Self Defense: Is it Scriptural? Part 2

Part 2: A Side of Love and Compassion Rarely Taught in Christianity But it is All Over the Bible

Most of Christianity has a one sided or false idea of the love, mercy, and compassion of God. It has been humanistic, far eastern guru mystified, and it lacks any truth or power. Sometimes love can appear to be harsh, unloving, offensive, unyielding, and downright mean. Sometimes it can be deadly!

If you don't believe that then you haven't read the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and the Book of Revelation. In them, you will find Jesus offending many people. In some cases, they were so offended that the hound dogs of religiosity made plans to murder Jesus. Sometimes, they picked up rocks to stone Him, and once they tried to kill Him by pushing Him off a cliff!

Jesus threw family members out of a funeral being held for a little girl. He then raised the girl up from the dead. He had to get out the dead heads of religion before raising the little girl up from the dead!

He made a whip to drive out all the greedy traders in the Temple courtyard! He began to beat them and turn over their tables! He was all sweet, right? No, Jesus was extremely angry in that case and ready to rumble! He raged violently against the evil He saw in the Temple! If He was some weak and sickly looking man like you see in many depictions of Him, He never would have gotten to the second table before being given a memorable beat down by the money changers and animal sellers!

Jesus called religious leaders vipers, children of hell, whited sepulchers, and more harsh things! These were unlovely words, according to the humanistic love many preach and teach. Today, if you say things that don't even approach the intensity or harshness of Jesus' words, many Christians cringe and think you are unloving. They would have hated Jesus when He shifted gears and was tough and intense with His tongue or actions!

When Peter tried to rebuke Him, He called Peter Satan! Was that super nice? No, it wasn’t, but it was love in action. Did you know that?

When most of Jesus’ disciples got up and left because His words were too nasty for their religious sensibilities, He turned to the few left and asked them if they wanted to leave too. There was no compromise with Jesus! He loved people by telling them the truth, regardless of what people thought or whether they received it or not.

Even when Jesus’ own mother and brothers wanted to see Him because they thought He had lost His mind, He refused to see them and rebuked them for not following the Word! Sometimes family needs to be set straight according to the Word when they come knocking at your door with unbelief!

None of the above was done in mousey tones of niceness. Some foolishly think that speaking the truth in love should be sweet at all the times. Wrong! It is stinking thinking!

The book of Revelation chapters 2 and 3 reveals how love (Jesus) rebuked His churches when they were backsliding or dead! It is not all sugar and spice and everything nice. Read the chapters carefully and allow all the falsehoods you have learned about "love language" and "walking in love" to be flushed out of your system! When the Lord says, "I will fight against you with the sword of my mouth", and "I will kill your followers with death and cast you into a sickbed" that is not the sweet talk of humanistic love! I wonder if His face was smiling and relaxed when He said all that or if there was fire in His eyes and voice? That would have been the wrong time for laughter. There was nothing funny about what He told them!

Was Jesus stern and unrelenting? Yes, but then He would call all the kids and lay hands on them and bless them! Tough, stern, AND lovable towards all that came to Him for healing and deliverance. He never turned away the humble that would come to receive!

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will]. (Revelation 3:19 Amplified Bible)

Get your teaching straight. Tender love will rebuke, discipline, show people their faults, instruct people, and call on them to change their sinful behavior!

We serve a mighty warrior King who is also Savior, Healer, and Provider. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5) and we were put into the new creation IN CHRIST (2 Corinthians 5:17) when we surrendered our lives to the Lord Jesus and began living for Him. We are to be lions with Him, and not little weak lambs! To the world, they may consider us as lambs to the slaughter because of the apparently good and fun side to our compassion, but we are to be more than conquerors, real lions! (Romans 8:36, 37) We are not like the false "roaring" lion that is Satan (1 Peter 5:8), but we are of the conquering lions under the Lion of the tribe of Judah that has already overcome!

The righteous are bold as a lion! (Proverbs 28:1NKJV)

Don't mistake our Christian compassion for the hurting and oppressed as weakness or submission to the enemy. I warn you. If you are sensitive or sissified and the girly beta male type, you will seethe at my comments. You will hate them. They will take away your sleep until you repent and ask for God’s help to get you out of your betahood (an original word) and start becoming a real man. 

