Let’s face it, 2020 has been quite a year. We can all agree to that. We can’t help to be brought to the thought of thinking that these days are the days that the book of Revelation is talking about. I probably join many people in the spirit when I say that I feel very strongly about us being in these final days. Many Christians when they think of the “last days”, the first thoughts and plans of action tend to be geared toward being on high alert and on guard. Being “watchful” and alert draws people to look for the harm coming up ahead. Though being “watchful” can be all a part of protection from harm, I believe the Bible teaches us there is a bigger picture that Christ had in mind. His definition of being “watchful” is so much deeper than our perspective of it. Colossians 3:1-2, “If ye then be risen with Christ, see, those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Being “watchful” is about seeking His kingdom first. It’s about setting your mind on the realms of the heavenly. It’s about seeking His perspective on how He sees things. Jesus was always trying to get people to detach from the things of the fallen world. It’s cursed and skewed. He’s looking to renew it and the only way to do that is for us to let go and let God dwell in us so we can operate in His perspective of all things. He changes the skewed into something working toward His good, which is ultimately for our good.

Being watchful is about becoming one with Christ. Everything points to Him. Accepting Jesus through what He did on the cross, is accepting His Holy Spirit within us. The whole purpose of the cross and His suffering is for us, a corrupt fallen man, to have access to His perfect presence in the throne room of His grace and power. Before the cross, the corrupt man kept preventing and blocking himself away from God. Corruption could never mix with the perfection of God’s presence. God didn’t want that, but the prideful unsubmitting heart of man kept preventing man from being able to present himself clean before the Lord. That’s why scriptures say that the old covenant was full of fault. It’s because the old covenant was with corrupted man who kept messing things up. The new covenant had to be made between the perfect Spirit of God IN man which was Jesus. Jesus was the way for man to dwell fully again within the Spirit of God.

All God wants is for us to become one in communion with Him. He wants to dwell with us and overwhelm us with His goodness and love. In order to dwell within us, humility and surrender have to exist in order to get rid of the corrupt skewed spirit of the mind of man. He can’t give us the good in Him if we’re not willing to give up the bad in us. How can we operate in His perfect peace and perspective if our skewed messed up one is present? Jesus’ perfect Spirit manifested in the body of man to overcome sin and death so we can have access and become one with His Spirit once again. He had to provide a way for the corrupt soul and mind of man to overcome the spirit of confusion to enter into His rest. The eternal life with Him is the renewing of our old spirit into a new spirit within Him. That’s what salvation is. That’s what baptism is. It’s a rebirth of old made new. That’s why scriptures say to “take up your cross daily”. We must die to the perspective of our flesh and old spirit daily. It’s a moment to moment surrender of ourselves to become sanctified and renewed within His Spirit. THAT’S how we overcome the things of this world. Because we are no longer operating out of the old spirit of our mind, but within HIS Spirit that has all understanding, peace, and dominion over the things of this world. It’s not about us and our weakness, but His Spirit perfected within us pulling us through. His Holy Spirit within us is His seal.

Revelation 9:4, “And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.” The tribulation and wrath that Revelation talks about is only meant for those who do not have the “seal of God”. If this seal is our protection from tribulation and turmoil, then it’s pretty important to have right? So let’s look at what this “seal of God” is a little further. Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve ye not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” So the seal, according to scripture, is the Holy Spirit within us. It’s the renewed Spirit that overcomes our old one. That’s why scriptures say the “renewing of your mind”. Ephesians 4:23, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” The opposite of the seal of God, which is His Holy Spirit, is the spirit of our mind. Our corrupt thoughts, our pride, our sin. If we want a closer look into what the “image of the beast”, or the “number of man” (666) is, we have to first understand the opposite, which is HIS Spirit. Seek first the kingdom anyway right? Colossians 3:10 says, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.” The image of God is His Spirit which was placed in Adam originally. Six is represented as man. Adam was the original 6 (man).

The image/Spirit of God left Adam when Adam handed over dominion of the Earth to Satan with his decision to disobey the voice of God. Remember, the Spirit of God cannot dwell within a corrupt state because it would no longer be perfect. It was by man’s CHOICE to separate from the Spirit of God. The entire outline of the Bible is premised around God always trying to make a way for man to dwell within His Spirit again. Adam (created on day 6) was the first Holy Spirit within man attempt. Then after the flood, when the earth was destroyed in order to try to reverse the curse that was brought upon it, God tried to give Noah and his family a restart (the second 6/man). I believe that’s why Noah planted a vineyard and drank from the wine of the new, renewed ground. He was in the process of having communion with the Spirit of God again and renewing his old spirit to become new. When his son Ham walked in on him, he corrupted the process and the reversal was disrupted. From then on, it was a constant effort of reversing the curse again of man through the covenant of Moses, Abraham, and finally though David. The Davidic Covenant was a promise that through the “seed of David”, would be a savior for all to have eternal life. As we know, that seed was Jesus. HE was the final covenant to restore and reverse the curse of corrupt man. Jesus was the final man (6) to restore and sanctify when we accept Him. That’s why I believe the healing of the demonic on the Sabbath days (day 7) was so important. It was Jesus’ symbolism of the restoration of man to heal and sanctify. Sanctification and renewal was always done on either day or year 7. Seven always represented God and the renewal of man. It represents God’s Spirit within man. That’s why I believe God rested from His works on day 7. His Spirit dwelled within man which gave man authority over the things of this world. Hebrews 2:7 says that God set man “over the works of His hands.” Day 7 was God allowing His works and will to be implemented through man. When Adam and Eve chose pride over God, they handed dominion over to Satan.

