“Enemy-occupied territory---that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.”
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
On June 6th, 1944, great plans sprang to life and went in to motion. Thousands upon thousands of soldiers, American, French, British, Polish and many others prepared for the warning signals and the fog to lift. When this happened, the invasion of France, the largest naval invasion in the history of the world, would begin. This was a significant day in modern history; the Nazi regime held much of Europe, and, if this invasion was successful, the Allies would systematically begin to take it back, beginning with the largest coastal foothold the German Army held. Yet it wasn't just the ships that would engage: hundreds if not thousands of partisan freedom fighters in enemy occupied territory would disrupt communications, upset supply lines, and disrupt lines of reinforcement to help liberate their homeland. It was an invasion that required coalition, coordination, and courage: around 80 percent of those on the first drop boats died as they exited their invasion craft, and many French citizens risked and even gave up their lives to help this effort. The whole invasion, indeed the war, hinged on this gambit. It was grim, bloody, and required much sacrifice, yet the courage of the invaders overwhelmed the defending German Army. To this day, men in France weep when thinking about what they grew up in, and the cost of their current freedoms.
Why do I say all of this? Quite simply, I agree with C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity. We're born in to a war zone, and living on Enemy occupied territory. The invasion HAS begun, and with great cost: the Son of the Rightful King gave up His life as a ransom for the captives, only to take it up again, and we who remain until the invasion comes must disrupt the plans of the Enemy. Christ died to liberate us from the Enemy's power, we who remain until His coming, generation upon generation, seek to disrupt the Enemy by bringing people to our Lord and Master, who can liberate all from the Enemy's chains. For when the invasion comes, and come it will, there is no more hope. The final judgment comes, and there is no more repentance. When the Lord returns to His own, all will stand before Him, and be known by their own deeds, or be known by His Son. When the invasion comes, how will you be recognized?
Revelation 19:11-21 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in[a] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.
