Hello Friends,
We are living in days today like no other we have experienced. That is not to say that they have never been experienced, it is just that we have not experienced them in our lifetime. The Apostle Paul wrote of things in his day that are still relevant in these days.
Jude 1.3 “Dear friends, I’ve dropped everything to write you about this life of salvation that we have in common. I have to write insisting—begging!—that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish.” The New American Standard says to earnestly contend.
Paul uses words like insisting, begging, fight with everything you have in you! This is about fighting for the life prepared for us by Christ and delivered to us through the Holy Spirit. This is The Faith, salvation in Christ and a life that salvation produces by faith thru grace. To fight or to earnestly contend is the Greek word Epagōnízomai; to strive for. To exert intense effort on behalf of something-‘encourage you to struggle for the faith’ We can face losing our victory given to us thru Christ that we attach to by faith. Don’t back off from what belongs to you! This is contending for the Power of God that was delivered to us! Jesus paid the high price of His blood, His life for this!
2 Tim 1.6 “And for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Timothy was facing very serious trials. Not only death but possible martyrdom. Paul said to kindle afresh the gift, don’t kindle the fear of the report. Timothy needed a supernatural touch of God’s grace that was available to help. Supernatural power to help him stand upright, not spiritually bent over in fear. Why did Paul remind him of this gift imparted to stir up? All Timothy had to do was reach out to that gift of power & take it by the hand of faith, receive it to himself, place demand on flow. It is like a water faucet. Water is available in the house. All we have to do is open the faucet and allow the provided, available water to flow. It is the same with the power gift in us and is AVAILABLE to us all.
Revelation 12 is a recap of Jesus’ ascension, and His bringing home the authority. (v17) Satan wars against church, believers. We have all in some way realized the infuriation of Satan. Especially if we are wanting to obey God, walk in His will. But the gates of hell never prevailed against the Church. It should not prevail against us as individuals (Lk 10) We are to Contend! We are Destined to win if we contend!
The first 3 centuries this type of rage was against Christians by Roman authorities. Emperor Trajan and Governor Pliny discussed how to deal with Christians. Pliny says: I have found this superstition spread to cities, villages, farms. They have had a detrimental influence on the people’s worship of pagan gods. Although it seems possible to check it and cure it. There are those who denied being Christians. Invoked the gods in word, offered prayer, incense and wine to your image together with statues of the gods and cursed Christ. But none of those who are really Christians can be forced to do that. Now the temples, which had been almost deserted, have begun to be frequented, & established religious rights, long neglected, are being resumed. From everywhere sacrificial animal are coming, for which until now very few purchases could be found. So, it is easy to imagine that a multitude of people can be reformed if opportunity for repentance is afforded. (not Godly repentance, but a turning back to pagan ways) And: A threat of death is given as the alternative. Some Did Not contend.
A most famous example of Christian martyr is Bishop Polycarp of Smyrna. (Revelation 2.8) Martyred at 86, 100 yrs. after the resurrection. Deranged attacks against Christians had not subsided. In fact they increased during certain Roman Emperor rule. There was a large mob gathered screaming at Christians. Ranting and raving yelling ‘Get Polycarp’. To put him on trial. A sympathetic proconsul try to persuade him to renounce Christ to save his life. Polycarp a pupil of John, declared “86 yrs. I served Him and He’s done me no wrong, how can I revile my King who saved me!” (Not running, or deserting, but he is contending.) The Governor yelled “Swear by Caesar or I’ll throw you to the beast” Polycarp said, “Bring on the Beast” The Governor said “Scorn the beast, I’ll have you burned” Polycarp looked him right in the eyes and boldly declared “You try to frighten me w/fire that burns for an hour, and you forget the fire of hell that never goes out!”
History tells us: He joyfully went up to the stake, and amidst the flames praised God for having deemed him worthy “to be numbered among His martyrs…. In the letter of the church of Smyrna a slightly legendary account states, that the flames avoided the body of Polycarp, leaving it unharmed, like gold tried in the fire; also the Christian bystanders insisted, that they perceived a sweet odor, as of incense. Then the executioner thrust his sword into the body, and the stream of blood at once extinguished the flame. The corpse was burned after the Roman custom, but the bones were preserved by the church, and held more precious than gold and diamonds. The death of this last witness of the apostolic age checked the fury of the populace, & this proconsul suspended the persecution.
To be a Christian in the first century meant total commitment in the face of grave opposition. This is a very intense contending! It’s difficult for many today to comprehend the horrific trials & tribulations that had been endured back then. Yet persecutions were not the greatest crisis, the number of defections were. Clearly stated by Pliny (multitudes could be reformed).
Persecution of the church started in the book of Acts chapter seven with the death of Stephen, but really intensified when the Roman government got involved. Which of course are the days we see Timothy and Polycarp. There is a persecution that comes from people, there is also persecution which comes from the religious, but there is no mightier persecution than that which comes from the governing authorities of a nation.
We live in a nation founded on Godly principles. We have the protection of a God given constitution. There are those that would like our nation to come to an end. There are evil forces that want to destroy our constitution. This would create a total control of evil in the world. An evil, as from the early days of the church, wants to bring an end to the church that professes Jesus Christ as God and Lord. But Jesus told us to occupy until He comes.
Just as Israel is God’s people, America is God’s nation. As we would stand and protect Israel, we are to stand and protect America from tyranny over her people and persecution of Jesus’ church. The Word of God says: “and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Cron 7.14).
The Lord leaves the responsibility of the land being healed to His people! We are to occupy! Political positions, statehouses, schoolboards, etc. The church scoffed at television and now are paying premium prices to be on it instead of owning it. The church refused the healthy direction given by the Lord and the world grabbed it and created a major health craze that has become a billion dollar industry over the years. Now the church scoffs at politics in the church when this is our last stand. This is not like tv, or a health craze, if we lose this fight the direction in this nation and in the world will not be a benefit to the church or to any God fearing people. Satan is doing his best to move in!!
It is time to stand up, to contend, to occupy. We are here on earth not to wish we were in heaven, although that is certainly our direction, but we are here to occupy for Jesus. The number one thing we can do is vote! If you are not registered I would implore you to register to vote. We are here to help populate heaven, but without contending, without occupying, that could be a dim reality. Jesus is coming soon for a glorious church. Not one beat down and begging to get out of here. The church should be so in charge that the devil is looking for the rapture so we can leave, and he can then be in charge.
This is our day; this is the time of the church to contend. This is our time to stand. Isaia 60.1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” It is time for the church to rise and be heard in the prayer closet, in the pulpits, on the airwaves, in social circles, in everyday activities of life. Let the Glory be shown!
I know this has been a lengthy letter, but I feel we are living in crucial times and the time to act is of the utmost importance. Thank you for your time in reading this today. I pray the grace and peace of God be with you and guide you in all you do.
Pastor Bob
