The Midnight Cry

!967: Israeli Army Enters Jerusalem

 

Recently, there has been an increase in both anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence throughout the nations. We have just witnessed the worst act of violence against Jews in this nation's history with the mass murder of 11 Sabbath worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These evil events should immediately bring to mind the prophetic words of scripture, especially pertaining to these last days.

There was an unshakeable, unbreakable covenant promise given to Israel by the LORD which we have seen fulfilled in our generation. God repeatedly promised through His prophets that Israel, despite seemingly impossible circumstances, would one day be restored as a nation, and the people would live in the land once again. Not only would the LORD physically restore the land of Israel and its people, but He would also spiritually restore the people of Israel, and their relationship with Him. The Church has often embraced the false teaching that it has replaced Israel, and has become this spiritual Israel, but the scriptures are very clear that God has never abandoned His promises for the nation and people of Israel:

"Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. For lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captives of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it....Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger...and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. And they shall be my people, and I shall be their God...And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them...Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul."   Jer. 30:2-3, 32:37-38, 40-41

The LORD swore this promise even though the nations and heathen people had taken Israel as a prey, and had made it desolate (Ez. 36:1-5). Not only did God promise to restore the nation of Israel, but to make it multiply and prosper like never before:

"And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD."   Ez. 36:11

This has been an ongoing, eternal, living promise to Israel, which the LORD has kept repeatedly despite numerous historical destructions of Israel and the Jewish people by enemy nations and heathens. Men and nations would be wise to keep this promise in mind, because God also promised to pour His wrath upon all who would come against His land and people. Those who think that they do God a favor by persecuting His land, or the Jewish people, are deceived and in danger of judgment. Though God has carried out this judgment wrath against these persecutors throughout history, He specifically promises this for the latter days:

"Behold, the whirlwind (hurricane, storm, rage, to be violently shaken) of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing (to catch, chew, and chew again) whirlwind : it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it."   Jer. 30:23-24

Along with the physical restoration of Israel, comes the prophetic promise of a spiritual restoration and revival:

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah...I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people...I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more."   Jer. 31:31-34 (excerpt)

The above is a promise that can never end. It is assured for as long as the sun, moon, stars, seas and waves exist (v. 35). This promise is directly connected to the promise regarding the land:

"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean...A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh...And I will put my spirit within you...And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I shall be your God."

                                                                                                Ez. 36:24-28 (excerpt)

God has indeed brought Jews out of all the nations of the earth, and returned them to a miraculously restored nation of Israel in our time. He will also initiate a new covenant with its spiritual revival in them. He promises the kingship of the Messiah, like the kingship of David, upon His restored nation (Jer. 30:9, Ez. 37:24-25), and His tabernacle in their midst forever (Ez. 37:26). The Messianic kingship promise is joined with the restoration of the land. As we have seen Israel restored as a nation, this is a sign that we will see the return of our Messiah, Jesus, soon.
The LORD also promises Israel the resurrection from the dead in connection with His promise concerning the restoration of the land (Ez. 37:12-14), and the miraculous joining of two separate sticks, or branches of faith, together into a single stick (stalk, tree, branch, carpenter, root meaning: to shut, firm) in the hand of the prophet. One stick represents the Gentiles of faith, and the other represents the Jewish branch of faith (v. 15-20). Those days are indeed ahead in the near future.

The LORD has also prophesied the terrible persecution that His people and nation will see in the future. He calls it "the time of Jacob's trouble". After the restoration of the land, it will be a time so terrible, that nothing like it has ever existed before - a time of terror and fear. However, God promises that they shall be saved out of it (Jer. 30:3-8):

"...again there shall be heard in this place....The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good, and his mercy endureth for ever...Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah...In those days...will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days, shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness."  

                                                                                          Jer. 33:10-11, 14-16 (excerpt)

As we see the prophesied restoration of the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem being fulfilled, the midnight hour has come when the friend of the bridegroom must be crying out, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him."

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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

 



The Voice of God

 

There are those today who mock faith in God. Those who believe are openly ridiculed for their belief. Many also scoff at the idea that the LORD speaks. He spoke in the past, and He still speaks today. To His prophet, Jeremiah, He said:

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD...I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them...but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me."    Jer. 35:12-15 (excerpt)

Perhaps man mocks the concept that God has a voice, and speaks, in order to relieve ourselves of the responsibility of hearing and obeying:

"Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us...because we have sinned against him."   Dan. 9:10-11

Because of their unbelief, man has looked upon prophets with great skepticism. However, the Word of God says, "Surely the LORD God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the LORD God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?"   Amos 3:7-8

