Thread: Battled Hardened

Maybe that isn't the title I was looking for in the in the caption. But it will have to do because I can't think of another heading for this post.
I was thinking about when the Pentagon ordered top military leaders back to the United States in late September. Anyone remember that?
I think it was on September 30th when generals, admirals, commanders, and so forth gathered at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia from all over the world to listen what Pete Hegseth had to say.
The Secretary of War was quite frank and direct in his speech by saying, "From this moment forward, the only mission of the newly restored Department of War is using all military branches of our forces for warfighting, preparing for war and preparing to win, unrelenting and uncompromising in that pursuit. Not because we want war. We love peace for our citizens. They deserve peace, and they rightly expect us to deliver it. I noticed in Pete's speech, three times, he made it very clear this was about peace through strength.

Secretary Hegseth made it clear and stern as he brought to light the aim of the Trump Administrations ideal priorities in the military moving forward.
The politically correct and toxic ideological garbage that has infected all departments of our military are over.
No more prioritized isolated group identity months, DEI indoctrination and offices, dudes in dresses, no more climate change worship, no more division, distraction, or gender delusions, no more rubbish. These things detracted from the military's core mission. The Secretary of War also emphasized routine training, physical fitness and physical appearance

Any place where standards had been weakened or compromised, he demanded they be restored to original standards. He emphasized "a high level of standard that all in the military needed to meet. Good leaders, competent, qualified, agile, aggressive, innovative, risk taking, apolitical, faithful to their oath and to the Constitution." Without question, the Secretary is determined to toughen our troops with a mindset view of the highest form of military pursuit and obedience to the chain of command without wavering.

With some of the highlights I noted in the Hegseth speech, let's look at the United States and where were at today.
It is my opinion that America is in a life and death struggle.
Without a sovereign move of God, her coming days will only come more perilous. The apostle Paul warned, "in the last days perilous (dangerous) times shall come" (2 Tim 3:1).
As a believer we must remain steadfast in His Word and in His presence to overcome the adversity of this present hour.
Other than the nation of Israel, I believe America is in a very grave and dangerous place relative to demonic spiritual warfare attack, physical destruction, and an impending Third World War. The devil and demons in the heavenlies are concocting evil, sadistic plots against our nation, and a whole host of Christians are too carnally minded to discern the hour in which we live. It is also satan's desire to hinder and impede our walk with God. Even Paul faced this challenge, "Wherefore we would have come to you, even I Paul, once and again; but satan hindered us (1 Thess 2:18).

It could be said that before the apostle Peter's denial of the Lord, he was not fully aware of the spiritual warfare surrounding his life. Nevertheless, Jesus was well aware of the warfare as satan desired to sift the apostle Peter and damn his immortal soul: "The Lord said, Simon (Simon Peter) behold, satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat. Peters response was, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both in prison, and to death." But when the day of sifting arrived, Peter denied Jesus three times. In failing to remember the words of Christ, Peter violated the doctrine of public confession (Mt 10:32-33) when he publicly denied Jesus. It was then that he went out, and wept bitterly, and repented of his sin of denial. I can only imagine when Jesus looked upon Peter, he did not look in anger, but, rather, His "look" was of compassion, in telling Peter, I still love you despite your failure! No doubt, latter on after Peters restoration, because of his past experience, the apostle was moved to pen, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). God help each of us to be more alert and sober in this hour concerning the perils we face.

Let me conclude this post to the parallels of the Christian life as reflected in the Pete Hegseth speech.
Paul, in his letter to Timothy wrote, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier(2 Tim 2:3). When faced with troubles, tests, trials, and hardships, many a Christian soldier will abandon their mission (in some instances, even the Lord). It may be said, "It's too hard, I can't do this, I'll lose everything, what will people think, it's not worth jeopardizing my reputation, this is over my head, I can't be expected to do this, etc. Many believe they should not have to encounter such extreme challenges. A desire for creating a relaxed environment, ease and luxury far surpass trials, tests and difficulty.

Just as Secretary Hegseth is making our nation's military ready, so also must believers be toughened up for the spiritual battle we wage. We must fully realize that this battle will only intensify as the end times progress forward before our Lord returns. As we saw, Paul warned Timothy about the entanglements of this world. There are numerous entanglements in this present evil world system which whispers to believers in Christ to throw in the towel and disengage. As I'm sure everyone here at LFF would agree that being a soldier of Jesus Christ is not a spectator's sport. I'm also sure we would all agree it is necessary that each stands for truth, for righteousness, for integrity, and upon the authoritative Word of God without compromise no matter what the cost. Sadly, there are pastors and leaders in the church who have surrendered to immoral behavior. Surrendered biblical doctrine and truth in the same way our military had given way to wokeness. As solders and believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, our core mission is that of "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor 5:20). To impact the world around us in whatever way God leads us. At home, or in world missions, committing to the assemblies' vision where you serve, or raising a godly family. Thanks for taking the time to read this post. God bless everyone here in our Christian forum and to those who visit us first time or regularly.

Originally Posted by Cardinal TT

I do wonder how many believers in the western world will stand strong if things ever get to major persecution

When it comes to how our Christian brothers and sisters endure very severe persecution in closed nations (Muslim and communist regimes) to the gospel where they are forced to vacate their homes into the jungles or be murdered by Muslim extremists, their churches torched, and members executed (Nigeria), or being sentenced to long terms of incarceration in prison and gulags for being a Christian or being caught with a bible (North Korea, Afghanistan, Iran, China), I don't think American Christians would endure long compared to other believers abroad who risk everything, including their lives, to follow and remain faithful to Jesus. I can't help but believe that the type of persecution mentioned above will one day arrive at American shores. Of course, if you put all your faith in a pretribulation rapture, you have nothing to worry about. You will escape to heaven before any real persecution and hardship comes to the western church.