Weekly Devotional 11-28-22 A Call to Arms

Weekly Devotional 11-28-22 A Call to Arms

This week’s devotional is excerpted from John MacArthur’s study of the Book of Revelation.

Mr. MacArthur is the pastor of Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, California, Chancellor Emeritus at the Master’s College and Seminary located in Santa Clarita, Ca., and Bible Teacher on the daily radio & Television program “Grace to You”.

The Bible warns that “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Prov. 16:18). The most notorious and tragic illustration of that principle, the one with the most far-reaching consequences, was Satan’s prideful rebellion against God. By it he, having fallen from heaven like lightning (Luke 10:18), was cast down from his exalted position as the “anointed cherub who covers” (Ezek. 28:14). He forfeited his place as the highest created being and became the supreme enemy of God. Satan’s rebellion touched off a cosmic war throughout the universe—a war dwarfing any other war in human experience. Satan’s war against God is a two-front war. By leading a mutiny against God among the angels, Satan attempted unsuccessfully to destroy the paradise of heaven. By leading a mutiny against God among men, Satan destroyed the earthly paradise of the Garden of Eden and plunged the whole human race into decay and corruption. and usurped (temporarily) the role of the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 16:11).

The opening campaign of Satan’s war of the ages took place in heaven. When he rebelled (Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:12-17), one-third of the angels foolishly and wickedly cast their lots with him. None of them could have known what the eternal consequences of their choice would be. Wanting to be like God, they became as much unlike Him as possible. These fallen angels (or demons) became Satan’s storm troopers, doing the bidding of their evil commander. They fight against divine purpose, making war with both the holy angels and humanity.

When Adam and Eve plummeted into corruption by choosing to listen to Satan’s lies and disobey God, humans became embroiled in the cosmic war of the ages. In fact, since the Fall, the earth has been the primary theater in which that war has been fought. Though already fallen, every member of humanity faces the same choice as the angels did in eternity past: to fight on God’s side or on Satan’s side. Remaining neutral is not an option, for in Matthew 12:30, Jesus declared, “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.”

The final battles of Satan’s long war against God are yet to be fought. They will take place in the future, during the last half of the seven-year tribulation period, the time Jesus called, “the Great Tribulation” (Matt. 24:21). At that time Satan, aided by the absence of the raptured church and the presence of increased demon hordes (9:1-11), will mount his most desperate assaults against God’s purposes and His people. But despite the savage fury with which those assaults will be carried out, they will not succeed. The Lord Jesus Christ will effortlessly crush Lucifer and his forces (19:11-21) and send him to the abyss for the duration of the millennial kingdom (20:1-2). After leading a final rebellion at the close of the Millennium, Lucifer will be consigned to eternal punishment in the lake of fire (20:3, 7-10). End of excerpt.

Lord, help us to take up arms in whatever fashion, to spread this news to as many people that you bring our way. Help us Lord to be courageous and faithful in that purpose.

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