VICTORY IN CHRISTIAN WARFARE
(Second Edition)
CHAPTER 16 The Final Battle: Enduring to the End
God’s battle plan, the Bible, is a lifelong guide for daily life. Every human being is called to live in accordance with the Bible and so wage war against sin and Satan. But God says, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13. That is, we are called to persevere and “war a good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18) until the end of our life. Only those who do so will receive the reward of paradise and eternal life.
In this final chapter, we will look at the three main activities that should consume our time as warriors in God’s army until the end. These activities are prayer, Bible study, and obeying God’s gospel commission which is called witnessing. We will also look at some final topics.
Prayer
Much has already been said before in this book on the subject of prayer. Suffice it to say at this point as God says, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1), not fail to pray. “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
The key thing that God is trying to impress upon our minds that we should by no means stop communing with God and so lose our connection with Him. For God says, “without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5), can do nothing good.
Bible Study
This book has already said much about studying the Bible and, at this point, suffice it to say that we should be able to say in truth, “How sweet are thy [God’s] words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalm 119:103. We should enjoy studying the Bible. What follows are a few closing words about the applicability of the Bible to our lives.
Take a serious look at the world around you—every day, every hour, every minute. See if you don’t agree with God. Agree that each person needs to play their part if there is to be a better world. God saw the inevitable consequences of our actions. For God says, “They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” Hosea 8:7. We can see for ourselves that God’s words are true, that is, “thy word is truth.” John 17:17. We can see that God is all-wise.
“The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom.” Job 28:28. To fear the Lord is to have awe and respect for Him, such that we do not question His words to us. Therefore, we can walk and talk with Him every day, every hour, every minute. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3. Thus, we grow to admire, to love and respect God, and to understand His character.
God’s word, the Bible, is an ongoing, never-ending conversation with each of us. As we read the Bible, we see the story of our lives written there, in situations, emotions, decisions, conflicts and so on. We see the story of the lives of our friends, family, neighbours and, indeed, the whole world written in the pages of the Bible.
Every Bible phrase has profound meaning and applicability. Every Bible story illustrates a lesson through its literal meaning, and the story contains layers upon layers of symbolism, as new gifts to be found only for the seeking.
Throughout the 66 books of the Bible are chains of thought which intersect and merge and branch out seemingly endlessly. All this in a book that was written by about 40 different people, over a period of approximately 1600 years. Now Christ says, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39), Christ.
Here’s God’s invitation then to you: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 1:18.
Obeying the Gospel Commission
Jesus Christ, before He ascended to heaven from earth, said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), to every person.” “And Jesus…spake [spoke]…saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit]: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20.
This then is Christ’s gospel commission which every follower of Christ, which is to say, every Christian, is to obey. For God is He “who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4.
The question then arises, “How do we go about accomplishing the task given to us by God?” The answer is given by God who says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Psalm 32:8.
God Gives Utterance
In order to obey Christ’s gospel commission, I must first of all, pray and ask God “that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.” Ephesians 6:19. In response, God will put the right words into our mouths such that we can say in truth, “The Spirit of the LORD spake [spoke] by me, and his word was in my tongue.” 2 Samuel 23:2.
For it is God who “shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit], and with fire.” Matthew 3:11. This means that when we have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, our experience will be that “his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones…and I could not stay.” Jeremiah 20:9. In other words, I could not refrain from speaking the words that God gave to me.
The moment that we have been “born again” (John 3:3) by the Holy Spirit, “the love of Christ constraineth [compels] us” (1 Corinthians 5:14) to seek to be a blessing to others. Since a missionary spirit has been born in our hearts, we have an irrepressible urge to tell others of the blessings of God’s wonderful salvation which we have already received.
So, God says, “Sanctify” (1 Peter 3:15), consecrate yourselves to, “the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15.
Sent by God
Jesus Christ, when He was on earth prayed to the Father, saying, “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” John 17:18. Every follower of Christ, every disciple of Christ, having received a message from God who gives them utterance, is sent into the world. Then will the follower of Christ say with joy, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the [Christian] ministry” (1 Timothy 1:12) to others.
