On October 8, 2025

SPECIAL PRÉCIS ON GOD’S FORMATION OF HIS LAST DAYS ARMY: MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN (WITH VIDEO)

THEOLOGY

SCRIPTURE. “These are the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he yet concealed himself because of Saul, son of Kish; they were among the mighty men, his helpers in war … Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, ‘Yours we are, David, and on your side, you son of Jesse! Peace, peace be to you, and peace be to your helpers, for your God helps you.’ Then David received them and made them officers of his troops.” – 1 CHRONICLES 12:1, 18, AMPC

KEY TERMS:

“CONCEALED HIMSELF.” ‘Atsar’ [עָצ֔וּר]: “A primitive root, ‘To inclose; hold back, maintain, restrain, keep self close.’ NOTE: “David repeatedly ‘holds back’ his men from bloodshed. In the Cave Scene, ‘David persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul’ (1 Samuel 24:7). Abigail blesses David, ‘Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives … the LORD has kept you from bloodguilt and from avenging yourself by your own hand’ (1 Samuel 25:26; cf. 25:33). The incidents reveal that Divine Restraint often comes through wise counsel or a leader’s self-control.”

“YOUR HELPERS.” ‘Azar’ [לְעָזְרֵ֔נִי]: “A primitive root, ‘To surround, protect, give aid, or succour.’ NOTE: “The root occurs across Genesis to Zechariah, weaving a consistent motif of ‘Yahweh’s active intervention’ and the call for His people to mirror that intervention toward others. The contexts fall into Four Broad Spheres: Divine Rescue, Military Alliance, Fraternal Aid, and Liturgical Confession. The primary voice is the LORD Himself. From the Psalmist’s cry, ‘My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).

QUOTATION. “‘If troops are punished before their Loyalty is secured, they will be Disobedient.’ If not obedient, it is difficult to employ them. If troops are loyal, but punishments are not enforced, you cannot employ them. ‘Thus, command them with civility and imbue them uniformly with martial ardor and it may be said that victory is certain.’

If orders which are consistently effective are used in instructing the troops, they will be obedient. If orders which are not consistently effective are used in instructing them, they will be disobedient. ‘When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a Commander with his troops is satisfactory.’” ― SUN TZU, The Art of War, 5^TH Century BC; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘Here is an account of those who appeared and acted as David’s Friends, while he was persecuted.’ No difficulties or dangers should keep the sinner from coming to the Savior, nor drive the believer from the path of duty. Those who break through, and overcome in these attempts, will find abundant recompence.

‘From the words of Amasai we may learn how to testify our affection and allegiance to the Lord Jesus; His we must be THOROUGHLY [fully; entirely; completely; as a room thoroughly swept]; ON HIS SIDE, we must be Forward to Appear and Act!’ If we are under the influence of the Spirit, we shall desire to have our lot among them, and to declare ourselves on their side. ‘If in Faith and Love we embrace the Cause of Christ [and no other!], He will receive, employ, and advance us.’” – MATTHEW HENRY, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

II. TEACHING: CHOOSING SIDES

“If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offenses which, in the Providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible War, as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those Divine Attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him?

Fondly do we hope—fervently do we pray—that this mighty Scourge of War may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondman’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the Sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, ‘The Judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.’” – ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865. Delivered 40 days before his assassination on April 14, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth at Ford Theater, Washington, DC

ANECDOTE. As with so many of you, I have lost over 90% of my lifelong Christian friends to Donald Trump’s Christian Nationalist Movement over the past ten years. Even recently, a man I have known and worked with for nearly 30 years, a fellow professor who has been one of my most trusted companions, shows evidence of giving room to some of its leading voices.

To this extent then, Lincoln’s timeless words penetrate to the spiritual marrow of this flailing Republic, driving with great force into its very Foundations to further destabilize them and ultimately destroy them.

THE QUESTION. “If the foundations [of a godly society] are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” – PSALM 11:3, AMP

Though I am starting work on a major Commentary on this passage and this issue, it begs to be at least introduced here. Satan is a master craftsman at undermining and sabotaging ‘First Things,’ because he knows that their destruction means that which follows shall inexorably also be destroyed.

THE WRONG ARMY! So must I lower my sights once more on ‘Christian Nationalism’ that has commandeered so much of American Christianity in little less than a decade. To the degree that it has infested even the smallest cracks and crevices of Churches and Hearts of countless millions of White Evangelicals.

I adopt this severe critique from the work of DR. PATRICK SHREINER (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), who teaches New Testament and Biblical Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the author of several books including Political Gospel: Public Witness in a Politically Crazy World (2022), in which he argues that the Gospel itself is politically charged with severe implications on how it impacts government.

The of title of his work: “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Christian Nationalism,” The Gospel Coalition, April 27, 2023 (edited).

THREE VIEWS. “‘Christian Nationalism’ has become a junk box into which everyone piles his own conceptions. But it’s not monolithic. Three Dominant Perspectives on Christian Nationalism have arisen over the past several years. [1] Some equate Christian Nationalism with ‘Rioting’ at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. [2] Others say it’s any attempt to ‘Enforce God’s Law’ in a country. [3] Others claim it’s advocating for ‘Christian Values’ on issues such as abortion. How you view the movement depends almost entirely on your circles.”

