Are we doing all to stand?

[notice]A response to what is happening prophetically in the world today — A monthly column by Julie de Lisle[/notice]

I was recently asked by someone if the words  “war” and “Christian” should even be used together in the same sentence. My immediate response was ‘yes’. It is so clear, and I am so aware that right now that we are fighting a spiritual war against an invisible enemy who is great in numbers, intelligence, subtlety, and power.

The Bible is clear that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 ESV)

Satan was first named Lucifer, son of the morning. He was unique, and shone with a beauty that was a bright glorious radiance. (Ezekiel 28:12-14.) Perfect and breathtaking, pride entered his heart. He wanted the worship that was given to God to be lavished on him. He wanted the story to be about him, he felt cheated somehow. He wanted the adoration, to be the one lifted up. This was his downfall.

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We read this story in Ezekiel 28:16 -19 ….. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty,and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendour.

He hates the beautiful Bride of Christ
Satan fell because of his beauty. I believe his heart for revenge now is to assault beauty, and that’s the BRIDE, the glorious one, the beautiful one. He hates the Bride of Christ, the Church, the very thing that is supposed to display God Himself in the earth today and what He is coming back to take unto Himself. She is the incarnation of  the beauty of God; more than anything in creation she embodies the glory of God. Satan hates her with a violent jealousy. The Church is full of the life of God, this is where lives gets nourished, the soul fulfilled and spirit grown into its fullness. And so you see Satan assaults her with a special hatred.

Right now the Church is possibly shining brighter than ever before and the more gloriously she shines the greater the onslaught will become. As we uniquely carry the glory of God to the world, she will be more hated for Her beauty and power.

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Satan will come against us with everything he has, from every angle, with every assault. He will bring accusations, throw shame and doubt at us. Satan fears who we are and what we will become.

In Ephesians Paul tells us to “stand” (“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, “(Ephesians 6:13-17 ESV),  a military term for holding on to a position.

It’s time to hold our position, to put on the full armour of God and to “stand”. The Christian soldier is confronting something that, as a soldier, he could not overcome except that he himself also has invisible help to draw upon as a resource. In military strategy, perhaps one of the most basic of all rules is never to underestimate the enemy. I am not saying Satan is more powerful but I do believe we need to see he is the enemy and that our call is to resist, fight and conquer. We are in Gods army, the best to be in.

We are not abandoned, we are children, belonging to the living, all-powerful God. Let’s do all to stand in these times of adversity. Our hope and our trust are in Him. We remain vigilant as believers, aware of the enemy and his schemes but not intimidated in any way by them. My prayer is that as believers we will live victoriously during these end times, that we will hold our ground and keep our trust and faith in Him who is able!

I would like to end with  one of my favourite scriptures — in Isaiah, where we see the truth of God’s heart for His Bride: For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:1-5 ESV). 

As always in His grip

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Julie