Each of us is called to be a “good soldier of Jesus Christ” and to endure the hardships and suffering that come with that calling (2 Timothy 2:3).
Paul Cain had recurring visions of God’s end time army of believers. When he was with the Kansas City Fellowship in the 1980’s, he described visions of believers experiencing amazing miracles and healings. They met in sports stadiums because those were the only venues big enough to hold the large crowds of people. A sign appeared over those believers that read, “Joel’s Army, now in training.”
But what does it take to be a member of God’s army? In Joel chapter 2, the soldiers who are chosen for the high calling of God’s mighty army are described in detail:
“They run like elite soldiers, climbing ramparts like men trained for war. Each man advances in proper order, never breaking rank. Neither does a man crowd his fellow soldier; each one marches in his own path.”—Joel 2:7-8 (ISV)
There is no place in God’s mighty army for undisciplined rebels who choose to constantly question leadership and direct their own paths. Each soldier has a specific position in the ranks. He fills that position to the best of his ability, and he does not interfere with the assignments of others in the ranks.
If we are going to be chosen to participate in God’s army in these last days, we must be willing to submit to the authorities that God places over us. These authorities may not always seem like the best leaders in our eyes, but that is a part of God’s test for us. Will we submit to the leaders that God has placed over us even if they do not seem to be the wisest, the most competent, the most gifted, or the most spiritual? Will we submit to the leaders that God has placed over us even if we do not always agree with their decisions?
In order to qualify to be a part of God’s Army in these last days, He must be able to count on us to fulfill our assignments faithfully, without breaking rank and without interfering with others as they fulfill their specific assignments in His army.
In times of war, rebellion in the ranks is dealt with severely. Those who rebel against their authorities are often treated as enemy soldiers would be treated. That makes sense because they are actually opposing the purposes of their leaders, just as an enemy would.
“For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.”—1 Samuel 15:23 (NASB)
Why is rebellion like the sin of divination?
Those who prophesy in Jesus’ name look to Him for the source of their messages. Divination is like the gift of prophecy, except that the source of the inspiration is different. Those operating in divination receive their inspiration from Satan’s realm.
Similarly, that is why insubordination is like iniquity and idolatry. Those who are insubordinate are no longer serving the authority that God has placed over them, but instead are serving a different authority of their own choosing. It is like the actions of idolaters. They reject the worship of the one, true God, and instead turn their worship to a false god.
When we have a clear understanding of what actually happens in the spiritual realm when a believer chooses to question the authorities that God has placed over them, and to rebel against their leadership, then we can understand why God judges rebellion so severely. A believer who rebels against his God-appointed leaders actually chooses to align himself in agreement with Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), who lost his position in Heaven because of his own rebellion.
To stay in alignment with God, and in agreement with His will, we must learn, as Jesus did, to submit to the authority of the leaders that God has placed over us. By submitting to the authority of our leaders, we submit to God’s preparation for the amazing ministry that He has planned for us as good soldiers in His service.
“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”—2 Timothy 2:3 (NKJV)
“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are good and kind, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if a person endures the sorrow of suffering unjustly because of an awareness of [the will of] God. After all, what kind of credit is there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure it patiently? But if when you do what is right and patiently bear [undeserved] suffering, this finds favor with God. For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps.”—1 Peter 2:18-21 (AMP)
