I’m ending our series on spiritual warfare where we started, with the same woodcut print by the 15th century German artist, Albrecht Durer. I’m using it again so that you have it firmly planted in your mind, because what you see pictured here is an everyday reality for all of us, everywhere in the world. The placid, idyllic scene at the bottom of the picture is our reality, and the violent warfare going on above is in another dimension, but no less real. “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

It is a formidable enemy way beyond our ability to fight. This is why we must keep our armor on and pray continually, not just for ourselves but for all believers everywhere.

Just what do you think it means to keep your armor on? This can’t be just child’s play or an imaginary game. It means continually focusing on what our armor represents — reminding ourselves that we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness, that our faith is something real and solid, that the hope of our completed salvation is real, that Christ has brought us peace with God, with each other and with ourselves, and that all of this is insured by truth and secured by the word of God. All of this protects us at all times, and we can remind ourselves of these things anytime, anywhere.

These are trying days, and things are bound to get worse, but we have all we need to be prepared. We just need to keep our armor on.

The battle, incidentally, is over you and me. Satan is the destroyer and the father of lies. He wants to pull you away from the Lord and ultimately destroy you. But God has done everything to bring you to Himself and to keep you safe. You can rest assured that you are His, and He will have the ultimate victory. Just keep your armor on.

The return of Christ is nearer than when we first believed.