If we don’t accept Jesus, and the Seal of His Spirit, we stop at 6. We stop at the corrupt and sinful state of man within the plans of Satan. We keep ourselves within the spirit (image) of man. We don’t transition and become new within Him. We hang on to our old ways, old thoughts, and old possessions of this world. We hand power to Satan who has dominion over the things of this world. Satan only has power over the natural realm when we allow him to. That’s why he is always trying to keep us attached to the things and power of this world. It’s so he can maintain power. It’s the true antichrist spirit. It’s his spirit within man trying to keep his power within this world. He’s trying to take power away from God. That’s why he confuses people into believing that Jesus wasn’t the one true God. He’s trying to take power away from what was accomplished through the cross. He knows that once we realize what the cross did for us, it’s over for him. As long as he keeps us blinded and distracted by the fear in the world, we will keep ourselves attached to it and still allow him to have power. That’s why Jesus was always telling people to let go of the things of this world. It was to operate out of the Spirit of God and not within the spirit of man. When we do, we understand the authority we have over Satan within the spirit. The battle is not between flesh and blood remember? The return and final day of Jesus is going to get rid of the corruption of this world so He can restore it. That’s why He’s so adamant about us letting the spirit of this world go. Because if we don’t, we will make ourselves become destroyed with it. That’s also why Jesus said it’s harder for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven because he has a harder time letting go the things of this world. He’s wanting us to seek His kingdom in heaven FIRST, so we can overcome this corrupt world until His fulfillment of the new one.

Through the power of the cross, the acceptance of what Jesus has done for us, allows us to receive His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter. It’s the exact Spirit that will lead us and guide us away from harm that tries to come against us. When we operate out of the spirit FIRST, we understand the power we have within us (which is His Spirit) to overcome the natural world around us. Colossians 2:6, 9-11, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.” “For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of principality and power.” “Putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.” The circumcision is symbolic of the removing of old flesh. It’s symbolic of becoming one within His Spirit. It’s operating out the spirit and heavenly realm because “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. Within the Spirit of God, that dwells within us when we accept Him, is the fulness of God. That means all authority over the things of this world. No where in Revelation does it say that Satan overcomes those who are operating within the Spirit of God. It says that he MAY overcome, but that’s when we fail to operate within the Spirit of God. If Satan has the power to overcome the Spirit of God during the infamous “tribulation”, then that would contradict everything that scriptures have told us prior. That’s why Revelation 6:6 says, “see thou hurt not the oil and wine.” The “oil and wine” is symbolic of those who are operating out of the authority and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Throughout scripture, the people in charge of the oil and wine within the tabernacle of God were those Levites and people who were daily submitting and repenting of themselves to the Spirit of God. They were those who “had an ear” for His Spirit and proved themselves pure and clean before the Lord. Purity runs parallel with humility. When we are humbled, repentant, and doing everything we can to perform the “works of His hands”, His will will be manifested throughout the Earth. Jesus was representative of the new and changed Levitical priesthood because of the access of the Holy Spirit after He died and rose again. He transitioned the temple that was built with hands, into something spiritual. His Spirit now resides in the temple that is not built with hands. That temple is us. We are the house that holds His presence. We take it with us wherever we go. Through Him, we exude His goodness and will upon the earth.

