The War on God and His People
Before we get into the introduction, I just want to let you know that this post is rather lengthy. The subject, however, is of utmost importance. I had thought of breaking it into a series of smaller posts but realized part of the message may be lost in the shuffle, so to speak.If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is vital that you understand what God has to say about this war on God and His people, so please read on.
Introduction
If you have watched the news at all in the past few months, you know that the land of Israel has been under constant attack and that Christians are being brutally murdered in several parts of the world.Many Christians seem to be trying to ignore this issue for fear of being labelled insensitive or politically incorrect. Believe me, a lot of prayer and wrestling with the Lord happened before I ever sat at the keyboard to write this.
The real enemy isn't the zealots of some extremist religion, who demand worship of their god or death. The murderous followers of such a philosophy are merely being used as weapons in the arsenal of the real enemy of God and His people.
Those are bold statements, I know. You may or may not agree. All I ask is that you take a few moments to look at God's Word with me.
In Ephesians 4, we are told that when Jesus ascended into heaven He gave gifts for the edification of the church.
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (v14-15).God wants His people to know the truth so that we are not deceived. The war on God's people is very real. We need to be aware of (1) how this war began, (2) how this war has continued, (3) the basis of the hate, (4) how it will end and (5) our position in the battle.
1.) How the War Began
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (v2-15)
Lucifer, now more commonly known as Satan or the devil, was thrown out of heaven. Where else could he go but earth, where he knew God would soon plant a garden and put a man and a woman in it? As the enemy of God, his aim was and is to destroy anything and anyone who exalts the Name of the Lord.
2.) How the war has continued
Let's take a look at how the war against God and His people has continued in the garden, in the days of Noah, in the promised land, and in our time.
a) In the Garden
The enemy came to earth to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). When he entered the serpent in the garden, his aim was to steal Eve's joy and trust in her Creator, take her life, and destroy her Eden. Satan did get a small victory then but I don't think he was prepared for what God would do for these people He loved.
Blood, the requirement to atone for sin and satisfy God's holy standards, was shed for the first time there in the garden. God made a covering for Adam and Eve's bodies and a temporary covering for their sin. Their relationship with God was not lost forever, as the enemy had hoped.
God won the victory that day and declared an even greater future victory against this enemy saying, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." This was the first mention of the One who was to come (Galatians 4:4) to provide a forever covering for sin when He died "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10).
b) In the days of Noah
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually ...The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. -Genesis 6:5,11-12
Can you imagine the enemy's delight at the state of the earth at that time? He had managed to steal, kill and destroy so many people's lives and was enjoying every minute of it.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth... And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood... -Genesis 6:8-10,13-14
c) In Egypt
After Joseph died, "the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them" -Exodus 1:7
Guess who didn't like that? The enemy wasn't happy that the people of God were doing so well because that brought God glory. And, remember, he hated both (and still does). Take a look at what he did next.
Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. -Exodus 1:8This king and the rest of the Egyptians got worried because of the numbers of God's people, so "they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens." - Exodus 1:11
God didn't forget His people. The more they were afflicted, the stronger they became (Exodus 1:12). This didn't make the enemy or the Egyptians very happy so they made the Israelites' lives miserable.
For a while the enemy got to enjoy a small victory here and there as he saw God's people more and more oppressed.
Once again, he wasn't ready for God's counter move in this battle. Remember Moses and the plagues God put on Egypt? Not only did God teach the Egyptians a lesson, he defeated the enemy again and again.
After God parted the Red Sea to allow His people to escape the clutches of the Egyptians, Moses and the people sang a song of praise to the One who had redeemed them.
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. -Exodus 15:1
God didn't just have victory over Egypt that day; He defeated the schemes of the enemy. The enemy had once again tried to steal God's glory but God won and glorified His own Name through it all. The enemy had tried to kill God's people but God saved them. The enemy tried to destroy the nation of Israel before it was formed but God built them up and made them strong.
c) In the Promised Land
During King Ahab's reign wickedness ran unchecked through the land of Israel. The prophets of the LORD were slain and the people had turned to idol worship. Elijah, a spokesman for God, did not shy away from telling the truth about the wickedness of the king and the people.
One day, he called the enemy out and presented him with a challenge. He told the prophets of Baal to build an altar to make an offering to their gods and he would build one for a sacrifice to the LORD.
And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. -1 Kings 18:24
All day the prophets of Baal (tools in the enemy's arsenal) cried out, jumped on the altar and even cut themselves thinking this would get the attention of their gods of wood and stone. You know what happened? Absolutely nothing. Their false gods never answered.
