Joel 3:9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up.
This prophecy of Joel is primarily for the now-generation of Christians. The endtime battle is at hand. And those who are not prepared for this war will be vulnerable to defeat. Paul said, We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12. In other words, the war will not be outside of us. The battle is in the high places, and the high places are just above our shoulders. The carnal mind is the greatest enemy we have, for it is enmity against God (Romans 8:7). Jesus Christ was crucified at Golgotha, the place of the skull (John 19:17). And that is where this battle will take place, the place of the skull.
It would be easy to prepare for war against an outside force. But the war we must prepare for is within us, and that will require a much greater dedication to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Are you prepared to defeat self? Are you able to put the self-life to death? That is the battle we’re facing now! For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. Matthew 16:25. If we allow the soul life to live, we will suffer defeat. If we defeat it, we will gain life.
II Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after
the flesh:
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but
mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds (And where
are these strongholds?);
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ.
The enemy is the carnal mind, and the battleground is within us. This will be the great endtime battle! Some Christians are talking about a third world war, or a great endtime battle in the Holy Land. That would be much easier. It wouldn’t require as much dedication. However, we are the “Holy Land” that will experience this war.
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the Day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
Christians, it is decision time! What are we going to do about God’s archenemy? The bulk of the preparation will be completed when we have set our hearts to put the self-life to death. There has to be a total dedication. Half-heartedness will not conquer the foe. W
Copyright © 2004 by Henry DuBose