The War in Heaven Continues Here on Earth
Why is there so much evil in the world today?
The book of Revelation speaks of “a War in Heaven” (Revelation 12:7).
We won that battle; Jehovah (Christ) and those of us who chose to follow Him.
Lucifer (Satan) and his followers, one-third of the host of Heaven, were cast out.
They were cast out to this Earth. They remain here still.
And the War continues. It is a war of thoughts, ideas, words and principles, as well as actions.
I offer the words of Durrel A. Woolsey (emphasis mine) :
The war is for the souls of men. The battle lines have been drawn since Adam: evil versus righteousness. In [the last days], the forces of evil have intensified and united under the powerful influences of Satan. On the opposite side of the line, the kingdom of God is clearly sounding the trumpet of righteousness…. Isaiah prophesied of our time…when he said, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20.) Satan offers a strange mixture of just enough good to disguise the evil along his downward path to destruction.... Satan…rage[s] in the hearts of some. Many he will lull away into carnal security; others he flattereth, or he says there is no hell. He has lured and enlisted many followers with enticements of fame, riches, and power…. He has confused many people, even nations and leaders, to the point of an immoral approach to moral issues.
Let me mention just three examples of voices that are ungodly and powerful among Satan’s many proclamations. First, he says individual agency is justification for the destruction of a human life through abortion; second, same-gender intimate associations and even marriages are acceptable; and third, chastity and fidelity are old-fashioned and narrow-minded— to be sexually active with free expression is acceptable. At this very moment, international heroes in sports, music, and movies not only live immoral lives but teach that immorality around the world through the powerful influence of the media. They are idolized and accepted by millions worldwide. The world in general seems to have lapsed into a coma of unrighteousness, leaving God-given and time-honored moral values and principles behind.
How will we fight this battle as it continues? We must hold fast to forceful proclamations from God regarding the sanctity of life, His eternal and never-ending instruction to be chaste and pure. His loving counsel that families are ordained of God with a father, mother, and children to live together forever was not intended to be the exception, but the rule. A return to Christ by an individual will bring peace of mind in place of turmoil, tranquillity to replace strife, courage and optimism in place of fear.
We must be involved in a good and a righteous cause. We must see through the glass clearly, with an objective look at ourselves and families so as not to be caught in the second great calamitous worldwide flood that is even now all around us. It has been prophesied that the faithful will win this great war…. The prescription for this victory includes daily individual and family prayers.... You may say, “I don’t have time.” Brothers and sisters, you simply cannot afford not to take the time. It is amazing how much time suddenly becomes available with the television off. This prescription continues the same as it has always been—keep the commandments…; read, understand, and even ponder the scriptures. (“A Strategy for War,” Ensign, Nov. 1995)
The book of Revelation speaks of “a War in Heaven” (Revelation 12:7).
We won that battle; Jehovah (Christ) and those of us who chose to follow Him.
Lucifer (Satan) and his followers, one-third of the host of Heaven, were cast out.
They were cast out to this Earth. They remain here still.
And the War continues. It is a war of thoughts, ideas, words and principles, as well as actions.
I offer the words of Durrel A. Woolsey (emphasis mine) :
The war is for the souls of men. The battle lines have been drawn since Adam: evil versus righteousness. In [the last days], the forces of evil have intensified and united under the powerful influences of Satan. On the opposite side of the line, the kingdom of God is clearly sounding the trumpet of righteousness…. Isaiah prophesied of our time…when he said, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20.) Satan offers a strange mixture of just enough good to disguise the evil along his downward path to destruction.... Satan…rage[s] in the hearts of some. Many he will lull away into carnal security; others he flattereth, or he says there is no hell. He has lured and enlisted many followers with enticements of fame, riches, and power…. He has confused many people, even nations and leaders, to the point of an immoral approach to moral issues.
Let me mention just three examples of voices that are ungodly and powerful among Satan’s many proclamations. First, he says individual agency is justification for the destruction of a human life through abortion; second, same-gender intimate associations and even marriages are acceptable; and third, chastity and fidelity are old-fashioned and narrow-minded— to be sexually active with free expression is acceptable. At this very moment, international heroes in sports, music, and movies not only live immoral lives but teach that immorality around the world through the powerful influence of the media. They are idolized and accepted by millions worldwide. The world in general seems to have lapsed into a coma of unrighteousness, leaving God-given and time-honored moral values and principles behind.
How will we fight this battle as it continues? We must hold fast to forceful proclamations from God regarding the sanctity of life, His eternal and never-ending instruction to be chaste and pure. His loving counsel that families are ordained of God with a father, mother, and children to live together forever was not intended to be the exception, but the rule. A return to Christ by an individual will bring peace of mind in place of turmoil, tranquillity to replace strife, courage and optimism in place of fear.
We must be involved in a good and a righteous cause. We must see through the glass clearly, with an objective look at ourselves and families so as not to be caught in the second great calamitous worldwide flood that is even now all around us. It has been prophesied that the faithful will win this great war…. The prescription for this victory includes daily individual and family prayers.... You may say, “I don’t have time.” Brothers and sisters, you simply cannot afford not to take the time. It is amazing how much time suddenly becomes available with the television off. This prescription continues the same as it has always been—keep the commandments…; read, understand, and even ponder the scriptures. (“A Strategy for War,” Ensign, Nov. 1995)
posted by Peggy Snow Cahill at 4:11 PM
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