Watchman on the Wall

Narrator: Welcome to Watchman on the Wall, a daily outreach of Southwest Radio Ministries and swrc.com. God is still on the throne, and prayer changes things. This week, Mark Lindstead will solve the third temple mystery, Donald Perkins will continue his verse-by-verse study of Revelation, and Josh Davis will report on the latest headlines from the end times.

For over 93 years, Southwest Radio Ministries has been dedicated to equipping you with Bible-based teachings about end times events and Bible prophecy to guide your understanding of the signs of the times. We are a Christian non-profit ministry with a God-ordained mandate to through all forms of media, broadcast the urgency of God's prophetic messages found in the Bible to guide our lives.

We are financially supported by contributions from friends and partners, like you guys, of the ministry. With your continued financial support, we'll be able to proclaim the good news that God is still on the throne, and prayer changes things. Please, this week, will you give your best gift by visiting swrc.com or call 1-800-652-1144? Thank you for your prayers and support. Now, here's today's host, staff evangelist, Josh Davis.

Josh Davis: It's Memorial Day here in the United States of America, and that means we are reflecting on each of those who have fought and died to purchase, protect, and provide the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States of America. We're grateful for their sacrifice and we honor their memory today. Joining me on this special Memorial Day episode is the host of Watchman on the Wall, Pastor Larry Spargimino. Pastor Larry, it's wonderful to join with you again.

Larry Spargimino: Thank you so much. Always a privilege to be with you.

Josh Davis: Can you tell us a little bit more about this Memorial Day and what makes it so special here in the United States of America?

Larry Spargimino: Well, as you said, it's a day set aside to remember and honor US military personnel who died while serving in the United States. Of course, we certainly do not want to be militaristic or use our military to forcefully acquire new lands. We're not talking about attacking little countries or whatever, but we do live in a fallen world, and I think that's a very important consideration. There is moral corruption and violence that's just part of humanity.

I'm thinking of Genesis 6. It says, "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth." And I think that's what we have to deal with. I remember Theodore Roosevelt's admonition. I think it was a good one. "Speak softly but carry a big stick." Or President Reagan's comment, "Trust but verify." Certainly, the price of liberty is vigilance. If we go to sleep, there's going to be somebody that's going to jump on us. That's the way it works.

Josh, we remember what happened on December 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor. We remember 9/11. I remember that very clearly. I was leading devotions at Southwest Radio Church on that 9/11. I was in John chapter 11. We were talking about Lazarus and Yvonne from the watch room came running in and she said, "Turn on the TV. We're under attack." That happens.

Today, the world is much smaller than ever before. Modern weapons make it possible for a foreign power, even a third or fourth-rate power, to bring war to our shores very quickly. It used to be the major nations, but now you can have these rogue nations that can have missiles, they may have poison gas, they may have radioactive material, maybe a dirty bomb. It's really a dangerous world. We're not perfect, but I think America is unique.

America is the first nation in the world to be based on an idea. Other nations are based on geography, ethnicity, monarchy, or conquest. We are unique. We have to defend what we have. I think it's really important. Of course, we see how important the military is by the amount of money our country spends on national defense. Many other countries do as well. I'm thinking of Russia, China, and even North Korea can hardly feed its people. There's starvation on a mass rate, and yet they're building bombs, nuclear bombs and missiles and so forth.

It would be nice if we could take the billions of dollars we spend on national defense and use that money for cancer research or for cleaning up our cities or for hundreds of other pressing needs. That would be wonderful, but it is obvious that is not possible. We remember not too long ago, there was a movement to defund the police. "We don't need the police. We have so many officers. They're really aggravating the situation. We need to take them out of the picture."

Well, of course, that did not work and we know why. So I think the military is very important and honoring the men and women who are the military, who have lost their lives and also, I'd like to include law enforcement because I think it's kind of the same thing. Keeping us peaceful, promoting our values, safety for our families and for our lives. I'm so grateful to military members and also to those in law enforcement.

Josh Davis: You're so right, Pastor Larry, when you're talking about those who help to protect the peace that we have and we understand that the liberties that we enjoy in the United States of America aren't guaranteed. If another nation or another group could come in and take away those powers, they certainly would and those freedoms and liberty with which we enjoy. So we understand that our measure of gratitude to the military, as you said, also the police force who work so hard to keep us safe here and to protect the peace and to protect the citizens here of the United States of America.

We are so very grateful for them, but on this special Memorial Day, we especially remember those who have given their lives as a sacrifice to purchase, to protect, to provide these freedoms that we enjoy. Some people dog the military, Pastor Larry, and they say that, well, Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount, He forbade being in the military. "What are you doing serving in the military, going into potentially armed conflicts, etc.?" How would you respond to that kind of accusation?

