Mini Series
God’s Will or Your Will?
Part 1
Coronavirus – The Beginning of World War III?
The Coronavirus, the collapsing economies, the war against Israel, the many raging conflicts from political, national, international, racial, domestic, spiritual, and the war that rages within our own souls are a byproduct of the ancient battle that began in heaven and will not cease until the end of the age. The dreadful anticipation of the coming World War III has been looming in the hearts and minds of humanity since the devastating effects of World War II. Could it be that World War III has already begun with the sudden onslaught of a biological weapon of warfare called Coronavirus? One thing is certain, our Savior made it clear that “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end” (Matthew 24:6). Although this “shaking” world is attempting to stabilize from the devastating collateral effects and agenda of the Coronavirus, the Scriptures warn that there will be more cataclysmic events and sorrows occurring in closer and closer intervals, like “birth pangs upon a pregnant woman” (See Hebrews 12:27, Matthew 24:8).
“Life on earth is in a dramatic paradigm shift; it has been wickedly attacked, disrupted, ravaged, and terrorized. It will never be the same again!””
As we have witnessed, the warfare is unique and diversely different in its strategies. Whether the wars are waged through visible soldiers with tangible arsenals of deadly weapons or invisible soldiers that are microorganisms wielding biological genocidal weapons, events are escalating towards what Yahshua (Jesus) prophesied. He said, “For then there will be great tribulation such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). Life on earth is in a dramatic paradigm shift; it has been wickedly attacked, disrupted, ravaged, and terrorized. It will never be the same again! The Messiah said, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads [focus on the righteous eternal kingdom], because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28).
It is important to understand that the very first war originated in heaven and is the nucleus of most wars throughout world history. It is written in the book of Revelation, “There was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven … the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Revelation 12:7-9). Lucifer’s initial war against the Almighty’s rulership in heaven was followed by his successful deception and temptation of Adam and Eve. Our first parents defiantly asserted their free will against their Creator’s holy will and commandment. Humanity now became fallen mankind, heirs to an inbred dominate sin nature resembling Satan, the fallen angel, rather than the “holy likeness” and image of the Creator and Heavenly Father (see Genesis 1:27, Ephesians 4:23-25, Genesis 3, Romans 5:12). Lucifer lost the battle in heaven but became the victor on earth. Due to Adam and Eve’s willful rebellion, their divinely given rulership over the earth was lost to Satan, who became known as, “the ruler and god of this world” (Genesis 1:26, John 12:31, 2 Corinthians 4:4).
Most wars and conflicts stem from Satan’s influence through fallen man’s inherited sin nature, rising up in prideful rebellion against the sovereign rulership and perfect will of the Most High God and Messiah. Conversely, Almighty God’s divine judgments are manifested through diverse wars and other expressions of His indignation against His enemies, who defy His righteousness. There is a vivid description expressed in the book of Isaiah, magnifying the devil’s prideful rebellious nature that has been passed down to man. “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart:
1. ‘I will ascend into heaven,
2. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
3. I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
4. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
5. I will be like the Most High’ ”(Isaiah 14:12-14).
These are the five I wills that describe Satan and humanity’s inherited sin nature that says, “I will” rather than “God’s will be done”. In response to this continual revolt, the Most High spoke these words, “Long ago you broke off your yoke and tore off your bonds; you said, 'I will not serve you!' ” (Jeremiah 2:20)
Deceived fallen humanity has been used as an instrument to advance Satan’s rebellious will and kingdom of darkness and lies, always warring against Yahveh God’s will and His holy kingdom of light and truth. The ancient war between the Devil and Yahshua (Jesus) will increasingly rage as events progress toward the end of the age. The coming anti messiah (antichrist) will ultimately achieve his great I will’s to have complete rulership over all the unrepentant global population who will worship and serve him as they submit to his deceptive diabolical agenda. This will reach its climax during the “great tribulation” when Satan the dragon will give his power to the beast (the anti messiah) and his demonically empowered human cohorts for a short period of time (Matthew 24:21, see Revelation 13:4,7,8). The grand finale will soon come when Satan’s terrifying rulership will be destroyed by Yahshua (Jesus), the all-conquering “King of kings”. Yahveh Almighty says, “Tell the righteous it will be well with them” “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet”. Our triumphant Messiah comforts His redeemed elect saying, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Isaiah 3:10, Romans 16:20, John 16:33).
God’s Will or Your Will?
