Evil’s Time Clock

Evil has a time limit, and its clock is running down.

I recently read two fiction books about corrupt church leaders. They both touched on the disappointment in the hearts of those who find so much hypocrisy in the church. Though fiction, the theme addresses the reality of the times. A non-fiction book, Shepherds for Sale, documents evangelical leaders and ministries accepting money from those opposed to the Bible to further a sinful agenda. The Bible promised this would happen more and more in the end days. Paul’s admonition to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3 reads like a current news article. If you write in your Bible, a little red arrow at the beginning of the chapter could be drawn in with the words, “You are here.”

Our human nature might look at the chaos, sin, and destruction with despair and apathy. God’s Word paints another picture entirely, however. A quick study of the plans of God reveals evil’s limited timetable. Isaiah 14:12-17 reminds us there is an end to Satan’s reign. Even now, he knows his end, yet he fights.

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!
how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:
I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying,
Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof;
that opened not the house of his prisoners?

Revelation 20:10-14 gives a few more details of Satan’s end.

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.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

And who will reign when Satan has no more foothold? The King of Righteousness, Equity, Truth, and Faithfulness will come and take His rightful throne. Isaiah 11:1-5

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse,
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord:
and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes,
neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor,
and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth:
and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins,
and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

A new day is coming when evil has its end. Will you be there on that day, my friend?

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:5-8

For now, while evil takes advantage of the time left, God still calls sinners to repentance. He still invites the deceived and lost to enter His Kingdom of righteousness. Jesus has done everything possible to make a way for every person to join Him. He is calling now.

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:16-17

For the believer, be encouraged. Evil is gasping its final breaths. Righteousness will soon take His rightful throne. Have a blessed weekend, my friends.

Erica B.