Sowing the Gospel Seed
God says, “The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11), thus likening the gospel message to the seeds of a plant. God has given His word, the Bible, to the world and God says to His disciples who spread the gospel, “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.” Isaiah 32:20. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Ecclesiastes 11:6.
This means that we are to “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2), which is to say, “be ready always” (1 Peter 3:15) to preach; “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2. When the Bible speaks of preaching, it is not restricted to the minister speaking from the pulpit, but it refers to every Christian when they speak to others about “spiritual things.” 1 Corinthians 2:13. This is what is meant by sowing the gospel seed.
Now God says, “How shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15.
Such disciples will be able to say, in truth, “when I came to…preach Christ’s gospel…a door was opened unto me of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 2:12), meaning that God led the disciple to those who had receptive hearts. These are people who will gladly receive the word of God which is preached to them, and will themselves become disciples of Christ. “For the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts” (1 Chronicles 28:9) of every human being.
The disciple will speak to the people with the “utterance” (Ephesians 6:19) which God gave them, and which “utterance” (Ephesians 6:19) is in accordance with the word of God, the Bible. They will say, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20.
Making Disciples of Christ
In sowing the gospel seed, God promises the worker, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [harvest of grain] with him.” Psalm 126:5, 6. This means that, if the work of spreading the gospel in the world is done faithfully by the worker for God, persons will surely be converted to Christ.
When this occurs, the disciple may say, in truth, “I have planted…[another] watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7.
For the Holy Spirit alone is competent to teach and to convict of sin. Unless the one speaking the word of God is approved by God, the Holy Spirit will not work with their efforts to set home the truth in the hearts of the hearers and, therefore, their work will be in vain.
Now God says, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise.” Isaiah 42:8. “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” Proverbs 27:2. The worker should not take all of God’s praise to himself or herself for the conversion of people to Christ.
For God says to His disciple, “When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Luke 17:10. “For we are labourers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9. Even so, God says, “He that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30.
Under no circumstances should we allow our voice as ambassadors for Christ to be silenced by Satan. For God says that we should say, “Necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Corinthians 9:16.
God Uses Trials for Our Benefit
God works in our lives so that we “may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” Psalm 144:12. God does not make one useless blow in hewing and squaring us as stones from the quarry when He allows trials to come upon us. For, in this way, God polishes the roughness from our character.
Therefore, God designs then that all humanity should say, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8, 9.
When trials come, “cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence [recompense] of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:35, 36) of eternal life.
To Discipline Us
God says in His “exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth [disciplines], and scourgeth [flogs] every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth [disciplines] not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Hebrews 12:5-8. Thus, God allows trials to come upon us to discipline us.
“Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits” (Hebrews 12:9), the Father of humanity, “and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.” Hebrews 12:9, 10.
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:11-13.
That is, do not be discouraged by God’s disciplinary work, lest you cause others to become discouraged and to go astray from “right paths” (Proverbs 4:11), but rather let God’s discipline correct and purify you. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God” (Hebrews 12:15), fail of benefitting from the divine influence; “lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Hebrews 12:15.
When we have learned the lesson that God desires to teach us we may say in truth, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” Psalm 119:67. Now God says, “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” Proverbs 3:11, 12. God desires that we learn His lessons the first time so that further discipline will not be necessary in order to correct us.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. We can give thanks because God says, “Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.” Isaiah 41:9. “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14. All humanity are called to turn away from sin “perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1), but only a few respond positively to God’s call and these then are God’s chosen people.
God only works on those who “sin not unto [eternal] death” (1 John 5:16), those for whom there is still hope that they will repent and, hence, have eternal life. These individuals then God considers to be material which has value, for God does not put forth effort to work on worthless material such as those who are finally “impenitent.” Romans 2:5.
Christ says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup [dine] with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh [sin] will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame [sin], and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Revelation 3:19-21.
To Test Our Faith
God says, “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers [various] temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4.
