What the Bible says about Battle Imagery
(From Forerunner Commentary)
This is an image of battle or war. Where one sees carrion birds circling, making their final sweeps before gliding down to devour carrion lying on the ground, death has occurred. If all countless birds are gathered for their fill, one can suppose that a huge battle has taken place. This is what Jesus is alluding to, a time of utter, total warfare. It tells us that Christ's return occurs not only in a time of war but involves an aspect of war. He is coming as a conquering King, a General of armies, a Man of war.
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Shock and Awe - and SpeedRelated Topics: Battle Imagery | Carrion | Jesus Christ's Second Coming | Second Coming of Christ | Total War
"Common to man" means that the trials that come upon Christians are the same as occur to all men. As we live life, we find that in most cases these trials are unavoidable. They just happen. If it happens in the world, we are part of what is going on in the world, and these things affect us unavoidably. God says that He will provide "the way of escape," implying that there is one right way out of each trial. There may be other optional ways, but Paul is stressing that there is "a way" and "the way." We want "the way," the one that God provides for us. The imagery is of an army trapped during a battle, but suddenly a mountain pass opens up before them to provide them a way out of their dilemma. This illustrates how Christians escape trials.
There is a reason for the Christian going through his trial. The trial God provides is good for him to experience. God wants to see what his reaction will be. Will he avail himself of "a way of escape" that he or the world might provide - or will he submit to "the way of escape" God makes available to him? Certainly, "the way of escape" will always involve the use of faith. God is testing the Christian's response to His declarations and His promises of faithfulness, and He wants to see if he will respond because God is faithful. Which way will he choose?
John W. Ritenbaugh
A Place of Safety? (Part 1)
The truth is that, although we lead normal human lives, the battle we are fighting is on the spiritual level. The very weapons we use are not human but powerful in God's warfare for the destruction of the enemy's strongholds. (Phillips)
John W. Ritenbaugh
Endure as a Good SoldierRelated Topics: Battle Imagery | God's Army | God's Warfare | Military Metaphor | Military Metaphors | Soldier Metaphor | Spiritual Battle | Spiritual Warfare | Spiritual Weapons