Scripture: Revelation 2 v 12 - 16: "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, evenwhere Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
It is my understanding that the seven churches Jesus wrote to in Revelations: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, were a prophecy on church history through the ages. He commended the good they were doing and warned against the evils that were manifesting in them.
The messages also applied to their current status at that time and were warnings to be heeded for the Church going forward. The Church became centred in Rome, however, after the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70AD by the Roman General Titus. The few remaining Jews sought sanctuary in the fortress of Masada before being scattered abroad.
Rome by the 4th century combined Christianity with the Babylonian religion of Baal worship. They changed times and doctrines to please everyone except God and true believers. Until Martin Luther in the Middle Ages overturned the tables of the money lenders of Rome.
Then the Reformation followed which was a move in the right direction. However it departed from a unity movement into sects following the basic doctrines but adding their own traditions.
There are messages in each church type that also apply to the church today. We need to understand the implications in order to overcome them. In Pergamos, Jesus said that that was where Satan's seat was, meaning that there were very negative influences in that place holding people in high authority in great bondage.
This is true in many cities around the world today; in corrupt politicians, Intelligence agencies gone rogue, in churches full of secular power, in brotherhoods, cults, covens and schools. Satan has people under His power everywhere like Hamas, Hezbollah and Boko Haram terrorists who are out of control psychopaths targeting mainly Christians and Jews.
The spirit of Antichrist is gaining strength throughout the world through Hollywood, cults, governments, music, anarchy, and financial bondage like massive Government debt. There are calls for a curb on government spending. However, no one realises that the rulers that be are printing huge quantities of bank notes which causes the value of those currencies to depreciate and inflation to run rampant.
Your house can be sold for a couple of million bucks today after you bought it ten years ago for a fraction of that price. It's not that your house is more valuable but the value of our currency is depreciating. Our rates and taxes are going through the roof but we get very little in exchange.
Water, electricity, road maintenance are beyond a crisis. No one cares. The news today is that because there has been zero maintenance on our aging infrastructure severe water restrictions are going to be implemented while they start fixing the problems. Now there is no water in some places for weeks. This is going to get worse before it gets better.
This is the effect of the Antichrist upon society. We must sharpen our swords to pray and intercede for evil to fall.
One of Satan's methods is lawlessness. When we see gross corrupters get away with a slap on the wrist, we are losing ground to him. The on-going financial crisis centres around national indebtedness to banks. Ordinary citizens are indebted through home loans, car repayments, overdrafts and credit cards. We are heading into a cashless society which the Antichrist will control. Those in debt will be in severe trouble when this happens.
In South Africa there is a huge divide between the rich and the poor. Over a quarter of the population have no jobs and its growing. Our financial credit rating is junk status with a negative outlook. The rulers of our land seem not to care. The nation is being held captive by the Antichrist. We need to wake out of spiritual slumber and use our spiritual weapons which Jesus has given us to ward off evil and remain protected. We sing and praise Him for divine protection but don't realise He expects us to actually confront evil and rebuke it.
Spiritually the world is in a big mess with churches watering down the power of the Gospel to mere story telling. Many churches have compromised with Satan to join the Interfaith movement. Jesus hates this strange fire and will fight against it with a double edged sword out of His mouth. He has always defeated Satan by quoting scripture. We need to sharpen our swords, our knowledge of the Bible, until we are competent to boldly proclaim truth to the Devil's lies.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was appointed in March 2013. In recent weeks he has changed the firm at of the Anglican Church to Anglican Community. Prayer meetings and Bible Study has been upgraded to community walks in rural places. Yesterday there was an outcry for him to be sacked as he admitted that he knew of sexual abusers in the community but turned a blind eye. He is refusing to resign. This is how the Antichrist rises.
When bullets are flying we will not have time to go hunting for an appropriate verse to apply to the situation. We need to be ready to fight these battles in the now. It is not something we can put off. Spiritually, this planet is a war zone which very few people understand. They go through severe trauma because of the lack of information.
God said in Hosea 4 v 6 - 7: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame." Maybe some Christians in England can convey this portion of scripture to Justin Selby before he becomes one wailing and gnashing his teeth on the Day of Judgment.
The sins of the world open the doors to trouble. Racism is a big issue bringing many tragedies with it. Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia are a worldwide curse that brings trauma, death, segregation and loss. There are 25 million children around the world being used as sex slaves. The powerless churches, weak through false doctrines, have no answers. Just recently we have seen the U.S. agencies start reeling in the perpetrators and chums of sexual exploitation. Prayers are being answered.
The Word of God has been removed from schools, and in South Africa, Christian schools must open their doors to all religions. It's one small step away from Interfaith. All ways lead to God. Jesus responded in John 14 v 6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Definitely, all ways lead to God, except some are sheep and the rest are goats going in opposite directions for all eternity.
This should be our response too! We are witnesses to Jesus and should have a word in season for those who oppose truth. Evil flourishes when good men do nothing. If Christians are unaware of the spiritual war raging in the heavens, unseen to human eyes but evident to those who pray and intercede for souls, countries, Israel, the rising Antichrist, the coming of the Lord, then we understand the words of Jesus, When I return will I find faith on Earth?
Jesus hates the doctrine of Balac who laid a stumbling block against Israel, when he paid Balaam the prophet to prophesy against Israel so they could be defeated in battle. This is still happening today by many nations with a high Islamic population, who deny Israel the right to exist.
Jesus is going to send a double edged sword in judgment, and I see the horrors of Syria and the trauma of the millions of migrants as a judgment for thousands of years of evil treatment against Israel.
God's judgment is coming against the nations that oppose Israel and His blessing is reserved for those governments that are loyal to her. You cannot be a Christian and hate Israel. Iran, Palestine, North Korea, Russia, South Africa be warned. Our God will not be mocked. He will take vengeance. The only place of safety is in Christ Jesus.
Every book of the Bible, Old and New Testaments, is written by Jews. They were separated by God into their own land. No other people were given that. They were chosen of God, and He made covenants with them that cannot be broken.
The only force that will disrupt the Antichrist is the full power of the Holy Spirit through committed Christians. This makes us the Devil's main target. He is still holding Israel hostage until Jesus rescues her at the time of Armageddon. We need to check our familiar church to make sure we are fulfilling the commands of God on a daily basis, and our swords are sharp enough to withstand any attack.
It is time to put an end to religiosity, tradition, ecclesiastical garments and headware (all Babylonian priesthood clothing), doctrines of man, and get real with a Holy God who will back up those who refuse to compromise.
Remember in Daniel, the three men who refused to bow to an idol and faced death, Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego. When they were thrown into a fiery oven, Jesus pitched up in the flames and not one blister or burn nor even the smell of smoke was upon them. It converted king Nebuchadnezzar. Let us have this kind of faith in these last days.
Sharpen your sword!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your love for mankind is without end, but You will not permit sin in Heaven. Give us understanding of the times we are living in, and the need to keep our swords sharp. Do not let us become dull and rusty, but motivate us to do the uttermost for Your Glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.