God is trying to wake us up to realize that. Ephesians 5:14, “Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light.” His light is the glory of His Spirit that renews us. Those who are pursuing His Holy Spirit daily are those who are awakened within Him. Hebrews 3:14, “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast until the end.” When we partake in communion (becoming one with Him), we are confident until the end. His Spirit will never leave nor forsake us as long as we keep allowing Him to dwell within us. Scriptures say He will be with us enduring until the end. UNTIL THE END. The end of corruption, evil, the cursed and fallen nature of this world. His Spirit is with us through it all. We just have to trust and rely on Him. Trust that He is in it for our good. Our power against Satan is only as big as our power to choose to rely on God for strength. Mark 16:16-18, “HE that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” We either believe in the power of His Spirit or we don’t. It’s not by our power, but HIS power. HIS power within us heals, HIS power within us keeps us from harm, HIS power within us treads upon the heads of serpents. If we don’t believe in that power, we don’t receive that power, and we don’t partake within that power. It’s that simple. Hebrews 10:13 says that Jesus who is seated at the right hand of the Father is “expecting till His enemies be made His footstool.” It’s like scripture is telling us that Jesus is waiting for us to realize the authority we have in Him to start flipping the script of the enemy. The Earth is His footstool and He’s waiting for the powers within the heavens to be brought down like “unripened figs” to the earth. When we take authority back from Satan within the heavenly realms, we shake the enemy down. Jesus is preparing within us a way for His return. That’s what John the Baptist symbolized as well. He was brought to make a way for Jesus. He baptized and helped lead others into sanctification to be brought before the Lord. He prepared a way so Jesus can fulfill His ultimate will. I believe that’s what Jesus is trying to do in us now. Matthew 13:34, “For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.” He’s awakening us up to be the works and authority of His hands to prepare the way for His return to restore.

It’s all in His perfect timing. He knows the timing and He is working in and through us to fulfill it. His timing is always geared toward the BEST, the most glory filled action plan. That means that there’s only one perfect way. That way sometimes takes time to manifest and come to fruition. Enemies before were allowed to reign, but I strongly believe their time is coming to a drastic end. He’s waking us up to His timing right now. Just like in Mark when it says “the time of figs was not yet.” He’s waiting for the ultimate time of His perfect glory to manifest. He’s ready for us to be at His table in the midst of our enemies. Ephesians 2:5-6 “Even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together in Christ and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” His Spirit quickens (changes/transforms) our old flesh and spirit of our corrupt mind into His perfect Spirit within the heavenly realms. We are seated within His presence in the Holy of Holies. His Holy Spirit is the gateway into the Holies (Hebrews 9:8). In Him, we have nothing to fear. No matter what Satan tries to do within this world, within the patterns of the antichrist spirit, and the patterns of the corrupt spirit of man (666), by the Spirit of God, we have and will overcome. We have to stop focusing on the details of the patterns of the natural realm, but focus FIRST on the patterns of the Spirit of God. Through Him, all will be revealed. Colossians 2:3, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” In Him and Him alone will we be guided unto ALL truth, which is according to HIS truth. The devil can manipulate and use worldly truths. That’s why we can’t get too bogged down within the details and patterns of this world. Bigger picture, the picture and will of Christ, seek and become one with His Holy Spirit.

Whatever “mark of the beast” aka mark of the image of man, and the corrupt nature of this world will bring in these coming days, His Spirit is more powerful. Hold on to it tight. Pursue Him daily. Sanctify yourself before the Lord daily. Joshua 7:13, “Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow. There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou cannot stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” You can’t face and stand against the armies of Satan if you are participating in what he is doing. You can’t go into battle with half your armor. Don’t give the devil room to corrupt you from God’s goodness. We give him leeway when we have pride, anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness. When we don’t edify others and build one another up. The power of grace and love is what unifies His kingdom and people here on Earth. It breaks down the strongholds of the enemy. According to Ephesians 4:3, the “unity of the Spirit is in the bond of peace”. No wonder why the devil is working overtime in people to break up the bonds of peace throughout the world! Peace is a weapon of warfare against him! It’s the unity and bond we all have in the army of God. That’s why the greatest commandments we are given are to love. Love your enemy as yourself. Love the people that come against you and pray for their soul to be renewed in Christ. Hebrews 10:39, “We are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” We keep loving and praying till their soul is saved. Love, peace, and unity is what breaks the bonds of fear and corruption of Satan. Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” We can’t see and watch for the Lord and be within His heavenly presence when we don’t pursue peace.

Edify and build one another up. Don’t let Satan win. It’s time to flip his script. You are chosen and called unto God to experience His goodness. He’s calling us sinners unto repentance to be renewed in Him so we can take back what the enemy has stolen from us. God’s promise is that WE ARE made in the image of Him and not the image of Satan which is the corrupted sinful nature. He’s trying to bring us back to Him and His perfect image within His Holy Spirit. It’s time to renew our minds and die to our corrupt self daily until the full body is made completely new once again. His Spirit is here with us helping us get through until the end. Trust Him. Hebrews 11:6, “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” He has sealed us with His Holy Spirit until the end. As long as we hold steadfast onto that, we won’t have to worry about anything else. Allow Him to be your confidence. Practice pursuing His voice and presence daily. He’ll guide you unto all peace and understanding. You hold a great role in His army. It’s time for the remnant to rise, go in the enemy’s camp, and take back what belongs to the kingdom of God.