Larry Spargimino: Well, that's a great question and I know you're a serious Christian. I am also, and all of our listeners are very, very serious. We take the Bible seriously. You're right. There are those who say the Sermon on the Mount forbids a Christian taking up arms and being in the military. I would have to disagree with that understanding. In fact, I know a young lady who's in the military. She's a very good Christian. Her parents, I think, and some of her friends have said, "Well, you're a Christian. How can you join the military?" Then also I have a young man who's a friend. He said pretty much the same thing.

I think this is really key because I would hate to have Christian brothers and sisters in the military suffering under a dark shadow that is dark and not correct. One of the first principles of biblical interpretation is to ask the question: to whom is this passage of Scripture addressed? So when Jesus said, "Turn the other cheek," was He speaking to national leaders? Was He speaking to an American president, President Roosevelt, after Pearl Harbor? Was Jesus saying, "Well, they bombed Pearl Harbor. Turn the other cheek and allow Imperial Japan to bomb San Francisco?"

Let's face it, when Jesus said, "Resist not evil," did He mean that we have to turn our cities over to criminals and drug pushers? I do not believe that's what He meant. The Lord's whole ministry on earth involved Him in resisting evil and setting people free from bondage to evil. That's the great result of the atonement of His death on the cross was resisting evil.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was speaking to kingdom citizens and when He said, "Turn the other cheek," He was speaking about people who are under His lordship, who love Him and that's very appropriate in the family of God. So Jesus said, "Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not away." So these are fitting for kingdom citizens. I'm thinking of church members in a fellowship in a local church so that we don't start fighting with each other. We're very patient, very understanding.

I've never been in the military, but I have been involved in law enforcement. There are Christians who are in the military and there are Christians who are in law enforcement. I want them to know that they need not repent of that. Jesus spoke to a lot of people. He never told any soldier to get out of the military. So on Memorial Day 2026, I personally want to thank the men and women who are in the military and I want to thank the men and women who are in law enforcement because of your work, and sometimes your work does involve the use of deadly force, but because of your work, your commitment, your training, our streets and highways are safer in a great measure. So is our country.

Josh Davis: Amen. Thank you so much, Pastor Larry, and friends, this is Memorial Day in the United States of America as we reflect on the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have the freedoms that we enjoy in the USA. As we approach our 250th birthday, our nation's history is filled with many such heroes and we honor them on this special day. We have a lot of wonderful resources as you approach the 250th birthday and they're available in our bookstore at swrc.com.

Pastor Larry, you recently had the opportunity to talk with Pastor Doug Stauffer about a brand new book that he has and he's written it in advance of this 250th birthday. It's called America at 250: A Republic, If You Can Keep It. Can you highlight just a little bit about that resource for our audience?

Larry Spargimino: Yes, thank you, Josh. I must say, Dr. Stauffer is a very wonderful Bible scholar. He's written several books on the Scripture, especially on the book of Revelation. Another one I just did with him was The Illumination of the Book of Revelation, Book 2. It's tremendous. But in America at 250: A Republic, If You Can Keep It, he is a very, very careful scholar of history, especially American history.

What I like about that book, and of course there are many things about that book, but you know, Joshua, that my heart is on revival and on the importance of pastoral preaching in the local congregation. One of the things that Dr. Stauffer does is really tie in the whole concept of revival, the whole concept of how the local church, now of course not every local church is perfect, some of them are better than others, but basically so many of our local churches in our history have really developed and formed the American conscience.

I really don't think you can understand America apart from the Bible. In fact, I recently finished an article on that that at least is going to be in the near future. That is part of the American identity: the Bible, preaching, revival, faithful pastors and so on and so forth. I think that book is one of the best of that kind. Dr. Stauffer does an amazing job of bringing a lot of historical facts into focus. He's absolutely correct historically. He's also absolutely correct biblically and he does throw out that call to repent.

True revival involves a turning away by people who are called by My name, who will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and so on, then I will answer their prayers and heal their land. So if you want something that's historically correct but that will also light a fire in your heart, America at 250 by Dr. Douglas Stauffer is certainly the book that you will want. 1-800-652-1144.

Josh Davis: Yes, thank you, Pastor Larry, and let's return to some of the objections that people have when it comes to some of Jesus' statements and how that ties in with military service and those kinds of things. We were talking about His view on turning the other cheek and how some people use that in the Sermon on the Mount to forbid being in the military. But other people point to the fact when Jesus said sell your cloak and buy a sword. What did Jesus mean by that phrase, sell your cloak and buy a sword?

