Epistle 55
George Fox exhorts believers to arm themselves for spiritual warfare, wait in the light of Jesus, and tread upon deceit to grow in Christ Jesus.
George Fox delivers a powerful message urging believers to arm themselves for spiritual warfare, emphasizing the need to stand firm against deceit and to uphold the truth of God. He calls on his brethren to be vigilant and to wait in the light of Jesus, which empowers them to overcome the darkness and falsehoods in the world. Fox warns against those who profess faith but do not act accordingly, declaring that they will face judgment. He encourages the faithful to remain united in Christ, growing in their faith and producing fruit for God's glory. Ultimately, he reassures them of the Lord's presence and power as they engage in this spiritual battle.
Text
The word of the Lord God to all my brethren, babes, and soldiers, that are in the spiritual warfare of our Lord Jesus Christ [2 Tim 2:3f]. Arm yourselves, like men of war, that ye may know, what to stand against [Eph 6:11]. Spare not, pity not that which is for the sword (of the spirit,) [Eph 6:17] plague, and famine [Rev 18:8], and set up truth, and confound the deceit, which stains the earth, and cumbers the ground [Luke 13:7]. The dead stinks upon the earth, and with it the earth is stained, therefore bury it. And wait in the light which comes from Jesus, to be clothed with his zeal [Isa 59:17], to stand against all them who act contrary to the light which comes from Jesus, and yet profess the words declared from the light; which are sayers, but not doers [Mat 23:3].
All such are to be trodden without the city under foot; and wo proceeds from the Lord against all such, and the stone is falling upon such, and fallen, to grind them to powder [Mat 21:44]. Arm yourselves like men of war; the mighty power of God goes along with you, to enable you to stand over all the world, and (spiritually) to chain, to fetter, to bind, and to imprison, and to lead out of prison [Mat 18:18?]; to famish, to feed, and to make fat, and to bring into green pastures. So the name and power of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you! And go on in the work of the Lord, that ye may trample upon all deceit within and without.
And all they who are gathered together with the light, and their minds turned towards <71> Christ Jesus, who doth enlighten them, that they may all see the Lord Jesus among them [Mat 18:20], their head, and they his branches [John 15:5]; in the light waiting, and growing up in Christ Jesus, from whence it comes, they may bring forth fruit to the glory of his name. And all waiting and walking in the light, with it ye will see the Lord Jesus amongst you [Mat 18:20]. And ye will see with the light all that hate it, who profess Christ Jesus' words declared from his light, and walk not in it; by his light are they, and all their profession, condemned. And to you this is the word of the Lord.
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- Arm yourselves for spiritual warfare
- Wait in the light of Jesus
- Tread upon deceit and walk in the work of the Lord
- Gather together with the light and Christ Jesus
- Grow in Christ Jesus and bring forth fruit to God's glory
Key Quotes
“Arm yourselves like men of war; the mighty power of God goes along with you, to enable you to stand over all the world, and (spiritually) to chain, to fetter, to bind, and to imprison, and to lead out of prison.” — George Fox
“So the name and power of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!” — George Fox
“And ye will see with the light all that hate it, who profess Christ Jesus' words declared from his light, and walk not in it; by his light are they, and all their profession, condemned.” — George Fox
Application Points
- Prepare yourself to stand against the deceit and plague by understanding the enemy and the sword of the spirit.
- Wait in the light of Jesus by being clothed with Jesus' zeal and standing against those who act contrary to the light.
- Gather together with the light and Christ Jesus to grow in Christ Jesus and bring forth fruit to God's glory.