“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6: 12)
I don’t think it's necessary to tell many of you that we are directly engaged in an incredibly fierce battle for our spiritual lives, even the salvation of our very souls. We know scripture says “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (1 Peter 4: 12), and we believe this with all of our heart. But there seems to be a new height of viciousness in the assaults Satan is leveling at God’s people lately. And I know it’s all intended to get us to give up, get out of town or go crazy. We understand that the enemy is here for one multi-faceted murderous purpose “…to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10: 10) And the demonic depths of his hatred is so savage, Jesus even told Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22: 31) But our Savior is so awesome that He also told Peter, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22: 32) Glory to God!!!
The Lord has not left us ignorant but has warned us “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5: 8) And you’d better believe that he intends to take no prisoners. I am sure that we all know and have experienced how merciless that scoundrel is in attacking our bodies, our minds, our spirit, even our dreams. And no wonder because Revelation 12: 12 tells us “…Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” But thank the Lord for His wisdom that he gives us to know about these last days and the shortness of these times and exactly what to do about it ….. “But this I say, brethren, the time is short…” (1 Corinthians 7: 29) “…knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Romans 13: 11) Therefore we must not get complacent or distracted but be constantly on guard and recognize “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.” (Romans 13: 12) So, suit up soldiers and “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6: 10-11) And do it like this, “By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left” (2 Corinthians 6: 6-7)
I am writing these things to you, dear ones, because I am writing them to myself as well. I realize that the devil is not only mad, but furious at us and we have been targeted for elimination. Last night in my dreams, and another time while sleeping over the past week, the enemy was not only speaking to me but actually trying to kill me in my dreams. So believe me when I say that I am in the trenches with you engaged in hand-to-hand combat with our evil adversary. But understand this, it is not a physical battle, but a spiritual one. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Corinthians 10: 3-4) But guess what? God has already given us the victory because Jesus has already “spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2: 15) and has already conquered death, hell and the grave! The fight is fixed and we win, so rejoice saints of the most high God!
The devil wants to intimidate, frighten and scare us like the disgusting bully that he is. He wants us to think that he’s the big, bad wolf and we’d better shake in our boots. But let me tell you the truth about this cowardly thug. He’s a wolf alright, but a scrawny wolf. He ain’t big and and he ain’t bad to those of us who are on God’s side and God is on ours. We earlier quoted a scripture that said he was walking about AS a roaring lion. It didn't say he WAS a lion. He's a serpent and a fake because the real Lion is on our side ..... the Lion of the tribe of Judah! We are not afraid of him because “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1: 7) And when we see Satan for who he truly is then we say “They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms” (Isaiah 14: 16)
All we have to do is “Submit ourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4: 7) and remember, “…he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 10: 22) If we continue to fight the good fight, if we finish our course, if we keep the faith then “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4: 2) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” (1Peter 1: 18-21)
The victory is ours Saints, so fight on in Jesus' name!
Revelation 19
[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. [12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. [13] And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [16] And He hath on his vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 20
[10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
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