- Published on
Exploits at the End
Dan.11:32 b
Intro: The Bible does paint a rather grim picture of the end times; it is sobering for each one of us to consider what the days of the End will be like.
I. Satan’s Furious Attack
The devil is already a strong foe. He is described as a serpent; roaring lion; adversary or enemy; accuser of the brethren; tempter; deceiver; liar. Paul said we are not wrestling with flesh and blood but with principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. But as we approach the end of time as we know it; the devil unleashes a furious attack and intensifies his efforts.
In Rev 12 the devil is pictured as a Dragon who comes upon the earth with Great Wrath because he realizes that his time is short. In Mat. 24 Jesus described times that would be troubling and unsettling; times of war- famine- earthquakes- disease- and deception. Luke recorded that Jesus said men’s hearts would fail because of Fear.
Satan’s furious attack.
II. Saints Falling Away
Paul said that there would be a great falling away. I know that it refers mostly to the deception of the anti Christ during the tribulation, but the tragedy of Saints falling away has already begun. Jesus said that the Love of many would Wax or Become Cold.
Paul told Timothy that the time would come when some would not accept sound doctrine but would have itching ears and would follow teachers who would say only what they wanted to hear; turning their ears away from the truth to fables instead.
Also Paul warned us that some would depart from the faith and give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
My what a tragic time; a time of Satan’s furious attacks and a time when some saints fall away.
Still, Daniel declared that the People who do know their God shall be Strong and do Exploits.
There are three important factors here:
1) Experience.
“The People who do Know their God...” NOT the people who know ABOUT God but those that KNOW God- He’s THEIR God. The word “know” here is yada in the Hebrew and has the following meanings: to be acquainted with personally; to know of a certainty; to know as a familiar friend; to know intimately.
Do you know About God the Father and About Jesus Christ & About the Holy Ghost? Or do you know them personally; do you know God with certainty and as a familiar friend?
We must KNOW him in a Living, Vibrant Relationship; We must Know Him through Prayer; by attending and worshiping in His House; by Knowledge and Obedience to His Holy Word.
2) Energy
“they shall be Strong” Those who really KNOW their God will be Strong.
They will have spiritual health while others are sickly; they will have vitality while others are weak; they will Stand when others Fall; they will Believe when others Doubt; they will have Courage when others are Cowards; they will have Convictions when others Compromise;
Yes, in the end times the devil will be on the attack; and yes, some will fall away; BUT you can have a Glorious Experience with God and Be Strong in the midst of it all.
3) Exploits.
An exploit is defined as “a heroic act or deed; an act of courage and power.”
There will be Exploits even At the End. We are to be Thriving- not just Surviving; We are to be Believing and Battling; We are to be Converted and Continuing; We are to be Defending and Prevailing. In both Joel 2 and Acts 2 we read where God promised that in the Last Days he would POUR out his Spirit; there would be Visions, Dreams, Prophecies, & Tongues. So, right in the end times God has a Church bearing the Fruit of the Spirit and manifesting the Gifts of the Spirit.
In Rev 2 & 3 the whole Church Age is represented in 7 periods of time. The last two, Philadelphia and Laodecia, exist simultaneously in the End Times. Laodecia is Lukewarm; spiritually blind, naked and poor; Jesus stands without knocking for admission and telling them to repent.
The other Church, Philadelphia, is the true church that is still on Fire for God; still has strength; has kept God’s Word; and has not denied His Name;
Jesus says to this Church, “I have the key of David and am he that openeth and no man shutteth; I have set before you an Open Door and no man can shut it...”
Right here in the End Times, in the Last Days, not all believers are casualties in this spiritual war; not all churches have been defeated and given up in compromise. There are still those who have Genuine, Vital Experience with God; they are Standing strong in His Power and Might; they have put on the Armor of God, and are Wielding the Sword of the Spirit and Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. They have their Hands and Voices Lifted in Worship; Their Lives are surrendered to God and His Word; They are Doing Exploits!
There is power in their Prayer; there is power in their holy lifestyle; there is power in their testimony and victory in their soul.
