Heaven, We Have a Problem

Is the western Church in trouble? Consider the momentum of this spiritual war.

The Bible makes it clear humanity's primary battle is not against physical opponents. Perhaps most apparent is Ephesians 6:12 (AMPC)

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

Humanity has spent countless resources and human lives in physical warfare, yet the Bible tells us that is not our primary battle. How well do we understand, much less effectively engage in, this primary battle? Specifically, how effective is today’s Church?

Effectiveness of the Early Church

2,000 years ago, the world was under the control of darkness- Rome, Greece, and the Far East all had a pagan temple on every proverbial street corner of their cities. Save for the Hebrew Nation, darkness was everywhere (Luke 4:5-7)

Enter Jesus. He chose 12. Discipled 12. Betrayed by one. After Jesus defeated death and ascended into Heaven, His disciples remained in prayer awaiting the coming of the promised helper. Ten days later, the Holy Spirit descended upon them.

Supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit, these disciples immediately went out into these pagan cities advancing the Gospel. Committed to the point of death, the early church began overtaking the strongholds of darkness in rapid succession. Despite heavy persecution, the church hastily expanded.

The Dragon (Satan), after losing many earthly strongholds in these early days to the Church, became desperate to stop this rapid spreading of the Gospel. To prevent the ending of the world brought about by the Gospel reaching every people group on earth (Matthew 24:14), Satan devised new strategies. In the 1700+ years since, have these tactics proven successful?

The Modern American Church

Contrast the Early Church with Today's average American Church. America, founded on a Covenant with God to be His City on a Hill (John Winthrop, 1620), has in recent generations experienced a rapid decline in morality. Today, a church exists on every proverbial street corner of America- perhaps the strongest Christian stronghold the world has ever seen. Why, then, is America losing ground to the spiritual forces of darkness? America is now the leading nation in both pornographic creation and consumption. Divorce rates and single-family homes remain at all time highs. Over 1 million abortions occur annually. All this under the watch of the American Church. Has America's Church fallen prey to the deceptive tactics of the Dragon? 

To answer this question, one must recover the Cosmic view of the Bible. The first topic: What did Jesus bring to earth?

Please take a moment to arrive at your answer before continuing

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” -Sun Tzu