The Great Apostasy... and standing strong in the battle
For weeks now, I’ve had a strong stirring in my spirit that the times are much more urgent than we know, while the world so easily lulls us to sleep. Everyone is busy and tired, many just hobble along, struggling to survive nursing serious wounds. Others set their faces like flint to focus on the positive for fear of offending people.
“They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.” Jeremiah 6:14 (NIV)
I am reminded of the opening scene in the first in the trilogy by Rick Joyner, The Final Quest vividly describing the reality of the spiritual war that we are in, the tactics of the enemy and the state of the church - and the weapons and strategies we have been given, which work when we use them…
“Behind this army there was a trailing mob similar to the prisoners who followed the evil army, but very different in nature. These seemed to be very happy people, and were playing games, singing songs, feasting and roaming about from one little camp to the next. It reminded me of the atmosphere at Woodstock. I tried to raise my voice above the clamour to warn them that it was not the time for this, that the battle was about to begin, but only a few could even hear my voice. Those who did gave me the "peace sign" and said they did not believe in war, and that the Lord would not let anything bad happen to them. I tried to explain that the Lord had given us armour for a reason, but they just retorted that they had come to a place of peace and joy where nothing would happen to them. I began praying earnestly for the Lord to increase the faith (shields) of those with the armour, to help us protect those who were not ready for the battle.” p.3, The Final Quest
Click here for the full excerpt
The other day in a meeting, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to proclaim, “Awake! Awake! Clothe yourself with strength!” (Isaiah 52:1).
I can see the signs of the great falling away beginning.
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2-4).
Charisma article: Are We Living in the Days of the Great Apostasy?
Let’s pray:
Father, we come to you asking forgiveness for our sins in Jesus name. We ask that You help us stay awake at all times, praying that we may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36). Help us, Lord, to not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober (1 Thessalonians 5:6), as our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Help us Lord, lest our hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon us suddenly like a trap (Luke 21:34). Let us always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill our ministry (2 Timothy 4:5), and continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2).
Besides this, Lord, we know the time, that the hour has come for us to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So Father, help us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarrelling and jealousy. I put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires (Romans 13:11-14).
I have prayed for us that our faith may not fail. And when we have turned again, strengthen our brothers (Luke 22:32). Finally, let us be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. We put on the full armour of God, so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore we put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, we may be able to stand our ground, and after we have done everything, to stand. We stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around our waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, we take up the shield of faith, with which we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. We take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And help us pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests, and be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Janet xox
Hear my story in podcast with Megan McChesney, Back from the Abyss
Visit janetbalcombe.com to learn more about my books, other blogs, or to connect with me. To see what else I’m up to, visit: wildsidetrust.org, wildsideministries.com and wildsidedesign.net
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! -2 Corinthians 5:17
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. -Romans 12:2
Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. -Ephesians 4:22-24