They that Do Know their God shall be Strong and Do Exploits.
Dan.11:32 b
Intro: The Bible does paint a rather grim picture of the end times; it is sobering for each one of us to consider what the days of the End will be like.
I. Satan’s Furious Attack
The devil is already a strong foe. He is described as a serpent; roaring lion; adversary or enemy; accuser of the brethren; tempter; deceiver; liar. Paul said we are not wrestling with flesh and blood but with principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. But as we approach the end of time as we know it; the devil unleashes a furious attack and intensifies his efforts.
In Rev 12 the devil is pictured as a Dragon who comes upon the earth with Great Wrath because he realizes that his time is short. In Mat. 24 Jesus described times that would be troubling and unsettling; times of war- famine- earthquakes- disease- and deception. Luke recorded that Jesus said men’s hearts would fail because of Fear.
Satan’s furious attack.
II. Saints Falling Away
Paul said that there would be a great falling away. I know that it refers mostly to the deception of the anti Christ during the tribulation, but the tragedy of Saints falling away has already begun. Jesus said that the Love of many would Wax or Become Cold.
Paul told Timothy that the time would come when some would not accept sound doctrine but would have itching ears and would follow teachers who would say only what they wanted to hear; turning their ears away from the truth to fables instead.
Also Paul warned us that some would depart from the faith and give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
My what a tragic time; a time of Satan’s furious attacks and a time when some saints fall away.
Still, Daniel declared that the People who do know their God shall be Strong and do Exploits.
There are three important factors here:
1) Experience.
“The People who do Know their God...” NOT the people who know ABOUT God but those that KNOW God- He’s THEIR God. The word “know” here is yada in the Hebrew and has the following meanings: to be acquainted with personally; to know of a certainty; to know as a familiar friend; to know intimately.
Do you know About God the Father and About Jesus Christ & About the Holy Ghost? Or do you know them personally; do you know God with certainty and as a familiar friend?
We must KNOW him in a Living, Vibrant Relationship; We must Know Him through Prayer; by attending and worshiping in His House; by Knowledge and Obedience to His Holy Word.
2) Energy
“they shall be Strong” Those who really KNOW their God will be Strong.
They will have spiritual health while others are sickly; they will have vitality while others are weak; they will Stand when others Fall; they will Believe when others Doubt; they will have Courage when others are Cowards; they will have Convictions when others Compromise;
Yes, in the end times the devil will be on the attack; and yes, some will fall away; BUT you can have a Glorious Experience with God and Be Strong in the midst of it all.
3) Exploits.
An exploit is defined as “a heroic act or deed; an act of courage and power.”
There will be Exploits even At the End. We are to be Thriving- not just Surviving; We are to be Believing and Battling; We are to be Converted and Continuing; We are to be Defending and Prevailing. In both Joel 2 and Acts 2 we read where God promised that in the Last Days he would POUR out his Spirit; there would be Visions, Dreams, Prophecies, & Tongues. So, right in the end times God has a Church bearing the Fruit of the Spirit and manifesting the Gifts of the Spirit.
In Rev 2 & 3 the whole Church Age is represented in 7 periods of time. The last two, Philadelphia and Laodecia, exist simultaneously in the End Times. Laodecia is Lukewarm; spiritually blind, naked and poor; Jesus stands without knocking for admission and telling them to repent.
The other Church, Philadelphia, is the true church that is still on Fire for God; still has strength; has kept God’s Word; and has not denied His Name;
Jesus says to this Church, “I have the key of David and am he that openeth and no man shutteth; I have set before you an Open Door and no man can shut it...”
Right here in the End Times, in the Last Days, not all believers are casualties in this spiritual war; not all churches have been defeated and given up in compromise. There are still those who have Genuine, Vital Experience with God; they are Standing strong in His Power and Might; they have put on the Armor of God, and are Wielding the Sword of the Spirit and Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. They have their Hands and Voices Lifted in Worship; Their Lives are surrendered to God and His Word; They are Doing Exploits!
There is power in their Prayer; there is power in their holy lifestyle; there is power in their testimony and victory in their soul.