We are often stunned at the enormous calamities that have come upon the earth in recent times, but as Amos told us above, all of these things have been spoken by the LORD beforehand to His prophets. We have just refused to heed it. Many also choose to believe that the voice of God as spoken to His prophets remains in, and applies only to the past. However, the prophetic word is applicable especially to our current time:

"And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and swear by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time (delay) no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."   Rev. 10:5-6

The words spoken to the prophets, recorded long ago, are appointed for even this present time. As the Word says, God does nothing without having declared it to His prophets. It has been further prophesied:

"And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."   Rev. 22:10-13

The above words of prophecy written around 70 A.D., are not sealed, or hidden, any longer, but revealed for all men to know and understand now, for this time.
The apostle Peter also identified the connection of the written words of the prophets to our present time:
"...I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."   2 Pet. 3:1-4
Peter reminds the Church that it was said by the prophets that scoffers would mock the promise of the return of Christ, just as we see today. Peter taught that these scoffers would be ignorant by choice of the knowledge of the previous judgment by flood that destroyed the earth after the creation, and its continuing prophetic significance for the future. By the same word that brought that judgment by flood of water, the heavens and earth are now storing up fire for judgment. In choosing to ignore the truth regarding the past world-wide judgment by flood, the scoffers do not have to face the prospect of the prophesied world-wide judgment by fire. According to Peter, they also choose to believe that because God has waited this long to carry out that prophesied judgment, despite the prevalence of wickedness, that it will not come. Peter, however, warns against this kind of unbelief of the scoffers referring to both the heart of God, and His timing (v. 8). He warns us not to mistake the kindness and patience of God for weakness, or a failing to keep His word:
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night...and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness...?"   2 Pet. 3:9-11
Peter said that this prophetic word has been given to us so that we may be prepared for the coming events. The prophetic word, the voice of God, requires us to stir up our pure minds, not being conformed to the world's scoffing and unbelief, but transformed by that word, the voice of God, that we would walk in holy and Godly character. God, in His mercy, has provided more time also for those who have not yet been transformed by repentance in the face of His warning word given to the prophets.

There are prophets still prophesying the voice of the Lord today. They are not often accepted even by the Church, yet they, along with apostles and other ministers to the Church, have been provided by Christ, who is the Spirit of prophecy, to equip the Church, and to perfect the saints into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:11-13). They are especially crucial to us in these last days. Will we hearken to the voice of God?

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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

Know the Signs!

 

Jesus expected those who were knowledgeable in the scriptures to recognize the signs of the times. Those who considered themselves to be knowledgeable kept demanding that He show them "a sign from heaven" (Mt. 16:1-3). Jesus had just performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes that fed thousands, and the healing of great multitudes who had come to Him, but these experts sought a sign. Jesus called them hypocrites saying, "...can ye not discern the signs of the times?" The greatest "sign" of all was standing right in front of them, but they couldn't discern Him.

Knowing the signs of the end times in which we live is not enough, however. There is a purpose for the people of God to accomplish that follows the signs. It is not about knowledge only, but about "doing" as well. We will see this as we follow one of the signs that is revealed prophetically in both the Old and New Testaments.

Paul wrote about a sign that would precede the return of Christ, and the gathering of the believers unto Him, also called The Rapture:

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in  the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."   2 Thess. 2:3-4

There are three signs mentioned in the above verses to alert the believer of the return of Christ, and the Rapture of the Church. First, there is a falling away from the faith. Paul also wrote a detailed description of this falling away in 2 Tim 3. He identified it specifically with a deception associated with "the last days". Everything that he described in detail regarding this falling away from the faith, we are seeing even now. Secondly, the person of the antichrist is revealed as he sits in the temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Thirdly, there is a third temple that must exist before the antichrist can sit in it. We know that there are groups in Jerusalem, the Temple Institute and the Temple Mount Faithful, that have dedicated themselves for decades to gathering and preparing the items necessary to build that third temple.

The prophet Daniel also gave a description of the individual that we call the antichrist and his connection to the temple:

"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time...and they (the antichrist and his forces) shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate...and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every God, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done..."  
                                                                                           Dan. 7:25, 11:31, 36, 12:7

Although some believe that the abomination to occur in the temple according to Daniel's prophecy has been fulfilled by a past historic event, the LORD makes clear to Daniel that He is revealing things that are to be sealed even to "the time of the end" (Dan. 12:4,9).

Daniel also revealed a time line involved with this sign of the person of the antichrist, and the temple:

"And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days (3 1/2 years)."  Dan. 12:11

The Book of Revelation, written well past the historic event that many claim fulfilled Daniel's prophecy, also confirms what Daniel had written and sealed:

"And there was given unto him (the beast, the antichrist) a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months (3 1/2 years). And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven."   Rev. 13:5-6

As the Book of Revelation describes the temple of God, it describes an outer court for the Gentiles, and the fact that the holy city would be trodden by the Gentiles for "forty and two months" (Rev. 11:2). The two witnesses who will be prophesying in sackcloth, which represents repentance, during this time, will continue for "a thousand two hundred and three score days" (v. 3).

