“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (I John 5:19 NKJV).

         We live in enemy territory. When we were born, we were dropped behind enemy lines. Our lives will not only be a continual battle against the evil that dominates the earth but also against the fallen evil nature in which we are born. Why have we been cast into such conflict? Because we were born to fight, to be warriors, so we could be given a role in the greatest battle ever—to fight for the King in the ultimate battle between light and darkness.

The Lord could have slayed the devil and his evil hordes with a flick of His finger after His resurrection, but He did not for our sake. There will be no greater opportunity for the saints to prove their love for God and His truth than to stand against the “deep darkness” that now covers the earth. Remember, the greatest saints and prophets always arose during the darkest times, and so it will be during this time. If we are alive in these times, we have an opportunity to be counted among the greatest of all.

Those who have been so honored to live at the end of this age will fight in the ultimate battle between good and evil. Never have so few been called to stand against so many who are driven by evil in its ultimate maturity. Even so, the battle is fixed; we cannot lose! The enemy has already been defeated yet we must fight, not because we have to but because we get to. Those who come through this great tribulation will be some of the most honored throughout eternity (see Revelation 7:14-17).

         Some ancient theologians and teachers believed the Lord’s parable of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to go after the one speaks of the Lord leaving other worlds behind to go after planet Earth, which had gone astray. We do know when Satan was cast out of heaven he was cast down to Earth. Why Earth? Earth is where all the rebellion and evil in creation was confined, which is what we now face. Still, those who have the Spirit of God living in them have One much greater inside them than all the evil hordes.   

As the biblical prophecies make clear, to live at the end of this age is to live through the greatest time of trouble the world has ever known (see Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21). Jesus said our response to seeing such things come to pass should be to look up and rejoice (see Luke 21:28). His people will go through the worst times ever with joy. Our joy will not be in the terrible troubles people are suffering but in our redemption being so close. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and to go through the greatest trials is to witness the greatest victories.

Our joy may seem to the world unnatural, and it is because we are called to live supernaturally. Never lose hope or faith. True faith is not in an outcome but in a Person. Our King has never lost a battle, and He will not lose this one, so never lose joy. In fact, losing our joy is a sure sign we have drifted from Him, since in His presence is fullness of joy (see Psalm 16:11). If darkness or depression start to come on us, we should consider that a sign we have drifted from Him and return to Him with  resolute hearts.

So long as there remains one soul in bondage, we must continue to fight. We must take up our crosses daily to fight for our Lord and His truth. This means we must stand against nearly everyone on earth. Yet we are not fighting them; we are fighting for them. We are not to defeat and subdue those in bondage but set them free. Jesus said those who followed Him would be hated by all nations, but we do not hate them. We love them because they are the Lord’s inheritance. Because He loves those who hate Him, we too must love and do good to them by leading them to redemption and restoration.

As the great angelic majesties, principalities, and powers witness His frail and harried people fight the evils of this universe while standing for God and truth even to the death, they know His truth will prevail. When they see God’s chosen fighting so hard against such odds with constant battle as their only apparent reward, yet they remain faithful, even the greatest angelic majesties know such are worthy to be their judges.

For all these reasons, C.S. Lewis said, “Christianity is a fighting religion.” So let us fight and resolve never to surrender.