Cheryl Schatz

Robin, I agree that iron sharpening iron is a good thing. I have learned from people who were solidly against me in other areas when they showed me something that I had missed. When I listened to what they had to say, it helped me clear up some loose string and surprisingly made my argument even stronger. I believe that body of Christ needs each one as God has not given any one of us all of His gifts. We are meant to minister to one another and to learn from one another. I agree that the tense of a verb is very important and should not be missed. We want to make sure that we understand what the author is saying, and not try to fit it into our own little box. Robin, you said that Jesus could not have meant “all” in Matthew 26:52 because it wasn’t true. Let’s use the definition you provided: “in totality with focus on its individual components.” If the definition is applied to “all who take the sword will perish by it,” we would interpret it as “the totality of individual persons who take up swords will (each) perish by them.” Of course, that can’t be a true statement. However, it is true that “some” of the people who take up swords will perish by them. I don’t agree. Jesus’ words are always true and He spoke the truth or else explained when His words had a spiritual meaning and were being misunderstood. When Jesus said “all” in Matthew 26:52, He meant all. Matthew 26:52 (NASB) Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Jesus is not talking about those who just wield the sword. He is using an idiom that has a specific meaning. “To take the sword” is used for rashly usurping magisterial power instead of giving obedience and subjection to God. Are all those who refuse to give obedience and subjection to God, but take their own vengeance into their own hands – will all of these be killed with the sword? Jesus said they would and He gave a second witness. The testimony of Jesus is given in the book of Revelation. Revelation 13:10 (NASB) If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. His testimony is that God’s justice will bring an eye for an eye and the saints can count on that. Also in Revelation 19:15 He is said to be the one who measures out the wrath of God and the sharp sword is mentioned as the way He accomplishes God’s wrath. Revelation 19:15 (NASB) From His mouth comes a sharp sword , so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. Revelation 1:16 (NASB) In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. Do I believe that Jesus meant “all” in Matthew 26:52? Yes, I believe He meant exactly what He said. I believe He meant “all” and the perishing is the judgment that He will do in the future. All judgment is given for Him to accomplish as He is the Son of man and the sword from His mouth is how He will slay the wicked. I like how Paul said it in Romans when he was responding to those who were accusing God of not being faithful to His own words. Romans 3:4 (NASB) May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED.” Robin, if you have biblical evidence for Matthew 26:52 that Jesus said “all” but the Father really meant just “some”, I would be very interested to read your reasoning. Until I am convinced from the Scriptures, I stand on Matthew 26:52 and John 12:32 that all means all.