The Laodicean believers of today do not keep God's commandments because:

They have been taught that God's saints are supposed to be prosperous and at home in the comforts and security of this present age, possessing every material advantage. The promises of Scripture are thought to be the route to prosperity and success in the world.

The Scriptures contain an interesting contrast to this last point. Speaking of the heroes of faith:

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Hebrews 11:37)

The Laodicean believers have never repented. They have made a profession of belief concerning the Lord Jesus but they have never turned away from the world. In order to be saved, a human being must repent, receive Christ as his Lord and Savior, and be baptized in water. Water baptism is the sign of repentance, showing we have died to this world, to unrighteousness, to sin, to disobedience to God.

Can a person be saved apart from sincere, diligent, continuing repentance? Can a person be saved without receiving Christ as his or her personal Lord ?

The saints against whom Antichrist wages war are those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Christ. Antichrist does not wage war against the Laodicean believers, who are characterized by the five points listed above (see previous essay). He already holds them in the power of delusion. They already believe a lie.

Satan has little fear of human activities. A church can conduct many varied programs, including lectures on the Scriptures, musical productions, and charitable efforts. While these expressions of human goodness may annoy Satan they are of no source of dread to him—even though the doctrine contained therein may be faultless.

What Satan fears greatly is the Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. If Satan can keep the churches on a human level, encouraging them to maintain some forms of righteousness, holiness, and recognition of the existence of God, he can afford to allow them to continue with their Sunday school programs, Bible studies, prayer meetings, and missionary enterprises.

What Satan will resist viciously will be any move to turn away from human wisdom and strength in order to seek the Presence of God. Whenever any person turns his life over to Christ and waits on Him for His wisdom and strength, Satan's kingdom is seriously jeopardized.

Satan will endeavor to keep Christian believers active in their current beliefs and practices. He understands that his kingdom cannot be weakened appreciably except by a body of people who through Christ are living in righteousness, holiness, and obedience to God.

The "testimony of Jesus" is the Spirit of prophecy. When the Spirit of prophecy speaks it tells of the Person and will of Jesus Christ. The Divine testimony consists of repentance from sinful practices, of righteous and holy behavior, and also of works of supernatural understanding, power, and utterance—all pointing toward the atoning death, triumphant resurrection, and soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

To be continued.