Another question people ask is my opinion on "spiritual warfare" or the ongoing battle between good and evil. I often answer their question with another question. I would ask, "How can the created, Satan, challenge his Creator, God, and expect to win?"I can understand a battle between two co-equals, like between two angels, but how can Lucifer even think of going to war against God when in the story of Job, he could not even do anything without His permission.
In the gospels, we read that whenever Jesus meets people who are possessed by the devil, the devil would immediately leave when He rebukes them. I did not read any account that says that the demons gave Him a fight. Mark 1:27 says, "He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." In another story, Jesus confronted a devil named Legion because they were many. While they saw Jesus coming, Legion was not able to run away; he had to first ask permission from Jesus before they can go to the pigs. Di ba parang sa story ni Job ito? The devil could not do anything unless God allows him?
I am often told that there will be a great battle in Armageddon, to usher in the end of the world. But when I read the account of the supposed battle in Revelation I was surprised, because there was no bloody battle that happened. Revelation 19:19 says that the Rider of the white horse stationed his army on one side, while the beast and his allies took their position on the opposite side. From here you would expect them to rush forward to fight in the middle and determine who is the stronger. But no such thing happened! Because Revelation 19:20 says that the beast and his army were immediately captured. Why was there no battle? The answer is simple. What weapons can Satan create against God? What force can he muster to challenge Him?
I believe the battle between good and evil had long been settled. When Jesus came He said He brought His kingdom here (Mark 1:15) and then He overcame the world (John 16:33). Finally, when He resurrected He conquered sin and death.
The only power Satan has is the power to deceive people. All this time he has been trying to deceive us to believe that he has the power to challenge God. So, do I believe that there is a spiritual battle between good and evil? No! But because Satan has the power to deceive, I believe that there is another battle going on and this battle is real. It is the battle for our allegiance. I will explain this later, but you may want to read Romans 6:16 for the meantime.
