Hope in the Heartland
And in this corner …
Pastor, Gracepoint church
The two opposing forces are not equally matched. It’s not even close. In fact, one commander has declared victory with time still on the clock. And He’s holding the clock, not letting anyone else see it.
The hostilities started somewhere else. Then God’s enemy slithered into the first garden and recruited humans to join the anti-God forces; everyone since that time has — and it’s not a fair fight.
God is saddened and angered by the spiritual warfare, but He is not worried. He knows how and when it will end. His enemy has no control over the timing and has no chance of winning.
The eventual losing side, while never admitting defeat, will taste it nonetheless. They will snap and snarl until the end, as a vicious beast cornered before capture. In other words, they will “fight like the devil” until the final blow is delivered by the winner.
“But by (God’s) word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept or the Day of Judgment and the destruction of ungodly men.” II Peter 3:7.
The question is not “if” but “when.” The climactic victory will be sudden, inescapable, and irreversible.
Jesus appeared the first time to offer forgiveness to those who will surrender before it’s too late. You could say that was His “cross to bear.” He will appear a second time in final triumph over the enemy and all those who refused God’s invitation of forgiveness.
Can you neglect so great a salvation?