Advance! By Gen. James Green
Introduction:
DESPITE THE CHURCH’S backsliding and the world’s advance into its territory, this is NO TIME to retreat! NO! It is time to ADVANCE into their territory— "Taking Jesus to All the World."
πορκόπτω - And Other Greek Words
Originally, the above Greek word was a nautical technical term meaning "to make headway in spite of blows." It is understood by some as deriving from the work of the smith who "with the blow" of his hammer "lengthens out" iron. Others believe it to mean "the movement of an army which advances." This word means MOVING FORWARD on a road or battlefield.
πορκόπτω can also mean "to promote," "to further," "to go ahead," "to make progress," and "to thrive."
προκοπή - The noun occurs for the first time in the Hellenistic period. It is used to denote progress in both good and evil. In one sense, both of these words are equivalent to "success" and "fortune." In the abstract, προκοπή was used in the sense of "progress" in intellectual/moral education.
The Old Testament
While the Old Testament does not use the term "advance," the spirit of advancement is present. The Old Testament was one of physical warfare, while the New Testament is one of spiritual warfare. Both are gauged by "progress" and "advancement" over enemies. Both Testaments were (are) under "Divine Demand" or "Divine Command," which necessarily impels them/us to ADVANCE.
Leviticus 19:2 says: "Say to all the assembly of the Israelites, ‘you shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.’"
God’s holy prophets were always urging His people to move forward spiritually, in obedience (see Exodus 32:33-35). The Israelites were led onward towards their goal—Canaan (Exodus 13:21-22). They were to advance towards their goal by faithful OBEDIENCE. Abraham was our model: he obeyed, believed, and pressed forward!
In Exodus 14:15, God says to Moses, "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go FORWARD." The Hebrew word naca (naw-sah) means "start on a journey," "go onward," and "be on your way."
New Testament—προκοπή / πορκόπτω
While the word "advance" is not found in the New Testament, the spirit of these words is. Paul speaks of "progress" in Romans 13:12: "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."
In Philippians 1:12-25, Paul speaks of the "furtherance of the Gospel" and "your furtherance." Luke 2:52 says, "And Jesus increased in wisdom…" Paul also speaks of "thy profiting" in 1 Timothy 4:15.
Advance in Faith
Although there is only one faith (Ephesians 4:5) that is the basis of salvation, the apostle Paul, like Christ, speaks of different measures and stages of faith. Paul’s work serves the προκοπή of the life of faith of the Ekklesia, and his suffering serves the προκοπή of the Gospel of Christ.
The Gospel Advances
The Bible speaks of the sufferings that Christians will face—persecutions, assaults, even death. The Gospel advances by and through God’s frontline soldiers. It continues its victorious march through the enemy lines of the world, even through the hostile churchianity lines.
Sin, The Enemy!
Sin is our enemy! Sin can bar/cut off communication between the field and Headquarters. False teachers/preachers/prophets are enemies we must contend with. Paul warns in 2 Timothy 3:13, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."
Press On
Paul’s words in Philippians 3:14: "I PRESS toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus," combine the spirit of both προκοπή and πορκόπτω. We must pursue, pressing on earnestly.
Conclusion
In the New Testament and the Old Testament, we see the struggle to overcome evil. This is a call to arms—a call to press on and ADVANCE into enemy territory with the Gospel. We are not called to be passive but to be aggressive in our pursuit of the Kingdom of God. Let us heed the words of the Apostle Paul and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.
