“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5)
The time is upon us; we live in the prophesied last days of the Church age—the culmination of a spiritual insurrection propagated and sustained by the god of this present evil world.
“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.” (Eph. 6:12).
The Invisible War
The actual enemies of Christianity, per se, are not people or ideologies. Through diabolical deception, Satan, the undetected god of this present evil world, keeps the non-believer in a state of personal, spiritual, philosophical, and social blindness. The invisible influence is responsible for the visible anarchy and depravity; the actual battle occurs in the unseen arena. The real enemy lurks in the shadows, pulling the strings. If we could pull back the veil between the two realms of reality (spiritual and physical, intangible and tangible), we would be astonished and terrified by the spiritual sphere swarming with undetected demon activity.
In these end times, we are witnessing an extraordinary worldwide outburst of occultism and intense demonic activity. The final stages of an ancient clash between God and Satan, Light and darkness. World events are being shaped and controlled by undetected beguiling evil spirits, “the rulers of the darkness of this world….” Thus, our real battle takes place in the unseen realm “against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Prophesied famine, increasing plagues, a rise in natural catastrophes, orchestrated class warfare, racial divide, breakdown of law and order, and the decimation of the nuclear family all have one evil goal.
The destruction of “western civilization” and the establishment of “Globalism.” The formation of a demonic “New World Order” ruled by the “antichrist.”
One Nation Under Siege
Our Constitutional Republic and cherished freedoms are presently threatened on every side. The Judeo-Christian worldview is besieged on all fronts by a godless Secular humanist insurgency instigated and sustained by “spiritual wickedness in high places,” hell-bent on eradicating God and His Word from every aspect of American life. As a result, the country is in danger of becoming a pagan socialist state—a frightening reality for all who love freedom—perilous times of alarming fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Understandably, in times like these, it’s all too easy to give in to the perception of foreboding danger, pain, and hardship.
Throughout the history of Christianity, fear has always been one of Satan’s most potent and disarming weapons against God’s people. Fear is the eternal nemesis of faith, an enemy that only exists in the mind. In essence, the Christian life is a battle, and the mind is the battlefield; fear is an attack on the mind. Doubt and fear are the twin foes of faith; they are among the most effective weapons Satan can employ.
The Spirit of Fear
The spirit of fear is a manipulative emotion, a controlling influence: menacing anticipation of uncertainty is not from God. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7).
When we feel threatened by circumstances, the “spirit of fear” is aroused; opposing forces will attempt to override rationale, fact, and faith, resulting in analytical paralysis. Instead of trusting God’s Word, “Fear thou not…”, we yield to our emotions, giving place to doubt; then the “what ifs” come rushing in. Hence, an agitated state reveals a lapse of faith and trust in God—resulting in the loss of spiritual strength and peace. “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.” – Corrie Ten Boom
Don’t Wake Jesus
Many years ago, a young believer facing severe trials said something I will never forget during a discussion. When I asked him how he was holding up with his difficult situation, he said: “I don’t want to wake Jesus” When I asked him what he was referring to, his response was he had read Mt. 8:23-26 during his quiet time with the Lord that morning. A portion of scripture records the disciple’s fear of perishing during, “a great storm of wind” while Jesus was sleeping in the rear of the ship.
Finally, overwhelmed with fright and assured of demise, they woke the Lord, crying out, “… saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”
The steadfast faith of the young Christian (in the above account) was richly rewarded when he and his family were miraculously delivered from their dilemma.
Faith is the Victory
“For whosoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)
As the final hours of the church age draw to a close and inevitable darkness envelops our land, Christians can expect intense persecution, trials, and tribulation. However, we can draw strength from the examples of the faithful generations who have gone on before us. Throughout the Scriptures, steadfast faith in God’s promises is portrayed as the essential counter-balance to fear. “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.” – George Muller
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isa. 41:10)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” (Ps. 46:1-3)
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” Ps. 27:1 & 3.
“A wise man does not fear people, death, or the devil more than God.”
“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength—carrying two days at once. It’s moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.” – Corrie Ten Boom
If we claim to trust God and believe He is in control yet spend our time continually worrying about the future, we are deceiving ourselves. “He who fears God need fear nothing else, and he who fears not God needs to fear everything else.” – Anonymous
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Heb.13:5-6).
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” (Prov. 29:25)
Photo: Eve Out of the Garden
A. W. Weckeman
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