There's a Crack in Your Armor Perry Stone

2. The Pompeii sword was shorter than the gladius hispaniensis , having a double-edged blade with a length of approximately sixteen inches and a width of two and one-half inches. Four of the Pompeii swords were found during excavations of the ruins of Pompeii, the famous city in Italy destroyed by a volcanic eruption centuries ago. 5 3. The cavalry sword was a long, single-edged sword of iron or steel. The blade was called the spatha and averaged twenty-seven inches in length. As the name indicates, this sword was well suited for use by the soldiers that fought while riding on horses (the cavalry). 6 4. The machaira sword was an offensive sword, made of iron. It was two feet long, two-edged, with a sharp tip for stabbing the enemy. The sword could attack an opponent or defend from the enemy’s blows. When not in use, the machaira sword was stored in a scabbard that was attached to the loin belt. 7 In Ephesians 6:17 the Greek word used is macharia . Notice that this offensive weapon was attached to the loin belt. This is significant because we must have our offensive and defensive components of the armor attached to the truth (the loin belt of truth). The truth of God’s Word is the support that lifts our sword when in battle and brings rest in times of peace. Scripture declares that the Word of God is “living and