You, who are justified, “are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:5-7), when Christ returns to the earth.
God allows trials to come upon us to test our faith in Him. To see if we truly love and trust Him and whether we “grow up into him [Christ] in all things” (Ephesians 4:15), which is to say, whether we are growing into the likeness of Christ’s character of love. For Christ had the love that “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7) and the “charity [love that] never faileth.” 1 Corinthians 13:8.
To Strengthen Us
Christ, “though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Hebrews 5:8, 9. Likewise, God says to those among humanity who are not finally “impenitent” (Romans 2:5), “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10.
“For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” 1 Peter 2:20, 21.
Now, Christ says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. So then, God says that the justified may say of themselves, “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:3-5.
For “the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10.
God says, “My grace” (2 Corinthians 12:9), that is to say, my divine influence, “is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. Therefore, we may say, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities” (2 Corinthians 12:9), in my moral frailties, “that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10.
What this means is that we will rejoice in our perception of our moral frailty whereby we feel a need for Christ and His grace, for then God is able to work in us so that instead of being weak in moral strength we become strong to resist temptations to sin. Those who feel no need for God’s help will remain without help. They will continue to be “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) and, unless they repent, will be sentenced to eternal death by God.
Thus, we may say, “Though he slay [kill] me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15. “But he [God] knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10. God says, “War a good warfare.” 1 Timothy 1:18. “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called.” 1 Timothy 6:12.
For God says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory” (1 Peter 4:12, 13), His majestic presence, “shall be revealed” (1 Peter 4:13), at the time of Christ’s return to the earth, “ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:13.
Therefore, we may say with our whole heart, “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory” (Romans 8:18), with the likeness to God’s character of love, “which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18.
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17), that is, it works in us the eternally enduring likeness to God’s character of love. So, God says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12.
Thus, God allows trials to come upon us to strengthen our resolve to turn away from all sin, to give us moral strength.
Meeting Opposition
Satan opposes the spread of the gospel on earth in any way that he can. That is why God says, “Pray…that the word of the Lord may have free course” (2 Thessalonians 3:1), is not hindered, “and be glorified” (2 Thessalonians 3:1), be esteemed as glorious on the earth.
The Wicked
God says, “He that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.” Proverbs 29:27. “The wicked plotteth against the just.” Psalm 37:12. “The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.” Psalm 37:32. “Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.” Isaiah 59:15.
God Encourages Us
Therefore, God says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8, 9. Anyone on earth who has left behind the service of Satan and chosen to serve God instead will be opposed by Satan and all his evil angels as well as the wicked among mankind.
To the extent that God permits, Satan and his host of demons will bring trials and perplexities into our lives. Furthermore, God says, “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22. “For many…are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” Philippians 3:18, 19. Thus, Satan will stir up the evil passions of the wicked among mankind to oppose us.
Here we are utterly defenceless. But, in accordance with the word of God, the Bible, we should say of God, “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.” Psalm 62:6. “He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old [decay] as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.” Isaiah 50:8, 9.
God says, I am He “which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?” Jeremiah 5:22. In this Bible verse, the waves of the sea are a symbol of Satan, his host of evil angels and the wicked among humanity.
Thus, God says that Satan cannot prevail over us because God has limited Satan’s sphere of operation on earth. “The Lord GOD will help” (Isaiah 50:9), God will protect, those who remain confident in God’s help and who do not worry themselves out of His hand because of the trials that have come upon them.
What if my life is threatened? Do not fear because, first of all, you cannot “die before thy time” (Ecclesiastes 7:17) because “the LORD [has] appointed a set time” (Exodus 9:5) for us to die. But if you are called by God to die, to be a martyr, “for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:9), again I say, do not fear.
For God says of those who will be saved, “And they overcame him” (Revelation 12:11), overcame Satan, “by the blood of the Lamb [Christ], and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13.
“Forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58. Think of the coming resurrection when Christ returns to the earth. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power.” Revelation 20:6.
For Christ says, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his [Christ’s] voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28, 29. The “resurrection of life” (John 5:29) is the first resurrection which occurs when Jesus returns to the earth.
