When Soldiers Walk a Mile in Her Shoes...

 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:15, 16)

I recently heard about ROTC Cadets being required to take part of an awareness exercise against rape, domestic violence and gender abuse that required the male cadets to “Walk a mile in her shoes.” I was so taken back by the photos above and I decided to research the incident to learn more about it. To my surprise, this was not a new thing but has actually been going on all over the country for a while now and has even gone international.

.

Like so many things that creep into a society or culture, they often come as a harmless mechanism that always manages to stir up a sense of humor in us by the absurdity of it all, like men in high heels. Many of us can remember Corporal Klinger in the CBS television sitcom M*A*S*H and the bizarre outfits he used to wear trying to get a Section Eight psychiatric discharge from the army by wearing women’s clothing and the endless outfits he appeared in. Back then it was all for laughs and seemingly benign, but in truth it was all societal manipulation to get us to accept that which is absurdly contrary to the norm,  just like this “Walk a mile in her shoes” thing is.

Yet, what starts off as a seemingly benign and funny stunt or event somehow seems to bring out a need in some to role play, to take it a little further than necessary. The more people do it and the more often it is done, the more exaggerated it all becomes, especially when supposedly the original idea was simply for men to feel the discomfort of walking a mile in women’s shoes. What that has to do with raising our awareness of against rape, domestic violence and gender abuse truly escapes me. Yet it seems there is no shortage of men who are willing to jump at the event as an opportunity to publically go full drag, wearing stuffed bras, wigs, makeup and carrying purses, and even imitate the stance and gait of a women.

Some may laugh at the photo above because of how ridiculous these men look, but that is because society today miserably fails to remember or to even believe in just whose image we, that is men, are created… as well as the responsibility that goes along with our being made to be “the glory of God.” In the above photo it is clear that all this has aroused something within all these men that has caused them not only to tolerate this, but to embrace and wholly participate in it as well. Such is the progression of sin, first the toleration of a slight deviation from truth and righteousness, causing an arousal of an inert lust to a place of action, and then when lust controls one’s desires and actions, sin revives and men die. Why? Because they ignored God’s holy precepts ordained for godly life.

Romans 7:5 – For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

If all this seems like I am just making a lot out of nothing, then please consider these words below from my old post Why God Created Us Male and Female -

“God created humanity to be both male and female so they could “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” In Titus chapter 2 there are many examples for this are given, husbands and wives, masters and servants, young to elders. We especially can even see it in children honoring/obeying their parents according to the commandment with the promise of a long life and how as God’s children if we honor/obey Him through our faith then we too have the promise of eternal life.

To begin, we must first acknowledge how it was the male who was first created in the image of God with a position on the earth similar to God in the heaven. Even nowadays, when in a right relationship with God, a man will faithfully represent God in all his dealings, both in his own household and with his neighbor.

Since true love and commitment must be of one’s free will, God designed humanity with the ability to choose to be either His glory or His shame in the earth. When a man (male) humbles himself and chooses to submit to the precepts of God, he becomes the glory of God in the earth. His life will then both affirm and reflect both the righteous judgments and attributes of God.

Next, we need to acknowledge how the Bible teaches that the foundation for woman was taken from man and then perfectly made for the man. By God’s Royal design the woman should be to man what man was meant to be to God, His glory.

1 Corinthians 11:3-9 - But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

Now while the photo above with all those foolish men willfully dressed up as women is bad enough to witness, it is still not as offensive as this photo below. However, many of you will not readily discern the real reason why… but take a minute and look at them both again and read the caption below this one as well.

(Click on photo to link to source)

Now, to explain all this we must start with a verse that many have heard, but one which few in reality accurately understand.

Deuteronomy 22:5 – The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Clearly this verse is clear and simple enough to everyone, that God abhors men wearing women’s clothes just as surely as He abhors women wearing men’s clothing. Yet nowadays the fashions have been so blended and gender neutralized that there is actually a style of clothing that is consider unisex and completely acceptable for either gender. But in the past there was a time when a women in pants was offensive to many.

Now some of you are already beginning to think I am getting into “legalism” here, but I would caution you all to remember there is a huge biblical difference between “legalism” and “legality.” For while many are right away rejecting the verse above simply because it is an Old Testament passage and is from “The Law,” as if that is a bad thing, they are forgetting that God’s law given to the Jews actually laid the foundation for the revelation of the mystery whereby God was going redeem all men from their sin. For “The Law” summarized righteousness and defined sin even down the minute missing of the mark, for “all sin is transgression of the law.“ Dare we forget that summary of the Law which our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave us when He said the fulfillment of The Law is to love the Lord God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength, and with all our mind, and to love our neighbor as our own selves, or that if a man truly loves Him, then he will keep His words?