Do you know what I mean when I say betahood (my made-up word) or a girly-beta-male? Let me show you with two pictures that were published on Gab social. These explain it much better than I could.

A strong and courageous man compared to a sissified beta male!

 

No, I do not agree with the lying part, but the point is knowing the difference between real men (minus the lying) and pathetic girly beta males.

The bad thought occurs to me from time to time, “Maybe if I slap the crap out of this girly male, maybe “it” will wake up to manhood!" After they cry and roll up in a fetal position on the floor, then you can lay hands on them and cast the devil out of them IF they want help! Then, I would go and wash my hands!

Over the years, I’ve prayed and laid hands on many people to receive healing that had infectious diseases. I’ve never washed my hands after doing that. I believed the greater One was in me as I prayed, and healing was coming through me. These beta dudes, yuk! Bring on the antibacterial soap!

Again, let’s settle it. Our compassion is never weak because it can also be like a mama elephant with her babies. Get too close and suddenly, she goes ballistic! Her compassion for her babies will cause her to squash you like a bug to protect her own whether it’s a real or perceived threat. It makes no difference. It’s clobbering time! It could make you a greasy spot on the ground after you are squashed by the 12-ton mama!

The same can be said of a bear and her cubs! There are many mamas like that today. They are full of love and compassion for their offspring, but try and hurt their babies, and the fight to the death is on. Any threat will be met with extreme violence. It should be.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on his faithful followers. (Psalms 103:13 NET)

It's like a father protecting his wife and kids with every instrument available to him, even to the death of his enemies. At least that is how real men of Godly compassion and mercy will react to protect their loved ones, but as we have seen, not all males are real men.

If you are a beta, squishy toy, pushover girly-male afraid of your own shadow, then you should not get married or have children unless you change drastically. Could you imagine the travesty of being a beta girly male that looks like the sissified “it” in the pictures above, and they reproduce? Just having sex with a woman and getting her pregnant with a child does not make you a man. Betahood submissiveness to the world, the devil, the baby butchering Demonrats, and to lying MSM, will make your kids three times the wuss that you are. That is truly bad! Boyish sissified males like that are not worthy to have children upon the earth. They will not contribute any good thing to the development of future manhood. They may be males by birth, but they are not real men. They're more worried about using the right pronouns, LGBTQrstuvwxyz garbage rights, BLM, CRT, self-hatred, toxic manhood, compliance, white rage, worship of the garden gnome Fauci, and living in their mama's basement rent free. I have nothing good to say about those evil creatures!

These pseudo males are the weakling types that wouldn't say or do anything to the thug trying to feel up his wife on the train, airplane, or bus. Real manhood compassion will violently take out the thug quickly by whatever means necessary. No bones about it. No prayer needed at that point. Not much thinking necessary in that scenario. It would be time to act quickly and decisively, full auto, and no holds barred. The idea is to hurt the perpetrator so badly that he won’t be able to get up off the floor!

Some may be thinking it right now, “And you call yourself a Christian?” I know I am a follower of Jesus. I’m not your traditional Christian that tolerates evil pushed upon my family or children. It would be righteous, and it would be a good thing to defend my wife’s honor, and to take a stand against those that would attempt to hurt my kids.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21 NIV)

That verse is immediately found before Romans 13:1, but many never quote it as it was intended, as part of the intro to Romans 13. Chapter or verse divisions were not a part of the original text!

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. (Romans 13:4)

Don’t be religious and refuse to see another side to this. We are to rule and reign in LIFE now over sin and death, not just in the afterlife! (Romans 5:17; 8:37) We are those in authority over the devil and demon power NOW! (Ephesians 6:12-17, Luke 10:17, Mark 16:17, 18)   

It is not only government or police that can carry a sword or gun, in the same way that we are all commanded to overcome evil with good, whether we are government officials, police officers, military, or civilians! I want you to understand that the command to overcome evil with good is for all believers. It follows then that to carry a sword or weapon to overcome evil with good is not only allowed for all believers, but it is also commanded. This is not a stretch except for the religiously brainwashed mind.

