Battles we don't see

Battles we don't see 

Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought. Revelation 12:7 NKJV 

War will always rage between the two great kingdoms of the universe until one or other is crushed. Peace between good and evil is an impossibility—even the pretense of it would, in fact, indicate the triumph of the powers of darkness. Michael will always fight; his holy soul is vexed by sin and will not endure it. Jesus will always be the dragon’s enemy, and not quietly—the Lord battles actively, vigorously, and with full determination to exterminate evil. All His servants, whether angels in heaven or messengers on earth, must and will fight—they are born to be warriors. At the cross they promise never to make a truce with evil; they are a warlike company, firm in defense and fierce in attack. The duty of soldiers in the Lord’s army is to fight against the dragon daily, with all their heart and soul and strength. The dragon and his angels will not avoid a fight; they are incessant in their onslaught, sparing no weapon, fair or foul. If we expect to serve God without opposition, we are foolish: the more zealous we are, the more certain are we to be assailed by the minions of hell. The church may become lazy, but that is not true of her great antagonist—his restless spirit never allows the war to pause. Satan hates the woman’s seed (Genesis 3:15), and would happily devour the church if he could. The devil’s servants absorb much of the old dragon’s energy; they are an unusually active race. War rages all around, and to dream of peace is dangerous and futile. But glory to God—we know how the war ends. The great dragon will be cast out and destroyed forever, while Jesus and those with Him will receive the crown. Let us sharpen our swords tonight, asking the Holy Spirit to strengthen our arms for the conflict. There was never a battle more important, or a crown as glorious. Everyone to your post, you warriors of the cross—may the Lord soon trample Satan under your feet!  - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening.

My views on the world may sometimes seem different from others.  God does show people different things as He chooses.  Ezekiel saw things that were revealed to him. John saw things in Heaven as well as across the whole Spiritual realm.  It shouldn't surprise Christians when our Savior chooses to show us things. 

Perhaps a hymn would help explain some things about the reality of this world, my life, perhaps your life too. It's called "At Calvary".

Years I spent in vanity and pride
Caring not my Lord was crucified
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary

Mercy there was great and grace was free
Pardon there was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary

By Gods words at last my sin I learned
Then I tremble at the law I'd spurned
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary

O the love that drew salvation's plan
O the grace that brought it down to man
O the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary

Mercy there was great and grace was free
Pardon there was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary

Oh and now I've given to Jesus everything
Now I gladly own Him as my King
Now my raptured soul can only sing
Of Calvary

Mercy there was great and grace was free
Pardon there was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary

Mercy there was great and grace was free
At Calvary
Calvary...

For years I struggled with walking with Jesus. Perhaps indeed it was vanity and pride.  Perhaps it was more than that.  I thought I had understood my future and jumped towards it before I was ready for it.  Telling God "I got this!" Usually means you don't.  It usually means it's going to take a long time to get back around to where He was wanting you to take your STEPS towards, not your LEAP toward.

As it happens with babies and toddlers, it happens in the early years of being a Christian.  We get ahead of ourselves, ahead of Jesus and inevitably fall on our behinds or our face. 

You're not always going to get to hear "if you had just done what I told you to, this wouldn't have happened...".

We honestly live in a Spiritually war torn world.  Wars rage for the most prized possession...the souls of people. 

Mankind is either fully aware, ignorant of, or intentionally avoiding the subject.  The problem with all that, it doesn't exclude the reality.   Truth is harder than a lie.  Truth from the lips of God are final.  Truth is we need a Savior.  There is ONLY one, His name is Jesus.  

Truth is Jesus came as a baby, lived a sinless life, died on a cross for the sins of all mankind.  

Truth is He arose 3 days later conquering sin, death and the grave.  

Truth is He only awaits the word from the Father to return to take the dead in Christ first, then those who are alive in Christ. 

Truth is everyone will be without excuse before Jesus.  Everyone will not have anything to stand on as to why they rejected salvation in Christ Jesus alone. 

Truth is everyone will have that opportunity to receive Salvation. 

Truth is in this war of souls, the enemy of God doesn't want anyone to know these truths. 

He wants people to come to him.

He wants the worship and adoration that belongs to God. 

He wants the Throne of God. 

He knows the Bible. 

He has tried for 6,000 or so years, to prove even one word of it wrong. 

He knows that if he can't win, it's spelled out exactly what is GOING to happen to him.

You...

You...must seek truth versus the lie.

You...regardless of what you want the world to look like...need to know for sure that you are saved.  There is no second chances when you die. 

You...if you are a believer...should be found doing the business of the Father. 

You...if you aren't a believer...need to ask yourself why you are being so blind to the truth. 

You...the warfare is real.  The battlefield is your mind and for your soul. 

Sticking your head in the sand will change nothing. 

Satan is not more powerful than God.  

The facts are spelled out in the Bible. It must be fulfilled.  Our world is heading towards the last chapter of the Bible. 

It's a war raging that the lives of people hang in the balance. Believers pray for themselves and others. They should be praying for those not saved yet. But know this, they also pray for the return of Christ. 

Whereas God isn't willing that any should perish, there is going to be a day when that Chapter has to happen. The rest of the Bible has to play out.  

Your life isn't as unique as you think it is.

Scripture says that the challenges we face are common to mankind.  You must choose your way or God's way. 

The twinkling of an eye cannot be measured.  Yet I can tell you that it's faster than the speed of thought.  To come as a thief implies it's going to happen faster than you are prepared for it to happen. 

This world will be in the throes of life happening when Christ returns.  

Will you be one who longs for that day or one who lives in fear of that day because you haven't chosen Christ?  

You will not fool Jesus.  He will be the one to personally separate those who are saved from those who are not. 

Know today.