Larry Spargimino: That's in Luke chapter 22. Jesus is speaking to His disciples during the Last Supper, shortly before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. He reminds them of how their earthly needs were providentially met when He sent them out to do ministry work, and we find that in Luke 9. However, Jesus warns that He will soon no longer be with them and that in His absence, they cannot expect the same level of protection and provision that they received when He was present on earth.

Jesus instructs the disciples to take appropriate measures to be ready, to provide for themselves and purchasing a sword is explicitly mentioned as one of these measures. In Luke 22:35 through 37, I'll kind of paraphrase, but He said to them, "You know, when I sent you out with no money bag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing."

He said to them, "But now," okay, that's the point, "but now because of the impending crisis, let the one who has a money bag take it, and likewise a knapsack, and let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one." I think that's really, really forceful and powerful because you know, a cloak was very important. Israel is not like North Dakota that cold, but you know at nighttime, some of the hills, it can maybe be 50, 55, 60 degrees. You need a cloak to wrap around your body to stay warm, but He said, "Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one." The sword is even more important than the cloak.

I think that rounds things out and like I said before, we have to look at a Scripture in its context. To whom was it addressed? What were the circumstances? What was happening at that time? That's all principles of good hermeneutics or principles of interpretation of the Word of God. I think that kind of fills out the picture when it comes to deadly force.

Josh Davis: Yes, and what specific functions does the military perform, Pastor Larry?

Larry Spargimino: That's a really good question because people say, "You know, we spend billions on the military. What are they doing?" A couple of things: National defense. The military protects us from various forms of aggression and of course, I do want to emphasize the military solution needs to be avoided if possible. It should never be the first resort. Diplomacy is very important, but with some aggressor nations, diplomacy will only work if you have a military to back it up. Sometimes it is neither one nor the other, but both working together. So that's the first thing.

Then I think, secondly, the military can contribute to global stability. I know there are a lot of countries who look to us for protection and I mean there are some rogue nations, even small ones, third or fourth-rate nations, that have a lot of power. Then thirdly, the military can play a role in alliances and partnerships. The military can strengthen relationships with like-minded nations, nations that need to work together for common interest. There is, of course, the communist bloc of nations. There are also nations that represent the free world. So I think that's a very important one.

Then number four, and I think we see it at the present time, the military can provide economic security. The military can safeguard trade routes and economic interests globally. The Strait of Hormuz is certainly an example. Iran wants to control the Strait of Hormuz and recently that has become a crucial issue for the whole world. So I think the idea of stability, general protection, and certainly economic security, I think is very, very important.

You realize that men and women leave their homes, sometimes they're deployed for long periods of time. Some of them are in missions that they're just cut off from their family. So that's very, very sacrificial. I know some men and women in the military have little children and so forth, so my hat goes off to them and we need to respect them, we need to honor them, and we need to thank the Lord for the men and women in the military, and especially those who have lost their lives in preceding times.

Josh Davis: So true, Pastor Larry, and I'm thinking about Romans chapter 13 and God's design for government. He talks even about giving them the power of the sword and just a couple of verses from Romans 13 describes: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God." God has appointed them into leadership. It doesn't just say those that are righteous or whatever, but it's speaking here of God's good design for government and its purposes and roles to keep the peace, to protect its citizens.

It goes on to explain the fact that in verse four: "For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid. For he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon them that doeth evil." We look at Noah's day when he came off of the ark and that covenant that God made with Noah. He gave into Noah's hand for the first time the opportunity for humanity to govern itself, to police itself. Previously, God had been the one who was the executor of judgment. When Cain killed Abel, God stepped in and punished Cain directly.

After the flood, Noah was given through this covenant with God the opportunity to execute that judgment as a minister of God, as a representative of God. So we see that this is part of God's good plan for government and for military and how it is to function. We see that all throughout Scripture. Friends, we're visiting with Pastor Larry Spargimino on this Memorial Day reflecting on what God's Word has to say about military but also remembering those who have paid with the ultimate sacrifice of their lives on behalf of the United States of America.

Pastor Larry, I know that you have some special thoughts that you want to share about Christian chaplains who serve in the military. Could you explain that for us?

Larry Spargimino: Yes, I will get to that in a moment, but let me just refer to the phrase "minister of God" in Romans 13. I was always intrigued by that and when you look at the word "minister," you think, "Well, that's something like a pastor" or something of the sort. Actually, Josh, if you look at the original Greek word, it refers to someone who is in service to God. So actually, the civil magistrate, and I would take it to mean the police officer or the man or woman in the military, they're actually performing a sacred function.

