Adversarial System of Justice

In the western world, an adversarial system of justice is in place, where the legal framework places two advocates against one another before an impartial judge or jury, seeking a judgment or redress. Christians may see themselves as immune to taking someone to court, but they may become the defendant from an adversarial state or an aggrieved party. Jesus gave advice about this system of justice. “Agree with thine adversary [Greek, antidikos, opponent in a lawsuit] quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison” (Matthew 5:25 KJV). Man’s courts imperfectly mirror God’s courts. Consequently, we need to know how to transact business before the Courts of Heaven. Why? Because the Judge of All the Earth hears cases brought before Him against us by our Supernatural Adversary — and, the Ancient of Days invites it. “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth [turns away from] evil” (Job 1:8). We need to familiarize ourselves with God’s courts, for He dispenses justice.

Stand Your Ground

Stand your ground. No retreat. Deny the enemy the opportunity of flanking and destroying the line. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1Corinthians 16:13 KJV). Since this is a spiritual war, every action translates into consequences for the progress or delay of victory. Satan and the forces of the Antichrist cannot ultimately win, but they can delay the Almighty’s final victory and their judgment. If you were Lucifer wouldn’t you want to put off the final day of your reckoning with your Creator and Judge? This was the thinking of the demon possessed pair that met Jesus. “What have we to do with thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God? art Thou come hither to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:29 KJV). No matter how long the delay, the All Knowing Creator is not surprised or confused by the enemy. Lucifer will be a chained lion (Revelation 20:1-3) during the Millennium, but He presently “walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1Peter 5:8 KJV). Spiritual warfare demands, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 KJV). We may admire the tenacity of soldiers such as Joshua Chamberlain at the Battle of Gettysburg, who stood their ground and even bayonet charged their foe; but, we know our victory is by faith assured, if we will have the spiritual backbone to “resist stedfast in the faith” (1Peter 5:9 KJV). God bless all soldiers of Christ!

God Is, Therefore I Am

God is, therefore I am. “God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), we are now discussing sentience (consciousness) and awareness like ancient philosophers defining reality. To be clear, the creature is not greater than the Creator; otherwise, Yahweh would cease to be all powerful. In no actual universe does less power trump all power. Our adversary specializes in frightening us with power that pales alongside the omnipotence of the LORD God. Just ask Elijah after the defeat of the prophets of Baal. The Almighty does not wake up in a cold sweat frightened of any adversary. “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him” (Luke 12:5 KJV). By the way, Yahweh wins! “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10 KJV). Hallelujah!