We do not wrestle against flesh and blood; we are engaged in a satanic cosmic conflict. It is a spiritual battle of high order.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Eph 6:10-12
Abraham Kuyper said,
If once the curtain were pulled back, and the spiritual world behind it came into view, it would expose to our spiritual vision a struggle so intense, so convulsive, sweeping everything within its range, that the fiercest battle ever fought on earth would seem, by comparison, a mere game. Not here, but up there – that is where the real conflict is waged. Our earthly struggle drones in its backlash.
Of gods and apostates
The satanic cosmic conflict began in Eden when Satan tempted Eve.
For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Gen 3:5
It continued on to Genesis 6, to Babel; throughout history, to this day. Moreover, while it is a cosmic battle, it has been waged through men. Satan has always used charismatic people to influence Man, and to destroy all that God intended to be good and holy.
The devil goes to church: In Christ’s Call to Reform the Church, John MacArthur notes that the greatest danger to the church comes from within. This can only happen when it ceases to be guided solely by God’s word, and allows cultural whims to dictate truth and doctrine. It begins with a small doubt, and snowballs to an avalanche.
Modern examples of this are the growing acceptance of child murder and homosexuality (LGBTQ+) etc by many churches. And Woke Theory, CRT and Reparation are forms of humanist self-atonement where Christ’s one-time (by grace through faith) atonement is held to be insufficient. To this we can add atoning for sins against the environment (Gaia worship).
A while ago I came across the book, Apostate—The Men Who Destroyed the Christian West, written by Kevin Swanson, and bought it on impulse to read later. You can find a review HERE and buy it on his website.
The book examines the origins of Humanism and looks at a string of influential people from different disciplines (some originally from Christian families), who rejected God and sought to replace Him, and how their worldviews gradually shaped society. Most notably, he demonstrates how homosexuality and licentiousness drove these influencers.
John Steinbeck’s god
Man wants to be his own god; among other things, it’s called Humanism. The devil has his people waging cosmic conflict through various means—arts, philosophy, science, literature and religion. These disciplines had their high priests. Apostate captures the satanically-inspired Humanist worldview well by citing Steinbeck’s blasphemous address delivered in the presence of the King of Sweden,
Man himself has become our greatest hazard and our only hope. So that today, John the Apostle may well be paraphrased: In the end is the word, and the word is man, and the word is with man.
Swanson responds with Psalm 2:2-4.
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
God wins
There’s no need for fear. In the end God wins, and we win—praise be to Jesus Christ. Paul in Ephesians 6:13-18 tells us to stand firm in the Armor of God. See Paul Henebury’s essay. See also Eph 1:19-23, 4:8; Phil 2:9-11; Rev 21:1-5.
Throughout his life, Ernest Hemingway’s Christian mother admonished her son to remember his savior Jesus Christ. She never lost hope for him and never ceased to pray (Apostate, page 253). Now there’s a lesson!
Pray for, and love, the influencers and those in power who oppose God. They are Satan’s instruments in this cosmic conflict, but their eternity is at stake. Our battle is not with them (flesh and blood). Let’s not be like Jonah who initially fled from his commission.
Maranatha!
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