MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
November 1, 2023
God’s Saving Enmity
Part 42
THE ENMITY AND WAR OF WARS OF THE COSMIC CONFLICT DESCRIBED BY THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
“And there was WAR in heaven: Michael [Christ’s title as Commander-in-Chief of the angelic army host] and His angels FOUGHT AGAINST the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not, neither was their place found ANYMORE in heaven. And the DRAGON was cast out [of heaven], that OLD SERPENT, called the DEVIL and SATAN, which deceiveth the WHOLE WORLD: and he was cast out INTO THE EARTH, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev. 12: 7-9.
“And the dragon was WROTH [angry; hated] the woman [prophetic symbol of church], and went to MAKE WAR with the REMNANT of her [the woman’s] SEED, WHO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS.” Rev. 12:17 (cf. Rev. 14:12; 19: 10).
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith.” 1 Pet. 5:8, 9, KJV.
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is ENMITY with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the ENEMY of God. . . . But He giveth MORE GRACE. Wherefore He saith, God RESISTETH the proud, but giveth grace unto HUMBLE. Submit yourselves therefore to God. RESIST THE DEVIL, and he will flee from you.” James 4: 4, 6, 7.
“Finally, my brethren, be STRONG in the Lord, and in the POWER of His might. Put on the WHOLE ARMOR of God, that ye might be able to STAND AGAINST THE WILES 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 [of our fallen, sin-cursed world!]. Wherefore take unto you the WHOLE ARMOR Of GOD, that ye might be ABLE TO WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore having your loins [of the mind] 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 [‘the faith of Jesus.’ Rev. 14:12], wherewith ye shall be ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED. And take the helmet of salvation, and the SWORD OF THE [Holy] SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD [‘It is written;’ ‘Thus saith the Lord;’ ‘Unto the law and the testimony.’]. PRAYING ALWAYS [‘pray without ceasing’] with all prayer and supplication in the [Holy] Spirit, and WATCHING thereunto with ALL PERSEVERANCE and supplication for all saints.” Eph. 6: 10-18.
“For the Word of God is quick [living], and POWERFUL, and SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD—piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a DISCERNER of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there ANY CREATURE that is not manifest in HIS SIGHT: but all things are NAKED AND OPENED unto the eyes of Him with whom WE have to do.” Heb. 4: 12, 13. The quoted Holy Scriptures speak for itself on this topic (emphasis mine).
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.