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III. He tells them that their care was not singular, for they knew that the like
afflictions befell their brethren in all parts of the world, and that all the
people of God were their fellow-soldiers in this warfare. Learn,
i.
ii.
iii.
All the great persecutions that ever were in the world were raised,
spirited up, and conducted, by the devil; he is the grand persecutor,
as well as the deceiver and accuser, of the brethren; men are his
willing spiteful instruments, but he is the chief adversary that wars
against Christ and his people, Gen 3:15; Rev 12:12.
The design of Satan in raising persecutions against the faithful
servants of God is to bring them to apostasy, by reason of their
sufferings, and so to destroy their souls.
Sobriety and watchfulness are necessary virtues at all times, but
especially in times of suffering and persecution. "You must moderate
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iv.
v.
We must be careful of the Lust of the eyes, Lust of the Flesh and the
Pride of Life
Matt 16:18-19 AMP
18 And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros - a large piece of rock], and
on this rock [Greek, petra - a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My
church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region)
shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out
against it].
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever
you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what
is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful)
on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven. [Isa 22:22.]
Whatever our calling may be, to meet each situation, each person in union
with Christ Jesus, needs to exercise an authority to which the powers of the
air, satanic powers must give place wherever challenged.
Probably because of the extreme importance of a correct understanding
of its privileges and responsibilities, and because of the power which they
confer on a militant believer, the enemy has specially sought to hold back
this knowledge from God's people.
What Authority Is
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Apply now these lessons to the great problems of the extension of the
Kingdom that face us.
Shortage of funds
We speak of the financial distress, but is any work of the devil today
distressed for funds? Satan is choking the channels of Christian
benevolence in many and shrewd ways, but he leaves free those which
minister to pleasure and sensuality. Several cases in widely separated
parts of the land where funds are tied up, which, if released, would be
instrumental in the advancement of the Gospel.
Lands Closed to the Gospel.
Human governmental authority seems responsible for these. But in the
background, there stand the shadowy forms of the great princes (Dan. 10),
whose dicta rule the minds and wills of the men whom we see.
Afghanistan, Arabia, Tibet, and other lesser areas are thus garrisoned
against the entry of the truth. They will thus remain until there rises in the
Church believing groups, who shall "agree" that this state of affairs shall no
longer continue. And, as such bands, with one accord, exercise a spiritual
will of freedom for these lands, saying in the name of the Lord, "This shall
not be!" the unseen dominant forces shall be dominant no longer, but shall
yield ground, and the barriers shall fall.
Here are hindrances to advance in the field work.
Fanatic Islam meets us with bigotry, jealousy and violence;
Paganism with fear and hatred;
Ignorance binds the heathen mind in darkness that seems impenetrable.
Fierce attacks, such as recently occurred in Northern Nigeria and other
places, fall upon the workers, and some are cut off.
Dissension - rise in the ranks of brethren, and the Spirit of peace
withdraws. Behind every such situation the presence of the same malign
Your Authority and Victory Over Your Enemy
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