Carrying the sword (or weapon) is not in vain. People that practice evil should be afraid that we carry a weapon for the sake of good! Its purpose is to do what is right and good against evil. Sometimes a weapon is what stands between you and an evil outcome. So, to use a weapon against evil when evil wants to prevail over good would be proper, good, and righteous.

What would compassion do? What would love do? What would mercy do?

Compassion would cause a real man to kill an illegal immigrant perv caught raping his 5 y/o daughter! Remember that story in 2021? The man that beat that pervert to death is a national hero, a real treasure, and an awesome example. He should get a medal and his own parenting show! His main topic: "This is what a real man looks like!"

You have not seen violence until you see what a real man would do to those attempting to hurt his kids. Never come to a real man's door attempting to force the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson or other devil pharma death jabs on him or his family. Big and very permanent mistake for the fools that try that. Compassion in a real man would cause him to "dispatch" the vaccine of death totalitarians trying to force themselves on his family. Forcing a jab is tantamount to at least a rape, and at maximum it is committing murder.

Frankly, in a scenario where we are forced to get a vaccine, guns may have to come out blazing. Civil war or a revolutionary war could happen in the US if we are forbidden to buy, sell, trade, or travel unless we are vaccinated and show our vaccine passports. That all sounds eerily familiar to the mark of the beast in Revelation 13:16-18, and most churches refuse to see any correlation with what is happening worldwide! Read it because it is coming eventually, and we see overwhelming evidence of its encroachment now.

Demons in government in America are starting to push mandatory vaccines. What could happen? The government is playing with the firepower of the American people, and a bloody civil war could happen. I pray that NEVER happens! The truth is that totalitarian thugs will not be able to stop a force of 70 to 80 million strong that rises against them, or the six hundred and fifty million weapons in civilian hands! Totalitarians will wet their pants before their rage and surrender like the cowards they are. We the people will have spoken. We the people are Christians AND non-Christians that are willing to fight for our country and our Constitution. It would be a righteous battle if the necessity ever came for it. We are to control the government according to the Constitution. The government should never control the people. The Constitution is the main governing law of the land. Any law or “mandate” that violates our American constitutional rights should be rejected immediately. Masking, social distancing, the death jabs, vaccine passports, and the rest of the Covid garbage are of the devil and they violate our rights, both human and constitutional!

It is mercy and compassion to fight for our constitutional freedoms, even if the day comes to fight to the death of our enemies. Note how I stated that. Never heard of that side of mercy and compassion? Probably not because the Scripture isn't really studied or taught much in most churches. All you hear in most churches are snippets of the Bible here and there, mostly out of context, severely watered down, or twisted to mean something foreign to the Bible!

Did you know that when God slaughters or commands the slaughter of the enemies of his real and true people that God is demonstrating everlasting mercy and compassion? Ready to get any religious spirit left in you blown away?

To Him Who smote Egypt in their firstborn, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. (Psalms 136:10 AMP)

The slaughter of all the Egyptian firstborn was an act of God's eternal or everlasting mercy and "loving" kindness! Was God having the firstborn slaughtered show His love? Man, that is hard to swallow if you look at this religiously and watered down by Sunday school at most churches! Yes, it showed to what extent God (who is love, the merciful God) was willing to go to deliver His people. Love allowed the slaughter of the firstborn to get freedom for His family.

Let that sink in. Let it refresh and empower you today. That is the real true God that we serve! He will fight for us and with us to deadly force if necessary!

What else did the God who is love and is merciful do as a demonstration of His eternal kindness?

But shook off and overthrew Pharaoh and his host into the Red Sea, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. (Psalms 136:15 AMP)

God's love, mercy, and kindness caused Him to drown the enemies of His people in the Red Sea! Death by drowning the enemies of His people was a manifestation of love, mercy, kindness, and just good ole compassion! My God!

More mercy?

To Him Who smote great kings, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; and slew famous kings, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. (Psalms 136:17, 18 AMP)

God smiting to the death famous and great kings because of His love, mercy, kindness, or to use another word, because of His wonderful compassion, is an awesome Word we need today.

