CHAPTER ONE
DISCERNING THE TIMES
Brethren, we live in a world of unseen spiritual reality and to live in ignorance of spiritual warfare that exists is the most naive and dangerous thing to do.
The visible world is only one dimension of reality. Beyond what our natural eyes can perceive exists a spiritual realm that is just as real, more enduring, and infinitely more influential. Every event in history, every movement of God's kingdom, and every assault of the enemy has its roots in this unseen realm.
As believers, we cannot afford to live as though only the physical world exists. To ignore the reality of spiritual warfare is to walk through a battlefield with no awareness that a battle is taking place. Such ignorance leaves us vulnerable to deception, distraction, and defeat.
The Scriptures repeatedly remind us that God never leaves His people uninformed concerning His purposes. Throughout history, He has spoken through His prophets, revealing the times and seasons so that His people would discern what He was doing and respond accordingly. Many of those prophetic declarations have already come to pass before our eyes, while others continue to unfold in our generation.
It is becoming increasingly evident that we are living in a unique season of spiritual intensity. The moral landscape of our world has shifted dramatically. Truth is being challenged, righteousness is increasingly opposed, and darkness seeks to redefine what God has clearly established. These realities should not surprise the believer, because the Word of God has already prepared us for such times.
The prophet Isaiah declared:
" Isaiah 8:22 AMP Then they will look to the earth, they will see only distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be driven away into darkness and overwhelming night."
Joel likewise paints a sobering picture:
" Joel 2:2 AMP A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and of thick [dark] mist, Like the dawn spread over the mountains; There is a [pagan, hostile] people numerous and mighty, The like of which has never been before nor will be again afterward Even for years of many generations."
These passages are not intended to produce fear but discernment. God reveals the nature of the times so that His people will know how to live within them. Darkness may increase, but the believer is never called to be overwhelmed by darkness. Rather, we are called to walk in the light of God's presence, equipped with His wisdom and strengthened by His Spirit.
The enemy understands that his time is limited. Because of this, he has intensified His efforts to keep humanity in spiritual darkness and his strategies are not random. Throughout Scripture, Satan consistently studies the movements of God and seeks to oppose, distort, or counterfeit them. Whenever God begins a new work, the enemy immediately attempts to frustrate it. Whenever truth is revealed, deception quickly follows. Whenever revival stirs, resistance arises.
Yet there is a realm that remains inaccessible to him—a place hidden within the wisdom of God.
It is in this place of intimacy that the Lord reveals His eternal purposes to those who diligently seek Him. The enemy cannot comprehend the mysteries that God reserves for those who walk closely with Him. It is this divine wisdom that becomes the believer's greatest advantage in times of increasing darkness.