PLEADING THE BLOOD IS A LEGAL THING! WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation

12:10-11 NKJV

It's called blood!

Enclosed in tents of skin, of different shapes, sizes and forms, hidden from view, it constantly flows through the body, efficiently performing its duties while it remains out of sight. Much of the world's population is repelled and nauseated at the sight of blood. Many even faint and manifest all sorts of violent reactions at the sight of blood! Modern man with all his sophistication and culture, express horror and disgust at the violent, gruesomeness of a faith that requires the shedding of blood. Humanity would much rather pursue a religion that is bloodless like that of Cain in rebellion against God, and direct opposition to Him! But God said that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  Matthew 26:28 KJV

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.  Hebrews 9:22 KJV

Since God said, 'the life of the flesh is in the blood', then when blood is shed the life is poured out! When Jesus, as the Son of Man, poured out that sinless Blood on Calvary, He was pouring out His life for us! His Blood contains His Life! In His death He released His Life for us! For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.  Leviticus 17:11 KJV

That which is eternally present in eternity became manifested at one moment in time on Calvary. All that was before that moment looked forward to it, and all that came after, look back on it, for it was at that moment in time when the Eternal Son of God, as the Son of man, poured out His life on earth as an atonement for mankind's soul! He Who was slain before the foundation of world, was manifested into the reality of time for our sakes! Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation (profitless manner of living) received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 1 Peter 1:18-20 KJV

How many people like court stories, legal cases and law movies? What do they mean when they make a plea in court? We have read and heard of people pleading the fifth etc... what do they mean?

It's a totally, awesomely legal thing to plead the Blood, and it is our privilege through His grace, and our right through identity in Christ!

Pleading the Blood is not begging. It is entering a legal claim against the accusations of the enemy. This legal claim is successful only if the Blood will be accepted by God as being effective against the accusations made by the enemy.  The plea of the Blood is heard in a crystal clear voice before the throne of Heaven! It's one plea which cannot be ignored and will not be ignored by the Father!

In pleading the Blood I acknowledge that there is no sufficiency within me for salvation, but I also acknowledge that in Him, and in His Blood I find all that is necessary to overcome the accuser of the brethren, and I testify that this is so!

When we plead the Blood we are declaring that which was decreed by the Almighty God our Father, through the finished work of His Son Jesus Christ.

When we plead the Blood of Christ we are declaring that we do not rest on our own merit, strength or ability, but we declare that our faith and lives rest on the finished work of the crucified and resurrected Christ Whose Blood was shed on our behalf. It's why Paul declared: For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.  1 Corinthians 2:2 KJV

We would be terribly handicapped if we failed to utilize every weapon provided to us in the heavenly arsenal, as we wage warfare against an unrelenting enemy. God knows the full extent of the devil's power, therefore He has given us eternally efficient weapons to make us more than conquerors! Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:10-11 NKJV

Who did they overcome? The accuser of the brethren.

Who is the accuser of the brethren? So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.  Revelation 12:9 NKJV Satan is a violent, aggressive and constant prosecutor.

What was the accuser doing? Bringing continuous accusations and charges before God against the brethren.

How did they overcome him? By appealing to the Blood of the Lamb sprinkled on the mercy seat, and by the word of their testimony!

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south. Psalms 107:1-3 NKJV

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 1 Peter 1:18-21 KJV

I will declare the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, You are My Son; this day [I declare] I have begotten You.(2) Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations as Your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth as Your possession. Psalms 2:7-8 AMP

A question we have to ask ourselves is this: If the ordinary blood of a mere lamb, sprinkled on the lintel and door-post of an Israelite home in Egypt, protected them from the destroyer which stalked the land that long ago night, is the Blood of the Lamb of God any less effective to do so, and even more?

Again, if the ordinary blood of a bull or a goat, sprinkled on the mercy seat, is effective for the atonement of Israel for the year, is the Blood of the precious Lamb of God any less effective?

To these questions we answer a resounding NO, for the Blood of Jesus is a sinless offering, that is forever sprinkled on the heavenly mercy seat, speaking on our behalf!

The instant the Blood of Christ touched the heavenly mercy seat, it began speaking on our behalf. At that moment eternity connected with time, and the ladder bridging heaven and earth became a reality. That which was already real in eternity, but only a shadow on earth, suddenly became fact and reality on earth.

