Psalm 68:1.
We sing the opening of this psalm on Sunday mornings! As I began reading this Psalm today in my devotions, I realized that the opening words of the song,
May God arise, comes from this Psalm. Who are the enemies of God in light of our understanding of the Kingdom of God?
The Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians, that our enemies are not flesh and blood, but spiritual powers.
These powers manifest themselves in both the political and cultural arenas. They also exist in the “spiritual atmosphere” of this age. In apocalyptic language,
the writer of Revelation identifies these enemies as the great serpent; the devil, the first beast; the political powers of this age, the second beast; their arm of propaganda,
and the great harlot; which is the great and any city in which evil exists. The victory that Christ won on the cross and resurrection secures our victory over the enemies of God. He has arisen,
and will continue to rise and one day come in glory to ultimately defeat these enemies. Our entry into God’s victory is our faith. This is why the call of Revelation is to faithful perseverance in the face of the battle.
Two dynamics are happening now on the stage of history. First, the kingdom of God is advancing through the faithful perseverance of the His people; the Church.
As we are going and making disciples of all nations, Jesus Christ is building his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it! Second, God is bringing all of Christ’s enemies under his footstool.
This process of God’s victory will culminate with the glorious appearance of Jesus Christ at the end of the age. In the great moment of his appearing, all of the enemies of God will be defeated for good
and God will usher in His kingdom fully on earth. We, who have persevered will join all of the saints in the new heavens and new earth. At this time in history, we are in the war!
Victory has been secured through the death and resurrection of Jesus. This victory will one day be fully realized. Till then, keep persevering and maintain your faithful witness as followers of Jesus.
Pastor Fred