Defending Jesus Christ According to the Bible

When should Christians fight for the Kingdom of God? Jesus Christ explains to everyone that his Kingdom is not of this world. He tells Christians that they should never fight for him. While we must acknowledge that people have used the name of Christianity to do terrible things in the past, such as the Crusades, there is no support for this in the Bible. Lets take a look at what Jesus Christ says when he is questioned by the Roman governor: John 18:36 Jesus Christ states My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world. What happens when one of the followers of Jesus attacks a Roman soldier? Luke 22:47-54 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, Permit even this.(Allow them to capture me) And He touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Here is another account of the same story told in the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 26:50-56 Jesus said to him, Friend, do what you came to do. Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so? At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him and fled. In this last passage from the Bible, Jesus Christ says he could have asked God for more than twelve legions of angels to protect him.

So how many is in a legion? A legion can refer to a group of soldiers numbering 6,000 or more. Jesus Christ said he could ask God for more than 12 legions of angels. So that would be a total of 72,000 angels to fight for Jesus if he wanted them. So how powerful is an angel? To find this out we must look in the Bible at Isaiah 37:36 which states Then the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morningthere were all the dead bodies! Therefore, we can see that only one angel has the power to destroy 185,000 people. If we times that by 6,000(the number in a legion) we can see that one legion would have the power to destroy 1,110,000,000 men. And that is only one legion! Jesus Christ said he could ask God for 12 legions. If we multiply 185,000 times 72,000 then we get 13,320,000,000 or 13.32 billion which is double the worlds current population. Therefore, we can see that Jesus Christ has no need for us to fight for him. He could have all the help he needs sent from Heaven. God could send enough angels to destroy the entire world. What if we are persecuted or even killed because of our beliefs? Jesus Christ tells us that this may happen if you are a Christian in many verses throughout the Bible. Lets take a look at a few of them: John 15:18-21 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you... If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you... because they do not know Him who sent Me." John 16:1-4 These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues [or religious places of worship]; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them." However we must remain faithful and non-violent even through persecution and we will receive our reward in Heaven: Romans 8:16-18 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Romans 8:35-39 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ...Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christs sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." We are only to defend God by defending his Word through our speech and words but never through violent actions. In this way, you will be blessed before God. 1 Peter 2:20-24 "But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." 1 Peter 3:14-15 "But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." Jesus says to not fear those who kill the body: Matthew 10:28-32

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Fathers will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.

Conclusion
Are we ever to fight to defend Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ makes it clear that we are never to defend him through violent actions. However, we are to be brave to defend him through speech and the pen to declare his love for the world. This is the only way in which Jesus allows us to defend him. In fact Jesus tells us to always be prepared to be a witness for him and he promises to remember those who are not ashamed of him. Jesus Christ says we can be witnesses even while we are being persecuted and he will be with us during this time: Luke 21:12-16 But before all these things, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Jesus also gives us these words in Matthew 5:39-44 which show us how Christians are to live: You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. To conclude, Jesus never needs his followers to defend him through physical means. In fact, he demands us not to do this. Nevertheless, Christians do have a battle to fight. Our great battle is to battle against all the evil in this world which comes from Satan. However, this is a spiritual battle and not accomplished through warfare. It is accomplished through prayer and by practicing love to all people- even those who would want to hurt us as Jesus Christ commanded. I hope this has been an interesting and helpful read for you. However, please do not take my word for this but check for yourselves. A good place to begin is the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. These four gospels give an account of the life of Jesus Christ and his teaching. Thanks again for reading and may God bless you my friends!