GOOD: INFLUENCE. “For some, Christian Nationalism simply means that ‘Christianity has Influenced and should continue to Influence the Nation.’ They argue America was founded on transcendent Christian Principles. The Declaration of Independence affirms ‘All men are created equal’ and ‘are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ Such Principle is worthy of Christian advocacy alongside a Biblical View of issues like marriage, sexuality, and abortion. Our Nation would be improved by affirming the goodness of Natural Law Principles.”

BAD: FUSION. “Some view Christian Nationalism as a ‘Fusion of Christianity with American civil life.’ Although this might not sound different from the above, a Fusion means Christianity and American life should ‘coalesce.’ The political process should be overhauled to serve God. The Laws of the United States should be explicitly Christian.”

UGLY: DOMINION. “Christian Nationalism can also turn ugly. ‘It can become a Cultural Framework that idealizes and advocates for a Fusion of Christianity with American civil life and does so by [Dominance]!’ This is the type of Christian Nationalism exhibited by some on January 6. This is the complete ‘Conflation’ of God and Country and advocating for it by force or violence when deemed necessary.

Thus my unapologetic, sustained Narrative that consists of just two words: “Choose Sides!”

THE RIGHT ARMY

I have been on a personal pursuit of a theologically sound definition of just want constitutes a true “SOLDIER OF CHRIST.” I have reviewed the work of the eminent Charles Spurgeon and well-known contemporary Bible teachers and scholars, but settled upon one by a virtual unknown Pastor from a small church in Ankeny, Iowa, called Real Life Church.

JOSH DEGROOTE. He is one of three Senior Pastors in this church who this time opened his essay-sermon with a mention that the congregation was passing through a difficult Test of Faith. The Title: “Five Marks of a Good Soldier of Christ,” published on February 6, 2022 (edited).

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” – 2 TIMOTHY 2:1-3, NKJV

WILLING TO SUFFER. The First Mark of a Good Soldier is the willingness to suffer. To ‘Share in suffering’ literally means to suffer hardship with someone else. In the NASB, it adds the words ‘with me.’ In other words, Paul is saying ‘share in suffering with me.’ Paul is not summoning Timothy to something he is unwilling to do. We see the same construction in 1:8, ‘Share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God.’ Paul who is in prison for the Gospel is saying to Timothy, ‘Timothy, suffer with me for the Truth of the Gospel and for our Lord.’”

ALWAYS ON DUTY. “The NASB puts it this way, ‘No solider in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life.’ A Good Soldier is never on leave or AWOL. His assignment might change, but he is called to active duty at all times. Which means, you must not see your vocational work or changing diapers, doing dishes, mowing the yard as somehow inconsistent with faithful service as a Soldier of Christ. One might read verse 4 and think, ‘I’ve got to quit my job’ or ‘I probably can’t do that until the kids are grown and out of the house.’ No!”

PLEASES HIS COMMANDER. “A Good Soldier wants to please the One who enlisted him, namely Jesus in everything and at all times. ‘That is his Chief Aim!’ He is not mostly concerned with other duties that have not been assigned to him. ‘The One who calls to service also calls the shots, and a Good Soldier is good with that.’ Whatever station Christ has you in, your aim should be to please Him, to glorify Him.”

BENT ON WINNING. “In the Battle we are called to take part in, we are not ordered to simply take up space or take part in a losing expedition. ‘We are called to the Battlefield by our King to take ground for Him.’The Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ was like June 6, 1944 (D-Day). That massive invasion which all but secured the victory in the European Theater of WWII. The Second Coming of Christ is like May 8, 1945 (V-E Day) when the War was over. We are in the time in between. The victory is sure. And therefore, we are called to fight in order to win, like an athlete who trains and competes in order to be crowned.”

IS PATIENT. “Farming is a hard vocation. It is tough work. And to be a farmer back in the First Century was probably harder. Seemingly endless toil of preparing the ground, sowing the seeds, picking weeds, and harvesting the crops. The Farmer had to be hard working. And he also had to be patient. ‘Good Soldiers too need to be hard-working, unafraid to get our hands dirty, and we need to be patient.’ The ground taken may be slow, whether in our own hearts, our home (children), our church, etc., like a plant that grows slowly, imperceptibly, yet inevitably. The Farmer goes out day by day. He doesn’t physically see the plants grow, but he knows they are – because lo and behold, before long he can see something sprout up from the ground.”

Though these Simple Protocols are just that – Simple – that is the very reason I chose them. The American Church today seems so hopelessly lost from a ‘Clear blast of the Trumpet,’ that I wish to penetrate that cloud with clear language and lucidly Biblical Thought.

