Title: Not Quite Yet/ Topic: God's Rulership

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 29; Ezekiel 30; Ezekiel 31; Ezekiel 32; Revelation 11

Scripture: Revelation 11:16-18
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great— and for destroying those who destroy the earth." (emphasis added)

Observation: Finally we see a glimpse of the beginning of the end. The last judgment is going to be poured out on earth and the dead, as well as the living and all spiritual forces of evil, will be judged. The words that caught my attention were in verse 17: "you have taken your great power and have begun to reign." We sing songs of worship in church NOW that declare our God reigns (present tense). So are we wrong? Is God not reinging yet? Yes and no. As these verses, and the entire Book of Revelation declare, our Lord is the ultimate power of the universe and will reign forever. But Satan is currently described as "the prince and power of the air"(Ephesians 2:1-3 ) on this planet. Satan rules this planet right now, but God rules the universe, and will interrupt Satan's rule even now, especially in answer to the prayers of his people.

Application: I need to remember that until the Lord takes back full rulership of the earth at the end of the world, there will be a battle going on. When bad things happen, it is because Satan still has power on this planet and he is fighting to maintain his control. My prayers mean he suffers defeat in some battles, but he still has power to inflict harm. Prayer by the church is the most powerful weapon we have to stop Satan from inciting evil and destruction on our planet. I need to use it more. So do we all.

Prayer: Father, I thank you that some day there will be no more battles. You will reign completely over the whole universe, including this planet where Satan now raises hell among us. I think part of why you still allow Satan some authority here is that you're training us to become strong in faith and to know we can win when we depend on you and engage your heavenly forces in the battle with us through prayer and praise. So may we all be good soldiers that use our weapons with skill and without wearying. Give us strength and determination until that Day when your Kingdom fully comes.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.