[This blog is still in process]
In the book of the Revelation, Jesus the Messiah is revealed as the only One in creation found worthy to consummate the end of this age with final and eternal judgment (chapters 4-5). In fact, Jesus stated that all (temporal and eternal) judgment regarding this world was given to Him (John 5:19-23). The Father in Heaven has committed all judgment to the Son so that all would honor Him as they honor the Father. That "all" includes all powers of darkness (including the devil himself). This indicates that NONE of that power or authority to judge this world has been allotted to the powers of darkness. They cannot execute justice apart from Christ’s consent because they are full of hate and guile. They must bow the knee to the only One to Whom the Father has committed all judgment. In fact, Jesus stated that the "prince [ruler; god] of this world is judged" (John 16:11). In other words, in agreement with God’s judgments revealed in Scripture throughout history, the devil and his minions have not just been sentenced to future and eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire. Certain incarcerations, confinements, and restrictions have been placed upon them pertaining to how they operate in the earth.
Those people who profess Christ will overcome the accuser of the brethren (the devil) in this world by the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and by not loving their lives even unto death (Revelation 12). It takes all three of these to be an overcomer. Those who carry the message of Christ and His glory, testify to the coming doom of the devil, his minions, and all people who do not believe. Even as Noah was in his generation, so are we. All but His family scoffed while he built the ark. His actions testified to the condemnation God had place upon the world. Why do you think the demons cried out in agony upon meeting Jesus? They cried: "Jesus, You Son of God, have You come here to torment us before the time" (Matthew 8:29)? Jesus' presence alone reminded them of their coming doom. He carried the message and presence that has already declared their condemnation and so does His people if they believe. Let us not be ignorant of these things.
This judgment upon the powers of darkness is God’s restraint upon them, as precursors to their coming and eternal doom. Jude 1:6 tells of certain angels who, after having left (abdicating) their domains (literally defined: principalities), are now bound in everlasting chains under darkness unto Judgment Day. Christ’s restraints of judgment have already been set in place as He deems necessary in accordance with His predetermined purposes. Such restraints vary in severity upon ungodly people and not just the godless. The wrath (judicial sentences handed down) by God is [now] revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:17-21). Paul also indicated that wrath can be accumulated (wrath upon wrath) against people who reject and abuse the riches of God’s kindness toward us through His Son (Romans 2).
Christ Jesus’ work as the Supreme Judge over all authority and powers is evident in the earth now but what about His great mercy and grace? It is the responsibility of the body of Christ to call the world to into reconciliation with God through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). As Paul stated in Romans 10:14-15: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
The devil’s claim upon this world has already been revoked and will be completely enforced at the literal return of the Last Adam, Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 15). The key to walking in Kingdom authority depends largely on our understanding this. God’s great love and mercy for all has already been revealed. There is none greater. It is the prayers of the saints combined with coals of fire from the altar in Heaven that is used by God to initiate the final judgments of this age (Revelation 8). The coming Judgments are executed after the prayers are placed in the golden censor with the fire and thrown into the earth by an angel. This proves the importance to God of the cries of His people in the earth. God's vindication of those cries is a top priority with Him as indicated throughout Scripture. It is very close to His heart as indicated in His using them to bring final vindication. Those cries of His people mixed with the fire of covenant confirmation is His final answer to this world system whose cup of iniquity is reaching the brim. Beloved, we are nearing the end of this age.
Throughout Scripture there is evidence that the powers of darkness cannot operate outside of God’s consent especially against those who are in covenant with God through Christ. Those who are bound to God because of their repentance via blood covenant have a great advantage over those who are not as depicted in Luke 13:1-5. The glaring difference between Job’s experience and Abraham’s was determined by Abraham being bound by blood covenant with God. No such covenant had been set in place with Job. Because Job was doing what was right in the sight of God in accordance with the light that was available at that time, God stood by him and promised and bestowed manifold restoration. Job offered to Him what was required by God on a continual basis. This allowed God to act in His behalf. Today, we are told: “Therefore by Him, [Christ Jesus who sacrificed Himself], let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually to God, which is the fruit of our lips given thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).
Hence, remember people of God, all judgment in reference to the people of this world has been given to Christ (John 5:19-23; the book of Revelation). NONE has been given to the devil and his minions. God declares the carrying out of justice in the earth as good and necessary even when people perish because of it. What was originally good to God in the beginning, specifically, the creation of mankind, became a grief to Him later (Genesis 1:31; 6:5-7). It grieved Him that He had made man and had to destroy all but Noah and his family. Based on the Scriptural record, God was grieved because the thoughts of all their hearts were continually wicked. This was not because of some far-fetched man-made notion that fallen angels mixed with humans.
