There are differing ranks in military service. There are generals, corporals, sergeants, lieutenants, majors and other ranks. A person in a lower rank cannot go to a higher rank without being promoted. Those in higher rank must do the promoting. Those of lower rank cannot take it upon themselves to take on a higher rank.

    Those of higher rank make the rules and regulations that the lower ranks must abide by. The lower ranks must obey the rules. If they do not obey the rules of their rank, they are disciplined.

    The Thessalonians were told to warn the unruly. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, we read, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” The word ‘unruly’ comes from the Greek word for “out of the ranks.” The word was used of the soldier who did not remain in his rank.

    Christians are spiritual soldiers. They have been given their regulations by which they are to fight the spiritual fight and by which they are to live daily. The regulations are the Bible. We must study and learn how God wants us to live. We must learn to do all that God commands.

    Anyone who says he is a Christian but does not obey God is out of rank, and that person will be disciplined by God in the Judgment.

    Learn what you need to do to live the life of a Christian. Obey God and stay in your rank. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

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The Rod of God

    In Exodus 4:20, we read, “And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.”

   Earlier in the chapter, God had told Moses to throw his rod on the ground. Moses’ rod had become a serpent. Moses then grabbed it by the tail and it was once again a rod. God told him to perform this for the Israelites to convince them that Moses had been sent by God. In the above verse, Moses’ rod is called “the rod of God.”

    We know that Moses is a type of Christ. There are so many ways that Moses gave a picture of Christ. This is another. Moses’ rod was made of wood. Christ’s rod is pictured as one of iron (it is not a literal rod of iron). This was an indication that Christ has authority of Judge and Punisher of those who would be his enemies.

    In Psalm 2:9, the psalmist stated about Christ, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” In Revelation 12:5, Christ is again pictured, “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” And again in Revelation 19:15, “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

    Moses had the rod of God. God was giving him the power to do things with his rod. Jesus has the rod of God. The Father has given Jesus all power and authority until the Judgment Day. God is a loving God. God is a merciful God. God is also a Just God. He demands obedience to His rule. He has a rod of iron to discipline those who will not follow Him.

Study your Bible. Learn what you must do to obey God. Do not get disciplined by the rod of God. Stay in His love and mercy.