What Happens When We Die?
You may ask, “What happens when we die?” We “sleep the sleep of death.” Psalm 13:3. Yes, death is a sleep. How can we be sure of this? Consider the case of a man named Lazarus, a beloved friend of Christ, of whom it was said, “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” John 11:3. Christ said of him, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.” John 11:11.
“Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” John 11:12-14.
Are we conscious in death? God says of those who have died, “The living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6.
“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” Psalm 146:4. “In death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?” Psalm 6:5. “The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down” (Psalm 115:17), to the grave, “into silence.” Psalm 115:17.
“As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more” (Job 7:9), not before the time of the first or the second resurrection. “He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.” Job 7:10. “His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.” Job 14:21. So, there is no consciousness in death.
What then is the second death? It is when “they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.” Jeremiah 51:57. It is Satan and his evil angels and the wicked among mankind who rise from the dead in the second resurrection and who, after being sentenced by God, receive the second death as punishment for their sins.
For God says, “Every one that is proud in heart” (Proverbs 16:5), that is, the wicked, “is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.” Proverbs 16:5.
What about those persons who say that they have seen and spoken to those who are dead? God says, “They are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto…the whole world.” Revelation 16:14. It is “the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10. Satan and his demons can easily impersonate those who have died.
Therefore, God says, “I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent [Satan] beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3. “Be not deceived.” Galatians 6:7. “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Matthew 24:4. “Let no man deceive you by any means.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3.
“The simple” (Proverbs 14:15), the naïve and gullible, “believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going” (Proverbs 14:15), in other words, the prudent man is discerning.
Rest for the Soul
God says, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he [Christ] also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14, 15. All humanity then are in bondage to the fear of death.
To every follower of Christ, God says, “I will give you rest…Ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:28, 29. Therefore, God says, by faith “rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalm 37:7.
This means that we are to wait patiently for the return of Christ to the earth and not worry about Satan, his demons, and the wicked among mankind who do evil deeds. For God says of the wicked, “The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.” Isaiah 59:8.
But the disciple of Christ can say with full confidence, “Great peace have they which love thy [God’s] law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165. That is, “the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Isaiah 32:17.
“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8. For God says, “Therefore, my beloved…be ye stedfast [steadfast], unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.
God says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18. It is “the love of God…shed abroad” (Romans 5:5), poured, “in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5) that causes the disciples of Christ to have no fear.
You then who have found rest for your soul shall be “in nothing terrified by your adversaries.” Philippians 1:28. For all fear of death then is gone, swallowed up by love for God. These are they who “overcame him” (Revelation 12:11), Satan. These are they to whom it is said, “The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” Romans 16:20. Such have won a complete victory over sin and Satan.
Winning the Prize
God says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12.
So, God says that those who have won a victory over sin and Satan can says of themselves in truth, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption [a corruptible body] inherit incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15:50), which is incorruptibility of the body and, hence, an unending existence. “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51.
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump [trumpet]: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible [this corruptible body] must put on incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15:52, 53), which is incorruptibility of the body and, hence, an unending existence, “and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:53.
“So when this corruptible [this corruptible body] shall have put on incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15:54), which is incorruptibility of the body and, hence, an unending existence, “and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54.
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55. “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57.
For “the Lord Jesus Christ…shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:20, 21.
This then is what is called glorification when those who have successfully completed the process of sanctification, those who are “sanctified” (Exodus 19:14), are changed and receive a new kind of body. They have won the prize of paradise and eternal life.
God’s Dealings With Humanity
God, in His infinite wisdom, said of Himself and humanity, “If thou [God] wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.” 1 Kings 12:7.
Therefore, when Christ was on earth, He said of Himself, “I am among you as he that serveth.” Luke 22:27. “Even as the Son of man” (Matthew 20:28), Christ, “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28. So, “God…doth…devise means, that his banished” (2 Samuel 14:14), all of humanity, “be not expelled from him” (2 Samuel 14:14) forever.