In your great kindness towards all true believers God, I ask you that our evil dictatorial governmental enemies would be slaughtered. May they be struck down with death and/or drowned in the sea. Lord fight against those who fight with us and may they be subjected to affliction or trouble from every side! (Psalms 35:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:6)

That is a good prayer! I am praying according to the Scripture we quoted above and according to the 2 verses in parenthesis, so don't get offended. Have you ever prayed like that? If you don’t pray that way, you should!

Here is something else that should be understood. God also smote or slew the following kings mentioned by name:

Sihon king of the Amorites, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; and Og king of Bashan, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. (Psalms 136:19, 20 AMP)

The context is clear. God slew the kings Sihon and Og, but read the stories in the book of Numbers and note how God used His people to do the slaying. God often uses and backs His own people to fight a battle and kill their enemies. That is also a demonstration of God's love, mercy, kindness, and compassion as He gives His people the victory over the enemy. Diplomacy was applied first. When diplomacy failed, then the sword was unremittingly enforced.

But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border. Instead Sihon gathered all his people together and went out against Israel into the wilderness, and came to Jahaz, and he fought against Israel. (Numbers 21:23 AMP)

Big mistake!

And Israel smote the king of the Amorites with the edge of the sword and possessed his land from the river Arnon to the river Jabbok, as far as the Ammonites, for the boundary of the Ammonites was strong. (Numbers 21:24 AMP)

Psalms 136:19 tells us it was God's love, mercy, and kindness that did it, and notice that God did it through the armed battalions of His people! Weep all you gutless Christians! Your misunderstanding of the love of God is profound.

What about the slaying of King Og as an act of mercy, love, and kindness in Psalms 136:20?

Then they turned and went up by the way of Bashan; and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. But the Lord said to Moses, Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon. So the Israelites slew Og and his sons and all his people until there was not one left alive, And they possessed his land. (Numbers 21:31-35 AMP)

Not one of Og and his people were left alive, and Psalms 136:20 calls this a love victory! It was a lovefest, a compassion event, a kindness "concert" to kill them all because God gave His people the strength and ability to destroy their enemies.

Space will not allow me to also look at Samson, David, Gideon, and a bunch of others that were empowered by God's love and compassion to annihilate their enemies.

Has God changed? Has He stopped giving His people power and dominion over their enemies in His love, mercy, kindness, and compassion? Of course not.

I am the Lord. I do not change. (Malachi 3:6 ICB)

God doesn’t change, and neither does the Lord Jesus!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)

Look at these verses to finish this section:

Psalm 18:32-42 (NKJV): 32 It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places. 34 He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. 36 You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip. 37 I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. 38 I have wounded them, So that they could not rise; They have fallen under my feet. 39 For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. 40 You have also given me the necks of my enemies, So that I destroyed those who hated me. 41 They cried out, but there was none to save; Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them. 42 Then I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind; I cast them out like dirt in the streets.

That, my brother and sister are right thoughts and correct attitudes. It is the right way to trust and believe God, and if you hook in Psalms 91, you have a perfect portrait! It worked for David against the lion, bear, Goliath, and all of David's enemies.

David was a very important ancestor of Jesus. Jesus was called the seed or descendant of David, and the son of David! (John 7:42, Romans 1:3, 2 Timothy 2:8) If Jesus is my brother (Hebrews 2:11), then David is my great great, great, great, great, (and many more “greats”), my grandpa! I will emulate him as well!

Psalm 144:1: Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.

2 Samuel 22:35: He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Can you see that these are not isolated verses, but the clear teaching of Scripture?

Psalm 44:6-7: I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.

Putting your trust in weapons is foolish at best. Weapons can fail, but God NEVER fails! Yet, that does not mean we don’t own weapons and train, train, and then train some more. The victory comes from the Lord, and that is where we lay our trust. 

