The Pharisees knew a lot about how to predict the weather, but they were ignorant to the fact of the times they were in . The Messiah was standing right in front of them.

It’s not hard to get cynical about Jesus’ return and say something like, "Well Paul thought Jesus was about to come back, and boy was he wrong! Why should I be concerned?"

(Mat 24:37-51 KJV) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. {38} For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, {39} And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

{40} Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. {41} Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. {42} Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

{43} But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. {44} Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

{45} Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? {46} Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. {47} Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. {48} But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; {49} And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; {50} The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, {51} And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

loins girted – perizosamenoi – to wrap around, gird

truth – aletheia – "the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested veritable essence of a matter"

Background on the Roman Belt: The belt or girdle was six to eight inches wide, went around the waist and everything else was attached to it. It was also important in keeping the soldier's tunic from getting in the way or tripping him as he moved.

Truth can accomplish the same two functions that the belt did.

righteousness – dikaiosunes – righteousness; conformity to the Divine will in purpose, thought and action.

Background on the Roman Breastplate: It was made of bronze backed with tough pieces of hide. It protected the heart.

Readiness of mind that comes from the gospel whose message is peace.

Background of the Roman Boot: The hobnail sandal. Its importance was in giving a firm footing during hand-to-hand combat. To keep the soldier from slipping.

Several things keep us from slipping.

taking up – analabontes – to take up, to raise; to take to oneself. A shield is no good if it's not held up for protection, so faith is no good unless we exercise it.

shield – thureon – a door stone; a large oblong shield, not the small round shield of the light-armed soldier.

faith – pisteos – faith, belief, trust, confidence

These darts were sometimes ablaze in order to set fire to the enemies' clothing or camp or homes just as American Indians did. They used tar or pitch on the end of the arrows or darts and they would not only burn, but if they hit a crack in the armor, the pitch would drip inside, burning the soldier badly.

Background on the Roman Shield: Two feet wide by four feet long, used to ward off blows of the enemy and to hide behind when enemy archers let go a volley of arrows. It contained layers of wood and hide and sometimes bronze. When flaming darts would hit it, they would stick in it but then snuff themselves out in the hide. The Romans could kneel down on the ground and erect a wall of shields around them to block out flaming missiles as they advanced (phalanx).

My ability to trust God, to be confident in His ability, is going to be directly related to whether or not I'm going to get burned by Satan's attacks. Is God faithful? Can I trust Him?

take – dexasthe – to receive, accept; of taking or accepting what is offered.

Background on Roman Helmet: Protection for the head from the fatal blow.

First I must be saved if I want to keep my head from getting smashed in. But as a believer, it's important that I don't let the enemy knock me in head by messing with my mind, making me doubt my salvation.

This is the only "offensive" weapon in the list.

sword – machairan – a large knife, short sword, dagger; not a large broad sword or straight sword for thrusting

Background on Roman Sword: It was about twenty-four inches long, sharp on both edges, and pointed on the end. A trained soldier could thrust and cut from any position so as never to be caught off balance. Opposing armies used larger swords that required a certain stance with a hefty swing, so a Roman soldier could duck, catch the other guy off balance and finish him off before he knew what hit him.

I need to become proficient at using God's Word. I need to be familiar with it, and practically, not just knowing answers to Sunday School questions of Bible Trivia Games. I need to know how it affects me, and what it says about the areas that I'm weakest in. I need to put it into my heart so that it's there when I need it, and that it might become a part of me.

Though we may not see prayer as part of the list of weapons, I think it’s pretty important to include it in the list. Prayer is how we keep in touch with our Commander in Chief. It’s our communication with the generals who run the army.

There is a sense in which much of our sins are things we have planned to do.

Acts 19:18-20 And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. {19} Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. {20} So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.