While Daniel and the New Testament writers prophesied the revealing of the antichrist and his activities associated with third temple in the last days, or time of the end, we are also given a description of what the people of God are to be doing.

Daniel described the time of the end as a time when "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Dan. 12:4). We have seen an advancement of knowledge like never before in history. However, while worldly knowledge increases, the knowledge of the people of God increases also. During this time, Daniel describes the fulfilled purpose of the people who know their God in this manner:
"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever...And they that understand among the people shall instruct many...and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand...but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do (accomplish, work, make, produce, to act with effect, to prepare, ordain, bring about) exploits...And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him."   from Dan. 7, 11, 12
Daniel describes this time of the end as being  a time of trials for the people of God, and judgment for the wicked. For the people of God, Daniel prophetically writes, "...there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."  Dan. 12:1
Reflecting this same promise, during the fall feast of the LORD, Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, the blessing is said, "May you be inscribed in the book." Revealed further in the New Testament, this book is described as "the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."   Rev. 13:8
The names written in the book of life have been inscribed because of the blood of the Lamb,  the Son of God, the Messiah, Jesus, who died to take away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29). Has your name been written in the book? If you have been inscribed in the Lamb's book of life, do you know and discern the signs of the times, as Jesus expected? Are you doing the purpose of God for His people that accompanies these signs? Signs require a response, an action. Let us respond accordingly to the signs we are seeing now, and will see very soon.

To Contact/Support the Ministry/Submit Prayer Request/Order the book, "NAZAH":
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

Tried: Refined, Tried:Revealed

 

 

The process of trials and trying in scripture is for the purpose of refining and revealing. The prophet Daniel explained that this would be especially true in the last days, or the end times. It is the time when both the wicked and the righteous are revealed. As the person whom we call the antichrist is revealed on the world stage, the people who know their God are also revealed:

"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he (the king of the north/the antichrist)corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days...And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try (to smelt, refine, like a goldsmith, to test, to prove) them, and to purge (to purify, cleanse, make bright, to test, prove), and to make them white (purified, made white), even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed."  
                                                                                                           Dan. 11:32-35

A great trying comes to God's people during this time. That trying process is like a gold or silversmith who heats the gold and silver to a very high temperature in order to remove the impurities, or dross, from it. What is revealed at the end of the process is the pure, precious gold or silver. For the people of God, this process will reveal righteousness. Revelation tells us that the clean, white, fine linen white garments of the Bride of Christ are the righteousness of the saints (Rev. 19:7-8).

Peter wrote that in the last time, the power of God keeps and reveals those who by faith, have entered salvation (1 Pet. 1:5). The revealing comes from the trial of faith:

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial (testing, trustworthiness) of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ...Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."  v. 6-7,9

Peter tells us to rejoice in the trials, not only because we are revealed in our salvation, but this is the time when Christ, Himself is revealed also.

"Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."  v.13

Our faith has a conclusion, a joyful conclusion, which will be our salvation. We must understand, and stand faithful in hope even through the trials which purify and cleanse us.

Jesus tells the church at Philadelphia that He will reveal those belonging to Satan, while claiming to serve God. As Peter told the church that the power of God would keep them through the trial, Jesus also makes that promise:

"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly..."   Rev. 3:10-11

Again, as the wicked are revealed, as the righteous are revealed to stand true in His name, and in His Word, Jesus relates this to the time of His coming, or revealing.

In these last days, this is the time to test ourselves:

"Examine yourselves (to make trial of, to test: for the purpose of ascertaining quality)whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves (test, examine, as with metals, whether it is genuine). Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"   2 Cor. 13:5
As we see the wicked being revealed more and more, as we experience the trials to the core of our faith and hope, as we know that the return of Jesus is drawing near, this is the time to examine our own hearts, to decide where we are going to stand in the truth, to search ourselves regarding the strength of our commitment to Christ, and to His Word.

The prophet Malachi ("My Messenger"), as he describes the imminent arrival, or revealing of the Lord, also describes a refining process for God's people:

"But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' (to wash with trampling of the feet) sope (soap, alkali used for smelting metals): and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness."   Mal. 3:2-3 
The trial may be difficult, but it is necessary to produce or reveal the end result, righteousness. The Lord has promised to see us through the trial with His power.