Part 2
War Between the Flesh and the Spirit
“This ancient ongoing war between Satan and the Almighty God and Messiah is now disguised under the politically correct modernized title, “the progressive movement””
This ancient ongoing war between Satan and the Almighty God and Messiah is now disguised under the politically correct modernized title, “the progressive movement”. Through “the Devil’s” rampant deception, people are believing more and more lies as they arrogantly flex their “I will” muscles in the face of the omnipotent Holy God, Messiah, and biblical truth. Our Savior said Satan “is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Consequently, there is a pervasive deception, brainwashing, and insanity causing so many to call “evil good and good evil” and to “turn things upside down” (Isaiah 5:20, 29:16). At the end of the age, this demonic global strategy is progressively moving man to a deadly precipice, to fall hell bound because they will not submit to the sovereign rulership and will of the Living God and Savior. In reality, this global “progressive movement” is a massive cover up for Satan’s polarization and mobilization of multitudes, including many biblically illiterate, self pleasing, “lukewarm” Christians (Revelation 3:16). Sadly, there is a demonic tidal wave of political deception and great spiritual apostasy, continually leading a sea of humanity into war against the Holy One and His immutable truths.
“The redeemed remnant’s compelling heartbeat and motivating desire is in synchrony with their Savior who lived and died always saying, “Father … not my will but Yours be done””
The good news is Yahshua (Jesus) is polarizing and mobilizing His obedient righteous remnant to be the eternal conquerors on the winning side of this age-old battlefront. They are the triumphant redeemed who are wholeheartedly praying “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Their focus is no longer on this passing visible world but on their beloved Savior and His eternal kingdom where their heart and treasures are lovingly invested (see Matthew 6:21). They are wisely inspired by the Scriptural reality, “the world and its lusts are passing away but the one who does the will of God lives forever”. Their compelling heartbeat and motivating desire is in synchrony with their Savior who lived and died always saying, “Father … not my will but Yours be done” (1 John 2:17, Luke 22:42). Yahshua (Jesus) made it clear who will be His eternal family, He said, "whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:50). “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21). The clarity of our Savior’s words of what is required to enter His eternal kingdom should sober us up with “the fear of Yahveh” and steer us on the “straight and narrow path” by which “only a few will enter” (Proverbs 9:10, Matthew 7:14).
“On the battlefront of the wars of the wills, it is vital to understand that our flesh, with its inbred willful sin nature, is to be treated as a deadly archenemy to our eternal salvation””
On the battlefront of the wars of the wills, it is vital to understand that our flesh, with its inbred willful sin nature, is to be treated as a deadly archenemy to our eternal salvation. Our great King requires loving allegiance, loyalty, and obedience by the use of our free will to bow and surrender our lives to Him. “Do you not know that … you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 16:19-20). Only the indwelling Holy Spirit can give us the overcoming power leading us to seek and do the will of God as it is written, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says Yahveh of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). The redeemed who wholeheartedly seek to be obedient to the perfect will of God will be found with our Savior on the eternal winning side of the battlefront. Apostle Paul describes the tug of war that continually rages within our souls, it is written, “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please”. “For the mind set on the flesh is death” … it “is hostile [at war] toward God.” “… Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind [through studying and obeying the Scriptures], so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Galatians 5:17, Romans 8:6-7, Ephesians 4:23, Romans 12:2).
“There is only one battle that God’s children should be actively involved in and that is “fighting the good fight of faith””
As Yahveh’s “born again” children, our citizenship is not in this passing world, it is in heaven (John 3:3, Philippians 3:2). There is only one battle that God’s children should actively be involved in and that is “fighting the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). This requires that we intently by the Spirit “put to death the deeds of the flesh” (Romans 8:13). This triumphant remnant can truly say, “I have been crucified with Messiah [Christ]; and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Apostle Paul says, “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Messiah Yahshua [Christ Jesus]. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3-4). He adds, “find out what pleases the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10). Apostle Paul in his ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit gives us this example, he said, “I beat back my flesh [my enemy] that I myself not be a castaway [into hell].” “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, … understand what the will of the Master is” and obey it. Apostle Peter said, “… arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, … so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God” (1 Corinthians 9:27, Ephesians 5:15,17, 1 Peter 4:1-2).
God’s Will or your will?
Part 3
Biblically Correct not Politically Correct
The redeemed righteous remnant must surrender their lives once and for all to the all-conquering King Yahshua (Jesus) in order to be on the winning side of this spiritual battlefront. We are at a critical crossroad, the Coronavirus is a jarring wake up call, alerting us to the biblical reality that Satan “is filled with fury, because he knows [and we must be aware] that time is short” (Revelation 12:12). To reemphasize, the devil and his demonic agents are working through the agenda of the progressive movement. Satan is out to deceive and herd many people, including innumerable Christians, to rebel against the will of God, causing them to fall away towards the fires of hell.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away,” which means the Word of God never ever changes or progresses with the times!””
