11. The influence of the Church.

‘The Church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in everyway’ (Ephesians 1:23), is the prized possession that Jesus is looking forward to welcome in the air. Infact, the Church is the only body of value on the face of the earth that Jesus would redeem before setting the earth on fire.
“I have come to bring fire on the earth and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Luke 12:49)
‘The present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.’ (2 Peter 3:7)
As long as the Church remains on earth, it is spared for her sake and he would do anything she asks for. (Jh 16:23-27)
‘His intent is that now through the Church the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms …‘ ( Ephesians 3:10) The magnitude of this truth is going to be revealed when the saints are Raptured and the devil loses his place in heaven. ‘And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down – the ancient serpent called the devil … He was hurled to the earth and his angels with him.’ ( Revelation 12:7-9) Why didn’t this happen before? What is it that changed the balance of power? The Raptured Church? It is also interesting to note that Satan’s battle is not directly against God, whom he hasn’t been able to vanquish, but against his Church! No wonder the Bible says :‘The God of peace will soon crush Satan under YOUR feet.’ (Romans 16:20) Why not literally under Christ’s feet? That is because we are the body of Christ, and it is under our feets that he must be crushed. Could that be the reason why just one angel was able to seize him? ‘And I saw an angel come down out of heaven … He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil or Satan and bound him for a thousand years.’ ( Revelation 20:1-2) How did he become so weak? Looks as if Satan was trampled down by the victorious Church that rode with Christ at his second coming. ‘The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.’ ( Revelation 19:14) Wherever the Church goes, Satan seems to be losing his place. He first lost his place in heaven and now he has lost his place on earth and finds himself in the Abyss! That is the clout ( influence or power) of the true Church. Hallelujah!

This is the hour of the Church as the world faces this pandemic but for the sake of the elect, it will be shortened.
“If those days had not be shortened, no one would survive but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened.” (Matthew 24:22) This holds true now in the Church age and thereafter during the tribulation. Let the influence of the Church be manifest at such a time as this. Come let us pray. 🙏🏻