....
The LORD God of Division
"So there was
a division among the people because of him.....And there was
a division among them.....There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings."-John 7:43 KJV, John 9:16 KJV, John 10:19 KJV
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Intra/trans-dispensational principle: The LORD God of Division
"...and God
divided the light from the darkness." Genesis 1:4 KJV
Do you remember, during the "Christmas season," the often played, now dead David Bowie/Bing Crosby rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy?" Mr. Bowie/most of the Christ rejecting world, sings the oft-repeated phrase, "Peace on Earth" as its main message. This is the predominantly Christ-rejecting world's interpretation/understanding of the message of Christmas. However, according to the Holy Bible, which is "...true from the beginning...."(Psalms 119:160 KJV), this is not the message of Christmas.
Yes, the words "peace on earth" are in the Holy Bible, but they are not in the Christmas account. The Lord Jesus Christ does speak of "peace on earth":
"Think
not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34 KJV
Notice: a sword divides/separates-it does not unify/"bring together"
The word of God is likened to a "twoedged sword"-survey Hebrews 4:12 KJV...Ephesians 6:17 KJV.
Suppose ye that I am come to give
peace on earth? I tell you,
Nay; but rather division:..." Luke 12:51 KJV
Both times the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of "peace on earth", He said, in simple terms that left no doubt as to his intended meaning, that he was not bringing it. He did not bring it when he was on earth, and he does not bring it today. And the verse the "world" traditionally understands(and embraces) to say "peace on earth", actually says:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14 KJV
This speaks of God's peace toward each man in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, not peace between men.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the "great divider." The world is quite willing to accept a "sweet little baby lying in the manger", but mention the Lord Jesus Christ and his cross, and that he is a "...man of war...."(Exodus 15:3 KJV), and he, and anyone that proclaims his message, becomes unwelcome guests, with "...no room for them in the inn"(Luke 2:7 KJV)-division.
The same inevitable fate awaits those that are faithful to rightly dividing the word of truth, 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV, a biblical command, not suggestion-you will be in the minority, and you will be the cause of division. But "...Be of good cheer..."(Acts 23:11 KJV). Scripturally, strength in numbers is not only ill-founded, it is not true. Scripture provides abundant testimony to this fact. Consider "the minority":
Noah-only 7 people saved by the LORD through Noah. And yet Noah is called "...a preacher of righteousness...." in 2 Peter 2:5 KJV-this should be an encouragement to those who feel they are the only one preaching the gospel of the grace of God.
Joseph-all his brothers opposed him
David- took on a giant
Elijah- outnumbered 450 to one(1 Kings 18:22 KJV)
Gideon-Had only 300 men(31,700 eliminated -Judges 6-7)
Paul- "...all men forsook me...."(2 Tim. 4:16 KJV).
The Lord Jesus Christ-No commentary is needed here.
The bible is a book of details, and therefore, I pay attention to details.
"Grace and peace..."-Paul, "the apostle of the Gentiles"(Romans 11:13 KJV), and thus our apostle, over, and over...
Notice, the order: Grace, then peace....Not vice verse.
There is no peace, w/o first grace.
What this world, and "Christianity" needs is not more "popular" teaching, but more unpopular preaching. I say "Split, split, split, and keep splitting." Split, split,.......... until the light of rightly dividing the word of truth, division, cuts through all the smoke and fog.
Division is what the "Commander in Chief," the Lord Jesus Christ, "brought to the table," during His ministry on this grave yard, known as earth,and is what Paul was taught to bring, often, upon direct orders from the risen, glorified, ascended, and seated same Commander, "the Lord from heaven,"(1 Cor. 15:47 KJV), to those who rebel against the doctrine the Saviour committed to him......
"Now I beseech you, brethren,
mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."-Romans 16:17 KJV
... and that is what I often bring to the table, shaking respective members of the body of Christ, out of their slumber, and, marking/exposing/identifying the rebels against Paul, and confronting the lost, with the "transdispensational" principle, a question, and directive, they will, eventually, need to address, as it is written....
"...
Who is on the Lord’s side?... "... choose you this day whom ye will serve; ..."(Exodus 32:26 KJV,Joshua 24:15 KJV)
Yes, there should be no division within the body of Christ, amongst members; however,
division is caused within the body, by those who rebel against the doctrine committed to the apostle Paul, that "sound doctrine" that is the Lord Jesus Christ's doctrine, teaching, in this dispensation.