manford

Peter followed Jesus and carried a sword as Jesus had permitted him via Luke 22:36. That's how the Roman soldier's ear was cut off. Jesus just does not want you as he did with Peter in that passage to take the liscense to carry a weapon to belligerence. And the two witnesses were mentioned earlier in Revelation. They were also given special abilities with which to protect themselves until they were overtaken. And as far as Jesus being a passivist. I don;t believe that is true. In the book of matthew out right he was very aggressive and almost abrasive to the Jewish aristocracy. He didn't fight back when he was being crucified because he was fulfilling a necessary purpose for the time being. The bible makes it very clear that he will avenge himself (Revelation 1:7). If he was passive, this would not be the case and there wouldn't be a such thing as armageddon.

He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” —Luke 22:36, NIV Also: Matthew 10:23 "When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." You don't have to just let some one do harm to you. Jesus only did it because he was sacrificing himself for the world's sins. You and me can't do that. Thank you for the welcome. Glad to be here

Jesus did say at one point that since the times are evil, let him who doesn't own a sword, sell his tunic and buy one. Peter said, i got mine (in more typical terms). And Jesus said, thats all you need. I don't think Jesus means for us to be totally defenseless without going to far and being belligerent. A smack in the face was an insult during those times, not necessarily an assault as a smack in the face would be considered today. So I think with the turn the other cheek teaching he was mainly endorsing the idea of enduring insults without retaliation. But that's not to say that we are instructed not to defend our selves in case of an assault. 2 different things. - ~Manford