Shalom, and greetings, I think most of us can agree, that the last 117 years have been the most turbulent in man’s history! Spiritually, darkness and light have waged enormous battles, and much of it unseen. I believe most of what we see in the physical has already been fought in the spiritual. When wars, disease, and horrific accidents happen, it’s all because light and darkness in heaven are already fighting, and we get the tail end of those battles.
Both the physical and the spiritual are interconnected with each other! As an example, when Spiritual leaders are speaking the truth, doing the work of G-d, ministering tirelessly, giving all they have to bring people closer to G-d, Jew or Gentile, many of these leaders, and their families, are either spiritually, or physically attacked or made ill. Many times what we think is natural is in reality a spiritual attack. That’s not to say that because we live in a sinful world, that a lot of what we experience is of our own doing, but rest assured, ever since the Devil was cast out of heaven with his spiritual thugs, these massive angelic battles are being waged to protect the righteous, to comfort those persecuted, and every prayer sent to G-d!
Here’s another example, one of which we are all acquainted, many of G-d’s people ignorantly think they are doing G-d’s service, by using their mouths to tell tales, weaving stories of others, when in reality what they are saying is all lies. And these so called righteous people will swear that they are speaking the truth, when all they are doing is trying to lift their self in pride and getting an ego boost from friends or family. And most of this happens on the phone, internet, Skype, Google Hangout, Facebook, text messaging, emailing, and the list goes on and on. We really don’t realize we play right into the devil’s hands when we succumb to the many distractions that so easily beset us! I find that when people are truly walking with G-d, when they really are drawing closer to the Master of the Universe and to our beloved Messiah Yeshua, when they are dedicating themselves to the word of G-d, to foster a truly righteous lifestyle, it is then that darkness hits the hardest! And that age old battle commences. Every one of us goes through trials, trials that come out of nowhere! Hit broadside, like a car running a red light at full speed hitting an innocent bystander. And of course, there is going to be casualties! If the righteous are not careful, if they are not fully prepared to do battle, to pray righteously, speak righteously, act righteously, then that person or persons can become a victim of the war for people’s souls!
Another important fact, the world has dramatically changed, especially in its perception of who G-d is! I’ve heard it say that America is no longer spiritual! I beg to differ, I believe America is spiritual, but that doesn’t mean it believes in G-d, or has the accurate view of G-d! False Religion, the Occult, Wicca, Islam, even many traditions of the Church and its over 44,000 different denominations, and parts of the four branches of Judaism, can be a replacement for committing one’s soul to G-d, and having a personal relationship with him.
Over the last 30 years I’ve lost many friends with whom I was in covenant, all because they did not keep on the straight and narrow path. The scripture says, many are called but few are chosen; having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof, ever learning but never coming to the acknowledgement of the truth! The spiritual battle rages, and unless one stays vigilant, praying, seeking G-d, reading the scriptures on a regular basis, always forgiving, asking and seeking wisdom, understanding and knowledge, one can be deceived!
Some of you, my dear readers, might be thinking, “Are you trying to scare me?” In a way, perhaps yes! Darkness is serious, G-d is serious, the battles are real, But thankfully, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but the tearing down of strongholds. “The joy of the L-rd is our strength”. Did you know that Satan and his legions are full of fear of G-d’s people when they obey the L-rd and are full of joy? When you choose life, wearing the armor of the L-rd, no matter what is happening around you, no matter what is said around you, no matter what is done around you, it is guaranteed, that you will enter the kingdom of heaven, there the good L-rd will say to you, “Come thou in, good and faithful servant.” Come into the joy of the L-rd. I choose life, and after serving him these many decades, come what may, I choose G-d, the Messiah, to serve him, for he is worthy, he is worthy, most loving and wonderful G-d.
Chief Rabbi, Yosef Hilbrant