One our my favorite images of Jesus is in the book of Revelation, chapter 18:11-16. Let me share with you, the vision from The Message.  Bear with me; I have my reason for giving the whole vision.  “Then I saw Heaven open wide – and oh!  a white horse and its Rider.  The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns.  He has a Name inscribed that’s known only to himself.  He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as ‘Word of God.’  The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him.  A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, then rule them with a rod of iron.  He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong.  On his robe and thigh is written, KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS.”

This vision is given just before Jesus and his army go into battle and defeat, “the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army.”  Men, we know the end of the story – We Win.  I feel deeply energized to write about our victory in the blog.  There may be faithful, godly men who many be have questions about the future of our nation after our national elections.  But be assured that the kingdom  Jesus has established on this earth, that is, his presence and activity will last forever.  We are part of this kingdom.  He has final authority and power over all. “God lifted him (Jesus) high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth – even those long ago dead and buried – will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father” ( Phil 2:9-11 – The Message)

We now live in a culture in which the Christian view of God has been erased from the public square and is questioned in public discourse.  This past election, in my humble opinion, has been a wake up call for the godly men of America to rise up.  It is time for us to band together as men all over this nation, in small bands here and there, to prepare for battle.  Like Habakkuk we are to climb the lookout tower and scan the horizon for an answer to our cry to God. Listen to what God told Habakkuk.  “Write what you see.  Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run.  This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming.  It aches fo the coming – it can hardly wait!  And it doesn’t lie.  If it seems slow in coming, wait.  It’s on its way.  It will come right on time” (Hab. 2:2-3 – The Message).  Men, help is on the way

I will be writing more about the battle in the days to come.  But for now, my take away, from Habakkuk is that men are first of all to be waiting on the Lord.  Get your own heart and house in order.  In my mind, the most effective warefare in the days to come will be done by men who fight with the weapons of love and humility.  Now you may be surprised by my statement.  But I must warn you, we live in a culture that has rejected the Christian view of God.  Why! – because Christian have failed in their witness.  We need a new approach to gain any kind of foothold in our secular culture.  We need men with a strong heart, that has found healing in the presence of the Lord, so that they can aborb the arrows that will be coming.  Their strenght is in their character and conviction.  Men, are you ready?  Are you up to the challenge?  It will not be easy?  You will have to pay a price.  But if your heart is strong and your conviction is true and pure,  there will be joy and gratitude for being raised up for a time such as ours.