Remember: the enemy does have some power, but his power is nothing in comparison to God who "disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise." -Job 5:12
Then, it was Elijah's turn. He built a new altar from 12 stones, each representing a tribe of Israel. He placed wood and the sacrifice on the altar, then dug a huge trench around it. Elijah called for the wood, the altar and the sacrifice to be completely drenched with a total of 12 barrels of water and the trench around it was also completely filled with water. At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah called upon the Name of the LORD.
LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. -1 Kings 18:36-37
Christians sometimes talk about warfare prayer. It's not as complicated as you might think. Elijah's enemy-defeating prayer was simple and to the point: "let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel...that this people may know that thou are the LORD God, and thou hast turned their heart back again."
The LORD God of Israel heard and answered by fire!
Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. -1 Kings 18:38-39
Just as he has always done, enemy again tried to steal God's glory but God won and glorified His own Name through it all.
There was a day when the enemy gathered the armies of 5 kings to attack the people of God. God went out and fought for His people and made the sun stand still so they could complete victory that day over the enemy (Joshua 10).
The 5 kings were captured, slain before the people and hung on trees as a sign that God had won the battle that day.
And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. (v25)After many more battles with kings and peoples used as a tool of the enemy, "Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war." -Joshua 11:23
Time after time the enemy goes to war with God and His people. And, time after time, God goes out to fight on behalf of His people, keep His promises to us and glorifies His own Name.
d) In our time
This persecution is happening at the hands of terrorists, governments, the United Nations and the hate-mongering average citizen is so-called civilized nations.
In the United States, Christians are pressured in the courts, schools and even in the military simply for standing for what is right.
Christian business owners have been sued for refusing to provide services for gay marriages. Students have been suspended from school for bringing Bibles into class and for participating in student-led prayer. In our armed forces, chaplains have been forbidden to pray in Jesus' Name because such prayer is not "inclusive" enough for our politically correct society.
The Bible has been thrown out and Judeo-Christian values mocked. Those who stand on the truth of the Bible are now called "bigots", "homophobes" and labelled "militant" and "dangerous" in military training manuals. Men have been emasculated, women masculinized and roles have been reversed in the family and elsewhere.
God has something to say about this trend in America and many western countries.
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! -Isaiah 5:20:21
While American Christians may feel "persecuted" at times, we really have it easy. We can purchase and own as many copies of the Bible as we choose (there are at least a dozen in my home). We don't have to worry about being attacked as we go into our churches and can pray openly and freely (for now, anyway).
Our brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe are being raped, tortured, beaten and martyred for the cause of Christ. As we noted in the introduction, the real enemy isn't the zealots of some extremist religion, who demand worship of their god or death. The murderous followers of such a philosophy are merely being used as weapons in the arsenal of the real enemy of God and His people.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. -John 3:19-20
"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light," Jesus said. Christians have been given one major purpose in this world and it is similar to that given to the Jewish people. That is, to glorify God by proclaiming the light of His truth to a darkened world ("Go ye into all the world...").
Remember, the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. He will extinguish the light of truth by any means possible so that he can try to steal God's glory. This enemy who was once called Lucifer ("lightbearer") now also loves darkness rather than light because his deeds are evil.
On the basis of different covenants, Jews and Christians are both the chosen people of God.
To the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, God says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" -1 Peter 2:9
To the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God says, "For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth". -Deuteronomy 14:2
The nation of Israel is daily under threat from rocket fire, murdering bombers (AKA suicide bombers), and armed terrorists attempting to tunnel under their borders into their towns to kidnap and kill.
From the United Nations to the president of the United States and others, Israel is under daily pressure to basically stop defending her citizens. Those who speak of "proportionality" in reference to Israel's response to terrorism are really saying, "Israel, just let them wipe you off the map."
Until the rise of Barack Hussein Obama, the policy of the United States was always, "We don't negotiate with terrorists," but the U.S. government is pressuring Israel to do just that.
Those who accuse Israel of "genocide" have either believed a lie or have deliberately set out to deceive. Do you know of any other nation on earth that has a telephone call center set up specifically to warn civilians they are going to bomb an area? Is there any other country who would drop leaflets to tell civilians in the enemy territory how to stay safe? Has any other ever sent humanitarian aid into the area hiding their enemies?
The source of anti-Israel propaganda is the enemy himself. Jesus said the enemy "was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." -John 8:44
Remember, the number one goal of the enemy is to attempt to steal God's glory. That is why he wants to eliminate Christians and Jews. Both are chosen by God to spread the light of His glory.
3.) The Basis of the Hate
We've already mentioned that the enemy's main goal is to steal God's glory. He does that by trying to steal, kill and destroy the lives of human beings.* Do you know why the enemy has always hated Israel and the Jewish people?
God also declared to His chosen people, "I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth." -Isaiah 49:6
Through His dealings with Israel, God has revealed Himself and His character to the world. And, through His chosen people, God also gave us His Word and the Messiah.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high - Hebrews 1:1-3
The Jewish people were and are God's chosen vehicle to introduce Himself to the world. As a result, His Name is lifted high above the earth.