LAST THOUGHTS: LEADERSHIP

“Yet even lifeless things, whether flute or harp, when producing a sound, if they do not produce distinct [musical] tones, how will anyone [listening] know what is piped or played? And if the [war] bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?” – 1 CORINTHIANS 14:7-8, AMP

To complete our discussion therefore, I turn to an experienced Churchman rather than a systematic theologian to address THE QUESTION posed in the title of his article: “Why Do Some [Most] Pastors Avoid Teaching Doctrine?” (CCW Today, July 28, 2025; edited).

JIM ELLIFF. Among several other professional endeavors, Mr. Elliff is founder and president of Christian Communicators Worldwide (CCW). Jim has pastored or served on the pastoral team of churches in Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Here are a few of his insights from one who has worked with Pastors worldwide for many years.

PROBLEM. I have been involved in leading churches for four decades, with an emphasis on church planting in the last few years. I’ve also visited and addressed hundreds of churches around the world and have had the privilege of meeting thousands of Christian leaders. Through this time,I’ve watched an unintentional ‘Doctrinal Imprecision’ on the part of many pastors become intentional. ‘In other words, ‘I have witnessed a new “Conventional Wisdom” emerge. ‘Simply stated it is the “Wisdom” of attempting to circle in more people for our churches by unashamedly minimizing, or perhaps nearly eradicating, the restricting influences of Doctrine. What pastors used to do (because of being poorly taught perhaps), they now do by intent, all for CHURCH GROWTH. The Problem is, it works!’”

ILLUSTRATION. “For instance, I just visited with one friend concerning a Large Church in our area that has grown exceptionally well. The Directional Pastor of this church is a smart man who has some distinct beliefs he holds personally. I can talk with him about Doctrine when alone. He reads and knows the Bible. But in his Leadership and Preaching he fully intends not to go beyond the most elementary issues, and appears (appearances are about all we can go on) not to be that concerned that his people differ on Major Doctrines, some of which are most significant. ‘Outside of an expression of the Gospel and some ‘How to’s,” there isn’t much to get your teeth into in his preaching. He has created a BIRTHING STATION but not much else.’”

DOCTRINE. “‘Doctrine does narrow things.’ And we don’t like that word, ‘Narrow.’ Where you will find one person who is attracted to Sound Doctrine, you will find a hundred who want to allow all sorts of beliefs to be tolerated. ‘I have been in such churches where Great Heresies were listened to as if it were perfectly permissible to hold such views as “your opinion.” And I’m not talking about the Guest’s view, but the Member’s view.’”

TRUTH. “In all of this acceptance of Doctrinal Sloppiness and miasma of beliefs, I find that many have totally disregarded a tenet that should be obvious to any Bible reader. I mean this: ‘The Apostles began churches with the intent to grow them as solidly as possible by means of a steady and meticulous interest in Doctrine.’ The Biblical data is overwhelmingly in line with this conclusion. ‘The Apostles saw the Church as the “Pillar and Support of the Truth’” (1 Tim.3:15). And so, giving attention to Doctrine was paramount to them.”

ELDERS. “‘It is assumed that Elders [Pastors, Teachers, Bishops] are to care about doctrine.’ In our day this is an assumption that is not finding much support, but it must be so. If this is not so, then a WHOLE NEW TEAM of Elders must be chosen. It is part of the job description. ‘PAUL says that an Elder is to be “HOLDING FAST the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).’”

STRUGGLE. “JUDE showed us Doctrine’s import when he said that we must ‘Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints’ (Jude 3). PETER thought it necessary to stir us up ‘By way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles’ (2 Pet. 3:1-2). He warns us to ‘Be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men…but grow in grace and knowledge’ (2 Pet. 3:17-18).”

WARNING. “JOHN rejoices to find ‘some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father,’ but warns, ‘Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does NOT have God…If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, DO NOT RECEIVE HIM!…for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds”’ (2 Jn. 4:9-11).”

ADMONITION. “‘Therefore, I urge you to Reconsider how you use your Leadership. There is much to do!’ We must be loving and comforting, praying and available, transparent and visionary, but as leaders we cannot dismiss what God insists on. If it were not so unambiguous, we might have room to debate the wisdom of this. Since this Truth is repeated ad infinitum in the Word, what can anyone say against it? ‘Therefore, give yourself to SOUND DOCTRINE and make much of it from now on. If you cannot do this, RESIGN!’”

CODA. Mr. Elliff wisely also reminds us of our own Responsibility to Christ in strongly urging us to the following SPIRITUAL INTEGRITY: “And if you are not a Pastor, but a Listener, go to those responsible for dispensing the truth with a sincere appeal for them to teach you DOCTRINE WITHOUT COMPROMISE! Tell them you cannot grow without it.”

God’s Bottom Line. “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it.

If you [really] love Me, you will KEEP AND OBEY MY COMMANDMENTS.” – JESUS, THE CHRIST, John 14:12-15, Amplified

To Pastors and Churchgoers alike: I hereby commend these Sacred Instructions to us all, not forsaking even one of His Commands. ‘For the Faithful shall inherit all things, even the Magnificent Celestial Promise, to dwell in it forever!’ (Psalm 37:29).

MEDIA

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/PEddpHYpVWQ