Winning the Endtime Warfare

WINNING THE ENDTIME WARFARE

Events around us show without any shadow of doubt that we are in the endtime. Consider the wars and rumours of wars, earthquakes, pestilences, epidemics, famines, etc. (Matthew 24:4-8). Events which some generations ago would have taken a couple of years to happen now occur on a daily basis. The aerthquakes in the last one hundred years outnumber those recorded for the rest of human history. Warfare is growing in sophistication and number. Gone are the days of only physical warfare. Now we hear of chemical, biological, psychological warfare etc. Warfare now spans the whole of human life – from the domestic to the global – Domestic warfare resulting in escalating divorces, broken homes, suicides and murders in the nuclear family unit, tribal warfare leading to ethnic cleansing, national, international and global warfare. Man has become a terror to himself. Nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles are positioned as if to announce the coming of doomsday. Spiritually too, things are intensifying. Spiritual warfare is becoming fiercer, tenser, and more deadly. The ignorant and the timid will fall as casualties in the battle (2 Corinthians 2:11; Hosea 4:6; Isaiah 5:13). However it is important for us to know that we can win the endtime warfare.

GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY 2 Timothy 4:7,8; James 1:12; Revelation 3:11,12; Deuteronomy 8:3; Judges 3:1,2; 2:22; 2 Chronicles 32:31; Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20

Just as every cloud has a silver lining, so also times of crisis provide hidden opportunities. The stars shine the brightest in the darkest nights. Among the glorious opportunities that this endtime warfare provides are:

(1) Opportunity for promotion Battles produce more generals than peace times. Victors emerge with honours and they are accordingly decorated. Stars that were not earned in a decade of peace can be earned in a week of intensive warfare (2 Timothy 4:7,8; James 1:12; Revelation 3:11,12).

(2) Opportunity for self-discovery We never really know what we have got until a time of crisis. Many people possess hidden strengths that they don’t even know exists. Battles bring out the best in us and reveal the stuff we are made of. God allows some situations and battles in our lives so that we can discover ourselves as well as develop qualities which we may never otherwise develop (Deuteronomy 8:3; Judges 3:1,2; 2:22; 2 Chronicles 32:31).

(3) Opportunity to consummate the victory of the cross Christ has declared that it is finished (John 19:30). However the devil always likes to prove that it is not finished. The spiritual battles that come our way provide us with the opportunity to defeat the devil and put a seal to Christ’s “It is finished”. It provides us with the opportunity to bruise the head of the devil as promised in the scriptures (Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20).

GREAT OPPOSITION 1 Peter 5:8,9; Job 1:7,12-19; 2:1-7; Luke 22:31,32; Revelation 12:17; Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20; Galatians 4:29

The devil knows that he has but a short time (Revelation 12:12; Matthew 8:29). Because of this, he is mustering his last ounce of strength to do immense damage. This endtime is full of both possibilities and problems, opportunities as well as oppositions, crowns and crosses etc. Satanic manipulations and demonic manifestations are going to increase in this endtime. Satan like a roaring lion is busy looking for preys (1 Peter 5:8,9; Job 1:7,12-19; 2:1-7). Satan desires to sift believers like wheat (Luke 22:31,32). Satan is busy making war with those who “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17). There is enmity between the seed of the woman and the great dragon and in fact it is increasing in intensity (Genesis 3:15). Satan is still bruising our heel but thank God we are bruising his head (Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20).

GODLY OBEDIENCE Romans 8:35-37; Psalm 46:1-3; Isaiah 1:19,20; 54:14-17; Numbers 23:19-23; 1 Peter 3:13; 1 John 3:22

There is no cause for alarm for the obedient believer. Our victory is assured. In all these things we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:35-37; Psalm 46:1-3). God is an army commander that has never lost a battle. If we are willing and obedient we shall eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19,20). If we follow His strategy of warfare, walk in His footsteps, walk in step with the Holy Spirit, victory is certain. If our lives are righteous and we are obedient, there is no enchantment against us, no divination can work in our life, no weapon fashioned against us can prosper (Numbers 23:19-23; Isaiah 54:14-17; 1 Peter 3:13).