The Daily Word of Righteousness

Preparing the Army of God, #17

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:18)

The spirits of Hell know what Christ did on the cross. They understand He took the keys of Hell and death away from Satan and that Satan was powerless to prevent Christ's resurrection and ascension. They know about the coming to earth of God's Holy Spirit. They remember the casting out of devils, the healing of the sick, the raising of the dead that have taken place throughout the history of the Christian Church.

Evil spirits know that the Church is a dangerous enemy. They always will strive to prevail against the Church.

When the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are working with and through the Church, Satan is crushed and his works are destroyed and cast out of the earth. The armies of Satan are powerless against the Godhead.

And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. (Joshua 2:11)

The Israelites knew about the Red Sea and the destruction of the kingdoms of Sihon and Og. Yet they had difficulty believing God. However Rahab, the harlot, was filled with faith when she heard of the victories.

One person will hear of the works of the Lord and not be moved. Another person will hear and be filled with faith and set out to follow Christ. Each individual chooses for himself or herself after he hears of Christ, His atoning death, His triumphant resurrection, and His soon return to the earth.

The Israelites feared greatly because of the warriors of Canaan. The Canaanites themselves were paralyzed with fear because they realized the Lord was helping the Israelites. We Christians are not to be fearful of wicked spirits or superstitious concerning them. We are to realize that the rebellious angels and demons indeed are frightened because they understand Jesus is coming soon and that He will sit with God in His throne, judging all spirits as well as all human beings.

When Christ was on the earth the demons cried out in anguish and fear. They thought He had come to punish them before the Day of Judgment had arrived. The Day of Judgment is at hand now, and the punishment of evildoers—spirits and people alike—is soon to come.

As Rahab proclaimed, the Lord is God "in heaven above, and in earth beneath." The earth, its peoples, and its resources belong to the Lord. Christ is coming soon to take to Himself His inheritance. The will of God shall be done in earth as it is in Heaven.

If we would be saved we must make our peace with God through Christ. The Lord is God in the earth and soon this fact will be demonstrated in the sight of all nations.

To be continued.