Of course, this in no way indicates that the powers of darkness cannot be destructive. Many examples of such destruction exist in Scripture and throughout history. All of us on earth from the beginning until now have suffered because of our sinfulness or because of someone else’s. We have all been hateful and hated by others (Titus 3:1-3). The human sin nature empowers the pride and hatefulness of the devil to prevail in the earth, but God even puts restrictions on that. This is evident when there are times of great persecution against God’s people in the earth and times when there is significantly less, allowing the people of God and their influence to prevail. Ultimately, God’s will is that those who are declared righteous by Him flourish in the earth (Psalm 72:7).
What God considers good and evil rarely fits into our human definitions of good and evil. It barely fits into the theology of westernized Christianity today. I say this based what is being said about current events from among the well-known of western Christianity. No, God is not willing any (human) should perish but that all would come to repentance. That is why Jesus became human, as God in the flesh, to redeem all who have been subject to corruption through sin. Unfortunately, many have refused the love of the truth (of who Christ is) and have been turned over to strong delusion so that they will be condemned (2 Thessalonians 2). This indicates that death sentences handed down by Christ are being carried out right now against many who have refused the truth for a lie. Sadly, there will be more to come. This could include those who are asleep in Zion after being warned by Christ time-after-time (Read the letters to the seven Churches in Revelation 1-3). Jesus is not like some well-wishing fairy who seeks to perform his good magic for whoever needs it. He is my Father, the lover of my soul, my Comforter and friend, and He is more than wonderful! Not just because He is always good but because He is also severe in His judgments and wrath. I love Him because of such greatness and not because He fits into my puny attempts to define Him in accordance with my personal feelings.
God has already proven His great love and kindness toward all by Christ’s death on the cross. It is the greatest, most powerful, and heart-rending display of love ever seen or experienced upon the earth. God has answered our sinful, desperate, justly condemned, and hopeless state through Christ’s sympathetic, never-ending, and High-priestly ministry (Hebrews 4:12-16). Yet, per Jesus’ own words, there are few that will find their way to God through Him (Matthew 7:14). Nonetheless, if a few people out of seven billion in the world today equals one to two billion, then we will strive for those odds!
It is very difficult (but not impossible) for the rich not to boast in their riches, the strong not to boast in their strength, the wise not to boast in their wisdom, the famous not to boast in their following, the popular not to boast in their popularity and social status, the self-sufficient not to boast in their sufficiency, and the falsely humble not to boast in their humility. The things of the Kingdom of God are hidden from such people and only revealed to the babes (Matthew 11:25). It is the poor of this world (those who know they are spiritually bankrupt) that God has chosen to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him (James 2:5).
The Apostle Paul had to humble Himself to a place in which he had no more confidence in the flesh. He had a lot to boast about according to flesh but not before God. He counted it all as refuse to win Christ and so must we. How much of that really happens among God’s people? Paul’s ministry and writings are still impacting people today because of his willingness to only boast in Christ as his riches, strength, wisdom, fame, and sufficiency while embracing His example of humility and service. This should be the lifestyle of every Christian! Because it is not, many who profess to know God have little to no clue as to what is going on in the world today.
It is passed the time for the people of God [Zion] to travail for the masses of souls who are about to plunge into a Christless eternity. True spiritual travail can only happen as God’s people are awakened by the severity of the coming days, and the destruction that is looming over those who do not believe.
According to John 16, the Holy Spirit, as the promised Comforter, convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
- Why of sin? Because they (the world) do not believe in Christ. In other words, they cannot believe until they by God’s Spirit are overwhelmed with the reality of their sinful state. Conviction of sin must precede true belief in Christ. A person cannot believe unless they are convicted of their sins. This is why faith (true belief) in Christ among God’s people wanes when worldly mixture is tolerated. There instead exists a lack of conviction of their adulterous state before God. This mixture includes false doctrine, all of which misrepresent God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Experiencing covenant blessings will also be hindered.
- Why of righteousness? Because Jesus as God’s righteousness revealed had to ascend back to the Father. Now the Holy Spirit bears witness to the only righteousness acceptable to God. Only those who submit to the Holy Spirit’s work of the conviction of their sins will know this righteousness.
- Why of judgment? Because the ruler of this world is judged! When Noah built the ark by faith in God, being moved with godly fear because of the warning of the coming destructions not yet seen, he condemned the world through His actions (Hebrews 11:7). Are our actions as the people of God bearing witness to the condemnation of the world and its current ruler? Do our lives emanate the judgment that is already upon it? Only those who operate in Jesus as their righteousness will understand what this means.
May the convicting power of the Holy Spirit rain down upon us until all of our offerings are pleasant to the Lord..