Natural man wants a world without God. He himself is a god in the depths of his thinking. However, people without God, the god-less, discover that a world from which they have banned God is not a neutral vacuum. When God withdraws, the space that remains, the spiritual vacuum, is filled with forces opposed to God. These ‘powers of darkness’ will immediately enslave so-called autonomous mankind, people who have become a law unto themselves, disregarding God’s laws, with a final goal of ultimately destroying them. When someone had a radical change of heart by faith and grace and being ‘born-again’, he has come to the Lord and surrendered all to Him, his past, present and future. Then, he or she will be set free from the power of ‘sin’ that is within us. But if that person does not follow his radical change through by accepting the leading of the Holy Spirit, with obedience and daily process of sanctification, that faith remains a weak and almost outward affair, just a Christian varnish. If there is ‘Christian faith’ for just a moment of excitement, an experience of happiness and bliss, it will quickly fade away. It becomes a ‘faith’ for special occasions only. Without giving the Holy Spirit full control over one’s life, very soon the demons that have been thrown out will return and bring ‘seven other spirits’ with them. The ultimate condition of such a person will be worse than the first one. “When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.”1
Christianity and the Christian civilisation of Europe with its disseminations in America, Australasia, Asia and Africa has been experiencing for almost 2000 years the blessings of the ‘casting out’ of the demons of paganism. But for many, Christianity often remained an outward religion. So today it is easily pushed aside and many old and new demons return—sevenfold, i.e. in ‘complete’ strength—and the Christian world falls into an spiritual vacuum as almost never before. “For it is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the Heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. If the land that receives so much blessing from God produces only thorns and thistles, it is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.”2
But whom God preserves is well preserved—God’s seal on the forehead3 preserves; those of Israel who are sealed, and the great multitude that no one can count are safe. Those who are sealed are safe even during the final trials and tribulations. Just as the Lord made a distinction between Egypt and Israel during the time of the ten plagues.4 He will preserve His people. In Egypt, hail did not fall in the province of Goshen where the people of Israel lived, for example.5 And the firstborn among the Jewish people did not die.6 Just as Noah and his family came through the judgment of the Flood safe and sound.7 Lot and his family, who withdrew from the godless world of Sodom and Gomorrah, were spared.8 Today in our world the distinction between the holy and the godless is becoming visible and ever sharper. But: ‘I’m safe with Jesus in the heat of the battle’. The only safe refuge in this spiritual battle is with the Lord. This has always been true for the believer. How much even more so during the end times!
• Think of Lot’s wife,9 the Lord Jesus warns.10 And He also refers to the days of Noah. One example from before the Flood, and one example of after the Flood
– both applicable for the present world. This means that radical decisions are necessary, and even more so as the time of the climax of the end times is approaching.
• The Apostle Peter points to the disobedient angels from before the Flood and to Sodom and Gomorrah as examples, as well as to Noah and Lot,11 and he compares Noah’s ark to baptism.12 Safe and sound, covered by the finished work of our Redeemer. Covered by the power of the blood of the Lamb. Like Israel in the land of Goshen.
• Some of the damage these ‘locusts’ are allowed to cause only affects people, living beings. Buildings and nature as such are spared when these neutron- bombs are used. Are bacteria, disease germs, viruses, chemical elements or radioactive rays that cause cancer deliberately and consciously being used by human beings? Part of the ultimate trials and tribulations for mankind and planet earth?
Bible References:
1.Matthew 12:43–45; Luke 11:24–26 2.Hebrews 6:4–8 3.Revelation 7:3 4.Exodus 11:7 5.Exodus 9:26 6.Exodus 12:13 in contrast with Exodus 12:29–30 7.Genesis 7:22–23 8.Genesis 19:15–23 9.Genesis 9:24–26 10.Luke 17:26–30 11.2 Peter 2:4–10 12.1 Peter 3:21–22