They that Do Know their God shall be Strong and Do Exploits.
- Published on
Joshua 5:13-15Intro: This is part of a familiar story about Israel conquering Jericho; but the part in this text passage is not as familiar as the rest. However, what happened here is very important to the whole account. Let’s talk about Overcoming your Obstacles.
I. An Intimidating Crisis
It’s pretty easy to just read through the story and not realize what an intimidating crisis this was for the young nation of Israel. When they finally made it into Canaan- their Land of Promise- the first obstacle that met their eyes was the fortified city of Jericho.
Jericho was the largest and most important city of the entire region. Jericho was surrounded by a wall 6 ft. thick; then 12 feet further out there was another wall, 12 feet thick. Both of these walls were 30 feet high; houses were built all along the top of the walls and at the entrance to the city was a set of massive Gates. That is a Challenging Sight, wouldn’t you say? This city presented an intimidating crisis for Joshua and the people of Israel. This was an intimidating crisis, not only because the city was fortified and strong, but also because the people of Israel were so unprepared and unequipped. They had just come through 40 years of struggling through the wilderness while a whole generation of unbelieving adults died and were buried along the way. They had some battles but nothing to prepare them for an Obstacle like this. They did not have the experience nor the equipment to take on Jericho and there must have been a lot of Fear and Doubt in their minds and hearts when they considered the Obstacle in their Way.
Still, the verses I read to you bring us the needed transition from an intimidating crisis to:
II. An Inspiring Commander
Verse 13 states that Joshua was “by Jericho;” we are not told why he was there but I can guess. I think he was out there evaluating the situation again. He was looking again at that fortified city; at those huge walls; at that enormous obstacle in their way; and he no doubt was wondering HOW in the world they would ever conquer that city; (and if he was like us) he was wondering how they would ever inhabit the land of Canaan if they couldn’t overcome this first obstacle.
We so often doubt in stereo; we doubt in the situation we are in Right Now; and that causes us to doubt concerning situations that we aren’t even facing YET, but expect to.
Thank God, when Joshua was worrying and wondering; he had a Divine Visitation
There stood a man with his sword drawn in his hand.
Joshua stepped forward and asked him, are you for us or against us?
The man replied- I am here as the Captain of the Host of the Lord!
What a shock; what a relief. This was an ALLY not an Enemy; This was the Very Son of God appearing in the Old Testament to bring Confidence and Victory to his people.
Joshua fell down and began to worship the Lord; he was told to take his shoes off because the ground was now holy. It hadn’t been holy just a few minutes before; but NOW it was holy because the LORD was there. Oh, what a difference it makes in the time of Crisis when the Captain of the Host of the Lord shows up.
The Lord inspired New Confidence in the heart and mind of Joshua.
He KNEW That everything would be all right now. He hadn’t read it like we have but he knew that no one can really be against us when the Lord is for us.
What about you today? Are you facing an intimidating crisis?
Is your way in life blocked by an Obstacle?
Have you been thinking about it, trying to figure out how you are ever going to overcome it?
If you’ll meet the Lord here today, you can leave with New Confidence.
When you see your obstacle through the eyes of the Lord it won’t look so BIG; it won’t be so intimidating; You’ll feel New Confidence because you’ll realize that you don’t Have to Overcome it Alone!
Joshua not only received New Confidence, he was also given New Commands. He was told what Israel was to do in order to overcome Jericho. The commands were unusual, even ridiculous to the human mind, but when the Lord gives instructions you had better Obey them.
Joshua Submitted to the Lord’s Authority.
He fell down and worshiped Him as Lord; he quickly removed his shoes in humility and honor of the Lord. You are going to have to submit to the Lord’s authority if you are ever going to overcome your Obstacle; Selfishness and Self-will only bring disaster.
Joshua Surrendered to the Lord’s Purpose.
He worshiped the Lord at that moment, but when the time came to DO WHAT HE HAD BEEN TOLD; HE DID IT.
If you refuse to surrender to the LORD’S purpose you are doomed for failure.
Scripture states that ALL things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to HIS purpose.