Shadow gave way to substance

...intangible became tangible

...promise became fact

...sinners became saints

...defeat became victory

...and we are hyper-conquerors (hypernikaō) through the Blood of Jesus! What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:31-37 KJV

The Blood speaks! The Blood speaks on my behalf and in my defense! The Blood brings me into the Presence of Almighty God seated on His Throne of Holiness! There the Blood makes it's all conquering defense on my behalf! I do not have to defend myself. I simply plead the Blood as my defense. Father God honors the Blood, for it is the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant!

The Spirit comes where the Blood has been applied.

When we plead the Blood, we are laying claim to the Blood Jesus Christ, that was sprinkled on the mercy seat, and that is applied to the believer who receives it by faith.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:2-3 KJV

Obedience is important to the application of the sprinkling of the Blood.

When we plead the Blood we must know why it is possible to do so and why it is all so effective!

When Israel splashed the blood on their door post and lintel, they were in effect saying, " I cannot do this on my own, I will place my trust in Yahweh and my obedience to His command. Since Yahweh said to splash this blood I will splash the blood and let the blood do the talking."  And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.  Exodus 12:13 KJV.

The blood is a token. A token is a sign! A sign has a notice, warning and message written on it! The message of the blood declares "Keep off! Property under protection by order of YAHWEH!" He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength. He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them. Psalms 105:36-38 KJV

 This body of mine is a temple. There is a token or notice on it, for the Blood of Christ is splashed on the lintel and door post of this temple! The sign says "You can’t touch me! No trespassing!  I am God's property!"  

Why am I God's property? I have been purchased by His Blood!

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  Acts 20:28 KJV

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.  Hebrews 12:24 KJV

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:12-14 KJV

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:19-25 KJV

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 KJV

I plead the Blood of the Lamb of God

I plead the Blood against the enemy's flood

I plead the Blood trusting in His Word

In the Name of Jesus I plead the Blood!

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!

HEY I'M JUDE, LET'S KEEP IT REAL! WE'RE KEPT WITHOUT REGRET!

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. Jude 1:14-16 KJV

The Ungodly May Have Their Day But Not Always Their Way!

There is a four time emphasis on the ungodly! These ungodly have no reverence for God and act contrary to God's demands. However the best of the best among the ungodly will be unable to respond to the Almighty when He shows, proves and convinces them of all their ungodly deeds. It's one thing to rant about rights and no justice in the absence of the Great Judge! It's a totally different thing when puny man stand before Him as He convincingly shows them the folly of their thoughts, words and deeds which were so highly celebrated and praised by an ungodly people.

These ungodly ones are those who constantly complain and murmur against righteousness and godliness! They are experts in words, and eloquently convincing in their speeches to those willingly blind! These ungodly ones lift up and exalt ungodly and sinful men in spite of their ungodly and sinful status, ignoring the truth about them because they stand to gain. The ungodly spout insolent, extravagant and immoderate words, the same idle words which will condemn them in the last day!

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37 KJV

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; Romans 2:5-12 KJV

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Romans 2:16 KJV

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:12 KJV

We were told of what would unfold!

We don't have to fold but in Him remain bold!

Remember the Word, Let Truth be heard!

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. Jude 1:17-19 KJV

Lest we become discouraged, disillusioned and disappointed, we are exhorted to remember that the falling away from faith was prophesied by the apostles of Christ! Knowing what was expected should prepare us against any surprises.

These mockers create boundaries between themselves and others, placing themselves in a unique class, operating sensually. They're preoccupied more with fleshly desires and inclinations. They live on a physical plane. They do not have the Spirit! They operate on a purely natural plane.

The natural man does not understand the things of the Spirit! It's a soulish operation where the natural mind rules, reasons and resolves. The tendency therefore is always towards worldly natural satisfaction.

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV

The fruit of the Spirit in one's life is a definite indication of the presence of the Spirit in that life! The false teachers lure and lead people away from the apostolic, biblical teachings and entice them to follow after their own sensual revelations, which draw people away from holiness and ensnare them in deception.

