It was the one about time travel, sort of. If you could go back in time and explain to folks back in the mid 1300’s what the source of that bubonic plague was; you know, those rodents carrying fleas that spread the microscopic disease that people were clueless about? If only you could have taken that microscope and shown them so their own eyes might see.
We ventured off into the subject of another ‘invisible’ enemy. They are not germs. The discussion centers on demons. Not the ‘Hollywood kind’ either.
Scripture has much to say regarding this topic, but believe me; it’s one that a very real enemy works overtime to keep you disinterested in. Who got time to read about devils when we have so many other distractions to keep us amused, right?
No wonder Paul prayed fervently that the ‘eyes of our understanding would be opened.” (Eph 1:18)
If only we could see.
Not only did Paul pray for the ‘eyes of our understanding to be opened’, but he clearly tells us what is behind the conflicts we encounter. Ephesians 6:12 (Amp) –
“ For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.
And if that is not straightforward enough for you, take a look at what John wrote: “We know that the whole world lies under the influence of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19)
Do you remember how Jesus said this new commandment we are to adhere to involved loving others in the same manner in which He loves us? (John 13:34) May I remind you how He prayed after those soldiers drove spikes through His hands and feet, and scoffers were mocking him in His suffering….He prayed: “Father, forgive them…they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:24)
Jesus could clearly see they were blinded (by the god of this age- 2 Cor 4:4). They were ‘puppets’. An unseen enemy was working through them just as that enemy works in and through us as long as we allow this flesh nature to live. (Eph 2:1-3)
Consider this if you would: Jesus would not have given us a commandment like that unless He had a way in which we could obey/do it. How…can we love others the way He loved us unless we have the same kind of divine nature in us? And the only way this God-kind of nature will thrive in us is if we lay down our old nature. We decrease, and He increases as we are conformed into His nature/likeness. (Rom 8:29) We were not instructed to control it; rather to ‘put it to death’.
As long as we allow the sinful flesh nature to live, Satan has a feeding ground and/or a landing pad from which to operate from. And that is why God is compelling me to stick with this theme of sharing until it starts to resonate and sink in. If we try to hold on to this life, we will lose it. Ever heard that verse before?
So when Paul expounds on this idea that though we walk in the flesh, we no longer war after the flesh (2 Cor. 10:3-5) he wants us to realize this is a spiritual conflict we are involved with. The sooner we deal with this old man, the sooner we can overcome sin and begin to allow God to anoint us with power in the same manner He anointed Jesus after He returned from the wilderness where Satan tested His heart. (Lu. 4:1-14)
I heard someone share awhile back this statement: “If you have a problem with someone, the problem is most likely NOT them.” That…was like having a chiropractor snap my neck and then everything just started to connect in a more balanced manner.
If you still think your enemy is the democrats, or the liberals, or the CDC, or the Chinese or the Russians or the Taliban or the ‘left-wing media’, can I just tell you now that you really need to prayerfully ask God to give you a renewed vision as to whom you are really at war with.
Why have I been repeatedly exhorting whoever will listen/read to ‘get in the ark’? Because the ‘flood’ that is coming and is already being poured out are the forces of hell who are carrying out the wrath of God. Who do you think these ‘instruments of indignation’ are that Isaiah13 speaks of? Go read that chapter.
When God says He will pour out his wrath like a flood (Hosea 5:10), as it was a reoccurring theme throughout the history of dealing with His people- whose hearts always went astray (Heb. 3:10), then why do we think it is any different with us today? The ‘flood’ is coming and is here. And just like He did for Noah and his family, God provided a place of shelter from the storm. But it’s not a physical ark/boat; He is the shelter and it is in HIM, that we abide. (Psalm 91; John 15).
But if you are having any trouble connecting the dots on who or what is the ‘wrath of God’, take a look at Psalm 78:49-50. “He cast on them the fierceness of His anger, Wrath, indignation, and trouble, by sending angels of destruction among them. He made a path for His anger; He did not spare their soul from death.”. When Isaiah speaks of the ‘enemy coming in like a flood’, this just fits in the theme of what scripture is screaming to those who have ears to hear.
Who is the ‘enemy’? Peter tells us as plain as day: “Your enemy, the devil, goes about like a roaring lion seeking to devour.” (1 Pet 5:8)
Romans 1:18 declares that the “wrath of God IS revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men”. Not ‘will be’ in the far off future.
How many of you believe we are living in the ‘end of the age’? If you think that is a trick question, go look at 1 Cor. 10:11 where Paul tells us plainly that all these judgments that befell the OT folks (vs 5-10) happened to them as examples and were written down for our admonition, upon whom the end of the ages have come.”
So now go look at Matt. 13 in the parable of the wheat and tares. Again, Jesus spoke in ‘code’ to the masses, but then fully explained the meaning to His disciples. “as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend and those who practice lawlessness and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. THEN the righteous will shine forth as the sun…”(40-43)
2 Thess. 1:7 talks about how Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who 1) Do not know God, and 2) those who do not OBEY the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” (Eph 5:6)
I don’t want to make this sound like some dystopian Sci-Fi movie, but scripture paints a rather dramatic picture for us as to what is unfolding. Because of the sin and evil in the world, God has ‘released’ or ‘sent’ his agents of wrath to carry out his judgments. If you want a more detailed look at what that looks like, visit Deut. 28:15-67. These ‘serpents and scorpions’ that we hear about from Genesis 3 to Revelation 9 are out for feeding and have permission to devour wherever they see lawbreakers. Why do you think Jesus warns us to ‘sin no more or else something worse may come upon us?’ (John 5:14)
And here’s the weird part – I mentioned this the other day…as all this unfolds…people will not even be aware of what is happening. (Isa 42:25; Daniel 12:10, Matt. 24:39) Or should I say those who are ‘perishing’ will not even see it until it’s too late.
Here is one last point to ponder. For years, so many of us have been looking for this great ‘end time revival’ where multitudes are coming to God and there is even a growing trend of thought that suggest the ‘church is going to prepare the earth for Christ’s return…by taking control over government and all other aspects of society.
News Flash: It’s not going to happen that way. The day of the Lord will come like a ‘thief in the night’. And the case has been made what a ‘thief’ comes to do. It will not be pretty. No wonder John the Baptist asked them “Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? You better bring fruits worthy of repentance because every tree that does not bear good fruit is going to be cut down and tossed into the fire and even now the ax is laid to the roots.’. (Matt 3:7-12)
If you made it through to here, all I can do is ask you to study for yourself to see if these things are true. (Acts 17:11) I know some of these things I share can be a shock to the system. But it would be to your advantage to search out and study for yourself.
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