John 14:21 He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.

That my friends isn’t legalism, but legality. Just like when Jesus said  ”Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.”

Now if someone isn’t quite sure how they are to love God or their neighbor properly, they can quickly check the Ten Commandments which serve as a thorough summation on how to avoid compromising love or breaking its commitment to God and man. For love is ultimately a commitment, as there is not a passage in Holy Scripture where love is mentioned in which its meaning or intent would be changed by replacing the word “love” with “commitment.”

For those needing a more in depth presentation of how the Ten Commandments might be properly applied throughout one’s life, they can examine the first five books of the bible whereby basic principles from each commandment are applied to various situations and relationships. For actual examples of how men heeded these commandments to love God and their neighbor, we have the whole record of scripture whereby we can readily learn from the successes and failures of others mentioned therein.

Nevertheless, perhaps the most common bad rap that is constantly being asserted against the Law by many professing Christians comes from the following verse and those four words, “kept under the law.”

Galatians 3:23 – But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Regretfully, many Christians have been taught to view this passage as if the phrase “kept under the law” speaks of an oppressive imprisonment; being taken away and locked up and having no true liberty. And while the Greek word which is translated “kept” does in fact mean to be “under guard,” as if watched by a garrison of soldiers, the implication is not always intended to imply imprisonment; but quite often is meant to imply protection and preservation as witnessed in the passages below.

Acts 21:31 – And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

Acts 23:10 – And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

Perhaps even more enlightening is how both Peter and Paul used the same Greek word elsewhere in other epistles.

Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep  your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I Peter 1:5 – Who are kept  by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The truth of how the Israelites were “kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed,” is seen in the fact that the law was given to Israel to keep their “hearts and minds” from departing from the true and living God and from falling into idolatry and unbridled immorality. The fact that they were “kept under the Law” is a positive thing, for Paul’s emphasis was that by the law they were indeed “kept.”

Yet nowadays that phrase is constantly being presented as if an angry God had the Israelites pressed down so low that they couldn’t hardly move or breathe; as if God was deliberately squashing them. But that is not how Jesus behaved among men, and He was “the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person,” (Hebrews 1:3). This placement of undue emphasis on “under the law” is nothing more than a devilish attempt to misrepresent the Almighty as an angry tyrant who used the law to push men’s faces down into the dirt of their sins rather than to warn them to flee that would cause their downfall, undoing, ruination, and destruction. But does this verse from the Old Testament present that image of God in your hearts when you read it, or one of a merciful and righteous God?

Isaiah 1:18 – Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

So what was the context in which Paul said “we were kept under the law?”

Galatians 3:21 – Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

The Law never was at odds with faith, unless one was using it lawlessly in an attempt to justified themselves when they were guilty of it. Rather the Law in all its ceremonies and oblations foretold the coming of Jesus Christ and His sufferings for our sins which required an atonement. The weakness of the law was that it could only reveal to men their sin and not save them from it. For there was not an Eleventh Commandment which said “If thou has broken any of the first ten, then do this and thou shalt live.” No, the just have always lived by faith, and that my friend is an Old Testament principle that has always been and never will change.

Habakkuk 2:4 – Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Romans 1:17 – For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 8:3 – For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The reason it has always been impossible for The Law to save men, as scripture states, was because it was weak through the flesh. Meaning “it is not possible” for dead, unholy men to make themselves holy and alive, or “that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away [their] sins,” (Hebrews 10:4). Therefore, God in His wisdom and power sent His own Son in the frailty of man’s own flesh, who without sin died the death we deserve. That by the shedding of His holy blood, through it and it alone, men could now be justified of their sins, fully forgiven, and sanctified so as to render them acceptable to receive even the fullness of God’s sufficient grace; even the indwelling empowerment of the Spirit of Christ living within them.

Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Yet many (if they are even still reading) are still cringing with the very mentioning of “The Law” and feel I am somehow cunningly trying to remove them away from that “grace through  faith” whereby men can only be saved. Never lose sight of the fact that the very first act of “grace through  faith” is the work of repentance, faithfulness to the commandment of Christ to all men.

Acts 17:30 – And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent.

Titus 2:11 – For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world

1 Peter 1:13 – Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as He which hath called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be you holy; for I am holy.

Therefore I urge you all to remember what Paul said concerning faith, grace and the Law -

Romans 3:26 – To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Now stop a minute and consider what you just read there, “By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith… do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Paul is clearly dividing the ceremonial aspects of the law with all its prophetic workings from the moral aspects of the law which are given to guard our FAITHfulness to love the Lord God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength, and with all our mind, and to love our neighbor as our own selves.

Like it or not, there is a clear biblical difference between the Ceremonial/Levitical Law and “the law of faith.” Those who reject that idea need to give themselves to some serious prayer and fasting and seeking an understanding to what Paul is saying in the passage below.

Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what The [Ceremonial] Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

While we are told what the Law could not do in the verse above, it would be beneficial for us to recognize what the Law did do for the children of Israel, for the scripture teaches us very clearly that the Law was given to the Israelites by God’s grace, that they might have a means to recognize sin in their hearts and have a light for their path in which to walk with God.

Psalm 119:29 – Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me Thy law graciously.

Psalm 19:7 - The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Psalm 119:9 – Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

Romans 3:1 – What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

The Law was given as a light whereby men could walk with God, similarly to what the Apostle Peter and the Apostle John tells us in their 1st epistles.

1 Peter 1:22 – Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 John 1:5 - This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we [us and God can] have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.+

So let’s look again at that verse in Deuteronomy again-

Deuteronomy 22:5 – The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Many have taken this verse for face value based upon its English transliteration and therefore have fallen into legalism, meaning they have added a definition to it that is not really being applied in the original Hebrew. Such is why there has been strict guidelines in history where women’s and men’s apparel have been kept starkly distinct from each other, such as women having to wear dresses and not pants. But clearly there are pants fashioned uniquely for women that would be inappropriate for men, likewise we have all seen the “kelts,” the  ”skirt-type garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century.”

If we want to get really biblical we would have to acknowledge that Jesus didn’t wear pants, but a loincloth and robe possibly accompanied with a wrap of sorts. So then we are left trying to discern then what exactly is the verse above telling us? To start, let’s look at the Hebrew word translated to the English word “man.”

Deuteronomy 22:5 – The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man , neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Strongs definition of geber is properly; a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply:–every one, man, X mighty.

This Hebrew word  is used 68 times in 64 verses, but only these two times here in Deuteronomy 22:5. What makes that especially noteworthy is the English words “men” (23) and  ”man” (81) are used a total 104 times in 92 verses in Deuteronomy, and add to that ”him” (28), “his” (57), “father” (12), and “husband” (5) for a grand total of  206 times that the male gender has been specifically referenced in English transliteration Deuteronomy.

That means that this one verse out of 92 represents just barely 1% of all the passages in Deuteronomy referencing men; that’s because it’s not referencing just a “man” but “a valiant man or warrior.”

Here’s a favorite verse of mine where that same Hebrew geber word was used-

Proverbs 30:18 - There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: 19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man  with a maid.

For here the writer speaks of how a man who has been trained to fight and kill can still be so tender with a maiden, the contrast of a warrior and a lover. Consider these verses as well -

Isaiah 22:17 - Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty  captivity, and will surely cover thee.

Jeremiah 17:5 - Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man  that trusteth in man , and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man  that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Jeremiah 41:16 Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, even mighty men  of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon:

The inference of the verse in Deuteronomy is clear, a woman should not wear that which pertains unto a warrior, no more than a warrior should put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. What this verse is saying is that a woman should not adorn the outfits, armor, instruments of arms, or uniforms of war; no more than a warrior or soldier should  put on women’s garments. The verse uses the same method of contrast for distinction and assertion as “a man  with a maid.”

But why is that important to God? The answer is in these three passages.

1 Corinthians 11:7 – For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

Ephesians 5:25  - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; 26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Men were created in the image of God to be the glory of God, but God elected to create woman  from man that she might be the glory of man. Thus by divine and holy design men, the male, were created with the ability to enter into the woman, the female, and become one flesh with her that he might impart the seed of life unto her, thus they prophetically present the great mystery of God and humanity, i.e., Christ and the Church. For when both men and women adhere to God’s holy precepts which were given to guide them into perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord, they successfully “adorn the doctrine of God our savior in all things.”

When a woman  adorns the outfits, armor, instruments of arms, or uniforms of war, through her actions she is prophetically proclaiming that she (representative of humanity, the weaker vessel) doesn’t need man (representative of God, the omnipotent) to save her, for she can save herself. Similarly, when a warrior takes off his outfits, armor, instruments of arms, or uniforms of war and wears that which pertains to a woman, his actions are prophetically proclaiming that God is such a one as us, not really better or that much greater.

Psalm 50:16 - But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare My statutes, or that thou shouldest take My covenant in thy mouth? 17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest My words behind thee. 18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. 19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. 20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. 21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. 22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. 23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Yet nowadays in almost every nation and army in the world there are women adorning the outfits, armor, instruments of arms, or uniforms of war. Many would stand up and contend with men that I am wrong and women have as much right and ability to serve in the military as men, but I would direct you to He who has established the prophetic precept to teach us of Himself, of His greatness and our weakness. Further more, do we as Christians honestly believe it up to mere men who wins the wars they fight? Did not young David defeat Goliath because God delivered him into his hands?