The enemy's greatest desire was and is to try to steal God's glory. He was behind all the persecution of the Jews through the middle ages in Europe, most of which was done, sadly, under the banner of a cross.
The Crusades are a big part of why Jewish people are so untrusting of Christians and their motives. The Crusaders gave them a choice: convert or die. Under another cross-like banner, the Nazis (many of whom attended the Catholic church) committed terrible atrocities against God's chosen. Conversion was not even an option. Hitler's "final solution" was to rid the earth of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
It is the memories of such persecution that make true faith in Christ anathema to the Jewish people. In their minds, Jesus cannot be their Messiah if He allowed His followers to commit such atrocity.
You and I know it was the enemy, not the Messiah or His true followers, who by evil means tried once again to steal God's glory and prevent God's chosen people from seeing the truth.
"..the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." -2 Corinthians 4:4
The enemy won a small victory during World War II, but God ultimately had the victory. He brought the enemy's schemes to nothing and, in fact, turned them around and used them to accomplish His purpose. What was that purpose? To keep His promise to His chosen people to bring them back to their own land.
* Do you know why the enemy has always hated the followers of Christ?
The answered is found in Romans 11, where Paul shatters the modern day myth that God has finished with Israel.
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. (v1-2)
What does that have to do with the hatred the enemy has for Christians?
We're getting there.
Paul went on in that same chapter to give the reason why the gospel was preached first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Very few Jewish people in Paul's day or in our day accept that Jesus was and is the Promised Redeemer. Take a look at what Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said of the Jews who have not accepted Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah of Israel and the world:
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. (Romans 11:11)
Do you see what God said His purpose in bringing salvation to the Gentiles is? To provoke Israel to jealousy.
Don't argue with me. Read it again. God said it, not me.
How do Gentile believers provoke Israel to jealousy?
By our lives and our testimony. If you know Christ as your Savior and Lord, there should be something different about you. The peace, hope, love and joy of Christ should emanate from our hearts in all we do. Are we perfect? Not this side of heaven, but, our lives should reflect that we have been with Jesus.
One day, Peter and John were arrested by the temple guard and brought before the Sanhedrin Council after a lame man had been healed. (The Sanhedrin Council was a 71-member court led by the high priest and the final authority on all religious matters.)
The Sanhedrin, who had condemned Jesus and called for His crucifixion, demanded to know by whose authority they were doing these things.
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. -Acts 4:10-12
I'm sure the members of the Sanhedrin had never met Peter and John. They would never have dirtied their pristine robes and sensibilities in the presence these humble fisherman (their bias, not mine). The religious leaders may not have known these 2 disciples but certainly they saw something in them.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. -Acts 4:13
Peter, the apostle who would later be the first to bring the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles (Acts 10), provoked these Jews to jealousy.
4.) How the War on God and His People will End
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. -Isaiah 14:15-18
To paraphrase Isaiah 14:15-18 in today's language, people will look upon him and say, "You're kidding me! This is the guy that shook kingdoms and made the world a wilderness? Really?"
The enemy, the liar from the beginning, the accuser of the brethren, will be silenced for all eternity, no more to point out our shortcomings to the Almighty.
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. -Revelation 12:10
5.) Our Position in the Battle
You may be thinking that, chronologically, this last section is out of order. It is, but for good reason - to end with a word of encouragement.
The apostle Paul told young Timothy:
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. -1 Timothy 6:12
"Fight the good fight of faith." How? First, we need the right weaponry.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ -2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Our enemy has power, as we have seen. But, although we are mere human beings, Christians don't fight like mere mortals. Our weapons are not of this world, but are "mighty through God." The enemy will attack, that's certain. But more certain is God's promise to walk through it with us, be our rear guard and to fight for us. And, remember, the enemy is a defeated foe. Jesus already conquered sin and death and hell. All things are under His feet!
Next we need the proper clothing.
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. -Ephesians 6:13
Remember, the enemy of God and His people has 1 main goal in mind - to try to steal God's glory. He will use any means possible to accomplish that goal, and will even try to get God's people to stumble so they will no longer carry the light of truth to the ends of the earth.
No matter how many times we have read it before, every one of God's people needs to study the armor of God as outlined in Ephesians 6:10-17 and we need to learn to put it on daily so we are well prepared for any any all attacks from the enemy.
The enemy, Jesus said, was a liar from the beginning. He will try to get you to doubt the reality of his existence and try to get you to doubt who you are in Christ. No matter what comes, no matter how the enemy tries to steal away God's glory from your life, always remember this:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:35:39
There is a war on God and His people, therefore...
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. -1 Peter 5:8-11
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