So, why, in spite of our good intentions and all of the noble effort by multitudes of such good people, does the “Dark Side” keep winning, time and time again??? Would you really like to know the answer to that? Then stay with me for just a bit.
The apostle Paul was actually visited by Jesus in real life. He was the one designated to spread the Gospel message first. God wanted it spread to the gentiles and the world, and Paul was the first one really doing it. So, one would expect that God with his mighty angels would have protected Paul for that very, very important task. Yet time and again he was beat nearly to death by rods and stoned so badly that his oppressors left him for dead. And he was thrown into foul prisons time and again and held in chains. Why, just like the first question above?
I believe, as do most good theologians. that God directly influenced Paul to write the truths that God wanted to convey to us. In the last chapter of Ephesians Paul directly answered the two perplexing questions that were posed above. Dr. Taylor (who I was privileged to know) translated the answer directly from the Greek texts into the language we use today. Here is God’s answer to these two questions:
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies…..the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule the world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.”
So, since we are up against such mighty odds, should we just bow our heads and accept the winning of the Dark Side. No, no, no. For Paul, under direct influence from God, wrote these concluding words in summation:
“Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.” ( In other words, keep fighting and keep your head up!) “Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with Him, reminding Him of your needs!”
So, what is the answer to all this? What is the conclusion? Jesus gave us that answer very clearly when He was here on earth as God in the form of a man. He said that he was coming back. He exhorted us to be watching for him each and every day.
When He returns….the skies will spit wide open. There will be mighty trumpet blasts. His glory be so awesome and overwhelming that we will all have our faces in the dirt. He said that he was going to throw the Devil and all his helpers into the lake of fire to reside…..forever!!!
So, folks, take heart, even when the Darke Side keeps winning. We know for sure what the ultimate answer will be.
True Texan Tales 