Satan’s War Against the Church

The book of Revelation tells us that in the last days, Satan will rise up in anger and make war “with the remnant.” This remnant, of course, is the Body of Christ, comprised of all “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).

We in the church of Christ talk often about spiritual warfare; the war that is described in Revelation is a worldwide attack Satan has launched against the Body of Christ: “It was granted to him to make war with the saints” (13:7).

Every believer is enlisted in the great army of the Lord and Satan is waging his demonic war against this army. The apostle Paul states that on every battlefront, “We do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

There are many “war zones” around the globe. In America, Satan’s war against the church is in the continual flood of sensuality and materialism. His weapons in this war are love of money and addiction to pleasure.  But there is another battlefield in this war: the private war of individual children of God.

Every believer on earth faces his or her own private war. The Bible states, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven … A time of war, and a time of peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8). Right now you may be enjoying a time of peace. I thank God for such seasons in life, when joy springs up. When your time of war comes, it may involve struggles known only to you and God.

We are all familiar with the story of King David, a righteous man who served God faithfully, yet fell into the sin of adultery. David repented with bitter tears and cried out to God in anguish; you can read his confession in Psalm 38 and especially in Psalm 69. He found that God’s grace truly was sufficient.

In every private conflict you face, keep your eyes and your thoughts fixed on this: God’s mercy and lovingkindness are never failing.