Thus when we see men who were created in the image of God with the divine intent that they should be to be the glory of God wearing a woman’s garment, we need to understand that all that do so are abomination unto the LORD our God. That is a fact that cannot be ignore without casting God’s word away from us.

NOW, let me draw your attention back again to the photo of U.S. Army 1st Sgt. David XXXXX. First, he is named David, which means “well-beloved,” as are all those who like David in scriptures are men “after God’s own heart.” But now look at the name of his troop, Nemesis Troop. Sometimes these things are almost too prophetic, that men created in the image of God with the divine intention that they should be the glory of God with hearts thirsting for righteousness, should foolishly yield themselves something that becomes the inescapable agent of their downfall, undoing, ruination, and destruction.

nem·e·sis - (noun); a. - the inescapable agent of someone’s or something’s downfall.

“the balance beam was the team’s nemesis, as two gymnasts fell from the apparatus”

synonyms: archrival, adversary, foe, opponent, arch enemy

“they were beaten in the final by their nemesis”

b. - a long-standing rival; an archenemy.

“will Harry Potter finally defeat his nemesis, Voldemort?”

c. - a downfall caused by an inescapable agent.

“one risks nemesis by uttering such words”

synonyms: downfall, undoing, ruin, ruination, destruction, Waterloo

“this could be the bank’s nemesis”

Do some of you dare think I have overstated the matter? No offense intended , but perhaps it is because you are ignorant (unaware) of an important piece of history concerning the final days of Israel with Jerusalem and the Temple’s destruction by the Romans. But perhaps it is more accurate to say that it was their sin of casting God’s word away from them that became their downfall, undoing, ruination, and destruction. Be mindful that God has preserved Josephus’ record for our benefit lest we should forget His righteous judgment which befall the wicked, such as when His “turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly,” (2 Peter 2:6).

Josephus War of the Jews, Book 4, chapter 9, Paragraph 10 

And now, as soon as Simon had set his wife free, and recovered her from the zealots, he returned back to the remainders of Idumea, and driving the nation all before him from all quarters, he compelled a great number of them to retire to Jerusalem; he followed them himself also to the city, and encompassed the wall all round again; and when he lighted upon any laborers that were coming thither out of the country, he slew them. Now this Simon, who was without the wall, was a greater terror to the people than the Romans themselves, as were the zealots who were within it more heavy upon them than both of the other; and during this time did the mischievous contrivances and courage [of John] corrupt the body of the Galileans; for these Galileans had advanced this John, and made him very potent, who made them suitable requital from the authority he had obtained by their means; for he permitted them to do all things that any of them desired to do, while their inclination to plunder was insatiable, as was their zeal in searching the houses of the rich; and for the murdering of the men, and abusing of the women, it was sport to them. They also devoured what spoils they had taken, together with their blood, and indulged themselves in feminine wantonness, without any disturbance, till they were satiated therewith; while they decked their hair, and put on women’s garments, and were besmeared over with ointments; and that they might appear very comely, they had paints under their eyes, and imitated not only the ornaments, but also the lusts of women, and were guilty of such intolerable uncleanness, that they invented unlawful pleasures of that sort. And thus did they roll themselves up and down the city, as in a brothel-house, and defiled it entirely with their impure actions; nay, while their faces looked like the faces of women, they killed with their right hands; and when their gait was effeminate, they presently attacked men, and became warriors, and drew their swords from under their finely dyed cloaks, and ran every body through whom they alighted upon. However, Simon waited for such as ran away from John, and was the more bloody of the two; and he who had escaped the tyrant within the wall was destroyed by the other that lay before the gates, so that all attempts of flying and deserting to the Romans were cut off, as to those that had a mind so to do.

Now let me give you a verse to contrast this wickedness state that these men had fallen into with-

Romans 3:1 - What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

These were stewards of the oracles of God and consider their miserable end. Now stop and think how far we too have departed from the heart and spirit of George Washington’s prayer to God for the nation of America-

Almighty God,

We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy Holy protection; and Thou wilt incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field.

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

It is evident that those with accountable oversight of America and her military have not only discarded the Law of Faith and the Law of the Spirit of Law in Christ Jesus, but that they are therefore now completely alienated from “the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Which of course means that America is no longer “free from the law of sin and death” or able to avoid the certain judgment of God. For if God had so judged Israel for her sins for having fallen into such abominations, then be forewarned that America’s days are as meagerly numbered as were the days of those men Josephus wrote about…

Walking a mile in her shoes might indeed seem like a “good work,” but think again in like of my opening verse-

Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [disobey] Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Sadly, America, The Eighth Beast,  and her military are now way past just “walking a mile in her shoes…”

Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a nation sows it shall surely reap.