Satanic Persecution and Mighty Works of God

The news this week brings the end of the world and the depravity of man into the spotlight. Historically we see that whenever there is a work of God there is a rise in demonic activity. In praying for the victims in Connecticut today the preacher reminded us that Herod, enraged at the Magi because they did not lead him to Christ, slew all the male babies in Bethlehem. Satan responds with full blown rage to the delivery of the Deliverer.

The reaction of Satan was the same at the birth of the human race. Showing up as a beautiful creature he deceived Adam and Eve into rebellion. With one sweep of his tail the dragon of Revelation swept mankind out of Eden. He tried the same ruse in the days of Moses.

Exodus begins on a dark note, “Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” Pulling back the curtain you can see the demonic prince whispering to the Egyptian leaders. Persecution increases in severity with the assignment of taskmasters and the affliction of hard labor. Not satisfied with physical torture the king instructs the midwives to kill the male newborns. The demons still miss their mark. After Moses kills an Egyptian they put out a hit on him. Moses flees to Midian where God raises him up as deliverer.

Elijah is a marked man. He utters prophesy after prophesy none which comfort Jezebel and Ahab. The crisis culminates on Mount Carmel as Baal’s prophets are shamed, cut and shattered. Jezebel comes after Elijah even as God continues to protect him from the wrath of the world.

1948 saw the birth (rebirth?) of the nation of Israel following the slaughter of six million Jews. Satan saw something coming that frightened him; some birth pang that anticipated an even greater cataclysmic event which has not yet come into being.

James tells us that Elijah was a man like we are. We wrestle with the ‘world forces of this darkness’ in the midst of our time and our lives. The prayer for Connecticut and the hope for each of us that as we come up against wickedness of all sorts that it is a precursor to powerful works of God in our midst.