That really blows my mind because I look at the word "minister," but that's what they call the guy who stands in the pulpit on Sunday morning. He's the minister of the church and yet this is what the civil magistrate is. So I think that's really important. But to get to your question, I believe it was chaplains, right?

Josh Davis: Yes.

Larry Spargimino: We need to remember military chaplains in prayer. We still have Bible-believing chaplains in our military. Their hands were tied under the Biden administration. It was very sad. I could go into a lot of details and it involved a lot of wrong teaching and confusion, but under this present administration, Christian chaplains don't have to hide their Bibles nor do they have to refrain from mentioning Jesus.

When you think of these men and women in the military far from home and so forth and they may be Christian, a chaplain who knows the Word of God who can give them good Bible advice about warfare or about, you know, being out in the world, I think it's very, very important. Now, there's a recent news headline that read this: "Artemis II astronaut broke down in tears after seeing the cross." It goes on to speak about after splashdown, Reid Wiseman asked to see the ship's chaplain.

Wiseman was moved by his view of space from Artemis II and I think that's a wonderful testimony. Evidently the chaplain that he got to see, a Navy chaplain, believed in the Word of God and gave good advice. One of my requests would be that we would remember chaplains in the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and so forth. They're doing a great job and they need our prayers.

Josh Davis: Amen, Pastor Larry. You know, when it comes to Memorial Day, I think about the Bible verse that says there's no greater love that a man can have than to lay down his life for his friends. We see that displayed through the heroism of many American patriots who have laid down their lives in sacrifice for this land that they loved. Whether it was to purchase, to protect, to provide the freedoms that we get to enjoy today, they were willing to pay that sacrifice and we honor them on this day. We pray for their families, those whose families are still alive and who miss their loved ones dearly who have passed away in recent conflicts. We remember them and pray for them on this day.

But you know, Pastor Larry, I ultimately think about the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and what a picture that is of the grace that He has brought to us and the offer of salvation that He has given us. You know, the American heroes that we're honoring on this Memorial Day are a picture of the ultimate sacrifice for our sins that was given by our Lord Jesus Christ to set us at liberty, to give us spiritual freedom both now and for all of eternity.

What an amazing blessing that is that we can have eternal life through Jesus Christ and through the sacrifice of His love as He shed His blood on that old rugged cross for the sins of the world. What an amazing sacrifice our Lord has given to us. Pastor Larry, would you have any closing thoughts as we wrap up this day together?

Larry Spargimino: Yes, I would after hearing what you just shared. So very important, I want to just make a few comments about Romans 3:25 and 26: "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God." Then in verse 26, He says it again: "To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness." You would think, "Well, doesn't He declare His love?"

Yes, He does declare His love, but because God is a righteous God, someone has to pay the price for your sins and my sins. Jesus did it. So I often like to think we don't have a sentimental pardon, we have an honorable pardon all because of what Jesus did. I want to encourage everybody to be a good witness. That's so important today. A lot of people think, "Well, pastors are supposed to do that." Well, yes, I think that's true, but all of us are to tell others the good news and sometimes so-called laymen can reach people that you and I can't reach because people say, "Well, they're pastors. They're paid to do that." But just a word, a testimony of what Jesus has done in your life, I think would be so wonderful and so important.

Josh Davis: Amen. Thank you so much, Pastor Larry. It's been a joy and privilege to get to be with you today. Thank you for sharing a biblical perspective on these important topics.

Larry Spargimino: Thank you. Always a blessing.

Narrator: Friends, for over 93 years, Southwest Radio Ministries has been dedicated to equipping you with Bible-based teachings about end times events and Bible prophecy. We are a Christian non-profit ministry with a God-ordained mandate to through all forms of media, broadcast the urgency of God's prophetic messages found in the Bible to guide our lives. We are financially supported by contributions from friends and partners of the ministry.

With your continued financial support, we will continue to produce Watchman on the Wall, Prophecy in the News television, the magazine, the newsletter, and all of the wonderful resources. Please, will you give your best gift today? Visit swrc.com to give or simply call 1-800-652-1144. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Tomorrow, Donald Perkins will present the next lesson in his excellent verse-by-verse study on the book of Revelation. So be sure to tune in by downloading our free SWRC mobile app or by subscribing to our daily Watchman on the Wall podcast. Watchman on the Wall is a production of Southwest Radio Ministries and is supported by faithful listeners like you. Visit swrc.com.