A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Teaching, Training & Commissioning
Chapter 2
THE JUDGMENT
It is important to note that, the book of Second Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16 says, “The Bible is inspired by God”. The word ‘inspired’ comes from the Greek word, ‘theopneustos’, which means ‘God-breathed’. This verse explains that “the Bible is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness; so that the man (or woman) of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
God, speaking through the Bible, is telling us that we are to join Him in this cosmic battle, of these Last Days. He is telling us how He prepares us for what is already upon us (as explained by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24), and for the coming Judgment known as “The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord”, also known as “The Day of the Lord”.
This narrative is about preparation, instruction and ‘marching orders’, in Spiritual warfare. It started in Matthew chapter 3 and will continue through Matthew chapter 10 and will conclude in Matthew chapter 28.
Know this: No one will survive these days unless they have come to God by faith in Christ. And, all who have come to Him by faith and, are known by Him as His Own, will, and must, participate in this battle. There is no escaping this truth.
Matthew, chapter 3, verses 7 through 10 say, “But when John the Baptist saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.“
John the Baptist plainly states that a “wrath in coming”. This is God’s coming Judgment on the unrighteous which will follow the ongoing war of tribulation and the days of distress. Ushered in by the culmination of this age, a greater war, will rage in the realm of The Heavens and upon the earth. Christians, in these Last Days, have been appointed to participate in the ongoing Battle.
The second step of your preparation for this Spiritual war is a process known as “Sanctification”. Through sanctification, God will strip away your old life and make you new – new in your mind, body and spirit – made ready for this warfare and for service to Him. This is what you can expect to experience when you fully surrender your life to God, His Purposes and Ways.
Jesus demonstrates this process in the book of Matthew, chapter four. Most of us may work hard to avoid this most difficult, painful and bewildering process. But, actually, it is the amazing, supernatural work of God transforming us into His Own, children of Light.
The phrase, “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees” is found in verse 10, and, is saying that God’s judgment is now at hand. The prophesied Messiah is here. It also says, your salvation is at hand, and that, you cannot depend on your traditions, rituals, good works, heritage or lineage to be saved from the coming wrath. It is time to repent and bear fruit of Righteousness which is in Jesus the Christ, for your salvation – or you will perish.
John is pointing the way to Jesus. He baptizes with water for repentance which requires that you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, so you will be saved and escape the coming wrath; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
Footnote: “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees” is a metaphor for the beginning of the tribulation period. This is an urgent message, necessary for understanding and wisdom.
Now, you must decide, are you going the way of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, being wise in your own eyes, only “to be cut down and thrown into the fire”? Or, are you willing to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance“, and live?
We are on our way, now. Prepare yourselves for His Sanctifying of your life. Read, study, pray and BE DOERS OF THE WORD: Go, today, and tell others this exceedingly Good News. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Please bookmark this page and watch for our next chapter, “THE WINNOWING.” (The previous episode can be found at Effective Spiritual Warfare)
(Please also notice, you can go to the webpage for this podcast and click links for details and references which are necessary for the entire teaching)