Though I point these things out, don't think I am a violent person. I am far from it, and anybody that knows me knows I love peace and peaceful resolutions. Let me bring the truth of the matter out clearly once more. I am totally against violence. I believe in going low, keeping my mouth shut when necessary, and I am a firm believer in de-escalation when confronted with someone expecting a fight. I am a peacemaker. I hate fights and I hate violence. Violence is the LAST thing on my map. If I have to fight, I have already failed at de-escalation and communication. There has never been a greater truth than to harden yourself with training and learn to fight and defeat an enemy so that you never have to fight! It is a deterrent. So many years have passed since I first began training in martial arts. I still train, just to a lesser degree. In all those years, I only used my training a few times, and never because I instigated the violence. I did know how to stop the violence. Thank God! I never look for fights and I don't instigate violence. I have learned the "martial" art of talking my way out of potentially violent encounters. That has served me much better than my fists or a firearm. Just a note for those that may want to misinterpret my words in this article and push violent actions,  and use me as an excuse. Having to resort to violence is a terrible thing. Never forget it, but also let us never forget our responsibilities and our duty to stand firm for the truth.

Patriotic Quotes from America’s Godly Founding Fathers

Let me give you some patriotic quotes from some of America’s godly founding fathers. Take them to heart. They are extremely relevant today in the mess we are facing in America with totalitarian and dictatorial rulers and their cronies.

Most of these quotes are in their original form so spelling differences will be noticed. Some words were spelled differently back then.

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams

That is important info for several reasons. Most of the founding fathers of America were deeply religious, and several of them were Christian ministers.

Following, notice how these godly men refer to the use of weapons and what they thought concerning the right to bear arms as ratified in the Second Amendment. Note how they were vehemently against disarming the people as other countries had done.  

"The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." Thomas Jefferson, Commonplace Book, quoting 18th century criminologist Cesare Beccaria, 1774-1776

"Thus the peaceable part of mankind will be continually overrun by the vile and abandoned, while they neglect the means of self-defense. The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand, arms, like law, discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. The balance of power is the scale of peace. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside. And while a single nation refuses to lay them down, it is proper that all should keep them up. Horrid mischief would ensue were one-half the world deprived of the use of them; for while avarice and ambition have a place in the heart of man, the weak will become a prey to the strong. The history of every age and nation establishes these truths, and facts need but little arguments when they prove themselves." Thomas Paine, "Thoughts on Defensive War" in Pennsylvania Magazine, July 1775

That entire article should be read. Thomas Paine hits the nail on the head against all pacifism as was practiced by the religious Quakers. He said that Satan and evil people were still on the loose on the planet and we must take up self-defense. I really like it when he says this: “I am thus far a Quaker, that I would gladly agree with all the world to lay aside the use of arms, and settle matters by negotiation; but unless the whole will, the matter ends, and I take up my musket and thank heaven he (God) has put it in my power.”

Do you understand? We want peaceful relations, but when that fails, we have weapons to defend ourselves! Read the updated article here:

https://selfeducatedamerican.com/2013/09/26/thoughts-on-defensive-war-by-thomas-paine 

You can also read the original autograph, but you must scroll down to section XII where the essay is found. http://thomaspainefoundation.com/the-writings-of-thomas-paine-vol-i.html

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." Thomas Jefferson, Virginia Constitution, Draft 1, 1776

“This difference is ascribed to our superiority in taking aim when we fire; every soldier in our army having been intimate with his gun from his infancy." Thomas Jefferson, letter to Giovanni Fabbroni, June 8, 1778

“The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun." Patrick Henry, Speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 5, 1778

I really enjoy reading the words of Thomas Jefferson.

"Give about two of them every day to exercise; for health must not be sacrificed to learning. A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercise, I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprize, and independance to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks. Never think of taking a book with you. The object of walking is to relax the mind. You should therefore not permit yourself even to think while you walk. But divert your attention by the objects surrounding you. Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far. "Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, August 19, 1785

See it here:

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-08-02-0319)

"What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms." Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Stephens Smith, son-in-law of John Adams, December 20, 1787

"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops." Noah Webster, An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, October 10, 1787

