Editors Note: This article ran previously n April 25, 2021. The article has been updated by the author as of July 23, 2023.
A number of years ago, I told the good people of the church I was serving, that the day would come that it would be difficult to be a Christian in America. And, I warned them that the day for that to happen was not far off. I also told them that there was a coming day when one would think they were living in old Dodge City because people would find it necessary to go armed in America.
Over the past few years, I have had many messages and emails as well as personal encounters where people have told me that I was right even though they didn’t believe it would happen at the time they heard me declare it.
When one compares the shootings and murders in old Dodge City with what is happening in Chicago, for instance, Dodge City was far less dangerous. The fact is that this country is becoming a place that is unrecognizable when it comes to common sense, morality and conduct.
People don’t realize that what we are experiencing in America at the present time is a spiritual battle before it is anything else and God’s People are going to be at the center of this battle. Satan knows that he must defeat Christianity and Judaism before he can be totally successful. So, Christians should not be surprised to find that they and their beliefs are being attacked. When God cast satan out of heaven he threw him down to earth. This land of ours that we love so much is now in the throws of a critical spiritual battle with satan because this is his territory. According to scripture, this world is satan’s domain and he and his demonic minions are having their way at this time. For a person to fail to recognize this is for them to be in imminent danger. If one will listen closely with a spiritual ear, they will be able to hear satan and his demons roaring and screaming at the top of their voices. Satan is stronger than we are and he can, and does, manipulate this environment for his own personal desires. We are in a spiritual battle between satan and God and it will continue until the Lord comes back and straightens it all out.
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Satan is a liar. That is a major part of his personal makeup. He cannot tell the truth and is an expert at making a lie look like the truth. He knows people can be manipulated into doing anything he says if they are not redeemed by faith in Jesus Christ. Before being saved, a person is a pawn in satan’s hands. They have no defense against him and his minions. They may look good, dress good and speak eloquently but they are not saved. Their heart and mind has not been renewed by the Spirit of God. They will absorb lies as truth and work diligently to defend them. The Bible says that the unsaved are under the dominion of satan, the “prince of the power of the air.” Ephesians 2:2 says that satan’s spirit is presently working in the “sons of disobedience,” the unredeemed. It also says that we were all like that in the past but the saved have been “made alive.”
When one is made alive spiritually, they are given the ability to obey God and reject the devil’s desires for them. They are given a new mind and the ability to believe God’s Word, the Bible. The world believes the Bible is an old antiquated book that should be ignored or thrown away. They are aware that the Word stands against just about everything they want to do so “let’s get rid of it!” But, one whose mind has been renewed by God’s Spirit will see it as the answer for all human problems. If we, as a society, would allow His Word to guide us, we would not have all the problems we have today. So, satan tries to discredit the Bible and all those who hold it dear and obey it. That’s why Christianity is under such extreme pressure world wide in this present day.
We can expect that the battle will get more intense in the days ahead. Satan doesn’t give up easily or quickly. He has it as his goal to destroy humanity and send them all to hell. God’s plan is full of Grace and Mercy. He wants to redeem man and give him an eternal home with Him. There is coming a day, and no one knows when, that the Lord will return and set in motion the events which will culminate with satan and his forces being defeated. Then, God will set up the kingdom that will consist of all His Redeemed. Satan will have lost. It is already settled by the Word of God. Satan knows he is already defeated and the time is coming when it will take place in the final battle. I know this because I have read the last chapter in His Word that tells us exactly how everything will turn out.
MORE: Rev. Bill Harrell – Cause and Effect
The best defense that a person can have is to be saved by the blood of Jesus, trusting Him to save their soul. Then, they can defend themselves further by being a part of a good church which preaches the word and does not compromise on the scripture. Biblical preaching will instruct a person in the spiritual dangers lurking about. It will tell them where their strength lies and that is with trusting God completely. People who know the scripture because of the dedicated teaching of a good Pastor who has been called of the Lord to do the job of preaching the Word as well as being a spiritual guide and shepherd of the flock. Too many men who have been given a sacred trust to preach have diverted their eyes to other things and fail to do what is most important. The church is suffering and its people are starving spiritually. Its easy for satan to fool such people.
So, the lesson is this: We must hold on, looking for the day when what God has told us will actually be a historical event. We must understand that nothing is going on in this world that God doesn’t know about and His Plan is a good plan for His people. Have hope. Hold on. Trust God. More will take place that we can’t understand but He already knows what is coming and is not caught by surprise. He already knows how it will all turn out.
Have hope. Hold on. Trust God and make sure you trust Christ for salvation so that you will be on the winning side.
Reverend William (Bill) Harrell has been in ministry 48 years. He served as the pastor of Abilene Baptist Church in Martinez, GA for over 30 of those years. He can be reached at wfh@williamfharrell.com. You can also check out his blog at www.williamfharrell.com
