“…And the dragon was angry with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed.” Revelation 12:17
Dear Ones:
When Jesus was standing before Pilate, he declared to him: “…My kingdom is not of this world…My kingdom is not from here.” (Jn. 19:36) First of all, what did the Lord Jesus mean by the term “world?” Certainly there is a reference to the physical creation as we know it. But there is another meaning. John puts it like this: “Love not the world, neither the things of the world.” (1 Jn. 2:15) He is speaking of a system, a mentality, a perspective, a direction which is not towards heaven. The kingdom of Christ has its origin in heaven, where He reigns as King. One day that kingship will be fully revealed on this earth. So there is the “world” where Christ reigns as king, and there is the “world” where sinful man reigns. Why must we make the distinction? Because of something Jesus said: “…for the prince of this world cometh, and hath NOTHING in Me.” )(Jn. 14:30) There is a war, an invisible war, going on between the “ruler of this world,” (the world system), and the kingdom of God, where Christ reigns. Why do we need to know and understand this? It is so that we might “fight a good fight,” and be victorious over the attacks and onslaught of Christ’s enemy, and ours. Called to be conquerors, we need to know that we have an enemy, a very real enemy.
In one of Paul’s great epistles, that written to the Ephesians, he addresses the great reality of our union with Christ, with the consequent blessings and provisions. He goes on to speak of the “working out” of this great salvation where we live, in what we are, say, and do. We come to the end of the epistle, and are confronted with conflict, warfare. Why? Because the work of God, the witness of God in His church, will always be resisted by the “god of this world.” For every advancement, there will be an attempt by the enemy to dislodge us from a position of faith and obedience. This is why we are admonished to “take the whole armor of God” in order to stand and withstand the attack of the enemy. So, let us understand what we are in Christ, and “stay in our tank,” IN CHRIST. Then let us not be naive in thinking that all will be “wine and roses,” for our “adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) The great news is that Christ has overcome this adversary in every manner, and we are in Him. We are therefore called to “resist (this adversary) steadfast in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:9) James adds in his epistle that as we submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, he WILL flee far from us. This is true, and must be practiced and lived.
Dear Father, teach us the nature of this conflict, and the practical application of living victoriously in it. Called to BE conquerors, enable us and strengthen us in our spirits to always overcome by Christ, for Christ, who lives in our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad