It is fitting that the believers in the Lord Jesus, who have suffered so much for the name of Jesus, will be the ones to execute judgment against Satan, against the creature who has been the cause of their suffering.

Notice carefully the expression, "and prevailed against them."

It is our point of view, as we have stated, that the falling of the stars, of Revelation 12:4, refers to the prevailing of Satan over the saints of the Lord.

It is God who will allow Antichrist to make war with the saints and to overcome them. God will do this in order to accomplish His purpose in the saints and in the earth. God is far wiser than we and we must learn to trust Him concerning the things that happen to us.

It is only through much tribulation that we are able to enter the Kingdom of God. Suffering is necessary because of the evil of our personality. Obedience to God must be learned at the deepest levels of our being. There is still much sin and soulish rebellion in the strongest of us.

It is only as we are brought very low that we gain a proper perspective concerning ourselves and concerning the Lord God of Heaven. In numerous instances the Christians of today are far too confident concerning their status with God. They strut about in a haughty manner being certain that God is impressed with their spirituality. Sometimes such an individual must stumble and fall in order to save him from the pride that proved to be Satan's downfall.

God will not despise a humble and repentant heart. But the person who considers himself or herself to be powerful in the sight of God is in danger. The goodness of God may permit the filth and self-centeredness of the "mighty one" to be revealed to such an extent that others can see him as he really is. Then he will approach God in a more humble manner, giving thanks and worship to the only One who is worthy of praise and adoration.

God has determined to allow Satan to express himself in the earth so all the creatures of God may be able to witness the folly of rebelling against the Father. The evil of Satan, and of all who choose their own will over the will of the Father, will be laid bare. This is God's way—to allow us to pursue our course until we prove to ourselves, as happened to the prodigal son, that our Father's choices are best.

God has given a marvelous inheritance to each individual whom He has called to Himself. He has prepared a place for us. But it is only as the individual learns to give back lovingly to his Creator all he is, all he hopes to receive and achieve, that he can obtain love, joy, and peace—the greatest treasures of all. So few are willing to trust God to this extent! As it is written, narrow is the gate and restricted is the way that leads to eternal life and few there are who find it.

To be continued.