Call of duty - spiritual warfare

WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE

• 2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

• 2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

WAR • Psa 18:34 He teacheth my hands to war, so

that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.• Psa 144:1 A Psalm of David. Blessed be the

LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

• Psa 44:5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

“I saw that the remnant were not prepared for what is coming upon the earth. Stupidity, like lethargy, seemed to hang upon the minds of most of those who profess to believe that we are having the last message . . . .

A great work must be done for the remnant . . . . Said the angel, ‘Legions of evil angels are around you, . . . Ye suffer your minds to be diverted too readily from the work of preparation,’ . . . Said the angel, ‘Sabbath-keepers will have to die to self, . . .’” EW 119, 120

8T 316 “We must turn away from a thousand topics that invite attention. There are matters that consume time and arouse inquiry, but end in nothing. The highest interests demand the close attention and energy that are too often given to comparatively insignificant things.”

“. . . We need to feel our responsibility to give our souls food that will nourish and stimulate spiritual life.”

Never did this message apply with greater force than it applies today. More and more the world is setting at naught the claims of God. Men have become bold in

transgression. The wickedness of the inhabitants of the world has almost filled up the measure of their iniquity. This earth has almost reached the place where God will permit the destroyer (Satan) to work his will upon it.

{Testimonies for the church volume 7, page 141.1}

The substitution of the laws of men for the law of God, the exaltation, by merely human authority, of Sunday in place of the Bible Sabbath, is the last act in the drama. When

this substitution becomes universal, God will reveal Himself. He will arise in His majesty to shake terribly the

earth. He will come out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the world for their iniquity, and the earth

shall disclose her blood and shall no more cover her slain. {Testimonies for the church volume 7, page 141.1}

LIFE AND LIGHT

• Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

• Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

• Rom 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

• Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

God desires His people to PREPARE for the SOON-COMING CRISIS. PREPARED

OR UNPREPARED, they MUST ALL MEET IT; and THOSE ONLY WHO HAVE

BROUGHT THEIR LIVES INTO CONFORMITY TO THE DIVINE STANDARD, WILL STAND FIRM AT THAT TIME OF TEST

AND TRIAL. When secular rulers unite with ministers of religion to dictate in

matters of conscience, THEN IT WILL BE SEEN WHO REALLY FEAR AND SERVE

GOD. {AA 431.2}

The Acts of the Apostles by Ellen G. White page 431 paragraph 2

When THE DARKNESS IS DEEPEST, THE LIGHT OF A GODLIKE

CHARACTER WILL SHINE THE BRIGHTEST. When every other trust

fails, then it WILL BE SEEN WHO HAVE AN ABIDING TRUST IN

JEHOVAH. And while the enemies of truth are on every side, watching the

Lord's servants for evil, God will watch over them for good. HE WILL BE TO THEM AS THE SHADOW OF A

GREAT ROCK IN A WEARY LAND. {AA 431.2}

The Acts of the Apostles by Ellen G. White page 431 paragraph 2

From the days of Adam to our own time our great enemy has been exercising his power to oppress and destroy. He is now preparing for his last campaign against the church. All who seek to follow Jesus will be brought into conflict with this relentless foe. The more nearly the Christian imitates the divine Pattern, the more surely will he make himself a mark for the attacks of Satan. -- MLT, PG 314--

Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures,

will be overcome by his attacks.– The Great Controversy, p. 519. (1888)

“We are not safe a moment unless guided and controlled by the Holy Spirit.” Our High Calling,

p.187

“There is not an impulse of our nature, not a faculty of the mind, or an inclination of the heart, but needs to be, moment by moment, under the

control of the Spirit of God.” PP 421

8T 46 “We need the breath of the divine life breathed unto us . . . . Floods of spiritual power are to be

poured forth upon those prepared to receive it, ”

Joh_18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Joh_18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

Joh_17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Psa_119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

Psa_119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

It is when we walk in the light that shines upon us, obeying the truth that is open to our understanding, that we receive greater light. We cannot be excusable in accepting only the light which our fathers had one hundred years ago. . . . We want the truth on every point, and we are to put it in practice daily. --MLT, PG 315

It is when we walk in the light that shines upon us, obeying the truth that is open to our understanding, that we receive greater light. We cannot be excusable

in accepting only the light which our fathers had one hundred years ago. . . . We want the truth on every point,

and we are to put it in practice daily. --MLT, PG 315

Luke 15:11-22

And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

Luke20-22 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Luke 15:22a But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him;

Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean

Romans 13:12,14 The night is far spent, the day is at

hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness,

and let us put on the armour of light.But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts

thereof

1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be

sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and

love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Zechariah 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Isaiah 63:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Genesis 41:42b and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen,

Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Esther 8:15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

Luke20-22 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

22c and shoes on his feet:

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Genesis 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had;

Esther 8:13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, ...14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.

Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul,

transgression is our own act.

It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel any one to sin.

The will must consent, the heart must yield, or passion cannot overbear reason, nor iniquity triumph over

righteousness.

If you will stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel, faithfully doing His service, you need never yield to temptation; for One stands by your side who is able to keep you from falling. Maranatha 225

The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the

soul, transgression is our own act.

It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel any one to sin.

The will must consent, the heart must yield, or passion cannot overbear reason, nor iniquity triumph over righteousness

If you will stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel, faithfully doing His

service, you need never yield to temptation; for One stands by your side who is able to keep you from

falling. Maranatha 225

John 1:12, 2Peter1:3-10, Jude 1:24-25

The youth especially stumble over this phrase, "a new heart." They do not know what it means. They look for a

special change to take place in their feelings. This they term conversion. Over this error thousands have

stumbled to ruin, not understanding the expression, "Ye must be born again." John 3:7. {OHC 159.3}

Satan leads people to think that because they have felt a rapture of feeling, they are converted. But their experience

does not change. Their actions are the same as before. Their lives show no good fruit. They pray often and long,

and are constantly referring to the feelings they had at such and such a time. But they do not live the new life. They are

deceived. Their experience goes no deeper than feeling. They build upon the sand, and when adverse winds come,

their house is swept away. . . . {OHC 159.4}

When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is

to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?--A changed life.

We know the dangers and temptations that beset the youth at the present time are not few or small. . . .

We live in an age when to resist evil calls for constant watchfulness and prayer. God's precious Word is the standard for youth who would be loyal to

the King of heaven. Let them study the

Scriptures.

Let them commit text after text to memory, and acquire

a knowledge of what the Lord has said. . . . And in

trial let the youth spread out the Word of God before them, and with

humble hearts, and in faith, seek the Lord for wisdom to

find out His way, and for strength to walk in it. . . .

Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may

say with confidence, “I know in whom I have believed;

nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word.”

Desire of ages page 382.4

But Satan is planning to take advantage of our

hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects.

Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can

we walk securely. Desire of ages page 382.4

Resist the limited foeSatan is constantly at work, but few have any idea of his activity and subtlety. The people of God must be

prepared to withstand the wily foe. It is this resistance that Satan dreads. He knows better than we do the limit of his power and how easily he can be overcome if we

resist and face him. {5T 293.4}

Through divine strength the weakest saint is more than a match

for him and all his angels, and if brought to the test he would be

able to prove his superior power. Therefore Satan's step is

noiseless, his movements stealthy, and his batteries masked. He does not venture to show himself openly,

lest he arouse the Christian's dormant energies and send him to

God in prayer. {5T 293.4}

The enemy cannot overcome the humble learner of Christ, the

one who walks prayerfully before the Lord. Christ

interposes Himself as a shelter, a retreat, from the assaults of

the wicked one. The promise is given, "When the enemy shall

come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard

against him." . . .

Beyond the discipline of the home and the school, all have to meet the stern discipline of life. How to meet this wisely is a lesson that should be made plain to every child and to every youth. It is true

that God loves us, that He is working for our happiness, and that, if His law had always been obeyed, we should never have known suffering;

and it is no less true that, in this world, as the result of sin, suffering, trouble, burdens, come to

every life.

We may do the children and the youth a lifelong good by teaching them to

meet bravely these troubles and burdens. While we should give them sympathy, let it never be such as to

foster self-pity. What they need is that which stimulates and strengthens

rather than weakens.

The yielding temperaments, who have not courage to condemn wrong, but keep

silent when their influence is needed to stand in the

defense of right against any pressure, may avoid many

heartaches and escape many perplexities, and lose

a very rich reward, if not their own souls. 

Those who in harmony with God, and through faith in Him, receive

strength to resist wrong, and stand in defense of the right, will always

have severe conflicts and will frequently have to stand almost

alone. But precious victories will be theirs while they make God their

dependence. Their moral sense will be keen, clear, and sensitive. Their

moral powers will be equal to withstand wrong influences. Their integrity, like that of Moses, of the

purest character.

Our work is an aggressive one, and as faithful soldiers of Jesus, we must bear the blood-stained banner into the very strongholds of the enemy.

"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the

rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

{RH, May 8, 1888 par. 9}

If we will consent to lay down our arms, to lower the blood-stained banner, to become the captives and servants of Satan, we may be

released from the conflict and the suffering. But this peace will be gained only at the loss of Christ and heaven. We cannot accept peace

on such conditions. Let it be war, war, to the end of earth's history, rather than peace through apostasy and sin.

