Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
This passage of scripture informs us of the nature of the final conflict which has already begun to unfurl in our generation, and it has nothing to do with the popular errors which pit Muslims against Jews, with the west as umpire or cheerleader. Instead, the conflict has to do with the commandments of God, versus the commandments of men, as is presently being debated in high and low circles, and which will only accelerate and intensify as the day of The Lord draws near. Already we are witnessing the headwinds, in the form of instability and alienation among peoples and nations, and the multitude of problems that are coming upon the stage of action everyday, with no apparent resolution in sight.
The precedent was set in the days of old, when Elijah was commissioned by The Lord to carry a terrible message of impending doom to king Ahab and the idolatrous Jezebel, who had led the Hebrews away from the worship of The Living God. A terrible and devastating drought was predicted by the prophet, which went into effect immediately, and grew in intensity, until both man and beast were faced with fearful mortality.
Finally, when Elijah was brought face to face with Ahab, the dissolute king asked the reason for Israel's current troubles, to which Elijah replied that the commandments of God had been violated and trampled upon by both king and people, and he then suggested a contest upon Mount Carmel, by which the laws of God and the laws of men would be decided upon, as to their binding force on the people. Let's read:
1st Kings 18:17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord".... 22 Then said Elijah" .... "Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
This very same contest is scheduled to be repeated in our day, but the results will be much more catastrophic for those who persist in rebellion against God, by accepting the mark of the beast, thereby signalling their support for the laws and institutions of men. This is what the passage in Revelation 12 is referring to when it says that the dragon went to make war with those who keep the commandments of God.
There are many Christians who are looking to some future time when this prophecy will have fulfillment, but this should not now be the case because the contest has already begun in the form of the eradication of the sacred institution of marriage, an act of open rebellion which pits the laws of men against the law of God which specifically state "Thou shalt not commit adultery". The many "Alternative" lifestyles which are now countenanced and practiced, even in some professedly Christian circles are violations of the commandment against adultery, for they are just being manifested in various strains which break the very same law.
Therefore, in lieu of the dire prospect before our faces, of the scriptures being permanently cast out as being "Hate speech", it behooves all true Christians to step up to the plate and call sin by its right name, regardless of the negative consequences and financial persecution that will be leveled against the faithful. Instead of buckling under social and economic pressure, and instead of being fearful of ridicule and scorn, let the soldiers of the cross now push the battle to the very gates of hell, for we are assured by our Commander, that they will not prevail against it.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to fight the good fight of faith, using the word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit, both defensively and offensively, as the Holy Ghost may direct. Let's read:
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!