By Francis Frangipane
In spite of worldwide conflicts, the Holy Spirit is guiding the church into its greatest season of transformation. We must not look at the pressures of our times as though they were obstacles set to restrict us. For in the hands of the Almighty, these are the very tools He is using to perfect us.
One of the problems of interpreting end time events is the tendency to focus only upon one set of conditions. If we only look at the fact that Satan will be raging or that there will be lawlessness, wars, earthquakes and famines, we might conclude that difficulties and darkness is all that we have awaiting us until the rapture.
Yet, the same Spirit that predicted the perilous conditions at the end of the age, also forecasts that, in spite of difficulties and battle, the gospel of the kingdom of heaven will be proclaimed worldwide to all nations (Matt. 24:14). The Lord also said that the “crop” of last days Christians will reach full stature (Mk. 4:29), and those who know their God will be strong, do exploits, shine like the stars and lead multitudes to righteousness (Dan. 11:32; 12:3).
Our focus must remain riveted upon becoming like Christ in all things. One might argue, “But the world around me is full of sin and wickedness – and it is getting worse!” Yes, but the Bible tells us that where sin abounds, the grace of God abounds more so (Rom. 5:20). We might be overwhelmed by the flood of evil storming against our societies. Yet, the promise of God is that, when the enemy comes in like a flood, God shall raise a standard against him (Isa. 59:19).
Is your focus upon the enemy’s flood or are you aware of the standard God is raising up to counter the flood?
Do not forget, beloved, that even when darkness covers the earth and deep darkness the people, the promise of God is that His glory shall rise upon us and His presence shall be visibly seen through us! In spite of the appearance that darkness is never ending, the Lord promises that, at the end of the war between light and darkness, “nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isa 60:1-3).
Indeed, nestled and unfolding in the midst of the panorama of end time events, God’s word reveals that there will also be an ongoing “period of restoration” (see Acts 3:20-21). This does not mean that the world will be subdued by the church (as some erroneously teach), but that the true church will be fully subdued and transformed by Christ! This final display of grace will be consummated in a Christlike church, whose spiritual maturity shall manifest the person and passions of Jesus Christ Himself on earth.
I have written you by way of reminder that, though the battle seems to rage, God’s word shall not return to Him void. Our fight is the fight of faith: do we believe what God has promised? Our war is against principalities and powers: do we believe the report that Christ shall “sprinkle (that is, cleanse, and bring forgiveness and transformation to) many nations” (Isa. 52:12-53:2)?
I, for one, believe the promises of God. God’s word is not just a comfort to me in times of trouble, but a sword that I speak in times of spiritual war. I proclaim the reality of God’s promises over my family, my church, my city and nation! Consider His proclamation:
“So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (see Isa. 55:9-11).
Consider also His commitment:
“. . . I am watching over My word to perform it” (Jer. 1:12).
And His accessibility,
“Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or `Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” But what does it say? “The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” -that is, the word of faith which we are preaching” (Rom. 10:6-8).
You see, we are not mere mortals stumbling blindly on earth, separated from God and isolated from His response to our needs. No! We are new creatures, born again from above, that have resident within us the Holy Spirit of Almighty God. And, He has given us His word, put it in our hearts and mouths and then He promises, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed” (Rom. 10:11). The Lord does not want us worrying about the future, but to create it through the knowledge of His will, through the proclamation of His word, and our yieldedness to the power of the Holy Spirit.
God calls us to a “war mode” in our thinking, where we take up the “sword of the Spirit,” which is the living “word of God” (Eph. 6:17). Yes, we labor and intercede, we repent for our sins and the sins of our nations, but the weight of our victory rests not upon how much we labor and groan, but upon how truly we believe what God has promised! Beloved, the sword God has given is nothing less than the echo of His voice in us!
So, do not just whine about negative conditions in the world or sigh prayers muttered in fear and unbelief – embrace the fight of faith! Pick up your Bible and speak audibly the promises of God’s word. Pick any verse that I quoted above and speak it out loud, with faith and authority. I guarantee that, if you proclaim God’s word with faith, it will release power in and through your spirit.
The greatest weapons in the universe are the promises God has inspired in His book. He assures us, “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mk. 9:23). Our call is not just to pray, but to take up the sword of the Spirit and embrace the fight of faith!
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Adapted from Francis Frangipane’s book, This Day We Fight! available at www.arrowbookstore.com.