The sanctuary of God has been purified by the sprinkling of the blood of the Lord Jesus. But now the sanctuary must be cleansed by the removal of the presence of those who do not obey the Lord.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [heavenly] places. (Ephesians 6:12)

The penetration of wickedness into the heights of the heavens will be so profound that the people in the large cities of the earth will no longer be able to seek Christ for salvation, to receive the Holy Spirit, or even to pray. This is the meaning of the following:

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)

In the last days Satan will have seven heads, seven crowns on his heads, and ten horns—so great will be the authority and power given to him. But the saints in whom Christ has been formed will finally overcome him.

When Satan is forced down from the heavens his tail will draw a third part of the stars out of the heavens with him. All that have not been found faithful and righteous will fall through temptation, following Satan from their place in the heavens to the earth. We have seen this happening already as outstanding ministers of the Gospel have been brought down from their heavenly standing by their lust for the things of earth.

The fall of the heavenly personages is taking place today and will be greatly accelerated in the future until the heavens have been cleansed.

God will continue His shaking until all that is not of Christ has been removed from the creation. God intends to bring in everlasting righteousness.

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (Daniel 9:24)

"To bring in everlasting righteousness."

A new world filled with righteousness, Peter predicts. The scepter of King Jesus is a scepter of righteousness. We can understand from this why Satan has sent his four horsemen into the thinking of Christian people. Satan puts the highest priority on preventing righteous conduct in Christian people. Satan understands that God's Kingdom is one of righteousness and that apart from righteous behavior on the part of the saints Satan has nothing to fear.

Balaam counseled Balak to tempt the Israelite warriors with the Moabite girls. Balak could not possibly overcome Israel until he could persuade Israel to sin. Satan cannot possibly overcome the Christian churches except as he is able to tempt the believers to commit sin.

The coming to maturity of the tares of evil in the last days will attain monumental proportions. Scenes of revelry on the earth will exceed those of the citizens of Sodom. The people of the large cities, caught in the wild abandonment of the flesh, will not be able to pray. Satan will have control of the heavens above them.

But the Throne of Almighty God will be entering the warlike remnant left on the earth. The remnant will be forced to flee to the wilderness areas of the earth for safety, as we understand the Scriptures. Many devout Jews will flee from the land of Israel because Antichrist will be sitting between the wings of the cherubim in the rebuilt Temple proclaiming himself to be the only true God.

To be continued.