At this same time (v.5), Malachi tells us that the wicked are revealed, including sorcerers (practicing witchcraft, occultism), adulterers (sexual sin, breaking wedlock, to apostatize), false swearers (liars, the deceitful), oppressors of the poor and weak for profit, the prejudiced or racist (that turn aside the stranger, or foreigner from his right).  We certainly see the proliferation of all of these things in these end times. Malachi said that their trial of revealing, however, also carries the judgment of God. Jesus, describing this revealing, advises:
"For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth, Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."   Lk. 21:35-36
Who shall abide the day of His coming? Who shall stand when He appears?

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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

Spiritual Warfare

 

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

 

The Devil has been portrayed as a cartoon character with red suit, horns, and pitchfork. Nothing could be further from the truth. If we do not understand who the enemy is, and the nature of the enemy, we will always be defeated by him. If we do not know ourselves honestly, understanding how this enemy works towards us, we will never have victory. If we do not have knowledge of the things of heaven and earth, we become easy prey.
There is nothing cartoonish about our first glimpse of Satan in scripture. In Genesis, he takes the form of a subtle creature, a serpent, deceiving Eve and Adam by questioning God's command to them: "Yea, hath God said...?" (Gen. 3:1-4). Satan challenged the truth of what God had said to Adam, and lied about the consequences. Jesus similarly explained Satan's character to us:

"...He 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 speaks of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it."  Jn. 8:44

Satan murdered in the beginning by drawing man from eternal life in God to death in sin. He does not do it with truth, but with lies. Because of this, Jesus went on to say that those who rejected the truth of God, and Himself as the Bringer of that truth, were after the likeness of their father, Satan. Those who believed Christ, and the words He brought from the Father, were of their Father, God (v. 44-47). We can't have it both ways. We can't disregard God's Word as truth, or the Son Whom He sent, and still say, "God is my Father".

The Apostle Paul explained the difference between those who belong to God, Who brought us back to life through Christ, and those who belong to the world, and the spirit that influences the world:

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world. according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ...."  Eph. 2:2-5

The mind and ways of the world and the flesh are ruled by the prince of the power of the air, and that's where the battle begins-in our own minds and flesh. He is a spirit who is not confined to hell, but who inhabited heaven, and now falsely claims the earth as his. We have been delivered out of his realm of sin and death by Christ.  We who have been so miraculously delivered, are no longer to be one of the children of disobedience, subject to Satan's deception.

His fall from heaven is described in Revelation. After great warfare, Satan and the angels that he deceived into rebellion with him, were cast out:

"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him....Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil has come down unto you having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."  Rev. 12:7-12

Not only is Satan a murderer and a liar, but he is filled with great wrath. He viciously and unendingly accuses believers before God. The work of this vicious accuser is overcome by the brethren by the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and the fact that they do not love their own lives even to death (v. 11). Natural weapons, and natural strength have nothing to do with victory over this spiritual enemy. Daniel warns that it will be those "who know their God" that shall be strong and do exploits in the face of this spiritually powerful enemy (Dan. 11:32). In the end times shown to Daniel, the worker of evil will lure the world, and even some of God's people with "flatteries" (smooth, slippery, deceitful promises, (promises) to plunder, divide, share, distribute or apportion). As these end times were described to Daniel as an age in which knowledge increases (Dan. 12:4), the time in which we live now definitely qualifies. Natural knowledge and advancement in just this past generation alone has surpassed that of any other age in history. Daniel also prophesied that those who serve God in the time of the end will teach others the knowledge of God with wisdom.

We have not been left defenseless in the face of this unmerciful enemy of God and His people. Paul describes the spiritual armor and weapons that God has provided for us through Christ, and he urges us to use them, to stand against the wiles (cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery, method, settled plan, lie in wait) 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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all of the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance for all saints."  Eph. 6:12-18

Paul gave this revelation having been in the midst of spiritual warfare himself, under arrest and in chains (v. 19-20). The spiritual armor and weapons of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God (Who is Jesus Christ), are the tools given to us to stand against and overcome the spirit of murder, lies, accusation and hot anger that is Satan. As Paul taught, we cannot take this armor on and off, which happens when we carelessly desire to be of this world. Jesus also told us that while we are physically in the world, we are not to be of the world. Paul told us in another place that we were not to be conformed to this world, but transformed. We are in a spiritual battle that requires perseverance, praying always, not only for ourselves, but together with and for all the saints.

The enemy that all of God' s people face is not a cartoon. Because God has already prophesied his utter defeat, Satan knows his time is running out, and he seeks to destroy as many as he can in his seething anger, especially in these end times. However, Almighty God has given us the means to attain the victory in Christ.
If you want to know Jesus like this in these end times, if you want to know the truth concerning the things of heaven and earth, there is a prayer below which will start you on this journey. You will never be the same!

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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.