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Awakening To The Real War

by John Owens  
5/25/2015 / Christian Living

Young men are reportedly being drawn to the recruiting stations of ISIS because the movement seems to satisfy a natural longing for involvement in danger, struggle and personal sacrifice, even to death (Hitler appealed to this side of human nature), and for being part of an apocalyptic battle of good and evil. Some believe the Islamic caliphate to be the only righteous government on earth. This subject was researched extensively for an Atlantic Monthly article called "What ISIS Really Wants".

With respect to the Christian faith, is it possible that the church of America at large is missing the challenge. Upon closer examination, it appears that the very things that are deceptively drawing people away are shadows of the real war that involves Christianity, if only it can be grasped and communicated by leaders of the faith. There is a spiritual vacuum wanting to be filled, but the great adventure and world-shaking message of the Bible is not reaching the ears.

A lukewarm Laodicean church (Rev 3:14) has no hold or real influence on a generation of young people who are desperately searching for meaning and purpose in life. There is a form of godliness, but the truth and power has been denied (2 Tim 3:5) for the fear of man. This corrupt world system (1 John 2:15-17) has slowly neutered the Word of God and message of Jesus Christ, changing the gospel to one of moral compromise, material happiness and ease (Amos 6:1) at absolutely no cost to the hearers (Matt 13:45, 16:24). As a consequence, church as such has become boring and useless in the minds of most. Within ISIS there is the hope (baseless) of transcendent reward with discipline, though twisted and extreme. Where are the disciples of Jesus Christ and heirs of the true Kingdom (Matt 25:34, Rev 21:7)?

Let's consider the motivational elements - "Danger". What greater danger can there be than to follow a false doctrine (Matt 7:15), or a natural inclination that feels right (Prov 14:12) and wind up in an eternal lake of fire (Rev 20:15) ? "Broad is the way that leads to destruction and there are many who go in by it", are the somber words of Jesus (Matt 7:13). Questions are many but the words of the prophetically-proven Scriptures (Ps 22, Isaiah 53, Mark 13:23) tell us that the only reason that God has not yet drawn the curtain on this climax of human history is His very patience "not willing that any should perish" (2 Peter 3:9). God has a critical and rewarding mission for those with an ear to hear.

What about "Struggle"? Those who spend time in prayer and have witnessed demonic deliverance can better appreciate the spiritual struggle that is taking place in this world for the souls of men (Rev 6:9). Sadly, in most churches, the devil remains well hidden while still operative and has no problem with drugs and institutional solutions, the paths preferred by most leaders. The authority given to Jesus was made available to His followers, which includes power over demons and diseases (Luke 9:1); however faithlessness has caused the church to be overrun. And as long as the struggle remains concealed, it can all be conveniently ignored (for awhile) even within our own families. The Scriptural fact is that there is something called "the good fight" (1 Tim 6:12), and we are a part of it whether we like it or not.

Consider the call to "Personal Sacrifice and Death". Only the believer who has read the Bible can grasp the scope of death, which goes beyond the grave to include a far more tragic "second death" (Rev 21:8). Is it possible to live without any fear of death? Absolutely (Matt 10:28, 1 Cor 15:55-56), but this victorious truth is not enjoyed by most within the church. Few realize who is now holding the keys to death and hell, revealed in the pages of Revelation (1:18). A proper view of death as "the last enemy to be destroyed" (1 Cor 15:26), instead of a "friend" as some would like to call it, could be a suicide preventer. If one is being attracted to an enemy, their eyes need to be opened. The only death for a Christian takes place at the cross in this life, then new life arises with resurrection power (Luke 10:19, John 11:26, Romans 6:8, 2 Cor 5:17). This exchanged life with Christ is a far better sacrifice than becoming a human bomb.

What about the "epic battle between good and evil" (Rev 16:14) ? Are we watching movies about it as real forces work to draw people into the final conflicts as prophesied in the Scriptures like sheep to the slaughter? The merchandisers are happy for now making millions from the video games that help to program such a mentality. And it is shaping up to happen. But could we also be in danger of the last days "apostasy" (2 Thess 2:3) and "great deception" (Rev 20:10) that is coming upon the earth? The church has the spiritual means not only to discern good and evil (Heb 5:14), but to be a body for the glory of God (Eph 1:22-23). Some demean the term "spiritual warfare", but spiritual warriors are the ones who are needed. God's generals must give a true battle briefing. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ (not the caliphate) should advance (Matt 6:10; Romans 1:16, 14:17).

Is someone saying that they lack meaning and purpose? Will a believer please take that person aside and open the Book of Ephesians to them? The church has a high and purposeful mission with Jesus Christ as the Head (Eph 1:22, 4:15; Col 1:18), and God has given us each special and unique gifts to be deployed (1 Cor 12) along with the empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit (Zech 4:6).

Let there be spiritual strike forces formed to take the true light from bended knees into realms of darkness (Isaiah 42:7, 1 Cor 4:3-6). There is a giant that has been sleeping called the church. What will it take for it to awaken (Ps 68:1, Rom 13:11) ? God Himself will shake off its ease and complacency. This is not another video newscast or fictional imagining This is why we are alive (Esther 4:14). We will soon be standing before the God of creation giving an account for our personal choices (2 Cor 5:10), and there won't be a second chance to exercise faith (Heb 9:27). It will soon be sight (1 John 3:2).

The "righteous government" that we all yearn to see is not of this earth, nor of caliphate or capitalistic doing. It will be instituted by Jesus Christ Himself at His coming (Ps 96:13, Dan 9:24). "Vengence is mine, I will repay, sayeth the Lord" (Romans 12:19). We need not worry about ultimate justice, but salvation for the lost. Blessed are the peacemakers (Matt 5:9).

Now is the time. The fields are ripe unto harvest (John 4:35). Prepare. Pray passionately. Put on the blood-washed armor (Eph 6:13-18). Be filled and led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1, Eph 5:18). Good soldiers do not become entangled with the things of this world (2 Tim 2:4). Give up your old life. Take up your cross. Then you will find that new life of Jesus Christ working within you (Matt 10:39) with more meaning and purpose than ever imagined.

John L. Owens and his family were full-time missionaries to the former USSR in the early 90's. He continues to write and minister to truck drivers from his home in Coastal Georgia. His website, www.TheNinthGeneration.com, features his two published novels.

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