The redeemed must be on guard lest they also be deceived to endorse any form of the progressive movement. It is important to understand that this insidious agenda is not solely political. This progressive movement has been infiltrating Christianity over many centuries, deceiving multitudes of “professing believers” to unknowingly compromise and fall away from the righteous “narrow path” of biblical truth. This was long ago prophesied in Scripture and is called “the great falling away” (Matthew 7:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:3). At the close of this age it is so full blown that the righteous remnant are grieving over this fallen deceived state of so many “Christians” and congregations [more on the apostasy in forthcoming chapters]. The Almighty speaks through His immutable word, it is written, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away,” which means the Word of God never ever changes or progresses with the times! (Matthew 24:35) Our Savior gave His life to redeem us to be biblically correct, not politically correct! Contrary to the progressive movement, “This is what the Lord Yahveh says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find [eternal] rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).
“All of humanity, including “professing believers”, who continue to do their own will, are destined to be destroyed by the sharp sword of His written Word because of their perpetual rebellion against the Truth””
In summary, humanity is quickly moving into the prophesied “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21). The war that began in heaven will culminate with the war of wars, Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). The redeemed righteous remnant are those standing on the winning side of this battlefront, inseparably one with Yahshua (Jesus), the all conquering King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). They are the ones who have “counted the cost” and have followed their Savior, by wholeheartedly and diligently seeking and obeying His will (Luke 14:28). “The called and chosen and faithful” are the ones who have tenaciously “fought the good fight of faith” and share the eternal victory shout with their Messiah who defeats Satan, the anti messiah (antichrist), and the deceived multitudes who have not loved and obeyed the word and will of God (Revelation 17:14, 1 Timothy 6:12). Our Savior’s “name is called the Word of God,” we will either soberly and proactively judge ourselves by the righteous standards of the Scripture or we will be eternally judged and condemned by it (Revelation 19:13). All of humanity, including “professing believers”, who continue to do their own will, are destined to be destroyed by the sharp sword of His written Word because of their perpetual rebellion against the Truth.
The sharp point on “the sword of the Spirit of truth” makes a clear division between two kinds of people and two eternal destinations (Ephesians 6:17). On one side are the eternally blessed heavenward remnant who faithfully do and humbly say, “not my will but Yours be done” and on the other side are the eternally cursed multitudes headed to the “lake of fire” because they are led by the sinful flesh nature that continually says, “not Your will but mine be done” (Revelation 20:14). In our brief stay on earth, as we “work out our salvation with fear and trembling”, there is no greater blessing than to know that we are in the perfect will of our God and Savior. Then we can truly say, “Praise be to our Heavenly Father “who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure” causing us to triumph over our flesh, our will, the world, and Satan (Philippians 2:12-13). To Yahshua Messiah (Jesus Christ) be all honor, glory, and dominion over our lives now and forever!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to You with a humble heart. I repent for the many times I have not sought Your will, and carelessly, even defiantly done my own will to please myself and others. It is true there is a battle raging in my soul and I have allowed my will to have its way instead of prayerfully seeking Your will as the utmost desire of my heart. Yahshua (Jesus), please forgive me for the many times that I am so superficial and lukewarm in my spiritual life and walk with You. I realize that I usually want to be the one in control of my life rather than surrendering to Your Holy Spirit’s rulership. I now desire to completely surrender my life to You. I want to be pleasing in Your sight, part of Your eternal family, seeking and obeying the Father’s perfect will.
Yahshua (Jesus) please forgive me for all the times I take lightly Your sacrificial blood that was poured out to redeem me from my sins that I may be found holy and acceptable in Your sight. I humbly ask You to help me to stop walking according to my will, which makes me an opponent to You instead of a loving obedient child. Please forgive me and cleanse me with Your blood and fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit. I need Your help to be more than a conqueror in this battle of the wills, fighting the good fight of faith. Thank You Yahshua (Jesus) for sending Your indwelling Holy Spirit who gives me the power and grace to deny my self will in order to sincerely pray, “Father not my will but Your will be done in and through my life here on earth as it is in heaven”. Amen.
- Post Prayer Song -
May this original song from It’s Midnight Ministries be a blessing and inspiration to you.