{RH, May 8, 1888 par. 9}

If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and even war. {GC88 45.2}

In vision I saw two armies in terrible conflict. One army was

led by banners bearing the world's insignia; the other was

led by the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. Standard after standard was left to trail in

the dust as company after company from the Lord's army joined the foe; and tribe after

tribe from the ranks of the enemy united with the commandment-keeping people of God. {PH109

1.1}

An angel flying in the midst of heaven put the standards of Emmanuel into many hands, while a mighty general cried with a loud voice: "Come into line. Let those who are loyal to the commandments of God and the testimony of Christ now take their position. Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters. Let all who will come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." {PH109 1.1}

The battle raged. Victory alternated from side to side. Now the soldiers of the cross gave way, "as when a standard-bearer fainteth." But their apparent retreat was but an effort to gain a more advantageous position. Shouts of joy were heard. A song of praise to God went up, and angel voices united in the song, as Christ's soldiers planted His banner on the walls of fortresses till then held by the enemy. {PH109 2.1}

The Captain of our salvation was ordering the battle and sending support to His soldiers. His power was mightily displayed, encouraging them to press the battle to the gates. He taught them terrible things in righteousness as He led them on step by step, conquering and to conquer. {PH109 2.1}

At last the victory was gained. The army following the banner with the inscription, "The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus," was gloriously triumphant. The soldiers of Christ were close beside the gates of the city of God, and with joy the city received her King. The kingdom of peace and joy and everlasting righteousness was established. God's will was done on earth, as it is done in heaven. {PH109 2.1}

OUR WORK

This is the scene that is presented to me. But the church must still fight against seen and unseen foes. Satanic agencies in human form are on the ground. Men have confederated to oppose the Lord of hosts. These confederacies will continue until Christ shall leave His place of intercession before the mercy-seat, and shall put on the garments of vengeance. {PH109 2.1}

OUR WORK

Satanic agencies are in every city, busily organizing into parties those opposed to the law of God. Professed saints and avowed unbelievers take their stand with these parties. This is no time for the people of God to be weaklings. We can not afford to be off our guard for one moment.{PH109 2.1}

THE ART OF WAR

We must inquire what captain we are following, under whose banner we are standing. Satan was the first transgressor of the law of Jehovah. We read in the Bible how sin entered into the world. Satan was the first one who ever questioned the holy will of God, and his very first work was to transgress God's law, and then he came to Adam and Eve in Eden, and through his temptations caused them to break the commandments of God. {RH, July 15, 1890 par. 3}

THE ART OF WAR

Satan thought to win the human family to his side that they might war against the family in heaven. It was Satan's plan to war against the God of heaven. God has a constitution and laws to govern those whom he has created, and it would be a terrible thing if any of us should be found on the wrong side, warring against the government of Heaven. {RH, July 15, 1890 par. 3}

THE ART OF WAR

There are many deceptions to lead us away from the truth. Many think that Adam and Eve were very foolish in listening to the voice of the tempter that caused their fall from the high and holy estate, yet those who criticise do the same thing. Why do not the children of Adam who find fault with him for his sin, cease themselves to transgress? {RH, July 15, 1890 par. 3}

AGGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY

True Christianity will always be aggressive, and wherever it exists, it will arouse enmity. All who live a conscientious life, who bear testimony of the claims of God, of the evil of sin, of the judgment to come, will be

called the disturbers of Israel. {PC 146.2}

AGGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY

Those whose testimony awaken the apprehension of the soul, offend pride, and arouse opposition. The hatred of evil against good exists as surely now as in the days of

Christ, when the multitude cried, "Away with Him!" "Release unto us Barabbas."

AGGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY

There is no kind of evil in our world, but that some have an interest in maintaining it. Evil is ever warring

against good. And since we know that the conflict with the prince of

darkness is constant, and must be severe, let us be united in the

warfare. Cease to war against those of your own faith. Let no one help Satan in his work. . . . {PC 146.3}

An Army of Workers•

The Lord Jesus desires the members of His church to be an army of workers, laboring for Him according

to their varied capabilities, and carrying out the principles of self-denial and self-sacrifice, preserving

that love for God which drew them away from the world and which will draw them together, away from

separate confederacies, from distant, detached parties. {MM 316.1}

The work is to be one grand, harmonious

whole in Christ Jesus. The faith that works by love and purifies the

soul is the holy, uplifting, sanctifying agency which is to soften and subdue

jarring human nature. {MM 316.1}

An Army of Workers

The love of Christ is to constrain the believers,

causing them to blend in harmonious action at the cross of Calvary. As they live the principles which separated them from the world, they will be bound

to one another by the sacred cords of Christian

love. {MM 316.1}

An Army of Workers