Author’s note: This article was originally posted May 20, 2013. I believe the admonition issued here—to “watch” and discern with the armor described in Ephesians 6:12—is all-important because we face today ever-increasing deception by our chief enemy.

Demonic Divide

Dark, spiritual forces in high places are at work. There is no groundbreaking revelation in that statement regarding life in this nation and the world today. However, the true nature of the demonic delusion being foisted upon us is something even the most biblically mature will continue to miss if spiritual antennae aren’t properly attuned.

Additionally, it’s time like no other before to put on the “whole armor,” as outlined by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:12–18. I perceive a troubling schism developing amongst the brethren. I refer to those who watch—like the Lord commanded (Mark 13: 37)—end-times developments in what many believe are the closing hours of the Church Age.

Reports increasingly come at us of behind-the-scenes activities that appear to be, to say the least, bizarre. I’m talking about things the equivalent of claims/reports of the US government actually planning and carrying out the assassination of John F. Kennedy—and of George W. Bush’s administration being behind the planning and attack on the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001.

I’m certain you’ve read some of the many mind-boggling reports—all written/presented as if they’re unassailable truth. These accounts spring from fly-on-the-wall sources that give the impression that they personally witness the making of plans to imprison believers or to implant us all with computer chips while we sleep, or…whatever the conspiratorial imagination can conjure.

I will already have angered those who send such email with that word-portrait, no doubt. But before my thoughts on your side of the issue raise your blood pressure with words of anger, “I’ll never send him another article,” please hear me out. There is the other side of the developing schism. It, too, is harmful to the task of being a watcher on the wall.

I’m talking about the mindset that writes off as complete lunacy every report issued by the likes of Alex Jones crossing their computer screens. To fold up the antennae of discernment and simply lump all things that don’t slip smoothly through one’s anti-conspiratorial filter, just might, in my view, constitute a deadly delusion in the making.

The rift I sense developing between those who “watch” during these fleeting days of the age is inflicted by the father of lies himself. It’s all part of the great spiritual wrestling match Paul warns about in Ephesians 6:12. The devil likes to pit one side against the other, and it’s easy for him to do if spiritual armor isn’t the battle gear of choice.

One side of the divide most often sees only collusion of governmental diabolists at every level, thus is, understandably, accused by the secular world and fellow Christian watchers alike of being “conspiracy kooks.” Those on the other side of the divide too often, because of fear of guilt by association, run away from any talk of collusion of the human conspiratorial kind, sometimes failing to recognize the ways Satan directs his human minions to plot his end-times mischief.

The apostle Paul must have, with his words of Ephesians 6:12–18, been given his inspired thought particularly to give to this generation so near the return of Jesus Christ. Each Christian should daily put on the “whole armor of God.” This, obviously, hasn’t happened, and it likely won’t.

The vast numbers within the Body of Christ are turned inward, or in directions other than watching and yearning for the Lord’s return to put an end to this evil world-system. If we’re honest, we must say that the Body of Christ as a whole today isn’t even pursuing the Great Commission Jesus left to us: to carry the gospel to the whole world and to do what He taught and instructed.

We must not seek out only the strange, secretive, evil doings in the dark underworld of governmental collusion so as to make the findings shocking or exciting. Neither should we think that such collusion doesn’t exist at all and point to all reports as lunacy. Let’s not wrestle violently, angrily against each other, but combine, with reasoned purpose, against our true foe. Here is how to dress for the battle that will surely grow more intensive by the hour as the Rapture of the church approaches:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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 places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. (Ephesians 6:10–18).