The Great War between Good and Evil

Proverbs 10:27-28
View commentary related to this passage
27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.
New Living Translation (NLT)

There is a Great War, that is more horrible than any other war, the war between good and evil.

Main Events

The entire universe is embroiled in a war between good and evil.

The war began ages ago in Heaven. (Rev 12:7-9)

The war spread to Earth in Eden. (Ge 3:14,15)

Enmity - "The quality of being an enemy; the opposite of friendship; ill will; hatred." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

God wrestles with His people to pull them from destruction. (Ge 32:24-30, Mic 6:2)

Jesus secured the ultimate victory through His sacrificial death on the cross. (Jn 12:31-33, Jn 19:30, Col 2:14,15)

Evil beings intensifed their attacks after the cross. (Rev 12:9,12,17)

Evil will be eradicated from the universe. (Rev 20:10, Rev 21:3-5, Eze 28:17-19, Mal 4:1-3)

Good

God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) (Dt 6:4, Mt 28:19, Jn 10:30, Jn 14:9-11, Jn 17:21,22)

God is (holy, just, love) (Rev 15:4, Rev 15:3, 1Jn 4:8)

Jesus

Fully and equally God (Jn 1:1,14,17, Col 2:9, Rev 1:8) ("I AM" Ex 3:13,14 and Jn 8:58,59)

Creator (Col 1:15-17, Heb 1:1,2)

Redeemer (Col 1:13,14)

Sanctifier (2Co 3:18, Eph 4:11-13)

The Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn 14:6)

Fully man (Heb 2:14-18, Heb 4:15,16, 1Jn 4:2,3, 2Jn 1:7)

Note on Heb 2:18: Succor - "Literally, to run to, or run to support; hence, to help or relieve when in difficulty, want or distress; to assist and deliver from suffering; as, to succor a besieged city; to succor prisoners." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

The only Mediator between God and man (Jn 1:18, 1Co 10:1-4, 1Ti 2:5, 1Pe 1:10,11)

Holy Spirit (Jn 15:26, Jn 16:12-15, Ro 8:9-11, 1Co 6:19,20)

Holy angels (Lk 15:10, Heb 1:13,14, Rev 12:7, Rev 19:11-14)

Human agents

Children of God (Mt 5:44,45,48, Jn 1:12,13)

The body of Christ (the Church) (1Co 12:27, Eph 1:22,23)

The bride of Christ. (Jer 3:14,20, Hos 2:19, 2Co 11:2, Eph 5:31,32, Rev 21:2,9,10)

Ambassadors of Christ (2Co 5:17-20)

The Bible (God's written, authoritative truth) (Ps 138:2, Jn 17:17, 1Th 2:13)

Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-24)

Evil

Lucifer (shining one), Devil (slanderer), Satan (adversary) (Isa 14:12-15, Eze 28:13-17, Rev 12:9,10)

Slander - "A false tale or report maliciously uttered, and tending to injure the reputation of another by lessening him in the esteem of his fellow citizens, by exposing him to impeachment and punishment, or by impairing his means of living; defamation." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

Fallen angels (demons) (Rev 12:3,4,9 compare Rev 1:20) (many millions (Rev 5:11)) (Eph 6:12)

Human agents

Children of men (Ge 6:2, Ps 4:2,3)

Note on Ps 4:2 - Leasing - "Falsehood; lies" (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

Children of the devil (Jn 8:39-44, Eph 2:2, 1Jn 3:7-10)

Harlots (false churches) (Rev 17:5)

Harlot - "A prostitute. In Scripture, one who forsakes the true God and worships idols." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

Destruction

Satan is the destroyer of God's people. (Job 1:6-22, Da 7:25, Da 8:23-25, Jn 8:44, 1Pe 5:8, Rev 12:9,12,17, Rev 13:4,7,8,15, Rev 17:5,6)

The persecution of the early church accelerated the spread of the gospel. (Ac 8:1-4)

Temptation (to cause us to disobey God)

Satan is the temper. (Mt 4:3, 1Th 3:5)

Common to all men (first part of 1Co 10:13) (Jesus, Mt 4:1, Heb 4:15)

Ultimately caused by our own evil desire (Jas 1:14,15)

There is always a way out. (last part of 1Co 10:13, Jas 4:7)

Deception (to dilute the truth with falsehood)

Satan is the father of lies. (Jn 8:44)

False doctrines (Ac 20:29-31, 1Ti 4:1,2, 2Ti 4:3)

A false church system (2Co 11:13-15, Rev 13:4,6,8,9, Rev 17:4-7,15, Rev 18:1-4)

Notes on Rev 17:4 - Fornication - "The incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman." (Webster's Dictionary 1828) (bold emphasis added)

Incontinent - "Not restraining the passions or appetites, particularly the sexual appetite; indulging lust without restraint or in violation of law." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

Conversation - "General course of manners; behavior; deportment; especially as it respects morals." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)

Miracles, signs, and wonders. (2Th 2:9-12, Rev 13:8,13,14, Rev 16:13,14, Rev 19:20)

Deceive even the elect, if that were possible (Mt 24:24)

Fruit of the sinful nature (Gal 5:19-21)

The Blood of the Martyrs Cries Out Today

The blood of the martyrs cries out today for justice. (Ge 4:9,10, Rev 6:9,10, Mt 23:1,2,27,29-35 and Jesus)

How long before justice will be accomplished? (2Pe 3:9,10)

The martyrs remembered

Abel (Ge 4:8-10)

The stoning of Zacharias (2Ch 24:20,21)

The stoning of Stephen (Ac 7:54-60)

The upside-down crucifixion of Peter (Jn 21:18,19)

The beheading of Paul

The lions of the Roman Coliseum

Nero's, tar-coated, human candles

The Roman Church's torture and burning of "heretics"

Nameless others (Heb 11:35-37)

The crucifixion of Jesus

Our Response

The Cross reveals God's true character and Satan's true character. (Lk 22:3,4, Jn 3:16, Jn 15:13, 1Co 1:18)

Each person chooses loyalty and obedience to God or to Satan. (Mt 4:8-10, Ac 5:29)

There is no middle (neutral) ground (Mt 12:30)

Hate evil ways. (Ps 97:10, Am 5:14,15, Ro 12:9, Rev 2:6)

Although we are to hate evil deeds, we are to love our enemies. (Mt 5:44)

We must understand, however, that the war is rooted in wicked, supernatural beings who will not change.

We must test everything by the Bible. (Isa 8:20, Ac 17:10,11)

We must put on the whole armor of God. (Eph 6:13-18)