The godly believer is exhorted to remember the words and sayings of the Lord's apostles, as they had warned of the coming times. The believers in Christ should be aware of the mockers who will abound in the last time. Because people want to live according to their own creed, doctrine and lifestyle, they have to attack that which God decreed in order to justify their abominable ways!

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-7 NKJV

Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:3-7 NKJV

 Beloved...don't lose heart. These things we were already warned about. God is not taken by surprise. He foreknew and He is in total control!

We were warned of this so it should be no surprise! It serves as another indication that we are in the last times! Do you wonder why it's taking so long? Remember the children of Israel waited a long time in expectation of the Messiah but He came in the fullness of time, God's time not man! As surely as God placed indicators along the way then, He has also done so now so that we would do well to pay the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we let them slip!

We build up ourselves!

We pray in the Holy Ghost!

We keep ourselves in God's love!

We look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ!

We make a difference by our compassion!

We save others with godly fear!

We snatch them out of the fire.!

We hate the pollutions of the flesh!

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:20-21 KJV

Building, praying, keeping, looking, making, saving, pulling, hating! These are activities exhorted and encouraged by Jude.

The sincere believer needs to continue building on the solid foundation laid in Christ and become established in the doctrines of the apostles! This is the faith that we should be contending for, that was once delivered to the saints.

Building up yourselves is in direct contrast to those mentioned in the previous verse 19, who separate themselves. On the most holy faith not sensual. Praying in the Holy Spirit as opposed to not having the Spirit!

 We're to take personal steps at preservation of our faith! Preserve your love of God .

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV

He'll never stop loving us but our love can grow cold. "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  Matthew 24:12 NKJV

When love for God begins waxing cold the enemy will slither in stealthily and replace God in our thoughts.

The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.  Psalms 10:4 NKJV

Some people have the unnatural ability to turn on and turn off love. With real love there is no turning off. It goes the whole way just as Jesus did, even to shame, humiliation and death. The love we have for The Lord will be our motivating force. We should constantly, daily reaffirm this love for God.

Keep yourself in the love of God rather than walking after ungodly lusts.

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 NKJV

And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jude 1:22-23 KJV

We're to be proactive in our faith by reaching out to the erring and unsaved. We make a difference with some, discerning between genuine error and deliberate apostasy.

Have compassion on those whose faith is wavering.

Save other with fear pulling them from fiery judgment.

Be careful of contamination by the false teachings and vain philosophies. Stay away from them. Always be on guard in your efforts to rescue others.

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  Colossians 2:8 NKJV

Hating even the garment defiled by flesh. Have no association with evil but rather rebuke it.

Remember fools rush in where angels fear to tread!

The Only Wise God can preserve us from falling

The Only Wise God present us faultless before His throne in the presence of His glory with boundless joy!

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1:14-25 KJV

Praise God who through it all and in it all can keep you!

He'll preserve you and present you. You can boast of your little gods but the Only Wise God is our Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ! Glory, majesty, dominion and power belong to Him right now and always...forever!

There are some things which when lost can never be regained, as when Esau sold his birthright:   Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Hebrews 12:14-17 KJV

How often have we not regretted doing something, saying something, going some places? If man could turn back time there would be so many yesterdays relived, and we probably won't be singing the other Beatles song "Yesterday!" But we can't turn back time and we can't change our yesterdays! So we are urged to keep, or guard carefully what we have!

COMMENDABLE QUALITIES IN CHRISTIAN CONFLICT!

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.  1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV

Edward Garbett (1817–1887)who was an honorary canon of Winchester, England, was a religious figure and writer of the 19th century. Here's what he wrote on this verse: 

The requirements of the Christian warfare

The associations of war and battle breathe in every word of this exhortation. 

It touches the heart as the spirit-stirring address of a trusted leader touches the hearts of his comrades at some great emergency of the conflict. 

As the foe gathers in the distance, half hidden behind the brow of the hill or beneath the shadow of the forest, and it remains doubtful for the moment at what quarter the storm will break, his warning voice calls to vigilance--“Watch ye.” 

As the tide of war rolls its threatening masses onwards, and the advancing column of the enemy, grim and ominous as a thundercloud, threatens to overwhelm the slender line of defenders, the leader’s clear voice is heard in the momentary hush of suspense, exhorting them to steadiness and constancy--“Stand fast.” 

