Wrestling with Warnock Round 34

From “Feast of Tabernacles,” Chapter 6- The Blowing of Trumpets: An Introduction to Tabernacles, continued

The Church–Defeated.

Can you see, child of God, what a tremendous heritage is ours, and how Satan has completely usurped the authority of the Sons of God? Paul says, “We wrestle…” True, Paul did so to a certain extent, along with some of the saints through the ages–but as a whole the Church of Christ has suffered defeat from the powers of darkness for century upon century. Deceived on every hand; afflicted with all manner of sickness and disease; demon-oppressed and demon-possessed; filled with carnality, sin, bitterness, bewilderment, sorrow, fear, and torment. The surging masses of humanity, including many of the real saints of God, have been taken captive by the “god of this world,” and instead of a glorious Church one needs only to visit a great healing meeting to behold a veritable Museum of the Devil displaying his exhibits: children of God twisted into the most gruesome forms; hobbling on crutches; dragging themselves; crawling on the ground; men with tortured minds; oppressed by demons; and cast into Satan’s mould of deception, fear, torment and filth. Thank God for the measure of deliverance we can see beginning to come to pass, and for the mighty healing power of God that is being delivered unto mankind through His anointed servants–but Oh, how little we have seen yet in comparison with the tremendous need that presents itself! And yet the saints really think they are telling the truth when they stand religiously on a Sunday morning, and sing to the charming peal of the organ:

“Like a mighty army, moves the Church of God,
Brothers, we are treading, where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war!
With the Cross of Jesus,
Going on before.”

The exact opposite is just about the truth of the situation: a defeated band of slaves, divided into a thousand sects, all having different hopes and different doctrines, and knowing nothing of charity. “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain…” Arise, Church of God, from the dust of defeat and desolation. Put on your beautiful garments, and the whole armour of God! The Trumpet call goes forth in this great hour, calling for a Gideon’s band who shall be “more than conquerors” through Christ that loved us. And the band is being prepared, for which we are thankful; an army whose power is not in themselves, but in the Sword of the Lord.

War in Heaven.

The Book of Revelation is in reality, not the Revelation of John, but as John himself stated: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ…” The word “Revelation” is “Apokalupsis,” the very same word that is translated “The manifestation (apokalupsis) of the Sons of God…” (Rom. 8:19). Literally, it is the Unveiling of Jesus Christ that John was told to write about there on the isle of Patmos. It is lamentable that the Church should have become so deceived as to refuse to believe the Book is for them; so many are teaching that just the first three chapters are for the Church. However, it is enough for us that John should have said, “The Unveiling of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass… Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Rev. 1:1, 3). If you want to be blessed, then, read this wonderful book and believe it is for you. God is speaking by the Spirit to as many as have “ears to hear.” If you can hear its message, then it is for you. GHW

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If we don’t have ears to hear the trumpet blow and the battle cry arise, how can we respond to the Lord of Hosts? Spiritual battles can only be won when the people of God believe there is a battle to win and that they are part of the army of the Lord! Anything less than His kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as in heaven, tells us that we have enemies to topple and territory to capture.

The Lord gave us our Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20: “¹⁸And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ” All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹” Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” But many have gone AWOL before even finishing basic training. It is up to those who have ears to hear to rally the troops, put things in order, and stand at attention.

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