Temptation and Scripture

"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him" (Isa. 59:19). This is my answer to the monstrous flood of evil that is being perpetrated in the world today on many fronts and through many channels. If you pay much attention to the things going down in this country and in this world today [it's nearly impossible not to], the only conclusion to be drawn is that there is simply no hope. That is unless you truly believe the saying of our text scripture. I do. I believe that the presence and onslaught of such insanity and wickedness that is being upheld in the earth and in this country, signifies that God is just about ready to make his move to "lift up a standard against him." Satan is having his way on many fronts and in many ways today, but he is about to have one of the most graphic "Oh s_ _ t" moments in the history of the world. Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory is getting ready to punch Satan square in the mouth with an outpouring of his mighty love, and power, and holiness, and truth, and peace; and everything else the devil hates with all of his heart. If he isn't, then we had all better get to packing, because the end is very close to being right now. But he is. Satan and his forces have surely "come in like a flood" in a greater way than almost anything in the history of the world, and it's going to get worse. The scripture says it like this: "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night... Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time" (Rev. 12:10-12). But the good news is the verse that's sandwiched between the two I just quoted: "And they [the elect] overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Rev. 12:11). I don't know about you, but I fully intend to be one of 'they' in that verse.

Yes, Satan is salivating and licking his filthy chops at the prospect of everything he has going his way in the world today, but like I said above, he's about to get punched in those putrid chops by the only begotten Son of God. Jesus has a people that love him and are "purifying [their] hearts, even as he is pure," all over this sin-sick world; and they are making intercession unto him for the state of calamity that the world is in today (I Jn. 3:3). It's true that the devil is going to continue to have his way in a lot of things in the world until Jesus comes the second time; but his plans are about to be disrupted on a large scale by the wave of glory that is going to sweep this entire planet before the Lord's coming. We are at the time where everyone is about to get pushed all the way to one side or the other, and the illusion of the 'middle of the road' will cease to exist. Yes my friend, we are at the place now where it's time to find out, "Who is on the Lord's side?" (Exd. 32:26). I can tell you that it will only be those who "love righteousness, and hate iniquity," as their Lord and Savior does; that will be able to endure being on the Lord's side during such an evil time that is already upon us (Heb. 1:9). There's no turning back now my friends and brethren, and the only way we will be able to be on God's winning side is if we diligently follow the following instructions of the apostle Paul: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand... Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Eph. 6:10-13,18). God is ready to make his move to turn back the tidal wave of evil that is threatening to cover the entire planet. The question is, Are we ready to move with him? Amen.