Tearing Down Strongholds

[Note: Our guest author, Pastor Jack Hibbs, was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at our 2024 Bible Conference, but he fell ill that week and was unable to attend. Jack instead sent the following message that summarizes what he was going to speak on: “I know that God redeems everything.”]

I had hoped to share, with a prophetic spin, from 2 Corinthians 10, and most specifically, verse 3: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh” (NKJV).

Think about these Last Days in which you and I are living and remember, “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Right now, in this prophetic age, as we approach the end, we are going to be surrounded more and more by strongholds. I don’t mean strongholds that are going to take us captive. I believe these strongholds are the enemy’s attempt to advance his kingdom upon this earth—this enemy-occupied territory. When these strongholds surround us, we need to see that they are none other than opportunities for you and me, in this prophetic age to use the Word of God.

Prophetic Application

I appreciate everyone who studies the prophecies of Daniel, and Ezekiel, and the prophecies that are in the Psalms. But, what about Jeremiah? John in Revelation? What about the Olivet Discourse? We must know these prophecies and teachings, but what if we never do anything that backs up, in a practical way, the urgency of being a believer in these Last Days?

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul is going to bring it, he’s going to deliver it, and it is this, “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” And here comes the punchline. Verse six says, “…and being ready.” How many times does God’s Word tell us to “be ready”? You do not know the hour! Be ready for Me, I could come at any moment! You do not know! Be on guard, be vigilant.

How do we do that? He’s going to tell us, and it’s epic, “…and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:6).

If you and I believe Jesus is coming back soon (and I hope today), then that means I am to be obedient and in my obedience to Christ, my light and my witness—your light and your witness—will punish disobedience.

Be Ready and Vigilant

When was the last time you believed that your Christian example punished wickedness, punished unrighteousness, or punished ungodliness?

Knowing the times and the seasons in which we live, we ought to be ready and vigilant regarding Christ’s return. We must live out our faith, our witness, and the stewardship of the truth that’s in us.

You and I, by our light and our witness for Christ, should cause Hell to tremble. Learning the truth of God’s prophetic Word is great, but make sure you put it into practice. Make sure you do righteousness, which is simply to do the right thing. Do what Jesus would do. By you and I doing that, we just might hasten the coming of the Lord as Peter talks about in 2 Peter 3:11-15.

I leave it in the hands of God that you trust that we’re going to see Him soon, either by rapture or by rupture, by going up or by being transported into His presence by death. Either way, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. And so, we look forward to our “blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).