The King’s Marine

A Promise in the Parade Ground

Many of us are familiar with the Hollywood plot line common to military movies which involve a recruit, the drill sergeant, and a special mission thereafter. Several war movies made after the Second World War were of this genre. One such example was the Sands of Iwo Jima (released March 1950), starring John Wayne. In this movie, a tough drill sergeant successfully prepares his marines for their future missions against the enemy on Tarawa and eventually Iwo Jima. In particular, the drill sergeant’s tough, but unpleasant methods pay back with results and saved lives.

In real life, a marine is a soldier with a special kind of motto. His name conjures up the ideas of duty, honour, and commitment. His military prowess is also legendary, and he is often asked to go beyond the norm.

Comparably, in the spiritual realm, God also has an army (Revelations 19:19). They are considered ‘Christian soldiers.’ In fact, every Christian is commanded to put on the full Armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-11) as though he were a soldier preparing for combat (Ephesians 6:13-17). However, God also has His special forces (1 Corinthians 12:27-31). You could say they are the ‘King’s Marines.’ They are divinely called, appointed, and chosen by God’s own recruiting office (Matthew 22:14; Isaiah 44:24; Jeremiah 1:5).

The King’s Marines are trained in the public ‘parade ground’ of the Church, and in the context of faith, preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God as duty bound loyal soldiers regardless of the cost to their personal comfort (Romans 10:17). This is the Christian’s mission: to preach the Gospel and witness to the truth so humanity may have the opportunity to repent and be saved (1 Timothy 2:1-7; Jude 1:20-23; Hebrews 12:1-2). The mission of the King’s Marine is to do so without hesitation, fear, or compromise, even when it hurts. Some of these special soldiers were the twelve apostles. In addition, we are waiting for two more of these specialists and their support staff at the end time (Revelations 11:3-8).

A popular televangelist made a statement about the sequence of events that generally guide the path of a true Christian as this: “promise, problem, and provision.” Jesus spoke more specifically by promising that those who left the comfort of this life to serve the cause of the Kingdom would be rewarded now and in the future (Luke 18:29-30). Of course, as the televangelist says, with a promise there often comes a challenge before the reward is received.

Hauling Down the Jolly Roger

What is the challenge for the 21st century Christian who lives the life as a King’s Marine? We are told that every Christian must witness to the truth so that all might come to understand the truth and be saved (Acts 1:8; 1 Timothy 2:3-4). We are also told, as Christians we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual enemies in high places (Ephesians 6:12). This is why we must put on the spiritual Armour of God and learn how to use it in this spiritual warfare we are confronting (Ephesians 6:10-20). Especially, since we live in a world of ‘deception and spin’ where wrong is right and right is wrong (Isaiah 5:20) and few seem to care (Matthew 24:11-12).

The spirit of rebellion or antichrist is everywhere (1 John 4:1-6). This is true not only in the secular world but in the religious world as well. It’s apparent that some organizations that call themselves Christian are plainly not. How can you identify yourself as a Christian, but deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ? (Luke 6:46-49; John 14:15-17). In essence, there are many renegades-some might even say pirates-who boldly fly the ensign of the ship, the ‘Jolly Roger.’ Each Christian, as a King’s Marine, has a divinely inspired mission to engage in ‘spiritual warfare’, confronting these ‘Jolly Roger pirates’ with an encounter of the Truth. We can never know how that may affect them. Frankly, only our King knows.

Remember, a true marine does not choose his mission or mission length, but instead simply obeys. He does not complain, and if he does, he quickly recalls his mission and commitment, undoubtedly knowing he has the full resources of his commander. As ‘Christian Marines’ we too are assured we have the full resource of God’s Spirit and our Godly King’s provisions to complete the mission we find ourselves confronting. We are assured in God’s army, contrary to ‘real life,’ no true Christian soldier gets left behind (John 14:18-21; Revelations 3:7-13).

One such story described in the Bible is the story of the prophet Elijah, which has all the elements described above. In this story, against all odds, a King’s Marine, Elijah, is sent to the heart of the enemy to combat spiritual wickedness in high places and the religious deception of false priests who serve the pagan god Baal. But despite the danger, because God’s strength is with him, he succeeds. Yet, throughout the course of this event, we see evidence of Elijah’s depression and doubt before the victory. We are reminded that he is human after all, but God does not desert him or forsake him. Instead, God strengthens him and provides a helper and eventual replacement- Elisha (1 Kings 17-19). In due time, the ‘Jolly Roger’ of this situation, Jezebel and her Baal worship, is taken down in Samaria (2 Kings 9).

A similar problem faces today’s Christian Marines. North America is enslaved by many modern day Baals. They are: capitalism, secularism, feminism, socialism, intellectualism, hedonism, humanism, and in general, all forms of self-centered human thinking. In due time, the Baals of North America, and the laws that create and protect them, shall also be brought down. One way or another, nothing shall remain of them (Revelations 19-20).

The Reward

What is the reward for a lifetime of risk and commitment as a Christian soldier of Jesus Christ? Jesus said that those who left the comfort of this life to serve the cause of the Kingdom would be rewarded now and in the future (Luke 18:29-30). Practically speaking, all faithful Christians will have some part in the rulership of the Millennial Empire of our King, Jesus Christ. It will finally be a time to set things right. Except for a brief rebellion (Revelations 20:3), the war will be over (Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3). The joy for these Christian Marines, turned rulers, will be like that of a farmer who makes a sick tree yield good fruit in due season or like that of an architect who sets straight a leaning structure. Subsequent to the Millennial Kingdom, the greater joy will be an eternal life of perfection with God Himself.

This world’s scientists, educators, media, and governments talk about the evolutionary nature of perfection. They say it will be attained by the accumulation and use of knowledge. In particular, some popular science-fiction shows so loved by the masses suggest that this view of perfection is our future-but God has a different plan. Only the Christian with God’s Spirit in him will truly live a life of eternal perfection in the not too distant future…

So consider your life’s results. How do your works, as a soldier for Christ’s Coming Kingdom measure up? If tested by God’s fire would they be burned up as hay, wood, and stubble, or would they endure as though they were diamonds and gold? (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).