As the opposing lines break in the shock of battle confusedly, like the meeting of two angry tides, and warrior contends hand to hand with warrior, the familiar voice still sounds amid the tumult, “Quit you like men.” 

As beneath the fury of the assault the line of the patriot host shakes and wavers, and the crisis calls for a courage prepared to die, but never to yield, I picture to myself the figure of the dauntless leader as he lifts his banner aloft and shouts, “Be strong.” 

(Canon Edward Garbett.)

"Watch ye!"

Every Christian believer, and indeed every person on this planet is engaged in a spiritual conflict. The Christian believer however is aware of this conflict, and is warned and encouraged and advised about it. 

In the single verse above we are exhorted to "Watch ye!" or to be on guard. As noted in Batman Begins...you have to learn to mind your surroundings! Things may not always be what they seem to be, and we are cautioned to be vigilant! Peter said Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV

Paul says, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints; Ephesians 6:18 NKJV

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:42-44 KJV

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.  Matthew 25:13 KJV

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:40-41 KJV

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. Mark 13:35-37 KJV

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-10 KJV

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.  1 Peter 4:7 KJV

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  Revelation 3:3 KJV

"Stand fast!" 

As believer we are required to "Stand fast!" We do not cut and run when the going gets tough! "Stand Fast!" We face the enemy head on, and stand toe to toe, for there are many depending on us ! Of the enemy the Bible says Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  1 Peter 5:9 NKJV 

 That's what we do! We resist! Sometimes it seems so easy to give up, to surrender, to lay down and die. Many have tragically done so! They have stumbled, slowed down and dropped out of all activity to do with Christ and His church! But the Bible says Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  Romans 8:37 KJV

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  Romans 8:37 NLTse 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  James 4:7 KJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13 KJV

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 KJV

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.  1 Thessalonians 3:8 KJV

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;  Philippians 1:27 KJV

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  Galatians 5:1 KJV

When bondage looks like liberty and liberty in Christ looks like bondage, we have become willingly blind and its difficult to see where we are going when we keep our eyes closed.

"Quit you like men!" 

We're more than defense! We're the offense! "Quit you like men!" When our country declares war, regardless of how we feel about it, we are also at war. We're treated as the enemy and we fight back as the enemy! Be it know to Christian believers, all and sundry, everywhere! The kingdom of heaven has declared war against evil everywhere, and every believer is automatically enlisted, engaged and enmeshed in this war under the leadership of the Commander in Chief! Therefore "Quit you like men!" 

When Jesus came to the earth He stepped right down unto enemy territory and bested the enemy! He then proceeded further and stepped down into Death and Hades, and ripped authority away from them! He stormed the gates of hell and prevailed!

The enemy will try to install gates in your life! Gates allow the entry of evil into a stronghold. Gates are fixed but they open or close to receive and let go, allowing passage. Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church built on The Rock! Jesus said He  will build His church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The church was not called to be on the defense but on the offensive! We're not called to hold the fort but to storm the gates of hell!  We are not fighting a defensive warfare and struggling to hold on desperately to what we can get! No! We are engaged in a frontal assault on the gates of hell, and we have God's own promise and assurance that those gates cannot stand against us! So when the conflict is raging around us, in the middle of all the noise and confusion "Quit you like men!"

"Quit you like men!" in your marriages! Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  Ephesians 5:25 KJV

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.  1 Peter 3:7 KJV

"Quit you like men!"as fathers with your children And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4 KJV

"Be Strong!"

Over and over again we are exhorted and encouraged to be strong! Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Ephesians 6:10 NKJV 

You are not standing in your strength alone for ...the LORD is the strength of your life! Psalm 27:1 "Be Strong!" 

The joy of the LORD is your strength! Nehemiah 8:10 "Be Strong!" 

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. Deuteronomy 31:6-7 KJV

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:6-9 KJV

And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.  1 Chronicles 28:20 KJV

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. Isaiah 35:3-8 KJV

'''the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.  Daniel 11:32 KJV  "Be Strong!"

It is vital and of eternal consequence that we know God! How can we know God! Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? John 14:8-9 KJV 

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. John 14:5-7 KJV

To know Christ is to know the Father! To know the Father is to know God! To know God is to be strong and do exploits! Believe Him! Believe on Him! Be strong in Him!

Again I say Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  2 Timothy 2:1 NKJV