NOW is the Time to Awaken! Arise! Treasure Truth!

While I was waiting on the Lord, seeking to hear what was on His heart, He spoke an extremely strong word. In the most compelling and commanding tone, He said, "Contend! It is time to take a strong, unshakable stand!Restore! Reestablish! And reinstate the platform of TRUTH! Truth has fallen in the street" (see Isaiah 59:14).

This was not a suggestion, but a bold, strong, and stirring command, given with such force that it shook me deeply. In the same tone, I was told, "Sound the alarm! Awaken the warriors!"

Beloved, we are being called to contend for change that transforms our culture.

The Holy Spirit spoke to me concerning the paralyzing passivity so prevalent in the Church today. As prophetic voices, we must sound the alarm: these are not days of peace! We have no armistice with the workers of darkness! We must stir ourselves out of this stupor, as Scripture instructs us to do. We must rouse to reality and awake (see Romans 13:11-14 AMP). 

A non-confrontational attitude is not the role and the responsibility of God's end-time warriors! We must awaken. Now is the time to shake yourself and rise to the occasion (see Joshua 1:7). You are called to be a history maker, to change the world. These are not empty phrases but powerful prophetic promises. Your destiny and the destiny of coming generations demand that we do our very best - now! Indeed, the destinies of nations depend upon our actions (see Proverbs 11:3).

Run from Compromise and Complacency!

This is no time to enter negotiations with the devil. Never forget that the enemy of your soul would - if he could - utterly destroy and devastate your life, the life of your loved ones, your neighbors, and our nation (see John 10:10). We must not entertain compromise nor tolerate complacency. On the contrary, we are called to confront the powers of darkness. Rather than remaining passive, complacent, or compromised, it is our responsibility to resist the enemy and stand firm (see James 4:7). He is a defeated foe - but we nevertheless must rout him out of our lives and nation.

Run from cooperating with the enemy! Our response must be the opposite of his evil suggestions. We must withstand him and his demons with all our heart, submitting to the Spirit of God and His Word instead. Having done all to stand, we shall stand bold and brave, resisting the devil and all his schemes, knowing full well that greater is God's power within us than the devil's power about us (see 1 John 4:4).

We Are More Than Conquerors!

We are fighting from a place of victory! Why? Because our Lord and Savior has already defeated every foe at Calvary. In Christ, we are more than conquerors. We are truly, practically, eternally victorious in every arena of life - and are not victims (see Romans 8:37). Believe this, beloved. Cast off any "victim" mindset and take hold of the truth spoken by Christ as He gave His life for you: "It is finished!" He fought the war and won - on our behalf.

We will stand strong, knowing that as we resist, we are more than victors in Christ Jesus (see Romans 8:37). What we see withstanding us will not erase from our souls the victory God has promised. Let your heart gain courage from this promise in Deuteronomy 31:6:

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

As we stand in faith, drawing ever closer to God and resisting the devil, the enemy flees (see James 4:7). Through the power of Christ Jesus, we will trample on the evil works of satan (see Luke 10:19). As we walk in confidence, knowing our God and depending upon Christ the King, then we will see the promise of Romans 16:20 fulfilled: the God of Peace will crush the powers of satan under our feet. Never forget: Greater is HE that is within you than he that is in the world (see 1 John 4:4)! 

How to Contend

We are at war with the forces of Hell; however, we are not fighting alone. We are aided by the host of Heaven. We must exhort the saints to take a strong stand to contend for the true faith. The Book of Jude (Amplified) provides good guidelines for this contending:

"JUDE, A servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and brother of James, [writes this letter] to those who are called (chosen), dearly loved by God the Father and separated (set apart) and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, [soul] peace, and love be multiplied to you.

"Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God]. For certain men have crept in stealthily [gaining entrance secretly by a side door]. Their doom was predicted long ago, ungodly (impious, profane) persons who pervert the grace (the spiritual blessing and favor) of our God into lawlessness and wantonness and immorality, and disown and deny our sole Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

"Now I want to remind you, though you were fully informed once for all, that though the Lord [at one time] delivered a people out of the land of Egypt, He subsequently destroyed those [of them] who did not believe [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him]. And angels who did not keep (care for, guard, and hold to) their own first place of power but abandoned their proper dwelling place - these He has reserved in custody in eternal chains (bonds) under the thick gloom of utter darkness until the judgment and doom of the great day. [The wicked are sentenced to suffer] just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the adjacent towns - which likewise gave themselves over to impurity and indulged in unnatural vice and sensual perversity - are laid out [in plain sight] as an exhibit of perpetual punishment [to warn] of everlasting fire.

