By: David McFadden
The Kingdom of Heaven Suffers Violence

He (Jesus) made the things we can see and the things we can't see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16 NLT)

Many years ago, God helped me understand, and better comprehend, the unseen world that exists around us. He graciously gave me the privilege to see the workings of the spiritual world through a vision. In the vision, I saw a great curtain partially pulled back and I was given a very brief glimpse of the invisible kingdoms of this world—only 3 or 4 seconds of time. What I saw was very bright, so bright that the images were like reverse shadows. Everything moved at four times the normal speed and a lot was going on. Most importantly, I understood that there is a raging battle being fought for the souls of men and women.

That experience changed everything for me. First, I knew, for sure, that the spiritual world was, in fact, real and just as tangible as the temporal world. Second, the workings of the spiritual realm are happening all around us and not in some distant “by-and-by.” Third, people (including myself) affect the unseen world with their speech and actions—happenings are changed and directed, and the future is determined or altered, by our words. Proverbs 18:21 affirms this,

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”

That is why the Bible also tells us that we will be held accountable for every idle word we speak. The following commentary by Charles Spurgeon speaks to this Scriptural truth as well.

Spiritual War Rages all Around

“Michael and his angels fought against the dragon;

and the dragon fought and his angels.” (Revelation 12:7 )

War always will rage between the two great sovereignties until one or the other is crushed. Peace between good and evil is an impossibility; the very pretense of it would, in fact, be the triumph of the powers of darkness. Michael will always fight; his holy soul is incensed with sin, and will not endure it.

Jesus will always be the dragon's foe, and not in a quiet sense, but actively, vigorously, with full determination to exterminate evil.

All His servants, whether angels in heaven or His believers on earth, will and must fight; they are born to be warriors—at the cross, they enter into covenant never to make a truce with evil; they are a warlike company, firm in defense and fierce in attack. The duty of every soldier in the army of the Lord is daily, with all his heart, and soul, and strength, to fight against the dragon. Remember that as believers, our warfare is never against people or persons, but the battle is against the demonic spirit operating in and or through a person.

Satan, the dragon, and his angels will not decline the battle; they are incessant in their onslaughts, sparing no weapon, fair or foul. We are foolish to expect to serve God without opposition: the more zealous we are, the more sure are we to be assailed by the myrmidons of hell. It is a sad state to say that the church may become slothful, but her great antagonist will not. Satan’s restless spirit never permits the war to pause; he hates the woman's seed, and would gladly devour the church if he could. The servants of Satan partake much of the old dragon's energy and are usually an active race. War rages all around, and to dream of peace is dangerous and futile.

Glory be to God; we know the end of the war. The great dragon shall be cast out and forever destroyed, while Jesus and those who are with Him shall receive the crown. In this day, even in this hour, let us sharpen our swords, and pray the Holy Spirit to nerve our arms for the conflict.

Never a battle so important, never a crown so glorious.

Every man to his post, ye warriors of the cross, and may the Lord tread Satan under your feet shortly!

—Charles H. Spurgeon, adapted from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening, Inc. All rights reserved.

Take God’s Word Back to Him in Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for keeping me safe in Your arms when so much is going on around me. I ask that You continually remind me of Your love and that You have a plan and purpose for me that partly involves confronting the enemy of my soul. You have shown me and told me in Your Word that You have won the victory over sin and death and that Satan is a defeated foe. Even so, Satan has plans and purposes for my destruction, coming to steal, kill and destroy. By faith, I put on my helmet of salvation, and speak Your Word, wielding the sword of the Spirit to defeat the plans that Satan tries to bring against me. LORD, instill in me a conqueror’s spirit, knowing that I fight from victory and not for victory. Help me to faithfully put on the full armor of God, so that the people I know and meet can live in Your victory as well. I agree with Mr. Spurgeon, “Never a battle so

important, never a crown so glorious.” I ask this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen

Excerpted and adapted from his “Deeper Life Series”. For more articles from this series go to https://www.deeperlifeseries.com/devotional-archive

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