Reading Eph 6:10++ talks about "Spiritual Battles". What is the objective of this battle? When will it be won? What will the winner win?
[Eph 6:10-18 NASB]
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual [forces] of wickedness in the heavenly [places.]
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil [one.]
17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
Q: What is the objective of this battle?
A) Eph 10 pertains to the “Christian walk” or some would call the life of a believer. The objective Paul references is lamented in Vs 11 “that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil”. The first word of v 10 is “Finally” this means in light of everything I just said previously just now... this is the cap stone of living a life of sanctification. Not allowing us to use our bodies as instruments of death (Romans 6:13). Christians don’t ever fight physical battles with satan or demons. We wage war with the schemes of our own minds and bodies. Vs 12. We engage in battle through prayer, evangelism, and disciplines of the faith.
Q: When will it be won?
A) here now, moment to moment - the battle Paul is referring to here. This battle is not for your soul or salvation, but the battle of the will of the flesh and the will of Christ’s perfect spirit that resides in the believer. Our constant sinful flesh desiring what is in holy is the one we face until we are done with our time on Earth in our un resurrected bodies Ultimately, Christ wins this battle once and for all after the 7 years of tribulation during His second coming. We will not fight anymore but only watch as our King destroys demonic and satanic forces that were allowed dominion on this earth. Check out Is 63:1-6 to learn about this moment to come.
Q: What will the winner win?
A) we will win the peace of fellowship with Jesus in this life. Restored Joy and even contentment. Free from outside satanic forces that ultimately desire to kill us physically and take down our family with us.
Again, when Christ finishes this battle and puts and ends to it, His reward is a 1k year reign of this planet with all the nations under His rule. This will be in fulfillment of what God promised Jesus He would do In IS 9:6-7