We’re living in some of the most crucial moments in history. End-time events are happening all around us. On one hand, the signs of Jesus’ coming are unfolding just like He said they would in Matthew 24. On the other hand, the Devil is accelerating his ungodly agenda. He’s darkening people’s minds and infiltrating families, communities, governments, and nations. He’s forging full speed ahead toward his ultimate goal of raising up an Antichrist world leader.
He would have achieved that goal already if it wasn’t for this: something is holding him back. As the apostle put it, there’s a force on the earth that’s “restraining him [from being revealed at this time]….”
For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way. (2 Thess. 2:7 Amp.)
What is this restraining force? Who is it that’s hindering the Devil’s operations and keeping his antichrist spirits at bay? It’s the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ! The Church is the only body of people on earth powerful enough to stop Satan’s plans. We’re the only ones on this planet who have the spiritual authority to bind up the Devil’s strategies.
We’re not just a bunch of little sheep called to follow the Good Shepherd, we’re the light of the world that extinguishes the power of darkness (Matt. 5:14). We’re a “holy nation” (1 Pet. 2:9) armed with spiritual power that’s stronger than nuclear. We’re an army of God called to march forward in faith and do exploits like those done by the people in Hebrews 11:
Who by [the help of] faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions, extinguished the power of raging fire, escaped the devourings of the sword, out of frailty and weakness won strength and became stalwart, even mighty and resistless in battle, routing alien hosts. (vv. 33–34 Amp.)
I realize such exploits may not have been seen much in the Church in recent years but that’s about to change. Jesus is getting us ready for His return and before He comes, the Church will be the strongest force on earth. She’ll be “God breathed” and supernatural in every way.
As believers, we’re in the process right now of being set apart for the endtime work of God! We’re moving into a more radical kind of Christianity. Not the kind that just blends in with the world, but the kind where we give up our lives to take on Jesus’ life so that we keep looking more like Him until we’re so transformed we become like a giant marquee, putting Him on display in all His power and glory for all the world to see.
To read more of Lynne’s Prayer Notes article, download it here: machammond.org/prayernotes.