When you ponder the end times – do you feel confused or fearful?
Ron Rhodes says we can choose faith in dark times by putting on our armor and remembering who we are in Christ. We don’t need anyone or anything to get us to God. Jesus Christ is the link between us and the Father.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8
This statement from James, the half-brother of Jesus, was groundbreaking because the belief of Judaism during that time was that only the Levitical priests could get near to God.
“Now James says forget all that, draw near to God and He will draw you to you and it’s all through Jesus.”
After the resurrection of Jesus, James became a believer and left Judaism to become the head of the church of Jerusalem.
What does it mean to draw near to God?
“As we keep under our commander-in-chief, who is God, then that in itself is almost like an umbrella that keeps us safe from the advances of the devil.”
Not only do we have the umbrella of God protecting us, God says that we have the ability to put on spiritual “armor” as well. This guards us against spiritual attacks that can come through bitterness, fear, unresolved anger, or spiritual oppression. This kind of oppression and hostility will increase in the last days as more believers are targeted for their faith. It’s here we remember the words of Paul:
“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.” Ephesians 6:10-13
Armor isn’t automatic; it is something that has to intentionally be put on.
“What putting on the armor of God means is that you have to live righteously, keep grounded in the Word of God, and keep focused on Him.”
When we keep our lives in tune with God it spells defeat for the devil in our lives. Then we can face the changing culture with strength and courage. When we choose to use the sword of the Word of God, we can filter conversations about the end times, blood moons, the rise of ISIS and the second coming of Christ through the unchanging, life-changing truth of God.
Key Scriptures: James 4:8; Revelation 13; John 14:1-3; Romans 9-11; Matthew 6:33
Featured Songs: Grace Wins by Matthew West; Touch the Sky by Hillsong; Here I Am by Jeremy Camp; Jesus We Love You by Bethel Music; The Table by Chris Tomlin; Take Another Step by Steven Curtis Chapman
