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D-Day
June 2, 2012

Back on June 6, 1944, thousands of brave military men took part in a major amphibious landing against a heavily fortified beachhead in Normandy, France. The Allies, the Americans, British, and Canadians, faced heavy fire from the Germans who were determined to drive them back in to the sea. Many of the Allies died before ever reaching shore. Even though there are countless pictures and movies taken by combat photographers, it is hard to imagine what it must have been like. The movie Saving Private Ryan shows very graphic images of what this day must have been. When this day started nearly 68 years ago, the military commanders had no idea how the day would end. Would they be victorious, or would they lose? So two speeches were prepared, just in case. As history shows, the Allies were able to advance on German positions and establish a beachhead that would lead to the ultimate defeat of Germany. I admire those who sacrifice so much so that others can live in freedom, and it is important to never forget those who gave so much so that we live in freedom. A military cemetery is near the landing area where thousands of brave combat fighters are buried. These fallen heroes gave their life so that we may live in freedom, and I am reminded of a passage from the Bible.

John 15:11
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

In this passage, Jesus was foreshadowing his ultimate fate, and we may apply this principal to our lives today. Many of the soldiers who died on D-Day, died for more than this country. They were fighting to save the life of the friend who was right next to them. They were fighting for each other. This is one of the reasons why soldiers do not leave behind a fallen soldier in combat. I admire those who are willing to put their life at risk so that others may live in peace, but the passage from John is from a larger section of scripture that begins to give us a complete picture of what was meant.

John 15:9-17
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another

Jesus was willing to lay down his life for his friends, and Jesus shares with us that we are his friends if we do whatever he commands us to do. He goes on to explain that we are to love one another even as Jesus kept the Father's commandments. And if we do this, we are his friends. For many, the connection between Jesus and fighting ends there or at his crucifixion. For whatever reason, most do not discuss the prophecies of Revelation that show Jesus returning as a combat warrior to liberate earth from the evils of the occupying force of Satan the Devil.

Revelation 19:11-21
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 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. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Jesus is our savior, our friend, and will one day liberate the earth from the evil that rules it today much like those brave soldiers who fought on D-Day. When Jesus returns only the oppressors will lose their life. Those with Jesus will win, so if you are a friend of Jesus, if you keep his commandments as he kept the Father's commandments, you will win on this day, too.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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