Stepping on a Wasp

687.  "Stepping on a Wasp"
February 7, 2013
Revelation 9-Part 11
And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Revelation 9:20-21

LET IT GLOW


One week we had a missionary couple staying our home while he taught and spoke to our church. I recall that on a warm day, some way, a wasp got into our house. His wife stepped on it while in the kitchen, but it did not injure her foot. The Scriptures of Luke 10:19-20 came to my mind. Check it out.

In light of the five-month demonic attack of the future tribulation, how does it relate to us?

Charles Swindoll, in his book Swindoll's New Testament Insights on Revelation,  gives us four important ways that this chapter informs our own situation:

1. Although they are invisible, demons are real and aggressive. Not all demons are confined to the abyss (Luke 8:31). Countless spirits of wickedness roam freely in search-and-destroy mode. Thy pounce at any opportunity to strike both believers and unbelievers.
2. Demons are organized and committed to our destruction. Satan's forces know how to wage an efficient war to conquer the hearts and minds of all people. They are ready to use whatever is necessary to win. 1 Peter 5:8, 1:13-16 warn us to be sober and alert, obedient and holy children of God. Are you prepared for the inevitable spiritual attacks?
3. Although demons are powerful, they have limitations. These wicked angels can only do whatever they are allowed to do. Don't drop your guard. 
4. These aggressive and insidious creatures flee at the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus can flatten Satan's entire army with a single syllable of rebuke. They are no match for Him. Let Christ handle your spiritual battles for you. Submit to Him. Release all your anxieties to Him through prayer (1 Peter 5:6-7). Resting in Christ, resist the devil in faith and trust that He alone can shut the mouth of the roaring lion and quench the flaming arrows of the evil one.

In the Scriptures of Luke 10, Jesus gave authority of His 70 followers to preach, heal, and cast out demons. Jesus told them upon their return, "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

Are my ears open to recognize when evil is speaking to me? Are my eyes open when evil is tempting me? Am I opening my heart to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment? Am I using Jesus' name to rebuke evil around me?

LET IT GROW

What a horrible time to be living on earth-during the Great Tribulation. Back in 6:8, we read that 1/4 of the population was killed by sword, famine, plague, and wild beasts. Then an army of 200 million will be active for the four angels of death.  According to in 9:15, they will kill 1/3 of humanity.
"A third of humanity is over two billion people," Swindoll wrote in 2011.
God wants all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), but they won't do it. So we know their destination.

"Out of love and compassion for the lost, we desperately hope that hardship, calamity, and the fear of death will soften the hearts of men and women devoted to idolatrous false religions. Sadly, John's vision reveals the opposite will occur," states Swindoll.

Whatever we place ahead of God in our lives is our idol. The modern world is replete with idols: money, possessions, power, pleasure, sex, success, fame, drugs. They are the tools of Satan. Idolatry blinds humanity to the Word of God.

Do I have any idols in my own life? They can become destructive to our spiritual growth in these areas:

• material possessions,
• important people,
• worldly positions,
• uncontrolled passions,
• selfish pursuits.

Are there changes that need to be made in my life? in your life?

Ephesians 5:5 NIV says, For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Colossians 3 also lists the sins of the idolator.

We must ask our heavenly Father to forgive us and free us from any idols that threaten to distract our attention from Him.
Serious stuff!

LET IT GO

Watch and listen, be aware of evil surrounding me.

Surrender to Jesus and do His will.

Do an idol check.

Destroy any idols.