The conquering saints "smell" the battle at a distance. The "nose" of the Church has not been working as it should. The nose refers to the ability of the saints to know when spiritual battle is taking place. Today, many preachers are speaking "peace and safety" to the Lord's people. They do not understand the conflict of the ages is upon us. They cannot "smell" the battle.

In some instances it may be true that a large part of the activities of an assembly of Christians is of the flesh and Satan. There is no discernment. The services are not conducted in the Holy Spirit. The programs are of little use in the Kingdom of God. Spiritual warfare is not taking place. But the members keep on laboring diligently in their fruitless endeavors.

Every member of the Body of Christ should be calling on God to send to us the ability to discern what is of the flesh, the soul, and Satan, and what truly is of the Spirit of God.

The soldiers of the Lord's army can "smell" the presence of the evil one. They know when a battle is at hand. The Spirit of the Lord begins to move on them and they prepare their minds and hearts for warfare. The true saint of God never will compromise with the spirit of the age, with his own flesh and self-will, or with evil spirits.

To one of Christ's soldiers the most invigorating, inspiring sound in the universe is "the thunder of the captains, and the shouting." The saint rejoices in the battles of the Lord because he knows that Christ already has defeated the enemy and that a tremendous increase in righteousness, peace, and joy is at hand.

Whenever the Spirit of God begins to move toward the liberation of some individual, or of a group of people, the overcomer is filled with Divine glory. He may feel in his spirit the thunder of the power of Almighty God. He may hear the shouting of directions as Christ through His officers moves against the enemy. It brings joy to the saints to behold the spiritual bonds loosed and the peoples of the earth made whole in spirit, in soul, and in body.

The East Gate

After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate. (Nehemiah 3:29)

The "east gate" is brought to our attention. Christ's coming will be the rising of the sun of the Day of the Lord.

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2)

We have also a more sure word of prophecy [the Scriptures]; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (II Peter 1:19)

The work of restoration will be greatly enhanced when the Lord Jesus Christ appears in the clouds of glory in and with His glorious perfected Body—the Church. Christ will appear both in and with His saints.

If Christ were to appear only with His saints He would have set up His Kingdom two thousand years ago, and it would not be necessary for God to take such extreme care in perfecting us. But because Jesus will appear in us, as well as with us, there must be a total transformation of all that we are.

Christ will be glorified in His saints (II Thessalonians 1:10; John 17:10).

To be continued.