05/19/12 METAPHOR ALERT...
As "mighty men of valor" prepare for the final "conflict" they become more and more excited, more intensely exhilarated. The longer they live, the more intense they become about defeating the "enemy." This "enthusiasm" appears to be extreme, and these "contenders" appear to be fanatical to others. Those who are not "committed" to the "fight" do not sense the significance of the "moment" and they are not "caught up" in the final "struggle" for "triumph."
(Consider the spiritual significance of "focus" words).
"Mighty men of valor" is a Biblical term used in reference to hand chosen warriors. Often it is used of Israelite warriors.
"Conflict" is a Biblical term used in reference to spiritual battle.
"Enemy" is a Biblical term used in reference to Satan and his forces who reject and resist God and His people.
"Enthusiasm" is a Greek word, whose root is God and refers to "God within."
"Contend" is a Biblical word used in reference to the battle that believers wage against the powers of darkness.
"Commit" is a Biblical word, indicating the service and sacrifice that believers should give to God.
"Fight" is a Biblical word, indicating that Christians are called to resist the powers of darkness, even to the end of their lives.
"Moment" is a Biblical word used in reference to the slight, fleeting period of time that Christians fight and suffer for the eternal crown, the eternal prize.
"Caught up" is a Biblical term referring to the time when Christ will miraculously snatch believers from this world, to be with Him (also known as the Rapture), while the world will suffer the ravages of the rule of antiChrist during the seven years of Tribulation.
"Struggle" is a word often used by Christians in reference to their spiritual battle or conflict or fight.
"Triumph" is a Biblical word used in reference to the victory believers can enjoy over sin and Satan now and the victory that Christians will have at the end of this life.
Remember, God referred to us as soldiers and directs us to put on the full armor of God.
2 Timothy 2:3-4
(3) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
(4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Ephesians 6:10-17
(10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
(11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
(12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
(13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
(15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
(16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
(17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