"If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no resource left but in the exertion of that original right of self-defense which is paramount to all positive forms of government, and which against the usurpations of the national rulers, may be exerted with infinitely better prospect of success than against those of the rulers of an individual state. In a single state, if the persons entrusted with supreme power become usurpers, the different parcels, subdivisions, or districts of which it consists, having no distinct government in each, can take no regular measures for defense. The citizens must rush tumultuously to arms, without concert, without system, without resource; except in their courage and despair." Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 28, December 26, 1787

This is exactly what is happening today with the Covid impositions and mandates. Government has betrayed the constituents. We are coming to the point where these usurpers, if they don’t back down, we may have to rise and take up arms to defend ourselves. These are not my words, and truthfully, I hope it NEVER comes to that. I am telling you what our godly founding fathers thought about the betrayers in government that are drunk with power over the people.

"To disarm the people... is the most effectual way to enslave them." George Mason, The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, June 14, 1788

Do you see why the Democrat evil dictators want to disarm the public? They want to enslave the American people! Let us never give up our 650 million guns presently in the hands of the civilian population!

"Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of." James Madison, Federalist No. 46, January 29, 1788

"Americans have the right and advantage of being armed ― unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." (The Federalist, No. 46 at 243- 244)

"Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation.... Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." (The Federalist, No. 46)

"It is not certain that with this aid alone [possession of arms], they would not be able to shake off their yokes. But were the people to posses the additional advantages of local governments chosen by themselves, who could collect the national will, and direct the national force; and of officers appointed out of the militia, by these governments and attached both to them and to the militia, it may be affirmed with the greatest assurance, that the throne of every tyranny in Europe would be speedily overturned, in spite of the legions which surround it." (The Federalist, No. 46)

Federalist No. 46 was from January 29, 1788. Link:

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-10-02-0261

“A militia when properly formed are in fact the people themselves…and include, according to the past and general usage of the states, all men capable of bearing arms… to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them." Richard Henry Lee, Federal Farmer No. XVIII, January 25, 1788

Here is the link to this Federal Farmer essay thought to be written by Richard Henry Lee:

https://leefamilyarchive.org/papers/essays/fedfarmer/18.html

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." Samuel Adams, Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 1788

"If circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude, that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people, while there is a large body of citizens little if at all inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow citizens-This appears to me the only substitute that can be devised for a standing army; the best possible security against it, if it should exist." Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 29, January 10, 1788

Go here to read Federalist No. 29:

https://www.consource.org/document/the-federalist-no-29-1788-1-9/

"I ask who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers." George Mason, Address to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 4, 1788

"The right of the people to keep and bear...arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country...." (James Madison, I Annals of Congress 434 [June 8, 1789])

"What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty .... Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins." Rep. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, I Annals of Congress 750, August 17, 1789

"As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as the military forces which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms." Tench Coxe, Philadelphia Federal Gazette, June 18, 1789

Here it is:

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-12-02-0144

"A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined." George Washington, First Annual Address, January 8, 1790

This next one will get you in the gut. It did me.

“Our cause is just. Our union is perfect. Our internal resources are great, and, if necessary, foreign assistance is undoubtedly attainable. –We gratefully acknowledge, as signal instances of the Divine favour towards us, that his Providence would not permit us to be called into this severe controversy, until we were grown up to our present strength, had been previously exercised in warlike operation, and possessed of the means of defending ourselves. With hearts fortified with these animating reflections, we most solemnly, before God and the world, declare, that, exerting the utmost energy of those powers, which our beneficent Creator hath graciously bestowed upon us, the arms we have been compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverence, employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with one mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live slaves. In our own native land, in defence of the freedom that is our birthright, and which we ever enjoyed till the late violation of it – for the protection of our property, acquired solely by the honest industry of our fore-fathers and ourselves, against violence actually offered, we have taken up arms. We shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed shall be removed, and not before.” Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms. A declaration by the representatives of the united colonies of north America, now met in congress at Philadelphia, setting forth the causes and necessity of their taking up arms-July 6, 1775  

"The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed." Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Cartwright, 5 June 1824

"The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them." Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, 1833

Amen to all that!

Let us pray that we can diplomatically, spiritually, judicially, and by our vote stop the tyranny imposed by bad government. There is a lot of work to do, and we have to do it.