Waging Spiritual Warfare in the New Year

In the book of Revelation, the Bible describes the fall of Satan from the heavens.

The Apostle John saw it this way: “That great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray” (Rev. 12:9).

Satan’s defeat in the heavenlies, however, has not yet led to his destruction. That awaits the second triumphant coming of Christ, when after being bound for a period of time, Satan will be eternally punished in hell. “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Rev. 20:10).

Until then, our archenemy will work tirelessly to blind the minds of the unbelieving and keep them captive in his evil treachery.

As we begin a new year, we can only expect that the attacks and deceit of the adversary will grow more intense and deadly. “But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows his time is short” (Rev. 12:12).

This is why the upcoming year will be an extremely busy one for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. As the enemy of our souls ratchets up his deceptive schemes and tactics, we will boldly and openly proclaim Jesus Christ to multitudes around the world.

It is the life-giving gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ that liberates imprisoned souls. God’s truth has the power to conquer the deceptive ways of the wicked who oppress God’s people.

In Christ, our sins—with their guilt and shame—are overcome by the Savior. Jesus is the Light of the world, and His very light exposes our sin, leads us to repentance and gives us eternal life as we put our faith in Him.

Here in the United States, and abroad in India, Japan, the Republic of Georgia, Poland, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Canada and Australia, we will proclaim Jesus Christ as the risen Savior. The Holy Spirit will use the Word of God to convict sinful hearts, and by the power of God, men, women and children will be born again.

In that moment of saving faith, they will be “rescued … from the dominion of darkness” and brought “into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Col. 1:13).

The gospel of our Savior who died for our sins and rose again, “is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Rom. 1:16).

In his hymn “A Mighty Fortress,” Martin Luther penned this stanza:

“And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us. The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.”

Christ is returning soon. Very soon, I hope. Until then, we will work in the power of His might, preaching and proclaiming our only hope—Jesus Christ, who has conquered Satan, death and sin.

This is the reason for my hope. 

This article originally appeared on BillyGraham.org.