"Nevertheless in like manner, these dreamers also corrupt the body, scorn and reject authority and government, and revile and libel and scoff at [heavenly] glories (the glorious ones). But when [even] the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, judicially argued (disputed) about the body of Moses, he dared not [presume to] bring an abusive condemnation against him, but [simply] said, 'The Lord rebuke you!' But these men revile (scoff and sneer at) anything they do not happen to be acquainted with and do not understand; and whatever they do understand physically [that which they know by mere instinct], like irrational beasts - by these they corrupt themselves and are destroyed (perish). Woe to them! For they have run riotously in the way of Cain, and have abandoned themselves for the sake of gain [it offers them, following] the error of Balaam, and have perished in rebellion [like that] of Korah!

"These are hidden reefs (elements of danger) in your love feasts, where they boldly feast sumptuously [carousing together in your midst], without scruples providing for themselves [alone]. They are clouds without water, swept along by the winds; trees, without fruit at the late autumn gathering time - twice (doubly) dead, [lifeless and] plucked up by the roots; wild waves of the sea, flinging up the foam of their own shame and disgrace; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of eternal darkness has been reserved forever.

"It was of these people, moreover, that Enoch in the seventh [generation] from Adam prophesied when he said, 'Behold, the Lord comes with His myriads of holy ones (ten thousands of His saints) to execute judgment upon all and to convict all the impious (unholy ones) of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed [in such an] ungodly [way], and of all the severe (abusive, jarring) things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.'

"These are inveterate murmurers (grumblers) who complain [of their lot in life], going after their own desires [controlled by their passions]; their talk is boastful and arrogant, [and they claim to] admire men's persons and pay people flattering compliments to gain advantage. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions which were made by the apostles (the special messengers) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). They told you beforehand, in the last days (in the end time) there will be scoffers [who seek to gratify their own unholy desires], following after their own ungodly passions. It is these who are [agitators] setting up distinctions and causing divisions - merely sensual [creatures, carnal, worldly-minded people], devoid of the [Holy] Spirit and destitute of any higher spiritual life.

"But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit; guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) - [which will bring you] unto life eternal.

"And refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you, and on some have mercy who waver and doubt. [Strive to] save others, snatching [them] out of [the] fire; on others take pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality.

"Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight] - to the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen (so be it)."

Jude's encouragement to stand strong for truth has never been more necessary than it is today. False teaching and false teachers are multiplying at an alarming rate. We must expose their lies about loose, unrighteous living and seek the Lord for an outpouring of the Spirit of holiness and the fear of the Lord!

Put on the Armor for War

Ephesians 6:11-1 offers great advice concerning the best strategy for preparing for this conflict with the powers of darkness. Notice the very first verse: We must actively put on the entire armor provided for us by God: 

"Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

"Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

"Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, and having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

"Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people)."

Be bold, be brave, be very courageous! You are called to a victorious overcomer, to be aggressive in our stand against the kingdoms of darkness (see Joshua 1:9). God has given us bold authority to bind the works of satan (see Matthew 16:18-19).

Christ Jesus states we must take a bold stand against the works of darkness if we are going to see the Kingdom of God advance: "And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the Kingdom of Heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize - a share in the Heavenly Kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]"(Matthew 11:12 AMP).

Take a Stand - Now!

I repeat: This is a time of confrontation and conflict. Resolve in your heart that you will neither compromise nor retreat, you are going to exhibit bravery and boldness (see Joshua 1:9). Lift your head high and resolve that you, personally - empowered by the Holy Spirit and more than a conqueror - are going to make a difference in your generation. Now is the time to give our very best for the establishing of the Kingdom of God (see 2 Corinthians 6:2). Now is the time to hold nothing back! Make this hour your finest hour - to "win for the Lamb the reward of His suffering"!

Bobby Conner
Eagles View Ministries
Email: manager@bobbyconner.org
Website: www.bobbyconner.org

Bobby Conner: This "Gentle Giant" is uniquely anointed with refreshing humor and razor-sharp prophetic accuracy, which has been documented around the world. Bobby's dynamic capacity to release outstanding demonstrations of the miraculous - healings, signs and wonders - reveals the very heart of the Father toward us! Surviving a dramatic abortion attempt by his mother, being rescued again by the hand of God from drug dealing and suicide, the story of Bobby Conner is a display of a man who now walks in his God-ordained destiny to set others free! Highly esteemed as an internationally acclaimed conference speaker, Bobby has ministered effectively to over 45 foreign countries as well as here in the States for many years.

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