Submit to the Lord’s authority; Surrender to His purpose and you will overcome your Obstacle. Joshua not only had a Divine Visitation, but he and Israel experienced Divine Victory! (You can also!)
I. An Intimidating Crisis
It’s pretty easy to just read through the story and not realize what an intimidating crisis this was for the young nation of Israel. When they finally made it into Canaan- their Land of Promise- the first obstacle that met their eyes was the fortified city of Jericho.
Jericho was the largest and most important city of the entire region. Jericho was surrounded by a wall 6 ft. thick; then 12 feet further out there was another wall, 12 feet thick. Both of these walls were 30 feet high; houses were built all along the top of the walls and at the entrance to the city was a set of massive Gates. That is a Challenging Sight, wouldn’t you say? This city presented an intimidating crisis for Joshua and the people of Israel. This was an intimidating crisis, not only because the city was fortified and strong, but also because the people of Israel were so unprepared and unequipped. They had just come through 40 years of struggling through the wilderness while a whole generation of unbelieving adults died and were buried along the way. They had some battles but nothing to prepare them for an Obstacle like this. They did not have the experience nor the equipment to take on Jericho and there must have been a lot of Fear and Doubt in their minds and hearts when they considered the Obstacle in their Way.
Still, the verses I read to you bring us the needed transition from an intimidating crisis to:
II. An Inspiring Commander
Verse 13 states that Joshua was “by Jericho;” we are not told why he was there but I can guess. I think he was out there evaluating the situation again. He was looking again at that fortified city; at those huge walls; at that enormous obstacle in their way; and he no doubt was wondering HOW in the world they would ever conquer that city; (and if he was like us) he was wondering how they would ever inhabit the land of Canaan if they couldn’t overcome this first obstacle.
We so often doubt in stereo; we doubt in the situation we are in Right Now; and that causes us to doubt concerning situations that we aren’t even facing YET, but expect to.
Thank God, when Joshua was worrying and wondering; he had a Divine Visitation
There stood a man with his sword drawn in his hand.
Joshua stepped forward and asked him, are you for us or against us?
The man replied- I am here as the Captain of the Host of the Lord!
What a shock; what a relief. This was an ALLY not an Enemy; This was the Very Son of God appearing in the Old Testament to bring Confidence and Victory to his people.
Joshua fell down and began to worship the Lord; he was told to take his shoes off because the ground was now holy. It hadn’t been holy just a few minutes before; but NOW it was holy because the LORD was there. Oh, what a difference it makes in the time of Crisis when the Captain of the Host of the Lord shows up.
The Lord inspired New Confidence in the heart and mind of Joshua.
He KNEW That everything would be all right now. He hadn’t read it like we have but he knew that no one can really be against us when the Lord is for us.
What about you today? Are you facing an intimidating crisis?
Is your way in life blocked by an Obstacle?
Have you been thinking about it, trying to figure out how you are ever going to overcome it?
If you’ll meet the Lord here today, you can leave with New Confidence.
When you see your obstacle through the eyes of the Lord it won’t look so BIG; it won’t be so intimidating; You’ll feel New Confidence because you’ll realize that you don’t Have to Overcome it Alone!
Joshua not only received New Confidence, he was also given New Commands. He was told what Israel was to do in order to overcome Jericho. The commands were unusual, even ridiculous to the human mind, but when the Lord gives instructions you had better Obey them.
Joshua Submitted to the Lord’s Authority.
He fell down and worshiped Him as Lord; he quickly removed his shoes in humility and honor of the Lord. You are going to have to submit to the Lord’s authority if you are ever going to overcome your Obstacle; Selfishness and Self-will only bring disaster.
Joshua Surrendered to the Lord’s Purpose.
He worshiped the Lord at that moment, but when the time came to DO WHAT HE HAD BEEN TOLD; HE DID IT.
If you refuse to surrender to the LORD’S purpose you are doomed for failure.
Scripture states that ALL things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to HIS purpose.
Submit to the Lord’s authority; Surrender to His purpose and you will overcome your Obstacle. Joshua not only had a Divine Visitation, but he and Israel experienced Divine Victory! (You can also!)