For God knew that “he that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.” Proverbs 29:21. In other words, God knew that if He dealt gently and patiently with humanity, that there would be those among them whom He could save to eternal life.
So, God says that those who are saved can say of themselves in truth, “It is God that girdeth [girds] me with [moral] strength, and maketh my way perfect.” Psalm 18:32. The perfect are they of whom God says, “Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son.” Proverbs 28:7. For “a wise son heareth” (Proverbs 13:1), is obedient to, “his father’s instruction” (Proverbs 13:1) and “a wise son maketh a glad father.” Proverbs 10:1.
“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.” Proverbs 23:24. Our obedience to God’s law of love makes God’s heart glad.
Now God is “he [who] hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalm 103:10. “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him” (Psalm 103:11), those who have reverential awe for Him. “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12.
The time will come when Christ, looking at those who are saved, “shall see of the travail of his soul” (Isaiah 53:11), the result of His wearing effort, “and shall be satisfied.” Isaiah 53:11. “They shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” Malachi 3:17.
“That day” (Malachi 3:17) is the day when God says, “The kingdoms of this world” (Revelation 11:15), the earth, “are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he [God] shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15. Then the saints, those who are saved, “they shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5) with God.
For Christ said, “To him that overcometh [sin] will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Revelation 3:21. So, “God…the king doth…fetch home again his banished.” 2 Samuel 14:13.
In “that day” (Malachi 3:17) God says, “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17. This then is how God’s dealings with humanity will result in God’s desired end for mankind.
God’s Difficulty Resolved
All humanity is initially on the side of Satan which is the losing side. But they have a choice of whether to remain on Satan’s side or take God’s side of the conflict. To accomplish their change of allegiance, God gives His remedy for humanity’s sinful nature to those who will accept it by complying with the necessary conditions. In this way, God wins them away from Satan.
Those among humanity who turn away from Satan, love God. For they are attracted to the love displayed by Christ, His Son, in volunteering to be the Representative of humanity before God. They desire to be like Christ and, by God’s grace, His remedy for sin, they are changed into the likeness of Christ’s character of love. By means of God’s remedy, they have received a change of heart from hatefulness and selfishness to love. Thus, they delight in God and God delights in them.
Those among humanity who have come to love God, now love what God loves and hate what God hates. Therefore, they enjoy the companionship of God just as God enjoys the companionship of these people.
They among humanity who become like Christ are those whose eyes have been opened when God unmasks Satan as a liar and a murderer before their eyes. Through the instruction given in God’s word, the Bible, which was given to humanity as God’s battle plan, they have seen Satan as he truly is. In contrast, through the Bible, they have seen that indeed God is love and, therefore, they love God of their own free will. They recognise God’s word, the Bible, as God’s love letter to humanity. This then is how God’s difficulty will be resolved.
The End of the War
God’s people are delivered from “this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4) at the second coming of Christ to the earth when the first resurrection occurs. The righteous at that time go to heaven for a thousand years with Christ. During the thousand years, the righteous look at the records of the sins of Satan, his evil angels, and the wicked among mankind, and confirm God’s judgment that they are deserving of the second death.
At the end of the thousand years, when the second resurrection occurs, at the time when the wicked are resurrected, the war between God’s army and the army of Satan, the great controversy, will end. At that time, God causes the wicked to see their sins and He executes punishment on them for their sins and, hence, they are annihilated. For those who have become fixed in their evil ways, God will destroy.
God wins the war because He has unmasked Satan as evil before all the righteous in the universe. Satan’s real object in his rebellion against God which was the overthrowing of God and His law of love has then been made apparent.
Every question in the great controversy would have been answered and all the holy intelligences, themselves then understanding all the issues of the great controversy, agree with God that the sentence of the second death for the wicked is justified.
Thus, God, by His infinite wisdom, would have retained the allegiance of all intelligences who have chosen good over evil and would have eliminated evil from the universe. The peace, joy, and harmony of the universe would have been restored and God would have ensured that sin would never again arise in the universe.
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