Paul was imprisoned in Rome and knew that the time of his departure was at hand when he wrote his second canonical letter to Timothy. Remembering Timothy’s tears at their last meeting Paul encourages him saying, “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) The LORD would have us all remember this particular word for we have entered into the time when “people faint with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world….” (Luke 21:26a) Everywhere today we encounter attacks upon our mind, attacks upon our faith. Each day brings news of a new “terror” attack somewhere or a newly discovered virus or bacteria that could kill millions of us. If we leave the mainstream media and begin to look for the truth concerning those who actually rule the world, then we will discover countless other nightmares which lurk amongst us and threaten to destroy us. Some of these new discoveries may actually attack the very foundations of our faith and cause us to wonder if all we have believed about Jesus and his promises is even true. And if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? We would simply huddle in fear of what might come next. I believe we are literally walking through the Battle of Armageddon right now. This is the great end-time battle for our minds, our souls, our faith, the time when only he who perseveres to the end shall be saved.

Remember that the Bible mentions the Battle of Armageddon at only one place. John wrote,

12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. 13 And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. 14 For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. 15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)16 And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16)

Sign-performing demonic spirits go abroad to the kings of the whole world. They manifest themselves in various ways to the presidents, prime ministers, princes, and kings who rule the nations of the world. How do they manifest themselves? I am not one of the present world’s kings, so I do not know for sure, but might it not be in the form of ufo’s, time travel, inter-dimensional travel, remote viewing, and the bizarre and evil experimentations we hear about these days? These things remain the hidden secrets of the New World Order “elites” or kings who clearly desire to place all of humanity under their complete control as their slaves. I do not encourage or want you to study these things for these are the “deep things of Satan,” things unlawful for us to participate in. A deep knowledge of these things would, I think, introduce doubts to our faith and possibly derail our walk with God. With respect to the knowledge of evil be as infants for, as Paul taught, “Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.” (1 Cor. 14:20)

Now, coming back to 2 Timothy 1:7, when we believed in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and the salvation of our spirits, we received the “earnest” of the Holy Spirit. God imparted something of his eternal life to us which “quickened” our spirits and brought us from spiritual death (the first death which came to Adam when he sinned and through Adam to all men) into spiritual life. It is this earnest of the Holy Spirit that casts out fear and brings us “power, love, and a sound mind.” The Holy Spirit gives us power to walk in God’s ways, the narrow path that Jesus teaches that we must follow to be found worthy in him. The Holy Spirit teaches us his ways so that we can walk in love instead of hate. Finally the Holy Spirit gives us a sound mind, a mind which must learn to take every thought captive unto Christ and which must learn to submit to its own renewing by the water of Christ’s word.

As I was praying about this writing today I considered the word “power” that occurs in 2 Timothy 1:7 and I asked the LORD why he did not speak to me more often than he does. His still and small voice that speaks to my inner man said, “Because I have given you my word.” Then I remembered the multitudes of people who say that they hear from God all the time and yet they do not walk in his ways. And I considered again how God’s word, the Bible, clearly sets forth his ways and teaches us how to walk that narrow path of obedience that Jesus requires. And I remembered the following passage,

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,[i] with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:16-21)

So, let us not be double minded as we wait for the LORD’s return. Let us not focus on the power of the enemy and the dark works he does day and night in, under, and over this world. Let  us keep a plaited (3 chord strand) eye, an eye of singleness of vision which cannot be broken, upon the things of God.  “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9) Remember, in John’s prophecy concerning Armageddon Jesus himself says, “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”  If we diligently do these things, then I am assured by the witness of God’s word that we will stay awake, we will keep our white garments of purity on, and we will be ready when the LORD comes. In other words, we will win the Battle of Armageddon!

Megiddo – Armageddon Part 1